Florida Senate - 2024 SENATOR AMENDMENT
Bill No. CS/CS/HB 975, 1st Eng.
Ì667080$Î667080
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
Senate . House
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Floor: 1/AE/2R . Floor: C
03/06/2024 07:40 PM . 03/07/2024 08:34 PM
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Senator Grall moved the following:
1 Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
2
3
4 Delete everything after the enacting clause
5 and insert:
6 Section 1. Effective July 1, 2024, present subsection (6)
7 of section 420.621, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as
8 subsection (7), and a new subsection (6) is added to that
9 section, to read:
10 420.621 Definitions.—As used in ss. 420.621-420.628, the
11 term:
12 (6) “Person with lived experience” means any person with
13 current or past experience of homelessness, as defined in 24
14 C.F.R. s. 578.3, including persons who have accessed or sought
15 homeless services while fleeing domestic violence.
16 Section 2. Effective July 1, 2024, section 420.6241,
17 Florida Statutes, is created to read:
18 420.6241 Persons with lived experience.—
19 (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—The Legislature finds that the
20 ability to provide adequate homeless services is limited due to
21 a shortage of professionals and paraprofessionals in the field.
22 Persons with lived experience of homelessness are uniquely
23 qualified to provide effective support services because they
24 share common life experiences with the persons they assist. A
25 person with lived experience may have a criminal history that
26 prevents him or her from meeting background screening
27 requirements.
28 (2) QUALIFICATIONS.—A person may seek certification as a
29 person with lived experience if he or she has received homeless
30 services. A continuum of care lead agency serving the homeless
31 must include documentation of the homeless services such person
32 received when requesting a background check of the applicant.
33 (3) DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT.—The department shall ensure
34 that an applicant’s background screening required to achieve
35 certification is conducted as provided in subsection (4).
36 (4) BACKGROUND SCREENING.—
37 (a) The background screening conducted under this
38 subsection must ensure that the qualified applicant has not,
39 during the preceding 3 years, been arrested for and is not
40 awaiting final disposition of, has not been found guilty of,
41 regardless of adjudication, or entered a plea of nolo contendere
42 or guilty to, or has not been adjudicated delinquent and the
43 record has been sealed or expunged for, any felony.
44 (b) The background screening conducted under this
45 subsection must ensure that the qualified applicant has not been
46 arrested for and is not awaiting final disposition of, has not
47 been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or entered a
48 plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, or has not been
49 adjudicated delinquent and the record has been sealed or
50 expunged for, any offense prohibited under any of the following
51 state laws or similar laws of another jurisdiction:
52 1. Section 393.135, relating to sexual misconduct with
53 certain developmentally disabled clients and reporting of such
54 sexual misconduct.
55 2. Section 394.4593, relating to sexual misconduct with
56 certain mental health patients and reporting of such sexual
57 misconduct.
58 3. Section 409.920, relating to Medicaid provider fraud, if
59 the offense is a felony of the first or second degree.
60 4. Section 415.111, relating to criminal penalties for
61 abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
62 5. Any offense that constitutes domestic violence, as
63 defined in s. 741.28.
64 6. Section 777.04, relating to attempts, solicitation, and
65 conspiracy to commit an offense listed in this paragraph.
66 7. Section 782.04, relating to murder.
67 8. Section 782.07, relating to manslaughter, aggravated
68 manslaughter of an elderly person or a disabled adult,
69 aggravated manslaughter of a child, or aggravated manslaughter
70 of an officer, a firefighter, an emergency medical technician,
71 or a paramedic.
72 9. Section 782.071, relating to vehicular homicide.
73 10. Section 782.09, relating to killing of an unborn child
74 by injury to the mother.
75 11. Chapter 784, relating to assault, battery, and culpable
76 negligence, if the offense is a felony.
77 12. Section 787.01, relating to kidnapping.
78 13. Section 787.02, relating to false imprisonment.
79 14. Section 787.025, relating to luring or enticing a
80 child.
81 15. Section 787.04(2), relating to leading, taking,
82 enticing, or removing a minor beyond the state limits, or
83 concealing the location of a minor, with criminal intent pending
84 custody proceedings.
85 16. Section 787.04(3), relating to leading, taking,
86 enticing, or removing a minor beyond the state limits, or
87 concealing the location of a minor, with criminal intent pending
88 dependency proceedings or proceedings concerning alleged abuse
89 or neglect of a minor.
90 17. Section 790.115(1), relating to exhibiting firearms or
91 weapons within 1,000 feet of a school.
92 18. Section 790.115(2)(b), relating to possessing an
93 electric weapon or device, a destructive device, or any other
94 weapon on school property.
95 19. Section 794.011, relating to sexual battery.
96 20. Former s. 794.041, relating to prohibited acts of
97 persons in familial or custodial authority.
98 21. Section 794.05, relating to unlawful sexual activity
99 with certain minors.
100 22. Section 794.08, relating to female genital mutilation.
101 23. Section 796.07, relating to procuring another to commit
102 prostitution, except for those offenses expunged pursuant to s.
103 943.0583.
104 24. Section 798.02, relating to lewd and lascivious
105 behavior.
106 25. Chapter 800, relating to lewdness and indecent
107 exposure.
108 26. Section 806.01, relating to arson.
109 27. Section 810.02, relating to burglary, if the offense is
110 a felony of the first degree.
111 28. Section 810.14, relating to voyeurism, if the offense
112 is a felony.
113 29. Section 810.145, relating to video voyeurism, if the
114 offense is a felony.
115 30. Section 812.13, relating to robbery.
116 31. Section 812.131, relating to robbery by sudden
117 snatching.
118 32. Section 812.133, relating to carjacking.
119 33. Section 812.135, relating to home-invasion robbery.
120 34. Section 817.034, relating to communications fraud, if
121 the offense is a felony of the first degree.
122 35. Section 817.234, relating to false and fraudulent
123 insurance claims, if the offense is a felony of the first or
124 second degree.
125 36. Section 817.50, relating to fraudulently obtaining
126 goods or services from a health care provider and false reports
127 of a communicable disease.
128 37. Section 817.505, relating to patient brokering.
129 38. Section 817.568, relating to fraudulent use of personal
130 identification, if the offense is a felony of the first or
131 second degree.
132 39. Section 825.102, relating to abuse, aggravated abuse,
133 or neglect of an elderly person or a disabled adult.
134 40. Section 825.1025, relating to lewd or lascivious
135 offenses committed upon or in the presence of an elderly person
136 or a disabled person.
137 41. Section 825.103, relating to exploitation of an elderly
138 person or a disabled adult, if the offense is a felony.
139 42. Section 826.04, relating to incest.
140 43. Section 827.03, relating to child abuse, aggravated
141 child abuse, or neglect of a child.
142 44. Section 827.04, relating to contributing to the
143 delinquency or dependency of a child.
144 45. Former s. 827.05, relating to negligent treatment of
145 children.
146 46. Section 827.071, relating to sexual performance by a
147 child.
148 47. Section 831.30, relating to fraud in obtaining
149 medicinal drugs.
150 48. Section 831.31, relating to the sale, manufacture,
151 delivery, or possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or
152 deliver any counterfeit controlled substance, if the offense is
153 a felony.
154 49. Section 843.01, relating to resisting arrest with
155 violence.
156 50. Section 843.025, relating to depriving a law
157 enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer of
158 the means of protection or communication.
159 51. Section 843.12, relating to aiding in an escape.
160 52. Section 843.13, relating to aiding in the escape of
161 juvenile inmates of correctional institutions.
162 53. Chapter 847, relating to obscenity.
163 54. Section 874.05, relating to encouraging or recruiting
164 another to join a criminal gang.
165 55. Chapter 893, relating to drug abuse prevention and
166 control, if the offense is a felony of the second degree or
167 greater severity.
168 56. Section 895.03, relating to racketeering and collection
169 of unlawful debts.
170 57. Section 896.101, relating to the Florida Money
171 Laundering Act.
172 58. Section 916.1075, relating to sexual misconduct with
173 certain forensic clients and reporting of such sexual
174 misconduct.
175 59. Section 944.35(3), relating to inflicting cruel or
176 inhuman treatment on an inmate, resulting in great bodily harm.
177 60. Section 944.40, relating to escape.
178 61. Section 944.46, relating to harboring, concealing, or
179 aiding an escaped prisoner.
180 62. Section 944.47, relating to introduction of contraband
181 into a correctional institution.
182 63. Section 985.701, relating to sexual misconduct in
183 juvenile justice programs.
184 64. Section 985.711, relating to introduction of contraband
185 into a detention facility.
186 (5) EXEMPTION REQUESTS.—An applicant who desires to become
187 a certified person with lived experience but is disqualified
188 under subsection (4) may apply to the department for an
189 exemption from disqualification under s. 435.07, as applicable.
190 The department shall accept or reject an application for
191 exemption within 90 days after receiving the application from
192 the applicant.
193 Section 3. Effective July 1, 2024, subsection (2) of
194 section 435.04, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 2 of
195 chapter 2023-220, Laws of Florida, is amended to read:
196 435.04 Level 2 screening standards.—
197 (2) The security background investigations under this
198 section must ensure that persons subject to this section have
199 not been arrested for and are awaiting final disposition of;,
200 have not been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or
201 entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to;, or have not
202 been adjudicated delinquent and the record has not been sealed
203 or expunged for, any offense prohibited under any of the
204 following provisions of state law or similar law of another
205 jurisdiction:
206 (a) Section 39.205, relating to the failure to report child
207 abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
208 (b) Section 393.135, relating to sexual misconduct with
209 certain developmentally disabled clients and reporting of such
210 sexual misconduct.
211 (c)(b) Section 394.4593, relating to sexual misconduct with
212 certain mental health patients and reporting of such sexual
213 misconduct.
214 (d) Section 414.39, relating to fraud, if the offense was a
215 felony.
216 (e)(c) Section 415.111, relating to adult abuse, neglect,
217 or exploitation of aged persons or disabled adults.
218 (f)(d) Section 777.04, relating to attempts, solicitation,
219 and conspiracy to commit an offense listed in this subsection.
220 (g)(e) Section 782.04, relating to murder.
221 (h)(f) Section 782.07, relating to manslaughter, aggravated
222 manslaughter of an elderly person or disabled adult, or
223 aggravated manslaughter of a child.
224 (i)(g) Section 782.071, relating to vehicular homicide.
225 (j)(h) Section 782.09, relating to killing of an unborn
226 child by injury to the mother.
227 (k)(i) Chapter 784, relating to assault, battery, and
228 culpable negligence, if the offense was a felony.
229 (l)(j) Section 784.011, relating to assault, if the victim
230 of the offense was a minor.
231 (m)(k) Section 784.021, relating to aggravated assault.
232 (n)(l) Section 784.03, relating to battery, if the victim
233 of the offense was a minor.
234 (o)(m) Section 784.045, relating to aggravated battery.
235 (p)(n) Section 784.075, relating to battery on staff of a
236 detention or commitment facility or on a juvenile probation
237 officer.
238 (q)(o) Section 787.01, relating to kidnapping.
239 (r)(p) Section 787.02, relating to false imprisonment.
240 (s)(q) Section 787.025, relating to luring or enticing a
241 child.
242 (t)(r) Section 787.04(2), relating to taking, enticing, or
243 removing a child beyond the state limits with criminal intent
244 pending custody proceedings.
245 (u)(s) Section 787.04(3), relating to carrying a child
246 beyond the state lines with criminal intent to avoid producing a
247 child at a custody hearing or delivering the child to the
248 designated person.
249 (v) Section 787.06, relating to human trafficking.
250 (w) Section 787.07, relating to human smuggling.
251 (x)(t) Section 790.115(1), relating to exhibiting firearms
252 or weapons within 1,000 feet of a school.
253 (y)(u) Section 790.115(2)(b), relating to possessing an
254 electric weapon or device, destructive device, or other weapon
255 on school property.
256 (z)(v) Section 794.011, relating to sexual battery.
257 (aa)(w) Former s. 794.041, relating to prohibited acts of
258 persons in familial or custodial authority.
259 (bb)(x) Section 794.05, relating to unlawful sexual
260 activity with certain minors.
261 (cc)(y) Section 794.08, relating to female genital
262 mutilation.
263 (dd)(z) Chapter 796, relating to prostitution.
264 (ee)(aa) Section 798.02, relating to lewd and lascivious
265 behavior.
266 (ff)(bb) Chapter 800, relating to lewdness and indecent
267 exposure and offenses against students by authority figures.
268 (gg)(cc) Section 806.01, relating to arson.
269 (hh)(dd) Section 810.02, relating to burglary.
270 (ii)(ee) Section 810.14, relating to voyeurism, if the
271 offense is a felony.
272 (jj)(ff) Section 810.145, relating to video voyeurism, if
273 the offense is a felony.
274 (kk)(gg) Chapter 812, relating to theft, robbery, and
275 related crimes, if the offense is a felony.
276 (ll)(hh) Section 817.563, relating to fraudulent sale of
277 controlled substances, only if the offense was a felony.
278 (mm)(ii) Section 825.102, relating to abuse, aggravated
279 abuse, or neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult.
280 (nn)(jj) Section 825.1025, relating to lewd or lascivious
281 offenses committed upon or in the presence of an elderly person
282 or disabled adult.
283 (oo)(kk) Section 825.103, relating to exploitation of an
284 elderly person or disabled adult, if the offense was a felony.
285 (pp)(ll) Section 826.04, relating to incest.
286 (qq)(mm) Section 827.03, relating to child abuse,
287 aggravated child abuse, or neglect of a child.
288 (rr)(nn) Section 827.04, relating to contributing to the
289 delinquency or dependency of a child.
290 (ss)(oo) Former s. 827.05, relating to negligent treatment
291 of children.
292 (tt)(pp) Section 827.071, relating to sexual performance by
293 a child.
294 (uu) Section 831.311, relating to the unlawful sale,
295 manufacture, alteration, delivery, uttering, or possession of
296 counterfeit-resistant prescription blanks for controlled
297 substances.
298 (vv) Section 836.10, relating to written or electronic
299 threats to kill, do bodily injury, or conduct a mass shooting or
300 an act of terrorism.
301 (ww)(qq) Section 843.01, relating to resisting arrest with
302 violence.
303 (xx)(rr) Section 843.025, relating to depriving a law
304 enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer
305 means of protection or communication.
306 (yy)(ss) Section 843.12, relating to aiding in an escape.
307 (zz)(tt) Section 843.13, relating to aiding in the escape
308 of juvenile inmates in correctional institutions.
309 (aaa)(uu) Chapter 847, relating to obscene literature.
310 (bbb) Section 859.01, relating to poisoning food or water.
311 (ccc) Section 873.01, relating to the prohibition on the
312 purchase or sale of human organs and tissue.
313 (ddd)(vv) Section 874.05, relating to encouraging or
314 recruiting another to join a criminal gang.
315 (eee)(ww) Chapter 893, relating to drug abuse prevention
316 and control, only if the offense was a felony or if any other
317 person involved in the offense was a minor.
318 (fff)(xx) Section 916.1075, relating to sexual misconduct
319 with certain forensic clients and reporting of such sexual
320 misconduct.
321 (ggg)(yy) Section 944.35(3), relating to inflicting cruel
322 or inhuman treatment on an inmate resulting in great bodily
323 harm.
324 (hhh)(zz) Section 944.40, relating to escape.
325 (iii)(aaa) Section 944.46, relating to harboring,
326 concealing, or aiding an escaped prisoner.
327 (jjj)(bbb) Section 944.47, relating to introduction of
328 contraband into a correctional facility.
329 (kkk)(ccc) Section 985.701, relating to sexual misconduct
330 in juvenile justice programs.
331 (lll)(ddd) Section 985.711, relating to contraband
332 introduced into detention facilities.
333 Section 4. Effective July 1, 2024, subsection (1) of
334 section 435.07, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 3 of
335 chapter 2023-220, Laws of Florida, is amended to read:
336 435.07 Exemptions from disqualification.—Unless otherwise
337 provided by law, the provisions of this section apply to
338 exemptions from disqualification for disqualifying offenses
339 revealed pursuant to background screenings required under this
340 chapter, regardless of whether those disqualifying offenses are
341 listed in this chapter or other laws.
342 (1)(a) The head of the appropriate agency or qualified
343 entity may grant to any employee or person with an affiliation
344 otherwise disqualified from employment an exemption from
345 disqualification for:
346 1. Felonies for which at least 2 3 years have elapsed since
347 the applicant for the exemption has completed or been lawfully
348 released from confinement, supervision, or nonmonetary condition
349 imposed by the court for the disqualifying felony;
350 2. Misdemeanors prohibited under any of the statutes cited
351 in this chapter or under similar statutes of other jurisdictions
352 for which the applicant for the exemption has completed or been
353 lawfully released from confinement, supervision, or nonmonetary
354 condition imposed by the court;
355 3. Offenses that were felonies when committed but that are
356 now misdemeanors and for which the applicant for the exemption
357 has completed or been lawfully released from confinement,
358 supervision, or nonmonetary condition imposed by the court; or
359 4. Findings of delinquency. For offenses that would be
360 felonies if committed by an adult and the record has not been
361 sealed or expunged, the exemption may not be granted until at
362 least 3 years have elapsed since the applicant for the exemption
363 has completed or been lawfully released from confinement,
364 supervision, or nonmonetary condition imposed by the court for
365 the disqualifying offense.
366 (b) A person applying for an exemption who was ordered to
367 pay any amount for any fee, fine, fund, lien, civil judgment,
368 application, costs of prosecution, trust, or restitution as part
369 of the judgment and sentence for any disqualifying felony or
370 misdemeanor must pay the court-ordered amount in full before he
371 or she is eligible for the exemption.
372
373 For the purposes of this subsection, the term “felonies” means
374 both felonies prohibited under any of the statutes cited in this
375 chapter or under similar statutes of other jurisdictions.
376 Section 5. Effective July 1, 2024, paragraph (a) of
377 subsection (2) of section 943.0438, Florida Statutes, as amended
378 by section 5 of chapter 2023-220, Laws of Florida, is amended to
379 read:
380 943.0438 Athletic coaches for independent sanctioning
381 authorities.—
382 (2) An independent sanctioning authority shall:
383 (a) Effective January 1, 2025, conduct a level 2 background
384 screening under s. 435.04 of each current and prospective
385 athletic coach. The authority may not delegate this
386 responsibility to an individual team and may not authorize any
387 person to act as an athletic coach unless a level 2 background
388 screening is conducted and does not result in disqualification
389 under paragraph (b).
390 Section 6. Subsection (1) of section 456.0135, Florida
391 Statutes, is amended to read:
392 456.0135 General background screening provisions.—
393 (1) An application for initial licensure received on or
394 after January 1, 2013, under chapter 458, chapter 459, chapter
395 460, chapter 461, chapter 462, chapter 463, chapter 464, s.
396 465.007, s. 465.0075, chapter 466, chapter 467, part I, part II,
397 part III, part V, part X s. 465.022, part XIII, or part XIV of
398 chapter 468, chapter 478, or chapter 480, chapter 483, chapter
399 484, chapter 486, chapter 490, or chapter 491 must shall include
400 fingerprints pursuant to procedures established by the
401 department through a vendor approved by the Department of Law
402 Enforcement and fees imposed for the initial screening and
403 retention of fingerprints. Fingerprints must be submitted
404 electronically to the Department of Law Enforcement for state
405 processing, and the Department of Law Enforcement shall forward
406 the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for
407 national processing. Each board, or the department if there is
408 no board, must shall screen the results to determine whether if
409 an applicant meets licensure requirements. For any subsequent
410 renewal of the applicant’s license which that requires a
411 national criminal history check, the department shall request
412 the Department of Law Enforcement to forward the retained
413 fingerprints of the applicant to the Federal Bureau of
414 Investigation unless the fingerprints are enrolled in the
415 national retained print arrest notification program.
416 Section 7. Beginning July 1, 2025, the amendments made by
417 this act to s. 456.0135, Florida Statutes, apply to applicants
418 seeking initial licensure in any of the health care professions
419 specified in that section. To ensure that all health care
420 practitioners practicing in the health care professions subject
421 to the background screening requirements for initial licensure
422 under s. 456.0135, Florida Statutes, as amended by this act, are
423 screened, health care practitioners who were already licensed in
424 such health care professions before July 1, 2025, must submit to
425 background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135, Florida
426 Statutes, by their next licensure renewal that takes place on or
427 after July 1, 2025, notwithstanding the fact that s. 456.0135,
428 Florida Statutes, applies to initial licensure only. The
429 Department of Health may not renew the license of such a health
430 care practitioner after July 1, 2025, until he or she complies
431 with these background screening requirements.
432 Section 8. Subsection (2) of section 457.105, Florida
433 Statutes, as amended by SB 1600, 2024 Regular Session, is
434 amended to read:
435 457.105 Licensure qualifications and fees.—
436 (2) A person may become licensed to practice acupuncture if
437 the person applies to the department and meets all of the
438 following criteria:
439 (a) Is 21 years of age or older, has good moral character,
440 and has the ability to communicate in English, which is
441 demonstrated by having passed the national written examination
442 in English or, if such examination was passed in a foreign
443 language, by also having passed a nationally recognized English
444 proficiency examination.;
445 (b) Has completed 60 college credits from an accredited
446 postsecondary institution as a prerequisite to enrollment in an
447 authorized 3-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental
448 medicine, and has completed a 3-year course of study in
449 acupuncture and oriental medicine, and effective July 31, 2001,
450 a 4-year course of study in acupuncture and oriental medicine,
451 which meets standards established by the board by rule, which
452 standards include, but are not limited to, successful completion
453 of academic courses in western anatomy, western physiology,
454 western pathology, western biomedical terminology, first aid,
455 and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, any person who
456 enrolled in an authorized course of study in acupuncture before
457 August 1, 1997, must have completed only a 2-year course of
458 study which meets standards established by the board by rule,
459 which standards must include, but are not limited to, successful
460 completion of academic courses in western anatomy, western
461 physiology, and western pathology.;
462 (c) Has successfully completed a board-approved national
463 certification process, meets the requirements for licensure by
464 endorsement under s. 456.0145, or passes an examination
465 administered by the department, which examination tests the
466 applicant’s competency and knowledge of the practice of
467 acupuncture and oriental medicine. At the request of any
468 applicant, oriental nomenclature for the points must shall be
469 used in the examination. The examination must shall include a
470 practical examination of the knowledge and skills required to
471 practice modern and traditional acupuncture and oriental
472 medicine, covering diagnostic and treatment techniques and
473 procedures.; and
474 (d) Pays the required fees set by the board by rule not to
475 exceed the following amounts:
476 1. Examination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant cost
477 to the department for purchase of the written and practical
478 portions of the examination from a national organization
479 approved by the board.
480 2. Application fee: $300.
481 3. Reexamination fee: $500 plus the actual per applicant
482 cost to the department for purchase of the written and practical
483 portions of the examination from a national organization
484 approved by the board.
485 4. Initial biennial licensure fee: $400, if licensed in the
486 first half of the biennium, and $200, if licensed in the second
487 half of the biennium.
488 (e) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
489 456.0135.
490 Section 9. Subsection (1) of section 463.006, Florida
491 Statutes, is amended to read:
492 463.006 Licensure and certification by examination.—
493 (1) Any person desiring to be a licensed practitioner under
494 pursuant to this chapter must apply to the department, submit to
495 background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135, and must
496 submit proof to the department that she or he meets all of the
497 following criteria:
498 (a) Has completed the application forms as required by the
499 board, remitted an application fee for certification not to
500 exceed $250, remitted an examination fee for certification not
501 to exceed $250, and remitted an examination fee for licensure
502 not to exceed $325, all as set by the board.
503 (b) Is at least 18 years of age.
504 (c) Has graduated from an accredited school or college of
505 optometry approved by rule of the board.
506 (d) Is of good moral character.
507 (e) Has successfully completed at least 110 hours of
508 transcript-quality coursework and clinical training in general
509 and ocular pharmacology as determined by the board, at an
510 institution that:
511 1. Has facilities for both didactic and clinical
512 instructions in pharmacology; and
513 2. Is accredited by a regional or professional accrediting
514 organization that is recognized and approved by the Commission
515 on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation or the United
516 States Department of Education.
517 (f) Has completed at least 1 year of supervised experience
518 in differential diagnosis of eye disease or disorders as part of
519 the optometric training or in a clinical setting as part of the
520 optometric experience.
521 Section 10. Subsection (1) of section 465.007, Florida
522 Statutes, is amended to read:
523 465.007 Licensure by examination.—
524 (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a pharmacist
525 shall apply to the department to take the licensure examination.
526 The department shall examine each applicant who the board
527 certifies has met all of the following criteria:
528 (a) Completed the application form and remitted an
529 examination fee set by the board not to exceed $100 plus the
530 actual per applicant cost to the department for purchase of
531 portions of the examination from the National Association of
532 Boards of Pharmacy or a similar national organization. The fees
533 authorized under this section shall be established in sufficient
534 amounts to cover administrative costs.
535 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
536 456.0135.
537 (c)(b) Submitted satisfactory proof that she or he is not
538 less than 18 years of age and:
539 1. Is a recipient of a degree from a school or college of
540 pharmacy accredited by an accrediting agency recognized and
541 approved by the United States Office of Education; or
542 2. Is a graduate of a 4-year undergraduate pharmacy program
543 of a school or college of pharmacy located outside the United
544 States, has demonstrated proficiency in English by passing both
545 the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test
546 of Spoken English (TSE), has passed the Foreign Pharmacy
547 Graduate Equivalency Examination that is approved by rule of the
548 board, and has completed a minimum of 500 hours in a supervised
549 work activity program within this state under the supervision of
550 a pharmacist licensed by the department, which program is
551 approved by the board.
552 (d)(c) Submitted satisfactory proof that she or he has
553 completed an internship program approved by the board. No such
554 board-approved program shall exceed 2,080 hours, all of which
555 may be obtained prior to graduation.
556 Section 11. Subsection (1) of section 465.0075, Florida
557 Statutes, as amended by SB 1600, 2024 Regular Session, is
558 amended to read:
559 465.0075 Licensure by endorsement; requirements; fee.—The
560 department shall issue a license by endorsement to any applicant
561 who, upon applying to the department, submitting to background
562 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135, and remitting a
563 nonrefundable fee set by the board in an amount not to exceed
564 $100, the board certifies has met the requirements for licensure
565 by endorsement under s. 456.0145.
566 Section 12. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
567 466.006, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
568 466.006 Examination of dentists.—
569 (1)
570 (b)1. Any person desiring to be licensed as a dentist shall
571 apply to the department to take the licensure examinations and
572 shall verify the information required on the application by
573 oath. The application must shall include two recent photographs.
574 There shall be an application fee set by the board not to exceed
575 $100 which shall be nonrefundable and. There shall also be an
576 examination fee set by the board, which shall not to exceed $425
577 plus the actual per applicant cost to the department for
578 purchase of some or all of the examination from the American
579 Board of Dental Examiners or its successor entity, if any,
580 provided the board finds the successor entity’s clinical
581 examination complies with the provisions of this section. The
582 examination fee may be refunded refundable if the applicant is
583 found ineligible to take the examinations.
584 2. Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
585 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
586 Section 13. Section 466.0067, Florida Statutes, is amended
587 to read:
588 466.0067 Application for health access dental license.—The
589 Legislature finds that there is an important state interest in
590 attracting dentists to practice in underserved health access
591 settings in this state and further, that allowing out-of-state
592 dentists who meet certain criteria to practice in health access
593 settings without the supervision of a dentist licensed in this
594 state is substantially related to achieving this important state
595 interest. Therefore, notwithstanding the requirements of s.
596 466.006, the board shall grant a health access dental license to
597 practice dentistry in this state in health access settings as
598 defined in s. 466.003 to an applicant who meets all of the
599 following criteria:
600 (1) Files an appropriate application approved by the
601 board.;
602 (2) Pays an application license fee for a health access
603 dental license, laws-and-rule exam fee, and an initial licensure
604 fee. The fees specified in this subsection may not differ from
605 an applicant seeking licensure pursuant to s. 466.006.;
606 (3) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
607 with s. 456.0135 and has not been convicted of or pled nolo
608 contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any felony or
609 misdemeanor related to the practice of a health care
610 profession.;
611 (4) Submits proof of graduation from a dental school
612 accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the
613 American Dental Association or its successor agency.;
614 (5) Submits documentation that she or he has completed, or
615 will obtain before licensure, continuing education equivalent to
616 this state’s requirement for dentists licensed under s. 466.006
617 for the last full reporting biennium before applying for a
618 health access dental license.;
619 (6) Submits proof of her or his successful completion of
620 parts I and II of the dental examination by the National Board
621 of Dental Examiners and a state or regional clinical dental
622 licensing examination that the board has determined effectively
623 measures the applicant’s ability to practice safely.;
624 (7) Currently holds a valid, active dental license in good
625 standing which has not been revoked, suspended, restricted, or
626 otherwise disciplined from another of the United States, the
627 District of Columbia, or a United States territory.;
628 (8) Has never had a license revoked from another of the
629 United States, the District of Columbia, or a United States
630 territory.;
631 (9) Has never failed the examination specified in s.
632 466.006, unless the applicant was reexamined pursuant to s.
633 466.006 and received a license to practice dentistry in this
634 state.;
635 (10) Has not been reported to the National Practitioner
636 Data Bank, unless the applicant successfully appealed to have
637 his or her name removed from the data bank.;
638 (11) Submits proof that he or she has been engaged in the
639 active, clinical practice of dentistry providing direct patient
640 care for 5 years immediately preceding the date of application,
641 or in instances when the applicant has graduated from an
642 accredited dental school within the preceding 5 years, submits
643 proof of continuous clinical practice providing direct patient
644 care since graduation.; and
645 (12) Has passed an examination covering the laws and rules
646 of the practice of dentistry in this state as described in s.
647 466.006(4)(a).
648 Section 14. Subsection (1) of section 466.007, Florida
649 Statutes, is amended to read:
650 466.007 Examination of dental hygienists.—
651 (1)(a) Any person desiring to be licensed as a dental
652 hygienist shall apply to the department to take the licensure
653 examinations and shall verify the information required on the
654 application by oath. The application must shall include two
655 recent photographs of the applicant. There shall be a
656 nonrefundable application fee set by the board not to exceed
657 $100 and an examination fee set by the board which shall not to
658 exceed be more than $225. The examination fee may be refunded if
659 the applicant is found ineligible to take the examinations.
660 (b) Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
661 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
662 Section 15. Subsection (5) is added to section 467.011,
663 Florida Statutes, to read:
664 467.011 Licensed midwives; qualifications; examination.—The
665 department shall issue a license to practice midwifery to an
666 applicant who meets all of the following criteria:
667 (5) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
668 456.0135.
669 Section 16. Subsection (2) of section 468.1185, Florida
670 Statutes, is amended to read:
671 468.1185 Licensure.—
672 (2) The board shall certify for licensure any applicant who
673 has met all of the following criteria:
674 (a) Satisfied the education and supervised clinical
675 requirements of s. 468.1155.
676 (b) Satisfied the professional experience requirement of s.
677 468.1165.
678 (c) Passed the licensure examination required by s.
679 468.1175.
680 (d) For an applicant for an audiologist license who has
681 obtained a doctoral degree in audiology, has satisfied the
682 education and supervised clinical requirements of paragraph (a)
683 and the professional experience requirements of paragraph (b).
684 (e) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
685 456.0135.
686 Section 17. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 468.1215,
687 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
688 468.1215 Speech-language pathology assistant and audiology
689 assistant; certification.—
690 (1) The department shall issue a certificate as a speech
691 language pathology assistant to each applicant who the board
692 certifies has met all of the following criteria:
693 (a) Completed the application form and remitted the
694 required fees, including a nonrefundable application fee.
695 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
696 456.0135.
697 (c)(b) Earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or
698 university accredited by a regional association of colleges and
699 schools recognized by the Department of Education which includes
700 at least 24 semester hours of coursework as approved by the
701 board at an institution accredited by an accrediting agency
702 recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
703 (2) The department shall issue a certificate as an
704 audiology assistant to each applicant who the board certifies
705 has met all of the following criteria:
706 (a) Completed the application form and remitted the
707 required fees, including a nonrefundable application fee.
708 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
709 456.0135.
710 (c)(b) Earned a high school diploma or its equivalent.
711 Section 18. Present subsections (2), (3), and (4) of
712 section 468.1695, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
713 subsections (3), (4), and (5), respectively, a new subsection
714 (2) is added to that section, and present subsection (2) of that
715 section is amended, to read:
716 468.1695 Licensure by examination.—
717 (2) Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
718 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
719 (3)(2) The department shall examine each applicant who the
720 board certifies has completed the application form, submitted to
721 background screening, and remitted an examination fee set by the
722 board not to exceed $250 and who:
723 (a)1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
724 college or university and majored in health care administration,
725 health services administration, or an equivalent major, or has
726 credit for at least 60 semester hours in subjects, as prescribed
727 by rule of the board, which prepare the applicant for total
728 management of a nursing home; and
729 2. Has fulfilled the requirements of a college-affiliated
730 or university-affiliated internship in nursing home
731 administration or of a 1,000-hour nursing home administrator-in
732 training program prescribed by the board; or
733 (b)1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited
734 college or university; and
735 2.a. Has fulfilled the requirements of a 2,000-hour nursing
736 home administrator-in-training program prescribed by the board;
737 or
738 b. Has 1 year of management experience allowing for the
739 application of executive duties and skills, including the
740 staffing, budgeting, and directing of resident care, dietary,
741 and bookkeeping departments within a skilled nursing facility,
742 hospital, hospice, assisted living facility with a minimum of 60
743 licensed beds, or geriatric residential treatment program and,
744 if such experience is not in a skilled nursing facility, has
745 fulfilled the requirements of a 1,000-hour nursing home
746 administrator-in-training program prescribed by the board.
747 Section 19. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 468.209,
748 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
749 468.209 Requirements for licensure.—
750 (1) An applicant applying for a license as an occupational
751 therapist or as an occupational therapy assistant shall apply to
752 the department on forms furnished by the department. The
753 department shall license each applicant who the board certifies
754 meets all of the following criteria:
755 (a) Has completed the file a written application form and
756 remitted, accompanied by the application for licensure fee
757 prescribed in s. 468.221.
758 (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
759 with s. 456.0135., on forms provided by the department, showing
760 to the satisfaction of the board that she or he:
761 (c)(a) Is of good moral character.
762 (d)(b) Has successfully completed the academic requirements
763 of an educational program in occupational therapy recognized by
764 the board, with concentration in biologic or physical science,
765 psychology, and sociology, and with education in selected manual
766 skills. Such a program shall be accredited by the American
767 Occupational Therapy Association’s Accreditation Council for
768 Occupational Therapy Education, or its successor.
769 (e)(c) Has successfully completed a period of supervised
770 fieldwork experience at a recognized educational institution or
771 a training program approved by the educational institution where
772 she or he met the academic requirements. For an occupational
773 therapist, a minimum of 6 months of supervised fieldwork
774 experience is required. For an occupational therapy assistant, a
775 minimum of 2 months of supervised fieldwork experience is
776 required.
777 (f)(d) Has passed an examination conducted or adopted by
778 the board as provided in s. 468.211.
779 (2) An applicant who has practiced as a state-licensed or
780 American Occupational Therapy Association-certified occupational
781 therapy assistant for 4 years and who, before January 24, 1988,
782 completed a minimum of 24 weeks of supervised occupational
783 therapist-level fieldwork experience may take the examination to
784 be licensed as an occupational therapist without meeting the
785 educational requirements for occupational therapists made
786 otherwise applicable under paragraph (1)(d) (1)(b).
787 Section 20. Subsection (3) is added to section 468.213,
788 Florida Statutes, to read:
789 468.213 Licensure by endorsement.—
790 (3) Applicants for licensure by endorsement under s.
791 456.0145 must submit to background screening in accordance with
792 s. 456.0135.
793 Section 21. Section 468.355, Florida Statutes, is amended
794 to read:
795 468.355 Licensure requirements.—To be eligible for
796 licensure by the board, an applicant must be an active
797 “certified respiratory therapist” or an active “registered
798 respiratory therapist” as designated by the National Board for
799 Respiratory Care, or its successor, and submit to background
800 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
801 Section 22. Subsection (4) of section 468.358, Florida
802 Statutes, is amended to read:
803 468.358 Licensure by endorsement.—
804 (4) Applicants for licensure shall not be granted by
805 endorsement under as provided in this section must submit
806 without the submission of a proper application, remit and the
807 payment of the requisite application fee, and submit to
808 background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135 fees
809 therefor.
810 Section 23. Present subsections (2), (3), and (4) of
811 section 468.509, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
812 subsections (3), (4), and (5), respectively, a new subsection
813 (2) is added to that section, and present subsection (2) of that
814 section is amended, to read:
815 468.509 Dietitian/nutritionist; requirements for
816 licensure.—
817 (2) Applicants for licensure must also submit to background
818 screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
819 (3)(2) The department shall examine any applicant who the
820 board certifies has completed the application form, submitted to
821 background screening, and remitted the application and
822 examination fees specified in s. 468.508 and who:
823 (a)1. Possesses a baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree
824 with a major course of study in human nutrition, food and
825 nutrition, dietetics, or food management, or an equivalent major
826 course of study, from a school or program accredited, at the
827 time of the applicant’s graduation, by the appropriate
828 accrediting agency recognized by the Commission on Recognition
829 of Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department
830 of Education; and
831 2. Has completed a preprofessional experience component of
832 not less than 900 hours or has education or experience
833 determined to be equivalent by the board; or
834 (b)1. Has an academic degree, from a foreign country, that
835 has been validated by an accrediting agency approved by the
836 United States Department of Education as equivalent to the
837 baccalaureate or postbaccalaureate degree conferred by a
838 regionally accredited college or university in the United
839 States;
840 2. Has completed a major course of study in human
841 nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or food management;
842 and
843 3. Has completed a preprofessional experience component of
844 not less than 900 hours or has education or experience
845 determined to be equivalent by the board.
846 Section 24. Section 468.513, Florida Statutes, as amended
847 by SB 1600, 2024 Regular Session, is amended to read:
848 468.513 Dietitian/nutritionist; licensure by endorsement.
849 The department shall issue a license to practice dietetics and
850 nutrition by endorsement to any applicant who submits to
851 background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135 and meets
852 the requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145,
853 upon receipt of a completed application and the fee specified in
854 s. 468.508.
855 Section 25. Subsection (2) of section 468.803, Florida
856 Statutes, is amended to read:
857 468.803 License, registration, and examination
858 requirements.—
859 (2) An applicant for registration, examination, or
860 licensure must apply to the department on a form prescribed by
861 the board for consideration of board approval. Each initial
862 applicant shall submit fingerprints to the department in
863 accordance with s. 456.0135 and any other procedures specified
864 by the department for state and national criminal history checks
865 of the applicant. The board shall screen the results to
866 determine if an applicant meets licensure requirements. The
867 board shall consider for examination, registration, or licensure
868 each applicant whom the board verifies meets all of the
869 following criteria:
870 (a) Has submitted the completed application and completed
871 the fingerprinting requirements and has paid the applicable
872 application fee, not to exceed $500. The application fee is
873 nonrefundable.;
874 (b) Is of good moral character.;
875 (c) Is 18 years of age or older.; and
876 (d) Has completed the appropriate educational preparation.
877 Section 26. Subsection (1) of section 478.45, Florida
878 Statutes, is amended to read:
879 478.45 Requirements for licensure.—
880 (1) An applicant applying for licensure as an electrologist
881 shall apply to the department on forms furnished by the
882 department. The department shall license each applicant who the
883 board certifies meets all of the following criteria:
884 (a) Has completed the file a written application form and
885 remitted, accompanied by the application for licensure fee
886 prescribed in s. 478.55.
887 (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
888 with s. 456.0135., on a form provided by the board, showing to
889 the satisfaction of the board that the applicant:
890 (c)(a) Is at least 18 years old.
891 (d)(b) Is of good moral character.
892 (e)(c) Possesses a high school diploma or a high school
893 equivalency diploma.
894 (f)(d) Has not committed an act in any jurisdiction which
895 would constitute grounds for disciplining an electrologist in
896 this state.
897 (g)(e) Has successfully completed the academic requirements
898 of an electrolysis training program, not to exceed 120 hours,
899 and the practical application thereof as approved by the board.
900 Section 27. Section 483.815, Florida Statutes, is amended
901 to read:
902 483.815 Application for clinical laboratory personnel
903 license.—An application for a clinical laboratory personnel
904 license shall be made under oath on forms provided by the
905 department and shall be accompanied by payment of fees as
906 provided by this part. Applicants for licensure must also submit
907 to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135. A
908 license may be issued authorizing the performance of procedures
909 of one or more categories.
910 Section 28. Present paragraphs (b) through (k) of
911 subsection (4) of section 483.901, Florida Statutes, are
912 redesignated as paragraphs (c) through (l), respectively, a new
913 paragraph (b) is added to that subsection, and paragraph (a) of
914 that subsection is amended, to read:
915 483.901 Medical physicists; definitions; licensure.—
916 (4) LICENSE REQUIRED.—An individual may not engage in the
917 practice of medical physics, including the specialties of
918 diagnostic radiological physics, therapeutic radiological
919 physics, medical nuclear radiological physics, or medical health
920 physics, without a license issued by the department for the
921 appropriate specialty.
922 (a) The department shall adopt rules to administer this
923 section which specify license application and renewal fees,
924 continuing education requirements, background screening
925 requirements, and standards for practicing medical physics. The
926 department shall require a minimum of 24 hours per biennium of
927 continuing education offered by an organization approved by the
928 department. The department may adopt rules to specify continuing
929 education requirements for persons who hold a license in more
930 than one specialty.
931 (b) Applicants for a medical physicist license must submit
932 to background screening in accordance with s. 456.0135.
933 Section 29. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 483.914,
934 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
935 483.914 Licensure requirements.—
936 (2) The department shall issue a license, valid for 2
937 years, to each applicant who meets all of the following
938 criteria:
939 (a) Has completed an application.
940 (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
941 with s. 456.0135.
942 (c)(b) Is of good moral character.
943 (d)(c) Provides satisfactory documentation of having
944 earned:
945 1. A master’s degree from a genetic counseling training
946 program or its equivalent as determined by the Accreditation
947 Council of Genetic Counseling or its successor or an equivalent
948 entity; or
949 2. A doctoral degree from a medical genetics training
950 program accredited by the American Board of Medical Genetics and
951 Genomics or the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists.
952 (e)(d) Has passed the examination for certification as:
953 1. A genetic counselor by the American Board of Genetic
954 Counseling, Inc., the American Board of Medical Genetics and
955 Genomics, or the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors; or
956 2. A medical or clinical geneticist by the American Board
957 of Medical Genetics and Genomics or the Canadian College of
958 Medical Geneticists.
959 (3) The department may issue a temporary license for up to
960 2 years to an applicant who meets all requirements for licensure
961 except for the certification examination requirement imposed
962 under paragraph (2)(e) (2)(d) and is eligible to sit for that
963 certification examination.
964 Section 30. Present paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of
965 subsection (1) of section 484.007, Florida Statutes, as amended
966 by SB 1600, 2024 Regular Session, are redesignated as paragraphs
967 (c), (d), and (e), respectively, and a new paragraph (b) is
968 added to that subsection, to read:
969 484.007 Licensure of opticians; permitting of optical
970 establishments.—
971 (1) Any person desiring to practice opticianry shall apply
972 to the department, upon forms prescribed by it, to take a
973 licensure examination. The department shall examine each
974 applicant who the board certifies meets all of the following
975 criteria:
976 (b) Submits to background screening in accordance with s.
977 456.0135.
978 Section 31. Subsection (2) of section 484.045, Florida
979 Statutes, is amended to read:
980 484.045 Licensure by examination.—
981 (2) The department shall license each applicant who the
982 board certifies meets all of the following criteria:
983 (a) Has completed the application form and remitted the
984 required fees.
985 (b) Has submitted to background screening in accordance
986 with s. 456.0135.
987 (c)(b) Is of good moral character.
988 (d)(c) Is 18 years of age or older.
989 (e)(d) Is a graduate of an accredited high school or its
990 equivalent.
991 (f)1.(e)1. Has met the requirements of the training
992 program; or
993 2.a. Has a valid, current license as a hearing aid
994 specialist or its equivalent from another state and has been
995 actively practicing in such capacity for at least 12 months; or
996 b. Is currently certified by the National Board for
997 Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences and has been
998 actively practicing for at least 12 months.
999 (g)(f) Has passed an examination, as prescribed by board
1000 rule.
1001 (h)(g) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of
1002 the board, knowledge of state laws and rules relating to the
1003 fitting and dispensing of prescription hearing aids.
1004 Section 32. Subsection (1) of section 486.031, Florida
1005 Statutes, as amended by SB 1600 and SB 7016, 2024 Regular
1006 Session, is amended to read:
1007 486.031 Physical therapist; licensing requirements;
1008 exemption.—
1009 (1) To be eligible for licensing as a physical therapist,
1010 an applicant must meet all of the following criteria:
1011 (a) Be at least 18 years old.;
1012 (b) Be of good moral character.; and
1013 (c)1. Have graduated from a school of physical therapy
1014 which has been approved for the educational preparation of
1015 physical therapists by the appropriate accrediting agency
1016 recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or
1017 its successor or the United States Department of Education at
1018 the time of her or his graduation and have passed, to the
1019 satisfaction of the board, the American Registry Examination
1020 before 1971 or a national examination approved by the board to
1021 determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
1022 therapist under this chapter;
1023 2. Have received a diploma from a program in physical
1024 therapy in a foreign country and have educational credentials
1025 deemed equivalent to those required for the educational
1026 preparation of physical therapists in this country, as
1027 recognized by the appropriate agency as identified by the board,
1028 and have passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination
1029 to determine her or his fitness for practice as a physical
1030 therapist under this chapter; or
1031 3. Be entitled to licensure by endorsement or without
1032 examination as provided in s. 486.081.
1033 (d) Have submitted to background screening in accordance
1034 with s. 456.0135.
1035 Section 33. Subsection (1) of section 486.102, Florida
1036 Statutes, as amended by SB 1600 and SB 7016, 2024 Regular
1037 Session, is amended to read:
1038 486.102 Physical therapist assistant; licensing
1039 requirements; exemption.—
1040 (1) To be eligible for licensing by the board as a physical
1041 therapist assistant, an applicant must meet all of the following
1042 criteria:
1043 (a) Be at least 18 years old.;
1044 (b) Be of good moral character.; and
1045 (c)1. Have graduated from a school providing a course of at
1046 least 2 years for physical therapist assistants, which has been
1047 approved for the educational preparation of physical therapist
1048 assistants by the appropriate accrediting agency recognized by
1049 the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor
1050 or the United States Department of Education, at the time of her
1051 or his graduation and have passed to the satisfaction of the
1052 board an examination to determine her or his fitness for
1053 practice as a physical therapist assistant under this chapter;
1054 2. Have graduated from a school providing a course for
1055 physical therapist assistants in a foreign country and have
1056 educational credentials deemed equivalent to those required for
1057 the educational preparation of physical therapist assistants in
1058 this country, as recognized by the appropriate agency as
1059 identified by the board, and passed to the satisfaction of the
1060 board an examination to determine her or his fitness for
1061 practice as a physical therapist assistant under this chapter;
1062 3. Be entitled to licensure by endorsement as provided in
1063 s. 486.107; or
1064 4. Have been enrolled between July 1, 2014, and July 1,
1065 2016, in a physical therapist assistant school in this state
1066 which was accredited at the time of enrollment; and
1067 a. Have graduated or be eligible to graduate from such
1068 school no later than July 1, 2018; and
1069 b. Have passed to the satisfaction of the board an
1070 examination to determine his or her fitness for practice as a
1071 physical therapist assistant as provided in s. 486.104.
1072 (d) Have submitted to background screening in accordance
1073 with s. 456.0135.
1074 Section 34. Present paragraphs (b), (c), and (d) of
1075 subsection (1) of section 490.005, Florida Statutes, are
1076 redesignated as paragraphs (c), (d), and (e), respectively, a
1077 new paragraph (b) is added to that subsection, and subsection
1078 (2) of that section is amended, to read:
1079 490.005 Licensure by examination.—
1080 (1) Any person desiring to be licensed as a psychologist
1081 shall apply to the department to take the licensure examination.
1082 The department shall license each applicant whom the board
1083 certifies has met all of the following requirements:
1084 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
1085 456.0135.
1086 (2) Any person desiring to be licensed as a school
1087 psychologist shall apply to the department to take the licensure
1088 examination. The department shall license each applicant who the
1089 department certifies has met all of the following requirements:
1090 (a) Satisfactorily completed the application form and
1091 submitted a nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $250 and
1092 an examination fee sufficient to cover the per applicant cost to
1093 the department for development, purchase, and administration of
1094 the examination, but not to exceed $250 as set by department
1095 rule.
1096 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
1097 456.0135.
1098 (c)(b) Submitted satisfactory proof to the department that
1099 the applicant:
1100 1. Has received a doctorate, specialist, or equivalent
1101 degree from a program primarily psychological in nature and has
1102 completed 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of graduate
1103 study, in areas related to school psychology as defined by rule
1104 of the department, from a college or university which at the
1105 time the applicant was enrolled and graduated was accredited by
1106 an accrediting agency recognized and approved by the Council for
1107 Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
1108 from an institution that is a member in good standing with the
1109 Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
1110 2. Has had a minimum of 3 years of experience in school
1111 psychology, 2 years of which must be supervised by an individual
1112 who is a licensed school psychologist or who has otherwise
1113 qualified as a school psychologist supervisor, by education and
1114 experience, as set forth by rule of the department. A doctoral
1115 internship may be applied toward the supervision requirement.
1116 3. Has passed an examination provided by the department.
1117 Section 35. Present paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection
1118 (1) of section 490.0051, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
1119 paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively, and a new paragraph (b) is
1120 added to that subsection, to read:
1121 490.0051 Provisional licensure; requirements.—
1122 (1) The department shall issue a provisional psychology
1123 license to each applicant whom the board certifies has met all
1124 of the following criteria:
1125 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
1126 456.0135.
1127 Section 36. Subsection (1) of section 490.006, Florida
1128 Statutes, as amended by SB 1600, 2024 Regular Session, is
1129 amended to read:
1130 490.006 Licensure by endorsement.—
1131 (1) The department shall license a person as a psychologist
1132 or school psychologist who, upon applying to the department,
1133 submitting to background screening in accordance with s.
1134 456.0135, and remitting the appropriate fee, demonstrates to the
1135 department or, in the case of psychologists, to the board that
1136 the applicant meets the requirements for licensure by
1137 endorsement under s. 456.0145.
1138 Section 37. Subsections (1), (2), (4), and (6) of section
1139 491.0045, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1140 491.0045 Intern registration; requirements.—
1141 (1) An individual who has not satisfied the postgraduate or
1142 post-master’s level experience requirements, as specified in s.
1143 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or
1144 (4)(c), must register as an intern in the profession for which
1145 he or she is seeking licensure before commencing the post
1146 master’s experience requirement or an individual who intends to
1147 satisfy part of the required graduate-level practicum,
1148 internship, or field experience, outside the academic arena for
1149 any profession, and must register as an intern in the profession
1150 for which he or she is seeking licensure before commencing the
1151 practicum, internship, or field experience.
1152 (2) The department shall register as a clinical social
1153 worker intern, marriage and family therapist intern, or mental
1154 health counselor intern each applicant who the board certifies
1155 has met all of the following criteria:
1156 (a) Completed the application form and remitted a
1157 nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $200, as set by
1158 board rule.;
1159 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
1160 456.0135.
1161 (c)(b)1. Completed the education requirements as specified
1162 in s. 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c),
1163 or (4)(c) for the profession for which he or she is applying for
1164 licensure, if needed; and
1165 2. Submitted an acceptable supervision plan, as determined
1166 by the board, for meeting the practicum, internship, or field
1167 work required for licensure that was not satisfied in his or her
1168 graduate program.
1169 (d)(c) Identified a qualified supervisor.
1170 (4) An individual who fails to comply with this section may
1171 not be granted a license under this chapter, and any time spent
1172 by the individual completing the experience requirement as
1173 specified in s. 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), or (4)(d) s.
1174 491.005(1)(c), (3)(c), or (4)(c) before registering as an intern
1175 does not count toward completion of the requirement.
1176 (6) Any registration issued after March 31, 2017, expires
1177 60 months after the date it is issued. The board may make a one
1178 time exception to the requirements of this subsection in
1179 emergency or hardship cases, as defined by board rule, if the
1180 candidate has passed the theory and practice examination
1181 described in s. 491.005(1)(e), (3)(e), and (4)(e) s.
1182 491.005(1)(d), (3)(d), and (4)(d).
1183 Section 38. Subsection (2) of section 491.0046, Florida
1184 Statutes, is amended to read:
1185 491.0046 Provisional license; requirements.—
1186 (2) The department shall issue a provisional clinical
1187 social worker license, provisional marriage and family therapist
1188 license, or provisional mental health counselor license to each
1189 applicant who the board certifies has met all of the following
1190 criteria:
1191 (a) Completed the application form and remitted a
1192 nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $100, as set by
1193 board rule.; and
1194 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
1195 456.0135.
1196 (c)(b) Earned a graduate degree in social work, a graduate
1197 degree with a major emphasis in marriage and family therapy or a
1198 closely related field, or a graduate degree in a major related
1199 to the practice of mental health counseling.; and
1200 (d)(c) Met the following minimum coursework requirements:
1201 1. For clinical social work, a minimum of 15 semester hours
1202 or 22 quarter hours of the coursework required by s.
1203 491.005(1)(c)2.b. s. 491.005(1)(b)2.b.
1204 2. For marriage and family therapy, 10 of the courses
1205 required by s. 491.005(3)(c) s. 491.005(3)(b), as determined by
1206 the board, and at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of
1207 the course credits must have been completed in the area of
1208 marriage and family systems, theories, or techniques.
1209 3. For mental health counseling, a minimum of seven of the
1210 courses required under s. 491.005(4)(c)1.a., b., or c. s.
1211 491.005(4)(b)1.a.-c.
1212 Section 39. Subsections (1) through (4) of section 491.005,
1213 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1214 491.005 Licensure by examination.—
1215 (1) CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK.—Upon verification of
1216 documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
1217 board rule, the department shall issue a license as a clinical
1218 social worker to an applicant whom the board certifies has met
1219 all of the following criteria:
1220 (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
1221 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
1222 456.0135.
1223 (c)(b)1. Received a doctoral degree in social work from a
1224 graduate school of social work which at the time the applicant
1225 graduated was accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by
1226 the United States Department of Education or received a master’s
1227 degree in social work from a graduate school of social work
1228 which at the time the applicant graduated:
1229 a. Was accredited by the Council on Social Work Education;
1230 b. Was accredited by the Canadian Association for Social
1231 Work Education; or
1232 c. Has been determined to have been a program equivalent to
1233 programs approved by the Council on Social Work Education by the
1234 Foreign Equivalency Determination Service of the Council on
1235 Social Work Education. An applicant who graduated from a program
1236 at a university or college outside of the United States or
1237 Canada must present documentation of the equivalency
1238 determination from the council in order to qualify.
1239 2. The applicant’s graduate program emphasized direct
1240 clinical patient or client health care services, including, but
1241 not limited to, coursework in clinical social work, psychiatric
1242 social work, medical social work, social casework,
1243 psychotherapy, or group therapy. The applicant’s graduate
1244 program must have included all of the following coursework:
1245 a. A supervised field placement which was part of the
1246 applicant’s advanced concentration in direct practice, during
1247 which the applicant provided clinical services directly to
1248 clients.
1249 b. Completion of 24 semester hours or 32 quarter hours in
1250 theory of human behavior and practice methods as courses in
1251 clinically oriented services, including a minimum of one course
1252 in psychopathology, and no more than one course in research,
1253 taken in a school of social work accredited or approved pursuant
1254 to subparagraph 1.
1255 3. If the course title which appears on the applicant’s
1256 transcript does not clearly identify the content of the
1257 coursework, the applicant provided additional documentation,
1258 including, but not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
1259 published for the course.
1260 (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical social work
1261 experience, which took place subsequent to completion of a
1262 graduate degree in social work at an institution meeting the
1263 accreditation requirements of this section, under the
1264 supervision of a licensed clinical social worker or the
1265 equivalent who is a qualified supervisor as determined by the
1266 board. An individual who intends to practice in Florida to
1267 satisfy clinical experience requirements must register pursuant
1268 to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If the applicant’s
1269 graduate program was not a program which emphasized direct
1270 clinical patient or client health care services as described in
1271 subparagraph (c)2. (b)2., the supervised experience requirement
1272 must take place after the applicant has completed a minimum of
1273 15 semester hours or 22 quarter hours of the coursework
1274 required. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
1275 clinical social work experience requirement. A licensed mental
1276 health professional must be on the premises when clinical
1277 services are provided by a registered intern in a private
1278 practice setting.
1279 (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
1280 by board rule.
1281 (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
1282 knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
1283 clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
1284 health counseling.
1285 (2) CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK.—
1286 (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1)(c)
1287 (1)(b), coursework which was taken at a baccalaureate level
1288 shall not be considered toward completion of education
1289 requirements for licensure unless an official of the graduate
1290 program certifies in writing on the graduate school’s stationery
1291 that a specific course, which students enrolled in the same
1292 graduate program were ordinarily required to complete at the
1293 graduate level, was waived or exempted based on completion of a
1294 similar course at the baccalaureate level. If this condition is
1295 met, the board shall apply the baccalaureate course named toward
1296 the education requirements.
1297 (b) An applicant from a master’s or doctoral program in
1298 social work which did not emphasize direct patient or client
1299 services may complete the clinical curriculum content
1300 requirement by returning to a graduate program accredited by the
1301 Council on Social Work Education or the Canadian Association of
1302 Schools of Social Work, or to a clinical social work graduate
1303 program with comparable standards, in order to complete the
1304 education requirements for examination. However, a maximum of 6
1305 semester or 9 quarter hours of the clinical curriculum content
1306 requirement may be completed by credit awarded for independent
1307 study coursework as defined by board rule.
1308 (3) MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY.—Upon verification of
1309 documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
1310 board rule, the department shall issue a license as a marriage
1311 and family therapist to an applicant whom the board certifies
1312 has met all of the following criteria:
1313 (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
1314 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
1315 456.0135.
1316 (c)1. Attained one of the following:
1317 a. A minimum of a master’s degree in marriage and family
1318 therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on
1319 Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
1320 b. A minimum of a master’s degree with a major emphasis in
1321 marriage and family therapy or a closely related field from a
1322 university program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of
1323 Counseling and Related Educational Programs and graduate courses
1324 approved by the board.
1325 c. A minimum of a master’s degree with an emphasis in
1326 marriage and family therapy or a closely related field, with a
1327 degree conferred before September 1, 2027, from an
1328 institutionally accredited college or university and graduate
1329 courses approved by the board.
1330 2. If the course title that appears on the applicant’s
1331 transcript does not clearly identify the content of the
1332 coursework, the applicant provided additional documentation,
1333 including, but not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
1334 published for the course. The required master’s degree must have
1335 been received in an institution of higher education that, at the
1336 time the applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an
1337 institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for
1338 Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
1339 was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an
1340 institution of higher education located outside the United
1341 States and Canada which, at the time the applicant was enrolled
1342 and at the time the applicant graduated, maintained a standard
1343 of training substantially equivalent to the standards of
1344 training of those institutions in the United States which are
1345 accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by
1346 the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor
1347 organization. Such foreign education and training must have been
1348 received in an institution or program of higher education
1349 officially recognized by the government of the country in which
1350 it is located as an institution or program to train students to
1351 practice as professional marriage and family therapists or
1352 psychotherapists. The applicant has the burden of establishing
1353 that the requirements of this provision have been met, and the
1354 board shall require documentation, such as an evaluation by a
1355 foreign equivalency determination service, as evidence that the
1356 applicant’s graduate degree program and education were
1357 equivalent to an accredited program in this country. An
1358 applicant with a master’s degree from a program that did not
1359 emphasize marriage and family therapy may complete the
1360 coursework requirement in a training institution fully
1361 accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and
1362 Family Therapy Education recognized by the United States
1363 Department of Education.
1364 (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical experience
1365 during which 50 percent of the applicant’s clients were
1366 receiving marriage and family therapy services, which must be at
1367 the post-master’s level under the supervision of a licensed
1368 marriage and family therapist with at least 5 years of
1369 experience, or the equivalent, who is a qualified supervisor as
1370 determined by the board. An individual who intends to practice
1371 in Florida to satisfy the clinical experience requirements must
1372 register pursuant to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If
1373 a graduate has a master’s degree with a major emphasis in
1374 marriage and family therapy or a closely related field which did
1375 not include all of the coursework required by paragraph (c) (b),
1376 credit for the post-master’s level clinical experience may not
1377 commence until the applicant has completed a minimum of 10 of
1378 the courses required by paragraph (c) (b), as determined by the
1379 board, and at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of the
1380 course credits must have been completed in the area of marriage
1381 and family systems, theories, or techniques. Within the 2 years
1382 of required experience, the applicant shall provide direct
1383 individual, group, or family therapy and counseling to cases
1384 including those involving unmarried dyads, married couples,
1385 separating and divorcing couples, and family groups that include
1386 children. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
1387 clinical experience requirement. A licensed mental health
1388 professional must be on the premises when clinical services are
1389 provided by a registered intern in a private practice setting.
1390 (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
1391 by board rule.
1392 (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
1393 knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
1394 clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
1395 health counseling.
1396
1397 For the purposes of dual licensure, the department shall license
1398 as a marriage and family therapist any person who meets the
1399 requirements of s. 491.0057. Fees for dual licensure may not
1400 exceed those stated in this subsection.
1401 (4) MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING.—Upon verification of
1402 documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by
1403 board rule, the department shall issue a license as a mental
1404 health counselor to an applicant whom the board certifies has
1405 met all of the following criteria:
1406 (a) Submitted an application and paid the appropriate fee.
1407 (b) Submitted to background screening in accordance with s.
1408 456.0135.
1409 (c)(b)1. Attained a minimum of an earned master’s degree
1410 from a mental health counseling program accredited by the
1411 Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related
1412 Educational Programs which consists of at least 60 semester
1413 hours or 80 quarter hours of clinical and didactic instruction,
1414 including a course in human sexuality and a course in substance
1415 abuse. If the master’s degree is earned from a program related
1416 to the practice of mental health counseling which is not
1417 accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling
1418 and Related Educational Programs, then the coursework and
1419 practicum, internship, or fieldwork must consist of at least 60
1420 semester hours or 80 quarter hours and meet all of the following
1421 requirements:
1422 a. Thirty-three semester hours or 44 quarter hours of
1423 graduate coursework, which must include a minimum of 3 semester
1424 hours or 4 quarter hours of graduate-level coursework in each of
1425 the following 11 content areas: counseling theories and
1426 practice; human growth and development; diagnosis and treatment
1427 of psychopathology; human sexuality; group theories and
1428 practice; individual evaluation and assessment; career and
1429 lifestyle assessment; research and program evaluation; social
1430 and cultural foundations; substance abuse; and legal, ethical,
1431 and professional standards issues in the practice of mental
1432 health counseling. Courses in research, thesis or dissertation
1433 work, practicums, internships, or fieldwork may not be applied
1434 toward this requirement.
1435 b. A minimum of 3 semester hours or 4 quarter hours of
1436 graduate-level coursework addressing diagnostic processes,
1437 including differential diagnosis and the use of the current
1438 diagnostic tools, such as the current edition of the American
1439 Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
1440 Mental Disorders. The graduate program must have emphasized the
1441 common core curricular experience.
1442 c. The equivalent, as determined by the board, of at least
1443 700 hours of university-sponsored supervised clinical practicum,
1444 internship, or field experience that includes at least 280 hours
1445 of direct client services, as required in the accrediting
1446 standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and
1447 Related Educational Programs for mental health counseling
1448 programs. This experience may not be used to satisfy the post
1449 master’s clinical experience requirement.
1450 2. Provided additional documentation if a course title that
1451 appears on the applicant’s transcript does not clearly identify
1452 the content of the coursework. The documentation must include,
1453 but is not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description
1454 published for the course.
1455
1456 Education and training in mental health counseling must have
1457 been received in an institution of higher education that, at the
1458 time the applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an
1459 institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for
1460 Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or
1461 was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an
1462 institution of higher education located outside the United
1463 States and Canada which, at the time the applicant was enrolled
1464 and at the time the applicant graduated, maintained a standard
1465 of training substantially equivalent to the standards of
1466 training of those institutions in the United States which are
1467 accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by
1468 the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor
1469 organization. Such foreign education and training must have been
1470 received in an institution or program of higher education
1471 officially recognized by the government of the country in which
1472 it is located as an institution or program to train students to
1473 practice as mental health counselors. The applicant has the
1474 burden of establishing that the requirements of this provision
1475 have been met, and the board shall require documentation, such
1476 as an evaluation by a foreign equivalency determination service,
1477 as evidence that the applicant’s graduate degree program and
1478 education were equivalent to an accredited program in this
1479 country. Beginning July 1, 2025, an applicant must have a
1480 master’s degree from a program that is accredited by the Council
1481 for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
1482 Programs, the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation
1483 Council, or an equivalent accrediting body which consists of at
1484 least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours to apply for
1485 licensure under this paragraph.
1486 (d)(c) Completed at least 2 years of clinical experience in
1487 mental health counseling, which must be at the post-master’s
1488 level under the supervision of a licensed mental health
1489 counselor or the equivalent who is a qualified supervisor as
1490 determined by the board. An individual who intends to practice
1491 in Florida to satisfy the clinical experience requirements must
1492 register pursuant to s. 491.0045 before commencing practice. If
1493 a graduate has a master’s degree with a major related to the
1494 practice of mental health counseling which did not include all
1495 the coursework required under sub-subparagraphs (c)1.a and b.
1496 (b)1.a. and b., credit for the post-master’s level clinical
1497 experience may not commence until the applicant has completed a
1498 minimum of seven of the courses required under sub-subparagraphs
1499 (c)1.a and b. (b)1.a. and b., as determined by the board, one of
1500 which must be a course in psychopathology or abnormal
1501 psychology. A doctoral internship may be applied toward the
1502 clinical experience requirement. A licensed mental health
1503 professional must be on the premises when clinical services are
1504 provided by a registered intern in a private practice setting.
1505 (e)(d) Passed a theory and practice examination designated
1506 by board rule.
1507 (f)(e) Demonstrated, in a manner designated by board rule,
1508 knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of
1509 clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental
1510 health counseling.
1511 Section 40. Subsection (1) of section 491.006, Florida
1512 Statutes, as amended by SB 1600, 2024 Regular Session, is
1513 amended to read:
1514 491.006 Licensure or certification by endorsement.—
1515 (1) The department shall license or grant a certificate to
1516 a person in a profession regulated by this chapter who, upon
1517 applying to the department, submitting to background screening
1518 in accordance with s. 456.0135, and remitting the appropriate
1519 fee, demonstrates to the board that he or she meets the
1520 requirements for licensure by endorsement under s. 456.0145.
1521 Section 41. Paragraphs (d), (f), and (i) of subsection (1)
1522 of section 468.505, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1523 468.505 Exemptions; exceptions.—
1524 (1) Nothing in this part may be construed as prohibiting or
1525 restricting the practice, services, or activities of:
1526 (d) A person pursuing a course of study leading to a degree
1527 in dietetics and nutrition from a program or school accredited
1528 pursuant to s. 468.509(3) s. 468.509(2), if the activities and
1529 services constitute a part of a supervised course of study and
1530 if the person is designated by a title that clearly indicates
1531 the person’s status as a student or trainee.
1532 (f) Any dietitian or nutritionist from another state
1533 practicing dietetics or nutrition incidental to a course of
1534 study when taking or giving a postgraduate course or other
1535 course of study in this state, provided such dietitian or
1536 nutritionist is licensed in another jurisdiction or is a
1537 registered dietitian or holds an appointment on the faculty of a
1538 school accredited pursuant to s. 468.509(3) s. 468.509(2).
1539 (i) An educator who is in the employ of a nonprofit
1540 organization approved by the council; a federal, state, county,
1541 or municipal agency, or other political subdivision; an
1542 elementary or secondary school; or an accredited institution of
1543 higher education the definition of which, as provided in s.
1544 468.509(3) s. 468.509(2), applies to other sections of this
1545 part, insofar as the activities and services of the educator are
1546 part of such employment.
1547 Section 42. Subsections (15), (16), and (17) of section
1548 491.003, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1549 491.003 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
1550 (15) “Registered clinical social worker intern” means a
1551 person registered under this chapter who is completing the
1552 postgraduate clinical social work experience requirement
1553 specified in s. 491.005(1)(d) s. 491.005(1)(c).
1554 (16) “Registered marriage and family therapist intern”
1555 means a person registered under this chapter who is completing
1556 the post-master’s clinical experience requirement specified in
1557 s. 491.005(3)(d) s. 491.005(3)(c).
1558 (17) “Registered mental health counselor intern” means a
1559 person registered under this chapter who is completing the post
1560 master’s clinical experience requirement specified in s.
1561 491.005(4)(d) s. 491.005(4)(c).
1562 Section 43. Effective July 1, 2024, for the 2024-2025
1563 fiscal year, the sum of $250,000 in nonrecurring funds from the
1564 Medical Quality Assurance Trust Fund is appropriated to the
1565 Department of Health to implement the provisions of this act.
1566 Section 44. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
1567 act and except for this section, which shall take effect July 1,
1568 2024, this act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
1569
1570 ================= T I T L E A M E N D M E N T ================
1571 And the title is amended as follows:
1572 Delete everything before the enacting clause
1573 and insert:
1574 A bill to be entitled
1575 An act relating to background screenings and
1576 certifications; amending s. 420.621, F.S.; defining
1577 the term “person with lived experience”; creating s.
1578 420.6241, F.S.; providing legislative intent;
1579 providing qualifications for a person seeking
1580 certification as a person with lived experience;
1581 requiring continuum of care lead agencies to submit
1582 certain information to the Department of Children and
1583 Families for purposes of background screening;
1584 providing duties of the department; prescribing
1585 screening requirements; specifying disqualifying
1586 offenses for a person applying for certification;
1587 authorizing a person who does not meet background
1588 screening requirements to apply to the department for
1589 an exemption from disqualification; requiring the
1590 department to accept or reject such application within
1591 a specified time; amending s. 435.04, F.S.; specifying
1592 additional disqualifying offenses under the background
1593 screening requirements for certain persons; amending
1594 s. 435.07, F.S.; revising requirements for exemptions
1595 from disqualification from employment; amending s.
1596 943.0438, F.S.; revising the effective date of a
1597 requirement that independent sanctioning authorities
1598 conduct level 2 background screenings of current and
1599 prospective athletic coaches; amending s. 456.0135,
1600 F.S.; expanding certain background screening
1601 requirements to apply to additional health care
1602 practitioners; providing applicability; requiring
1603 specified health care practitioners licensed before a
1604 specified date to comply with certain background
1605 screening requirements upon their next licensure
1606 renewal that takes place on or after a specified date;
1607 prohibiting the Department of Health from renewing
1608 specified health care practitioner licenses under
1609 certain circumstances beginning on a specified date;
1610 amending ss. 457.105, 463.006, 465.007, 465.0075,
1611 466.006, 466.0067, 466.007, 467.011, 468.1185,
1612 468.1215, 468.1695, 468.209, 468.213, 468.355,
1613 468.358, 468.509, 468.513, 468.803, 478.45, 483.815,
1614 483.901, 483.914, 484.007, 484.045, 486.031, 486.102,
1615 490.005, 490.0051, 490.006, 491.0045, 491.0046,
1616 491.005, and 491.006, F.S.; revising licensure,
1617 registration, or certification requirements, as
1618 applicable, for acupuncturists; optometrists;
1619 pharmacists; pharmacist licenses by endorsement;
1620 dentists; health access dental licenses; dental
1621 hygienists; midwives; speech-language pathologists and
1622 audiologists; speech-language pathology assistants and
1623 audiology assistants; nursing home administrators;
1624 occupational therapists and occupational therapy
1625 assistants; occupational therapist and occupational
1626 therapy assistant licenses by endorsement; respiratory
1627 therapists; respiratory therapist licenses by
1628 endorsement; dietitian/nutritionists;
1629 dietitian/nutritionist licenses by endorsement;
1630 practitioners of orthotics, prosthetics, or
1631 pedorthics; electrologists; clinical laboratory
1632 personnel; medical physicists; genetic counselors;
1633 opticians; hearing aid specialists; physical
1634 therapists; physical therapist assistants;
1635 psychologists and school psychologists; provisional
1636 licenses for psychologists; psychologist and school
1637 psychologist licenses by endorsement; intern
1638 registrations for clinical social work, marriage and
1639 family therapy, and mental health counseling;
1640 provisional licenses for clinical social workers,
1641 marriage and family therapists, and mental health
1642 counselors; clinical social workers, marriage and
1643 family therapists, and mental health counselors; and
1644 clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist,
1645 and mental health counselor licenses by endorsement,
1646 respectively, to include background screening
1647 requirements; making conforming and technical changes;
1648 amending ss. 468.505 and 491.003, F.S.; conforming
1649 cross-references; providing an appropriation;
1650 providing effective dates.