Florida Senate - 2023                                     SB 938
       
       
        
       By Senator Davis
       
       
       
       
       
       5-01099-23                                             2023938__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the operation and administration of
    3         the Baker Act; amending s. 394.457, F.S.; requiring
    4         the Department of Children and Families to provide
    5         specified information to certain individuals and
    6         organizations; requiring the department to maintain an
    7         information handbook and repository of answers to
    8         frequently asked questions; providing requirements for
    9         such handbook and repository; providing an effective
   10         date.
   11          
   12  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   13  
   14         Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
   15  394.457, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
   16         394.457 Operation and administration.—
   17         (2) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT.—The department is
   18  responsible for:
   19         (b)1. Informing individuals and organizations involved in
   20  implementing this part, including, but not limited to, law
   21  enforcement officers, qualified professionals, and service
   22  providers, The publication and distribution of an information
   23  handbook to facilitate understanding of the provisions of this
   24  part;, the policies and procedures related to its effective
   25  involved in the implementation; their roles and of this part,
   26  and the responsibilities; and any other information necessary
   27  for its effective implementation. The department shall maintain:
   28  of the various providers of services under this part.
   29         a. An information handbook, which must be published and
   30  updated on the department’s website annually by October 1.
   31         b. A repository of answers to frequently asked questions,
   32  which must be published on the department’s website and
   33  continually revised and expanded as necessary.
   34         2. Supporting and facilitating It shall stimulate research
   35  by public and private agencies, institutions of higher learning,
   36  and hospitals in the interest of the elimination and
   37  amelioration of mental illness.
   38         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.