FL H0973

Creates the hardship evaluation program under Section 456.0765, Florida Statutes, to fund mental or physical evaluations for students preparing for health care practitioner or veterinarian licensure who are referred to an impaired practitioner program but cannot afford the required evaluation

Eligibility requires enrollment in a Florida institution of higher learning, referral to an impaired practitioner program due to alcohol/drug misuse or mental/physical conditions affecting practice ability, and financial hardship defined as unemployment, receiving public assistance, or income at or below 150% of federal poverty level

Department of Health pays evaluators directly after receiving redacted invoices from program consultants, with funding from the Medical Quality Assurance Trust Fund through legislative appropriation

Consultants must submit monthly progress reports to the department including participant numbers, examination costs, program status, and expected completion dates, with all individually identifiable student information protected

Effective date of July 1, 2016