Read the full stored bill text
Florida Senate
-
2026
SB 1618
By
Senator Leek
7-01242B-26 20261618__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to Coordinated Access Model Pilot
3 Program; creating s. 394.45735, F.S.; requiring the
4 Department of Children and Families to contract with
5 certain entities to establish and operate the
6 Coordinated Access Model Pilot Program in Clay, Duval,
7 and St. Johns Counties; providing requirements for
8 contracted entities; requiring contracted entities to
9 subcontract with certain state universities for
10 certain purposes; requiring the department and
11 contracted entities to create a coordinated access
12 model; providing model requirements; requiring the
13 department to provide specified reports to the
14 Governor and the Legislature within specified
15 timeframes; authorizing the department to adopt rules;
16 providing an effective date.
17
18 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
19
20 Section 1. Section 394.45735, Florida Statutes, is created
21 to read:
22
394.45735
Coordinated Access Model Pilot Program.—
23
(1)
The Department of Children and Families shall contract
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with local entities to establish and operate a behavioral health
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Coordinated Access Model Pilot Program in the department’s
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Northeast Region, including Clay, Duval, and St. Johns Counties,
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to improve timely access to behavioral health services using a
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single point of entry.
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(2)
The contracted entities must have experience in all of
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the following:
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(a)
Building resource networks, including behavioral health
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providers, community-based organizations, and government and
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social services.
34
(b)
Connecting individuals requesting assistance with
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resources through a coordinated care network.
36
(c)
Hosting a platform that supports closed-loop referrals
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and extensive program metrics.
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(3)
The contracted entities shall subcontract with a state
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university that is not designated pursuant to s. 1001.7065(3),
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to provide allied health staff and undergraduate and graduate
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social work and health professions training and internship
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experiences to interact with and screen individuals contacting
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the network access point for assistance.
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(4)
The department and contracted entities shall create a
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coordinated access model which shall:
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(a)
Coordinate access to behavioral health services among
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multiple service providers and social service entities for
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individuals requesting assistance.
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(b)
Provide timely referral, provider navigation, and
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connection to appropriate levels of care using a single,
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electronic referral and resource platform capable of
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coordinating among multiple providers.
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(5)
The coordinated access model must include, at a
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minimum:
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(a)
A network access point available during standard
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business hours with options for telephone, web-based, and in
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person intakes.
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(b)
Standardized screening and referral tools to identify
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service needs and eligibility for available programs.
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(c)
Referral coordination and warm handoffs to providers,
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including scheduling of first appointments and follow-up
62
confirmation.
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(d)
Navigation and follow-up support to ensure successful
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engagement with referred services.
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(e)
Service directory and inventory of community-based
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providers, maintained in real time to the extent practicable.
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(f)
Coordination with community systems, including primary
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care providers, schools, social services, and local governments.
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(g)
Use of a data platform that enables standardized data
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collection and reporting on referral outcomes, timeliness of
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service connections, consumer experience, and identification of
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service system gaps. The data platform must:
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1.
Support the potential integration with other state and
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local data systems, including, but not limited to, Medicaid,
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managing entities, school-based services, and community health
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systems.
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2.
Facilitate data sharing and interoperability in
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compliance with applicable state and federal privacy laws,
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including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
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Act of 1996 and 42 C.F.R. part 2.
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3.
Provide a comprehensive view of service utilization and
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coordination across providers, payors, and community partners.
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4.
Enable the department to evaluate system performance,
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identify barriers, and inform future resource allocation.
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(6)
The coordinated access model shall include measurable
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performance outcomes, including, but not limited to, all of the
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following:
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(a)
Timeliness of referrals and service connections.
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(b)
Successful engagement rates with referred services.
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(c)
Reduction in duplication of intake assessments.
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(d)
Improved consumer and family satisfaction.
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(7)(a)
Until the program is fully implemented, the
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department shall provide reports of the status of the
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Coordinated Access Model Pilot Program quarterly to the
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Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
96
House of Representatives.
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(b)
By November 30, 2027, and annually thereafter, the
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department shall assess the effectiveness of the pilot program
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and submit a report to the Governor, the President of the
100
Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
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(8)
The department and contracted entities may apply for
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and use any funds from private, state, and federal grants to
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support or expand coordinated access models.
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(9)
The department may adopt rules to administer this
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section.
106 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.