Florida implements new mental health legislation: 5 things to know 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a pair of bills investing in mental health access in the state June 25. 

Here are five things to know: 

1. The first bill, SB 1620, implements recommendations made by the state’s Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder, including new training programs, training stipends and workforce development programs.
   
    
2. The legislation also includes recommendations to standardize clinical mental health assessments used by providers and school mental health programs. It requires the state to review access to school-based telehealth mental health care biennially, with a focus on rural and underserved areas. 
   
   
3. The Florida Department of Children and Families will build out specialized mobile crisis response services for older adults. 
   
   
4. The second bill, SB 168, creates new diversion pathways for people with mental illness. The legislation creates a clear process for sheriffs, courts and treatment providers to route people with serious mental illness from the criminal justice system to mental healthcare. 
   
   
5. The state is also partnering with the University of South Florida in Tampa to fund a behavioral health research center. 

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