FloridaFlorida law sets screening and admission rules for licensed care providers
For licensed care providers, the law sets a screening rule for certain ownership transfers and limits when the department can require admissions during a probationary period.
What it does
When at least 5 percent of a licensed provider’s controlling ownership interest is transferred, the department must require level 2 background checks for certain people connected to the new owner.
Qualifying licensed providers adding care at an existing location, or offering the same care at an already licensed new location, cannot be required to admit people during the probationary period if they meet the stated conditions.
Argument forRequiring level 2 checks after a significant ownership transfer could help the department screen people who will manage or control a licensed provider.
Argument againstPeople seeking care at a qualifying provider’s location might face delays because the department cannot require the provider to admit them during the probationary period.
More detail
The Department of Children and Families must require a level 2 background check for certain people after an ownership transfer. The check covers officers, directors, managing members, and people who exercise operational control for the person or entity receiving the interest. The rule applies when at least 5 percent of a licensed entity’s controlling ownership interest is transferred. The screening rule applies when the ownership transfer occurs.
The Department of Children and Families may not require a qualifying provider to admit people for services during the probationary licensing period. This applies to existing licensed providers adding levels of care at an existing licensed location, or offering the same level of care at a new location that is already licensed. The provider must have no outstanding violations under the cited law. The department must not have taken action against the provider’s existing license in the previous 12 months. This rule applies during the probationary licensing period.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 12Chapter No. 2026-123Latest
- Jun 11Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 17Ordered enrolledMinor
- Mar 10CS passed; YEAS 106, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 10Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 10Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 10Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 91st Reading (Engrossed 1)Minor
- Mar 9Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)
- Mar 9Bill referred to House Calendar
- Feb 26In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 26Immediately certified
- Feb 26CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Feb 26Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 26Amendment(s) adopted (260270)
- Feb 26Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 25Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/26/26
- Feb 25Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Feb 24Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 22 NAYS 0Minor
- Vote recorded Favorable. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 19On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/24/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
- Feb 18CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services read 1st time
- Feb 16Now in Rules
- Feb 16Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Feb 12CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; YEAS 9 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 9On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, 02/12/26, 2:30 pm, 412 Knott Building
- Jan 29CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs read 1st time
- Jan 28Now in Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
- Jan 28Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Jan 27CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; YEAS 5 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 22On Committee agenda-- Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, 01/27/26, 1:00 pm, 301 Senate Building
- Jan 13IntroducedMinor
- Jan 7Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; RulesMinor
- 2025
- Dec 30FiledIntroduced
Healthcare