Florida 2018 Regular Session Status: In Committee

SB 270 — Involuntary Examination and Involuntary Admission of Minors

Last action — Died in Rules

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

375 added · 373 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of SB 270 now emphasizes that an assessment for minors 14 years of age or younger should be initiated within 8 hours of their arrival at a facility for involuntary examination. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these minors must be released to their parents or guardians, with certain exceptions. These changes are important because they aim to ensure timely care and improve the processes around the treatment of young individuals in crisis.

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Florida Senate - 2018 SB 270 By Senator Steube 23-00357-18 2018270__ A bill to be entitled An act relating to involuntary examination and involuntary admission of minors;
Florida Senate - 2018 CS for SB 270 By the Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs;
and Senator Steube 586-03440-18 2018270c1 A bill to be entitled An act relating to involuntary examination and involuntary admission of minors;
requiring the examination of a minor 14 years of age or younger to be initiated within 8 hours after the patient’s arrival at the receiving facility;
requiring an assessment by a service provider of a minor 14 years of age or younger to be initiated within 8 hours after the patient’s arrival at the receiving facility;
21 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
22 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
23 Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 394.462, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
24 Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 394.462, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
For a minor 14 years of age or younger, the examination shall be initiated within 8 hours after the patient’s arrival at the facility.
For a minor 14 years of age or younger, an assessment by a service provider shall be initiated within 8 hours after the patient’s arrival at the facility.
269 “I understand that the doctor who examined me believes I am a danger to myself or to others.
270 “I understand that the doctor who examined me believes I am a danger to myself or to others.
I understand that by agreeing to voluntary treatment in either of these situations, I may be prohibited from buying firearms and from applying for or retaining a concealed weapons or firearms license until I apply for and receive relief from that restriction under Florida law.” 282 (D) A judge or a magistrate has, pursuant to sub-sub subparagraph c.(II), reviewed the record of the finding, certification, notice, and written acknowledgment classifying the person as an imminent danger to himself or herself or others, and ordered that such record be submitted to the department.
I understand that by agreeing to voluntary treatment in either of these situations, I may be prohibited from buying firearms and from applying for or retaining a concealed weapons or firearms license until I apply for and receive relief from that restriction under Florida law.” 283 (D) A judge or a magistrate has, pursuant to sub-sub subparagraph c.(II), reviewed the record of the finding, certification, notice, and written acknowledgment classifying the person as an imminent danger to himself or herself or others, and ordered that such record be submitted to the department.
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill allows parents or guardians to transport minors for mental health evaluations instead of law enforcement, specifies circumstances for involuntary examinations of minors, and mandates timely assessments and releases.

  • 394.462

    only if: → only if: c. With respect to a minor 14 years of age or younger, the parent or guardian of the minor agrees to transport the minor to the receiving facility.

    Adds a requirement that parents or guardians must agree to transport minors for evaluations, allowing law enforcement to decline transportation.

  • 394.463(1)

    A minor 14 years of age or younger may be taken to a receiving facility for involuntary examination with the consent of the parent or guardian of the minor if there is reason to believe that the minor has a mental illness and because of his or her mental illness: → A minor 14 years of age or younger may be taken to a receiving facility for involuntary examination if there is reason to believe that the minor has a mental illness and because of his or her mental illness:

    Eliminates the requirement for parental consent for involuntary examinations of minors under certain conditions.

  • 394.463(2)(g)

    For a minor older than 14 years of age, the examination shall be initiated within 12 hours after the patient’s arrival at the facility. → For a minor older than 14 years of age, the examination shall be initiated within 12 hours after the patient’s arrival at the facility. For a minor 14 years of age or younger, an assessment by a service provider shall be initiated within 8 hours after the patient’s arrival at the facility.

    Sets a specific 8-hour deadline for assessments of minors 14 years of age or younger following their arrival at a facility.

  • 394.463(2)(g)

    A receiving facility must release a minor 14 years of age or younger without delay to the minor’s parent or guardian upon request unless consent was not necessary to conduct the examination under subparagraph (1)(b)2., → A receiving facility must release a minor 14 years of age or younger without delay to the minor’s parent or guardian upon request unless consent was not necessary to conduct the examination under subparagraph (1)(b)2., or the facility filed a petition for involuntary services.

    Ensures that minors 14 years old or younger can be released to their parents or guardians unless specific exceptions apply.

  • 394.4599(2)(c)

    A receiving facility shall give notice of the whereabouts of a minor who is being involuntarily held for examination pursuant to s. 394.463 to the minor’s parent, guardian, caregiver, or guardian advocate, in person or... → A receiving facility shall give notice of the whereabouts of a minor who is being involuntarily held for examination pursuant to s. 394.463 to the minor’s parent, guardian, caregiver, or guardian advocate, in person or by telephone or other form of electronic communication, immediately after the minor’s arrival at the facility.

    Mandates immediate notification of parents or guardians about the whereabouts of minors undergoing involuntary examinations.

Action History

  1. Died in Rules

  2. Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration

  3. Now in Rules

  4. CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs read 1st time

  5. Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

  6. CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; YEAS 5 NAYS 0

  7. On Committee agenda-- Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, 02/20/18, 11:00 am, 401 Senate Office Building

  8. Now in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

  9. Favorable by Criminal Justice; YEAS 7 NAYS 0

  10. On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 01/29/18, 4:00 pm, 37 Senate Office Building

  11. Introduced

  12. Referred to Criminal Justice; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Rules

  13. Filed

Sponsors

  • Steube · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 163 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Steube

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (163)

163 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 163 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Favorable

Passed 7 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 5000
Republican 1000
Democrat 1000
Total 7000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (7)
Member Party Vote
Bean — Yea
Brandes — Yea
Grimsley — Yea
Baxley — Yea
Bracy — Yea
Rouson, Darryl Ervin Democrat Yea
Bradley, Jennifer Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety healthcare
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 270?
SB 270 is sponsored by Steube.
What is the current status of SB 270?
This bill died with 2018 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 270?
Track SB 270 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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