Administration of Medications

HB 407 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb407-00
Page 1 of 4
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to administration of medications; 2
providing a short title; amending ss. 397.427 and 3
465.1893, F.S.; authorizing a pharmacist to administer 4
certain medications under certain circumstances; 5
providing an effective date. 6
7
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 8
9
Section 1. This act may be cited as the "Connecting to 10
Care Act." 11
Section 2. Subsections (6) and (7) of section 397.427, 12
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 13
397.427 Medication-assisted treatment service providers; 14
rehabilitation program; needs assessment and provision of 15
services; persons authorized to issue takeout medication; 16
unlawful operation; penalty.— 17
(6) A physician assistant, a registered nurse, an advanced 18
practice registered nurse, or a licensed practical nurse, or a 19
pharmacist working for a licensed service provider may deliver 20
medication as prescribed by rule if: 21
(a) The service provider is authorized to provide 22
medication-assisted treatment; 23
(b) The medication has been administered pursuant to a 24
valid prescription written by the program's physician who is 25

HB 407 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb407-00
Page 2 of 4
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459; and 26
(c) The medication ordered appears on a formulary or meets 27
federal requirements for medication-assisted treatment. 28
(7) Each licensed service provider that provides 29
medication-assisted treatment must adopt written protocols as 30
specified by the department and in accordance with federally 31
required rules, regulations, or procedures. The protocol shall 32
provide for the supervision of the physician assistant, 33
registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, or 34
licensed practical nurse working under the supervision of, or a 35
pharmacist acting pursuant to s. 465.1893 under an established 36
protocol with, a physician who is licensed under chapter 458 or 37
chapter 459. The protocol must specify how the medication will 38
be used in conjunction with counseling or psychosocial treatment 39
and that the services provided will be included on the treatment 40
plan. The protocol must specify the procedures by which 41
medication-assisted treatment may be administered by the 42
physician assistant, registered nurse, advanced practice 43
registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse, or pharmacist. 44
These protocols shall be signed by the supervising physician and 45
the administering physician assistant, registered nurse, 46
advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse, 47
or pharmacist. 48
Section 3. Section 465.1893, Florida Statutes, is amended 49
to read: 50

HB 407 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb407-00
Page 3 of 4
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

465.1893 Administration of antipsychotic medication and 51
medication for the treatment of opiate addiction by injection.— 52
(1)(a) A pharmacist, at the direction of a physician 53
licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, may administer a 54
long-acting antipsychotic medication or medication for the 55
treatment of opiate addiction approved by the United States Food 56
and Drug Administration by injection to a patient if the 57
pharmacist: 58
1. Is authorized by and acting within the framework of an 59
established protocol with the prescribing physician. 60
2. Practices at a facility that accommodates privacy for 61
nondeltoid injections and conforms with state rules and 62
regulations regarding the appropriate and safe disposal of 63
medication and medical waste. 64
3. Has completed the course required under subsection (2). 65
(b) A separate prescription from a physician is required 66
for each injection administered by a pharmacist under this 67
subsection. 68
(2)(a) A pharmacist seeking to administer a long-acting 69
antipsychotic medication or medication for the treatment of 70
opiate addiction by injection must complete an 8-hour continuing 71
education course offered by: 72
1. A statewide professional association of physicians in 73
this state accredited to provide educational activities 74
designated for the American Medical Association Physician's 75

HB 407 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb407-00
Page 4 of 4
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

Recognition Award (AMA PRA) Category 1 Credit or the American 76
Osteopathic Association (AOA) Category 1-A continuing medical 77
education (CME) credit; and 78
2. A statewide association of pharmacists. 79
(b) The course may be offered in a distance learning 80
format and must be included in the 30 hours of continuing 81
professional pharmaceutical education required under s. 82
465.009(1). The course shall have a curriculum of instruction 83
that concerns the safe and effective administration of 84
behavioral health and antipsychotic medications or medications 85
for the treatment of opiate addiction by injection, as 86
applicable, including, but not limited to, potential allergic 87
reactions to such medications. 88
Section 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 89