CS/HB 485 — Veterans’ Services and Recognition
by Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee and Reps. Salzman, Smith, and others (CS/SB 824 by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee and Senator Collins)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee (MS)
The bill establishes the Division of Long-term Care in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (department) and creates the Veterans’ Adult Day Health Care of Florida Act to provide uniform basic standards for the operation of veterans’ adult day health care programs for eligible veterans in need of services.
The act provides:
- For appointment of an operator by the Executive Director of the department;
- Eligibility requirements for a veteran to participate in the program;
- Priority order for admission and authority for a self-paying veteran to participate;
- That the program is subject to audit or inspection by the Auditor General or the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability; and
- That unless the state’s standards are more restrictive, the standards to be applied by the department to regulate program operations are those prescribed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
The bill revises the requirements for employment as a veteran service officer to allow a veteran who served in the active military, naval, or air service and was discharged or released under honorable conditions, or later received an upgraded honorable discharge to qualify.
The bill also provides that the Governor may annually issue a proclamation designating the week of November 11 as Veterans Week, and encourages public officials, schools, private organizations, and all residents to commemorate the week by honoring those who served in times of war and peace.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2023.
Vote: Senate 37-0; House 115-0