The Home Care Association of Florida (HCAF) has published its 2026 Florida Legislative Session Report, an annual member resource providing a clear, practical account of the legislative and budget decisions affecting care at home.

The 2026 Legislative Session was defined by unusually difficult negotiations, a low bill passage rate, and major unfinished business. Of the 1,691 general bills filed, only 192 passed both chambers — an 11.4% passage rate — and 185 ultimately became law. Lawmakers also concluded the regular session without passing a state budget, requiring additional negotiations before approving the final $117.6 billion spending plan for the 2026–27 fiscal year.

Against that backdrop, HCAF worked throughout the session to ensure that home care providers, patients, caregivers, and families had a strong voice in Tallahassee.

That effort was especially visible during Home Care Day at the Capitol, when 55 advocates participated in 60 formal meetings and helped HCAF engage 152 of Florida’s 156 state lawmakers. Members shared firsthand accounts of the workforce, reimbursement, regulatory, and access challenges confronting providers and the people they serve.

The new report translates the session’s activity into practical information for Florida’s home care community. It includes:

• A breakdown of the six enacted laws with direct or meaningful implications for care at home
• Analysis of 13 unsuccessful priority topics and what their failure means for providers
• An overview of the final state budget and relevant Medicaid, aging-services, disability-services, and workforce investments
• Implementation considerations and issues HCAF will continue monitoring
• A closer look at HCAF’s year-round policy, regulatory, and grassroots advocacy work

The report also documents the progress made on HCAF’s consumer safety and transparency legislation. Although the proposal did not cross the finish line, its unanimous passage in the Florida House demonstrated strong bipartisan support and established a solid foundation for renewed advocacy.

Legislative adjournment does not mark the end of HCAF’s work. The policy team continues to engage state agencies, monitor implementation of enacted laws and budget provisions, and prepare for the issues that will shape the next legislative session.

Members are encouraged to review the report, share it with their leadership teams, and watch for HCAF policy updates and action alerts throughout the year.

Click here to access the 2026 Florida Legislative Session Report.

For questions about the report or HCAF’s advocacy work, contact Kyle Simon, Senior Director of Policy, Advocacy & Communications, at ksimon@homecarefla.org or (850) 222-8967.