CS/HB 493 2025
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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 memory care; amending s. 429.177, 2
F.S.; defining the term "memory care services"; 3
requiring memory care providers to follow specified 4
standards of operation in providing memory care 5
services; providing requirements for resident 6
contracts; providing requirements for memory care 7
facilities; prohibiting certain facilities from 8
advertising, representing, or holding themselves out 9
as memory care providers unless such facilities meet 10
specified criteria; repealing s. 429.178, F.S., 11
relating to special care for persons with Alzheimer's 12
disease, dementia, or other memory disorders; 13
providing effective dates. 14
15
Be It Enacted by the Legislature o f the State of Florida: 16
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Section 1. Effective January 1, 2026, section 429.177, 18
Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 19
429.177 Patients with Alzheimer's disease , dementia, or 20
other memory related disorders; certain disclosures ; minimum 21
standards.— 22
(1) "Memory care services" means specialized or focused 23
care and services designed to address health or behavioral 24
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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
issues resulting from Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other 25
memory disorders. 26
(2)(a) A facility that advertises itself as a memory care 27
provider or otherwise claims that the facility provides memory 28
care services, including, but not limited to, services for 29
residents with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other memory 30
disorders, must meet all of the following standards of operation 31
for such services: 32
1. Develop and implement policies and procedures 33
addressing all of the following: 34
a. Admittance criteria. 35
b. Care and services necessary to address the needs of 36
persons admitted for memory care services. 37
2. Activities specifically designe d and offered for 38
persons admitted for memory care services. 39
3. Maintenance of a current and accurate log of residents 40
admitted as receiving memory care services. 41
(b) The standards in paragraph (a) apply to any unit 42
designated for the provision of memo ry care services or to a 43
facility that provides memory care services to any resident 44
admitted and requiring such services. 45
(3) In addition to the requirements of s. 429.24, resident 46
contracts must specify all memory care services to be provided 47
and any related costs should those costs exceed standard room 48
and board. 49
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(4) In addition to the requirements of s. 429.26(7), for 50
persons residing in a memory care facility, the facility shall: 51
(a) Notify a licensed physician when a resident has a 52
change of condition specific to increased or more severe 53
dementia, or other memory disorder to ensure that appropriate 54
care is provided to the resident. The notification must occur 55
within 30 days after the acknowledgement of such changes in 56
condition by facility staff . 57
(b) If a change in the resident's condition is determined 58
to exist, notify the resident's representative or designee and 59
assist in making appointments for the necessary care and 60
services for treatment of the change in condition. 61
(d) If the resident d oes not have a representative or 62
designee, or if the resident's representative or designee cannot 63
be located or is unresponsive, arrange with the appropriate 64
health care provider for the necessary care and services for 65
treatment of the change in condition. 66
(5)(a) The memory care facility, or if a memory care 67
provider has a specific unit designated for memory care 68
services, must have at least one staff member present to provide 69
care and services at all times. The staff member shall: 70
1. Stay awake at all times. 71
2. Meet any training required as defined by statute or 72
rule for assisted living facilities, including the training and 73
continuing education requirements of s. 430.5025. 74
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3. Be certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary 75
resuscitation. 76
(b) A staff member administering medication or providing 77
assistance with the self -administration of medication may not be 78
considered as the sole staff member toward the staffing 79
requirement while engaged in these tasks. 80
(6) A facility licensed under this part whic h claims that 81
it provides special care for persons who have Alzheimer's 82
disease, dementia, or other memory related disorders must 83
disclose in its advertisements or in a separate document those 84
services that distinguish the care as being especially 85
applicable to, or suitable for, such persons. The facility must 86
give a copy of all such advertisements or a copy of the document 87
to each person who requests information about programs and 88
services for persons with Alzheimer's disease , dementia, or 89
other memory related disorders offered by the facility and must 90
maintain a copy of all such advertisements and documents in its 91
records. The agency shall examine all such advertisements and 92
documents in the facility's records as part of the license 93
renewal procedure. 94
Section 2. Effective January 1, 2026, section 429.178, 95
Florida Statutes, is repealed. 96
Section 3. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this 97
act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2025. 98