Committee advances memory-care licensing bill to require specialty license and set rule deadlines

The committee adopted a late-file substitute and reported favorably on CS for CS SB1404, a bill that creates a memory-care services specialty license for assisted-living facilities (ALFs) serving residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Sponsor Senator Burton said the new license aims to provide clarity for families shopping for assisted living by aligning statute with existing practice and setting standards for advertising, training, and care. The substitute moved the rule-adoption deadline for AHCA to June 1, 2027, and required ALFs to obtain a memory-care services license within six months of AHCA rules becoming effective, while also allowing limited options for residents to remain in ALFs that have not obtained the specialty license under specified conditions.

Senator Gates asked whether entities that advertise memory-care services but do not obtain the enhanced license would be subject to enforcement; Senator Burton said they would be in violation of state law and AHCA would provide remedies. Stakeholders including the Florida Senior Living Association, Alzheimer's Association and AARP Florida waived in support. The committee reported the measure favorably.