Florida’s Legislative Session enters its final stretch, reaching Day 50 today. Lawmakers are expected to adjourn next Friday, March 13, upon completion of the state budget.

As Week 8 proceedings continue, members are encouraged to review the Week 7 Health Care Legislative Update, courtesy of Continental Strategy, HCAF’s contract lobbying firm.

HCAF’s Top Priority Concludes for 2026

HCAF is pleased to report that its top legislative priority this session, HB 1013, introduced by Representative Gallop Franklin (D-Tallahassee), passed the House unanimously, 115-0, on February 25. The bipartisan consumer protection legislation seeks to bring greater transparency and clarity to Florida’s rapidly growing care-at-home marketplace.

The Senate companion, SB 1068, did not receive a hearing in the Senate Health Policy Committee, its first required stop. That committee has concluded its meetings for the session, leaving more than 100 bills, including SB 1068, unable to advance. Without Senate consideration, the broader transparency framework will not move forward during the 2026 session.

HCAF thanks Representative Franklin for his leadership in advancing HB 1013 and Senator Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami) for sponsoring SB 1068 in the Senate. HCAF remains committed to pursuing comprehensive consumer protections when lawmakers reconvene in 2027.

Progress on Controlled Substance Delegation

In a positive development, an industry-supported amendment was added to HB 733 in its final House committee stop. The amendment allows a registered nurse to delegate administration of Schedule IV controlled substances to home health aides for medically fragile children during active seizures.

HB 733 will be considered by the full House on Wednesday, March 4. Its Senate companion, SB 902, awaits final action on the Senate floor and has not yet been scheduled.

Legislative Pace Slows

With just 10 days remaining in the 60-day session — and today marking the final day of regularly scheduled committee meetings — only 16 of more than 1,600 general bills filed have passed both chambers. This represents a markedly slower pace in comparison to recent years. By contrast, during the 2025 session, the legislature sent 262 bills to Governor Ron DeSantis; 248 were signed into law, 11 were vetoed, and three became law without his signature.

The slowdown reflects policy disagreements between the House and Senate and has limited movement on reforms requiring bicameral alignment.

Most legislation HCAF is tracking that impacts home health providers has stalled in one or both chambers. A comprehensive recap will be provided in HCAF’s Annual Legislative Session Report following adjournment.

Budget Negotiations Take Center Stage

The House and Senate have released competing budget proposals that differ by approximately $1.4 billion:

• House Proposal: $113.6 billion
• Senate Proposal: $115 billion
• Governor’s Proposal: $117.4 billion

The Senate’s proposal (SB 2500) reduces current spending by $1.9 billion, while the House proposal (HB 5001) reduces spending by nearly $3.4 billion. Both contrast with Governor DeSantis’ recommendation and signal a shift toward tighter fiscal policy following years of elevated spending supported by federal pandemic funding.

Notably, neither chamber’s initial budget includes the Governor’s recommended $7.1 million Medicaid private duty nursing (PDN) rate increase. The proposal would adjust reimbursement based on patient acuity and geographic cost differences to help address workforce shortages.

HCAF is actively engaging budget committee chairs and legislative leadership to advocate for inclusion of this critical funding before final negotiations conclude.

Stay Engaged

As session enters its final stretch, members are encouraged to monitor developments through HCAF’s real-time bill tracker. HCAF remains actively engaged in the budget process and ongoing negotiations and will continue to provide updates affecting care-at-home providers.

Please stay tuned for additional updates and HCAF’s annual Legislative Session Report later this spring.