FL H0919

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities must employ or contract with a qualified evaluator to conduct annual reviews of persons involuntarily admitted to residential services provided by the agency.

Each involuntary placement must be reviewed by the court at a hearing annually, unless a shorter review period is ordered, to determine if the person continues to meet admission criteria and whether involuntary placement remains necessary.

The review must assess whether the person is receiving adequate care, treatment, habilitation, and rehabilitation, and identify the most appropriate and least restrictive type of residential placement.

A "qualified evaluator" is defined as a psychiatrist licensed under chapter 458 or 459, or a psychologist licensed under chapter 490, with demonstrated expertise in diagnosing and treating persons with intellectual disabilities.

The agency must provide copies of completed reviews and reasonable notice of hearings to the state attorney (if applicable), the person's attorney, and the person's guardian or guardian advocate (if appointed).

$623,200 in nonrecurring General Revenue Fund appropriation is provided to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities for fiscal year 2016-2017 to implement this act.