Bill Text: FL S1332 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Awareness and Assistance Training Program

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2024-03-08 - Died in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs [S1332 Detail]

Download: Florida-2024-S1332-Introduced.html
       Florida Senate - 2024                                    SB 1332
       
       
        
       By Senator Calatayud
       
       
       
       
       
       38-00601A-24                                          20241332__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the Mental Health and Substance Use
    3         Disorder Awareness and Assistance Training Program;
    4         creating s. 394.9088, F.S.; defining terms; requiring
    5         the Department of Children and Families, by a
    6         specified date, to establish the training program for
    7         a specified purpose; specifying requirements for the
    8         training program; requiring the department to select a
    9         coordinating agency to administer the training program
   10         by a specified date; specifying eligibility
   11         requirements for the coordinating agency; providing
   12         that the coordinating agency is responsible for all
   13         aspects of administering the training program;
   14         requiring the coordinating agency to submit a 5-year
   15         statewide, phase-in implementation plan to the
   16         department; specifying requirements for the plan;
   17         requiring the coordinating agency to submit an annual
   18         report to the department by a specified date;
   19         specifying requirements for the report; providing an
   20         effective date.
   21          
   22  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   23  
   24         Section 1. Section 394.9088, Florida Statutes, is created
   25  to read:
   26         394.9088Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Awareness
   27  and Assistance Training Program.—
   28         (1)As used in this section, the term:
   29         (a)“Coordinating agency” means a nonprofit organization
   30  that is exempt from federal income tax under s. 501(c)(3) of the
   31  Internal Revenue Code, governed by a board of directors, and
   32  selected by the department to administer the training program.
   33         (b)“Mental health” means a state of mental well-being that
   34  enables a person to cope with the stresses of life, realize his
   35  or her abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to his or
   36  her community.
   37         (c)“National authority” means a national organization that
   38  has developed an evidence-based training program using
   39  nationally certified trainers and that promotes a greater
   40  understanding of mental well-being as a core component of
   41  comprehensive health and health care.
   42         (d)“Substance use disorder” means a treatable mental
   43  health disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior
   44  leading to an inability to control the use of substances,
   45  including legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications.
   46         (e)“Training program” means a department-approved,
   47  statewide mental health and substance use disorder training
   48  program created by a national authority on mental health that
   49  incorporates strategies to reduce the stigma associated with
   50  mental illness, provides an overview of mental illness and
   51  substance use disorders, and provides participants with skills
   52  to use when experiencing a crisis.
   53         (2)(a)Beginning July 1, 2024, the department shall
   54  establish the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Awareness
   55  and Assistance Training Program with the goal of training people
   56  whose occupations have a high level of daily interaction with
   57  the public, including, but not limited to, first responders,
   58  health care professionals, educators, business employees, and
   59  clergy, to recognize the signs of mental illness and substance
   60  use disorders.
   61         (b)The training program shall provide:
   62         1.An overview of mental illnesses and substance use
   63  disorders, including risk factors and warning signs, strategies
   64  for how to help a person who is experiencing a mental health- or
   65  substance use-related crisis, and how to seek help.
   66         2.Practical strategies to help reduce the stigma
   67  associated with mental illness and substance use disorders.
   68         (3)(a)By September 1, 2024, the department shall select a
   69  coordinating agency to administer the training program
   70  statewide.
   71         (b)The coordinating agency shall meet all of the following
   72  criteria:
   73         1.Have at least 5 years of experience providing mental
   74  health and substance use disorder training in the state to at
   75  least 10,000 people.
   76         2.Be accredited by a national accrediting organization.
   77         3.Provide financial statements audited by a nationally
   78  recognized auditing firm.
   79         4.Submit a 5-year, statewide, phase-in implementation plan
   80  for administering the training program.
   81         (4)(a)The coordinating agency shall be responsible for all
   82  aspects of administering the training program based on its 5
   83  year, statewide, phase-in implementation plan. The plan must set
   84  a goal for the number of people to be trained each year.
   85  Targeted populations must include first responders and citizens
   86  of high-risk neighborhoods and rural communities. The plan must
   87  recommend a detailed budget to accomplish these goals, including
   88  metrics and reporting requirements.
   89         (b)By June 30, 2025, and annually thereafter by June 30,
   90  the coordinating agency shall provide agreed-upon reporting
   91  metrics, including the number of people trained and the results
   92  of surveys of the people trained which document their knowledge
   93  of mental health first aid taught in the training. The report
   94  must also document the number of first responders trained. The
   95  coordinating agency shall also provide success stories from
   96  trainees who successfully used the training program to help
   97  someone with a mental health- or substance use-related crisis.
   98         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.

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