Senate Bill (SB) 1068 and House Bill (HB) 1013, sponsored by Senator Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami) and Representative Gallop Franklin (D-Tallahassee), formally advance HCAF’s top legislative priority for the 2026 Legislative Session, which convenes January 13. The bipartisan legislation establishes clear, uniform consumer safety and transparency standards across in-home care provider types, closing long-standing regulatory gaps while preserving access to care and respecting existing scopes of practice.

Together, the bills create a consistent framework to improve consumer safety, transparency, and accountability across the in-home care continuum. Senator Calatayud and Representative Franklin once again serve as a bipartisan leadership team carrying the home care industry’s top priority for the second consecutive legislative session, underscoring broad, cross-party agreement on the need for stronger consumer protections in care delivered at home.

As more Floridians rely on care in the home, the legislation addresses regulatory inconsistencies that have led to consumer confusion, uneven oversight, and unclear disclosures depending on provider type. SB 1068/HB 1013 ensure individuals and families receive clear, accurate information about who is providing care, what services may legally be performed, and what protections are in place — regardless of how care is arranged.

Establishing Clear, Standardized Consumer Disclosures

A central component of SB 1068/HB 1013 is the creation of standardized, written disclosures that must be provided to patients/clients at intake and annually thereafter. These disclosures are designed to be clear, conspicuous, and understandable to the general public.

For nurse registries, required disclosures include confirmation that caregivers are independent contractors rather than employees, information about insurance coverage, instructions for filing complaints with appropriate state entities, and clear explanations of risks associated with certain activities, such as patient transport or the use of lifting equipment. Patients/clients must acknowledge receipt of these disclosures in writing.

For registered homemaker and companion service providers, disclosures must clearly explain that services are limited to non-medical, non-hands-on care, outline scope-of-service limitations, disclose insurance status, and explain whether caregivers are employees or independent contractors. These requirements ensure that consumers understand the fundamental differences between provider types before services begin.

Preventing Misleading Marketing and Consumer Confusion

SB 1068/HB 1013 also addresses misleading or confusing marketing practices that blur distinctions between provider types. The legislation restricts the use of terms such as “home health,” “home health care,” “nursing,” and “agency” by entities that are not licensed to provide those services.

Under the legislation:

• Nurse registries must clearly identify themselves as nurse registries in their business names and marketing materials and must prominently display their license numbers.
• Registered homemaker and companion service providers must include “homemaker services” or “companion services” in their business names and display their registration numbers.
• Required disclaimers must be displayed prominently on websites and in all digital and print marketing materials, clearly explaining service limitations and the provider’s legal authority.

These provisions are intended to prevent consumers from mistakenly believing they are receiving licensed health care services when they are not, while promoting honest, transparent communication across the marketplace.

Strengthening Oversight and Accountability

The legislation enhances oversight of registered homemaker and companion service providers by subjecting them to initial and periodic inspections by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Inspections must occur at least once every 36 months and include review of service records, disclosures, background screening documentation, and compliance with marketing standards.

Additionally, registered homemaker and companion service providers would be required to maintain detailed service records, document adverse incidents, and report complaints to AHCA in accordance with rulemaking. AHCA would also be authorized to conduct unannounced inspections and impose administrative penalties for noncompliance.

For nurse registries, SB 1068/HB 1013 requires the filing and disclosure of clear fee schedules prior to the initiation of services, ensuring that patients/clients understand costs upfront and can make informed decisions.

A Balanced, Consumer-Focused Approach

Importantly, SB 1068/HB 1013 does not expand scopes of practice, create new licensure categories, or restrict access to in-home care. Instead, it relies on transparency, disclosures, inspections, and enforcement of existing laws to protect consumers while preserving choice and flexibility in the delivery of care.

By establishing consistent consumer protections across in-home care provider types, the legislation supports informed decision-making, reduces confusion, and promotes accountability — without adding unnecessary regulatory burden.

HCAF looks forward to working with Senator Calatayud, Representative Franklin, legislative leaders, state regulators, and stakeholders throughout the 2026 Legislative Session to advance this critical consumer protection legislation and ensure that Floridians receiving care at home are fully informed, protected, and supported.

Take Action: Contact Your Lawmakers in Support of SB 1068/HB 1013

Advocacy from home care professionals is critical to the success of SB 1068/HB 1013. Lawmakers need to hear directly from providers and industry leaders about why consistent consumer safety and transparency standards in care delivered at home matter.

HCAF encourages members and advocates to visit the Legislative Action Center to quickly and easily contact their Senator and Representative. The online tool allows you to send a message urging support for SB 1068/HB 1013 and helps ensure your voice is heard as these bills move through the legislative process.

Taking just a few minutes to reach out can make a meaningful difference in advancing this bipartisan legislation and protecting Floridians receiving care at home.

Click here to visit the Legislative Action Center and contact your lawmakers today.

Advocate for SB 1068/HB 1013 at Home Care Day at the Capitol

The most effective way to advance SB 1068/HB 1013 is through direct advocacy with lawmakers, and there is no better opportunity to do that than Home Care Day at the Capitol, taking place February 10–11 in Tallahassee.

This free annual event brings home care providers together to meet with legislators, share real-world perspectives, and advocate for policies that protect patients and strengthen care delivered at home. SB 1068/HB 1013 will be a central focus of our advocacy efforts during Home Care Day, and provider voices are critical to its success.

Participation helps lawmakers understand why consistent consumer protections and transparency standards matter — and why this legislation is necessary to safeguard Floridians receiving care at home.

Register and join us to advocate in support of SB 1068/HB 1013.

Support Home Care PAC: Give Now to Help Get This Legislation Passed

Passing SB 1068/HB 1013 will require strong legislative champions — and that support must be secured before session begins.

Florida law prohibits lawmakers from accepting political contributions during the legislative session. That means now is the final opportunity to make strategic Home Care Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions that allow us to invest in our champions and support the lawmakers carrying and defending this legislation.

Contributions to PAC help ensure that home care’s priorities are represented where decisions are made and that bipartisan leaders like Senator Calatayud and Representative Franklin have the support they need to move this legislation across the finish line.

Please click here to make a PAC contribution today. Your timely support is critical to the success of SB 1068/HB 1013.