HB 829 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0829-00
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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 the operation and administration of 2
the Baker Act; amending s. 394.457, F.S.; requiring 3
the Department of Children and Families to provide 4
specified information to certain individuals and 5
organizations; requiring the department to maintain an 6
information handbook and repository of answers to 7
frequently asked questions; providing requirements for 8
such handbook and repository; providing an effe ctive 9
date. 10
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 12
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Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 14
394.457, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 15
394.457 Operation and administration. — 16
(2) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPA RTMENT.—The department is 17
responsible for: 18
(b)1. Informing individuals and organizations involved in 19
implementing this part, including, but not limited to, law 20
enforcement officers, qualified professionals, and service 21
providers, The publication and dist ribution of an information 22
handbook to facilitate understanding of the provisions of this 23
part;, the policies and procedures related to its effective 24
involved in the implementation; their roles and of this part, 25
HB 829 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0829-00
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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
and the responsibilities; and any other info rmation necessary 26
for its effective implementation. The department shall maintain: 27
of the various providers of services under this part. 28
a. An information handbook, which must be published and 29
updated on the department's website annually by October 1. 30
b. A repository of answers to frequently asked questions, 31
which must be published on the department's website and 32
continually revised and expanded as necessary. 33
2. Supporting and facilitating It shall stimulate research 34
by public and private agencies, i nstitutions of higher learning, 35
and hospitals in the interest of the elimination and 36
amelioration of mental illness. 37
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 38