CS/CS/CS/HB 1069 - Substance Abuse Services

• Authorizes the Department of Health and Agency for Health Care Administration to grant exemptions from disqualification for service provider personnel to work in mental health and substance abuse treatment programs, including co-occurring disorder facilities.

• Defines "peer specialist" as a person in recovery for at least 2 years from substance use disorder or mental illness, or with family/caregiver experience, and establishes a training and certification program administered by the department with designated credentialing entities.

• Requires level 2 background screening for all peer specialists with direct client contact and allows exemptions from disqualification within 60 days; applicants may work under qualified professional supervision for up to 90 days while exemption applications are pending.

• Modifies recovery residence referral restrictions to allow exceptions when residents experience substance use recurrence and benefit from clinical treatment, and prohibits recovery residences and affiliated individuals from receiving pecuniary benefits from licensed service providers for referrals.

• Requires recovery residences to comply with Florida Fire Prevention Code provisions and establishes $1,000 per occurrence administrative fines for violations of referral restrictions, with potential license suspension or revocation for repeat violations.