FL S0998

Creates licensure requirements for adolescent and child residential treatment programs through the Agency for Health Care Administration, requiring programs to employ licensed psychiatrists or psychologists as directors and maintain minimum staffing ratios of 1 professional staff member to 4 residents during awake hours.

Requires all program staff to undergo level 2 background screening and establishes mandatory treatment plans for each resident reviewed and signed at enrollment and periodically thereafter by the program director and resident's parent or legal guardian.

Mandates residential treatment programs provide Department of Education-approved curriculum, conduct individual and group counseling sessions at least weekly, and maintain compliance documentation with local zoning, building codes, fire safety, and health codes.

Establishes licensure and operational requirements for adolescent and child outdoor programs offering wilderness hiking and camping experiences as treatment, requiring licensed psychiatrists or psychologists as program supervisors who maintain current enrollment records updated every 24 hours and develop written plans for all field activities and expeditions.

Requires outdoor programs to provide educational components approved by the Department of Education for participants absent from school more than 30 days and provide access to multidisciplinary teams including physicians, psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors trained in treating adolescents and children.