FL H0573

Assisted living facilities (ALFs) serving one or more mental health residents (lowered from three) must obtain a limited mental health license, complete at least 6 hours of DCF-approved training within 6 months, and maintain community living support plans and assessment documentation within 30 days of admission or provide written evidence of request within 72 hours.

A tiered administrative fine structure is established based on violation scope (isolated, patterned, widespread), ranging from $100–$200 for Class IV to $5,000–$10,000 for Class I violations, with fines doubled for repeat Class I or II offenses; mandatory license denial or revocation applies for two moratoria within 2 years or multiple Class I violations.

ALF inspections must occur at least every 24 months, with additional inspections within 6 months triggered by one or more Class I or two or more Class II violations; monitoring visits for extended congregate care facilities are reduced to twice yearly, and limited nursing services visits to annually, with waiver options for compliant facilities after 24 months.

AHCA must create a consumer information website by November 1, 2014, searchable by facility name, license type, city, or zip code, displaying license details, capacity, services offered, payment forms accepted, and violation history from the previous 60 months, updated monthly in language understandable to the general public.

New preservice orientation of at least 2 hours is required for all new ALF employees before interacting with residents (effective October 1, 2014), and medication management training is increased from 4 to 6 hours; OPPAGA must complete an intersurveyor reliability study by November 1, 2014.

Assistance with self-administration of medication is expanded to include prefilled insulin syringes and pens, nebulizers, glucometers, antiembolism stockings, oxygen cannulas, CPAP devices, vital sign measurement, and colostomy bags, broadening the scope of care ALFs may provide.

Recovery care centers are established as a new facility type for postsurgical and postdiagnostic patients not requiring acute hospitalization, with admission and discharge required within 72 hours, mandatory emergency transfer protocols, and referral agreements with at least one hospital.

Resident protections are strengthened: the cash safekeeping limit increases from $200 to $500; written notices must include ombudsman, abuse hotline, and Disability Rights Florida contact information with confidentiality and anti-retaliation statements; facilities face a $2,500 fine for retaliatory termination of residency without good cause.

The optional state supplementation cap is increased from two times to four times the provider rate, and $151,322 recurring plus $7,986 nonrecurring from the Health Care Trust Fund is appropriated to AHCA with two new full-time positions for regulatory activities.

Home health agency reporting shifts from quarterly to semi-annual electronic submissions, with the nurse remuneration disclosure threshold raised from $25,000 to $50,000, and a $200/day fine (capped at $5,000 per period) imposed for late reports.