FL S1544

Authorizes physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners to initiate involuntary mental health examinations under the Baker Act, in addition to physicians, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers.

Adds definitions for "physician assistant" and "advanced registered nurse practitioner" to Florida's mental health statute and reorders existing definitions in section 394.455.

Updates all references to the "Department of Family Services" to the "Department of Children and Families" throughout the mental health law.

Conforms cross-references in related statutes (sections 39.407, 394.495, 394.496, 394.9085, 409.972, and 744.704) to align with the reordered definition numbers in section 394.455.

Effective date: July 1, 2014.