Committee backs bill to create memory-care license and baseline standards for facilities

Tallahassee — The Health Care Facilities & Systems Committee on Friday reported HB 1295 favorably as amended, advancing legislation that would create a distinct memory-care license, set baseline standards of operation for memory-care services, clarify resident contract requirements, and prohibit facilities from advertising memory care unless they meet the criteria.

Sponsor Representative Greco described a strike-all amendment clarifying which facility types the bill covers, elaborating standards and aligning certain language with senate provisions. The sponsor and stakeholders emphasized that the bill would not automatically require every assisted living facility to apply for a memory-care license simply because a resident has a dementia diagnosis.

Alberta Granger, chief executive officer of the Florida Assisted Living Association, said she supports HB 1295 but asked for clearer language in the strike-all to avoid unintentionally requiring all 2,984 assisted living facilities to obtain the new license. She said the original bill’s intent was to reach facilities that advertise memory-care services and to ensure guarantees for families.

Jason Hand of the Florida Senior Living Association also supported the amendment, noting it defines memory-care residents and services, creates a memory-care specialty license and directs the Agency for Health Care Administration to develop minimum standards.

Representative Greco closed by stressing the bill’s aim to ensure baseline services and safety — for example, staff awake 24 hours a day and training to respond to overnight emergencies — and asked for the committee’s support.

The clerk recorded a 15–0 vote and the committee reported the bill favorably as amended.

The transcript documents stakeholder concern about scope and calls for clearer statutory language; it does not include final rule language or a timeline for AHCA rulemaking.