FL S1286

Creates a specialty "Children's Special Care Center" (CSCC) license for facilities that maintain a separate center for children ages birth to 21 years with skilled care or medically fragile needs.

Establishes requirements for CSCC licensure including emergency pediatric medication kits, age-appropriate physical environments, qualified staffing, medical and dental services, and minimum nursing staffing standards (3.9 hours daily for skilled care children; 5 hours daily for medically fragile children).

Requires individualized plans of care for each child with quarterly assessments, interdisciplinary care teams, discharge planning to least restrictive settings, and staff education programs focused on child development and infection control.

Mandates centers to notify local school districts of school-aged children (ages 3-22) and work with parents on education, but shields centers and school districts from liability if educational programs cannot be provided.

Authorizes Medicaid to provide home and community-based services for medically fragile children under age 21 and adults 21+ who previously received such services, as an alternative to skilled nursing facility placement.