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Florida: Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation to Support Floridians with More Mental Health and Substance Abuse Resources

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TAMPA, Fla. ~ TAMPA, Fla. - In a move to support the well-being of Floridians, Governor Ron DeSantis signed two bills today that will provide more resources for mental health and substance abuse treatment. The bills, Florida Senate Bill 1620 and Florida Senate Bill 168, were signed during a press conference at the University of South Florida's Florida Mental Health Institute.

During the conference, Governor DeSantis announced that the institute will now be known as the "Senator Darryl E. Rouson Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research" in honor of Senator Darryl E. Rouson's dedication to mental health and substance abuse treatment in the state.

"Florida is leading the nation in delivering meaningful solutions to tackle these complex issues and help improve people's lives," said Governor DeSantis. "I was also pleased to announce the naming of the 'Senator Darryl E. Rouson Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research' at USF in recognition of his leadership."

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SB 1620, which implements key recommendations from Florida's Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder, aims to standardize clinical mental health assessments used by providers and school mental health programs. This will ensure that treatment decisions are based on real, measurable needs.

The bill also includes improvements to discharge planning from treatment facilities, requiring plans to address access to long-acting injectable medications when clinically appropriate. Additionally, it directs the Florida Department of Children and Families to develop specialized mobile crisis response services for seniors.

To expand access to mental health care in schools, SB 1620 mandates biennial reviews of telehealth availability with a focus on rural and underserved areas. The bill also invests in the behavioral health workforce by supporting new training programs, professional stipends, and workforce development projects across the state.

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SB 168, also known as the "Tristin Murphy Act", creates new diversion pathways for individuals with mental illnesses as an alternative to incarceration. The bill allows counties and municipalities to establish misdemeanor mental health diversion programs and pretrial felony diversion programs.

It also provides a clear process for routing individuals with serious mental illness out of the criminal justice system and into care, involving sheriffs, courts, and treatment providers. The bill expands the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant Program to include a focus on veteran treatment court programs and emergency responder training.

Furthermore, SB 168 requires mental health evaluations for individuals with a history of incompetency adjudications before they are placed on probation and returned to society, closing a dangerous loophole.

With these bills in place, Florida is taking significant steps towards addressing mental health and substance abuse issues in the state. Governor DeSantis' commitment to improving the lives of Floridians through meaningful solutions is evident in these legislative actions.

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