Florida Legislature Unanimously Passes Legislation to Expand Access to Behavioral Health Services

TALLAHASSEE — On Wednesday, the Florida Senate unanimously approved CS/Senate Bill 330: Behavioral Health Teaching Hospitals, marking the final passage of this legislation. The bill defines and creates a new behavioral health teaching hospital designation to enhance access to mental health and substance abuse care in Florida. The bill was filed by Senator Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton).

The bill creates a new Center for Behavioral Health Workforce within the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of Florida to help address the current workforce shortage of behavioral health professionals. 

"Investing in Florida's behavioral healthcare system and strengthening our workforce is essential to meet the demand for care among Floridians,” said Boyd. “I am grateful for the support of my colleagues on the passage of SB 330. This legislation is an important part of the Senate's Live Healthy initiative, faithfully led by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. It increases access to behavioral health services in Florida so that our residents can get the care they need."

SB 330 designates the following four medical school and hospital partnerships in Florida as behavioral health teaching hospitals:

• Tampa General Hospital, in affiliation with the University of South Florida
• UF Health Shands Hospital, in affiliation with the University of Florida
• UF Health Jacksonville, in affiliation with the University of Florida
• Jackson Memorial Hospital, in affiliation with the University of Miami

Beginning July 1, 2025, additional licensed hospitals in Florida may apply for a behavioral health teaching hospital designation. If approved, the designation will be valid for two years. Designated hospitals must submit an application for renewal at least 90 days before the designation expiration date. 

SB 330 establishes a new grant program for designated behavioral health teaching hospitals through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). The Training, Education, and Clinicals in Health (TEACH) program, which was established by SB 7016, dedicates funding for designated hospitals. 

All designated behavioral health teaching hospitals must conduct state-of-the-art behavioral health research, implement cutting-edge education and training opportunities, and collaborate with other universities, colleges, and schools to enhance innovative and integrated behavioral health care in Florida.

Designated hospitals develop and promote public-private partnerships and a partnership with the state of Florida to address statewide behavioral health needs. Each hospital must submit an annual report to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). 

The bill also directs DCF to complete a study by January 31, 2025, to evaluate behavioral health workforce issues, including current capacity and future demand for forensic and civil treatments and statewide inpatient psychiatric programs.