FL S1238

Replaces existing community residential home regulations with a comprehensive framework governing "community residences" and "recovery communities" for individuals with disabilities, including those with developmental disabilities, mental illness, elderly persons, and people recovering from substance use disorders

Establishes spacing distance requirements between community residences and recovery communities (660 feet or 7 parcel lots minimum for most community residences; up to 1,500 feet for recovery communities housing over 100 occupants) to prevent over-concentration in neighborhoods

Requires community residences to operate as the "functional equivalent of a family," providing mutual support, normalization, and community integration for residents, with mandatory licensing or certification from state agencies or congressionally-recognized entities

Creates reasonable accommodation provisions allowing local governments to approve community residences that don't meet standard spacing requirements if they demonstrate they won't interfere with normalization goals of nearby facilities or alter neighborhood residential character

Requires local governments to respond within 10 business days to spacing distance inquiries and provides that existing lawfully operating facilities before July 1, 2026 may continue operating if licensed/certified by July 1, 2027