FL H0573

Authorizes physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners to execute certificates for involuntary mental health examinations, joining physicians, clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers in this authority.

Requires certificates to document that the provider examined a person within the preceding 48 hours and finds the person appears to meet criteria for involuntary examination, with law enforcement then transporting the person to an appropriate facility.

Adds definitions for "advanced registered nurse practitioner" and updates the definition of "physician assistant" in Florida Statutes Section 394.455.

Conforms cross-references throughout Florida Statutes (sections 39.407, 394.495, 394.496, 394.9085, 409.972, and 744.2007) due to the addition of new subsection definitions.

Takes effect July 1, 2018.