Florida 2026 Session Status: Passed Senate 1 R cosponsors

SB 560 — Child Welfare

Last action — Died in Messages

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

This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced November 18, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Moderate chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 48% · moderate confidence

  • Passed Senate

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 6 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Child Welfare; Providing that a new medical report relating to the provision of psychotropic medication to a child in the legal custody of the Department of Children and Families may be required only under certain circumstances; requiring the department and each community-based care lead agency to coordinate with certain organizations and meet at least quarterly for a specified purpose; requiring a physician to provide to a pharmacy a copy of certain documentation, rather than a signed attestation, with certain prescriptions, etc.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

422 added · 207 removed

422 line(s) added, 207 removed.

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Latest
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 560 By the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services;
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 By the Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs;
the Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs;
and Senator Garcia 586-02019-26 2026560c1 A bill to be entitled An act relating to child welfare;
and Senator Garcia 603-02825-26 2026560c2 A bill to be entitled An act relating to child welfare;
409.1451, F.S.;
increasing the maximum age of eligibility for certain postsecondary education services and support;
revising the requirements for a renewal award of postsecondary education services and support;
requiring the inclusion of specific metrics for measuring outcomes and performance of postsecondary education services and support and aftercare services in a certain annual report;
conforming provisions to changes made by the act;
amending s.
physical, mental, or substance abuse examination of person with or requesting child custody.— (3) (c) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (e), the department must file a motion seeking the court’s authorization to initially provide or continue to provide psychotropic medication to a child in its legal custody.
physical, mental, or substance abuse examination of person with or requesting child custody.— Page 1 of 14 CODING:
The motion must be supported by a written report prepared by the department which describes the efforts made to enable the prescribing physician or psychiatric nurse, as defined in s.
394.455, to obtain express and informed consent for providing the medication to the Page 1 of 7 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 560 603-02825-26 2026560c2 child and other treatments considered or recommended for the child.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 (3) (c) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (e), the department must file a motion seeking the court’s authorization to initially provide or continue to provide psychotropic medication to a child in its legal custody.
The motion must be supported by a written report prepared by the department which describes the efforts made to enable the prescribing physician or psychiatric nurse, as defined in s.
394.455, to obtain express and informed consent for providing the medication to the child and other treatments considered or recommended for the child.
drug-interaction precautions;
drug-interaction Page 2 of 14 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 precautions;
and any additional medical, mental health, behavioral, counseling, or Page 2 of 7 CODING:
and any additional medical, mental health, behavioral, counseling, or other services that the prescribing physician or psychiatric nurse, as defined in s.
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 560 603-02825-26 2026560c2 other services that the prescribing physician or psychiatric nurse, as defined in s.
Paragraphs (a) and (e) of subsection (2) of section 409.1451, Florida Statutes, are amended, and paragraphs (d) and (e) are added to subsection (6) of that section, to read:
409.1451 The Road-to-Independence Program.— (2) POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION SERVICES AND SUPPORT.— (a) A young adult is eligible for services and support under this subsection if he or she:
1.
Was living in licensed care on his or her 18th birthday or is currently living in licensed care;
or was at least 14 Page 3 of 14 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 years of age and was adopted from foster care or placed with a court-approved dependency guardian after spending at least 6 months in licensed care within the 12 months immediately preceding such placement or adoption;
2.
Spent at least 6 months in licensed care before reaching his or her 18th birthday;
3.
Earned a standard high school diploma pursuant to s.
1002.3105(5), s.
1003.4281, or s.
1003.4282, or its equivalent pursuant to s.
1003.435;
4.
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Has been admitted for enrollment as a full-time student or its equivalent in an eligible postsecondary educational institution as provided in s.
1009.533.
For purposes of this section, the term “full-time” means 9 credit hours or the vocational school equivalent.
A student may enroll part-time if he or she has a recognized disability or is faced with another challenge or circumstance that would prevent full-time attendance.
A student needing to enroll part-time for any reason other than having a recognized disability must get approval from his or her academic advisor;
5.
Has reached 18 years of age but is not yet 26 23 years of age;
6.
Has applied, with assistance from the young adult’s caregiver and the community-based lead agency, for any other grants and scholarships for which he or she may qualify;
7.
Submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid which is complete and error free;
and 8.
Signed an agreement to allow the department and the community-based care lead agency access to school records.
(e)1.
The department must advertise the availability of the Page 4 of 14 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 stipend and must provide notification of the criteria and application procedures for the stipend to children and young adults leaving, or who were formerly in, foster care;
caregivers;
case managers;
guidance and family services counselors;
principals or other relevant school administrators;
and guardians ad litem.
2.
If the award recipient transfers from one eligible institution to another and continues to meet eligibility requirements, the award shall be transferred with the recipient.
3.
The department, or an agency under contract with the department, shall evaluate each Road-to-Independence award for renewal eligibility on an annual basis.
In order to be eligible for a renewal award for the subsequent year, the young adult must:
a.
Be enrolled for or have completed the number of hours, or the equivalent, to be considered a full-time student under subparagraph (a)4., unless the young adult qualifies for an exception under subparagraph (a)4.
b.
Maintain standards of academic progress as defined by the education institution, except that if the young adult’s progress is insufficient to renew the award at any time during the eligibility period, the young adult may continue to be enrolled for additional terms while attempting to restore eligibility as long as progress towards the required level is maintained.
c.
Not have exceeded the lifetime limit of 60 months of financial assistance for services and support provided under this subsection.
The lifetime limit applies without exception and regardless of whether the award recipient receives the Page 5 of 14 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 services and support under this subsection in consecutive or nonconsecutive months.
4.
Funds may be terminated during the interim between an award and the evaluation for a renewal award if the department, or an agency under contract with the department, determines that the award recipient is no longer enrolled in an educational institution as described in subparagraph (a)4.
or is no longer a resident of this state.
5.
The department, or an agency under contract with the department, shall notify a recipient who is terminated and inform the recipient of his or her right to appeal.
6.
An award recipient who does not qualify for a renewal award or who chooses not to renew the award may apply for reinstatement.
An application for reinstatement must be made before the young adult reaches 26 23 years of age.
In order to be eligible for reinstatement, the young adult must meet the eligibility criteria and the criteria for award renewal for the program.
7.
The department, or an agency under contract with the department, shall work with the young adult to create a financial plan that is guided by the young adult’s financial goals in meeting his or her needs while in postsecondary education.
The financial plan must be included in the transition plan required under s.
39.6035.
The department, or an agency under contract with the department, shall review and, if necessary, update the financial plan with the young adult every 6 months until funding under this subsection is no longer provided.
8.
The department, or an agency under contract with the Page 6 of 14 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 department, shall review with the young adult the transition plan required under s.
39.6035 during the year before the young adult graduates from postsecondary education or the year before the young adult reaches 26 23 years of age, whichever occurs first.
The transition plan must include an assessment of the young adult’s current and future needs and challenges for self- sufficiency and address, at a minimum, how the young adult will meet his or her financial needs and obligations when funding under this subsection is no longer provided.
(6) ACCOUNTABILITY.—The department shall develop outcome measures for the program and other performance measures in order to maintain oversight of the program.
No later than January 31 of each year, the department shall prepare a report on the outcome measures and the department’s oversight activities and submit the report to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the committees with jurisdiction over issues relating to children and families in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The report must include:
(d) Specific metrics for postsecondary education services and support provided under subsection (2).
Such metrics must be aggregated on a statewide basis and disaggregated by community- based care lead agency, age, race, and postsecondary educational institution type as provided in s.
1009.533.
Such metrics must include, but are not limited to, the following information for the preceding state fiscal year:
1.
The total number of young adults eligible for services and support under subsection (2).
2.
The total number of applicants and the total number of Page 7 of 14 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 applicants approved for financial assistance under subsection (2).
3.
The rate of housing instability or homelessness experienced by award recipients during their enrollment period.
4.
The percentage of award recipients described in subparagraph 3.
who also received financial assistance under subsection (3) and the average amount of such assistance.
5.
The primary reason for an award recipient’s termination, discontinuation, or nonrenewal under the program, including, but not limited to, academic deficiency, voluntary withdrawal, reaching the age limit, or reaching the lifetime limit.
6.
The educational achievements of award recipients, including, but not limited to:
a.
The postsecondary student retention rate, expressed as a percentage of award recipients who remain continuously enrolled or reenroll for the subsequent academic term.
b.
The postsecondary degree, certificate, or vocational program completion rate.
c.
The average time in which award recipients complete their program of study.
d.
The average unweighted grade point average of award recipients, aggregated on a statewide basis and disaggregated only by postsecondary educational institution type as provided in s.
1009.533.
e.
The percentage of award recipients who graduated from a postsecondary educational institution.
(e) Specific metrics for aftercare services provided under subsection (3).
Such metrics must be aggregated on a statewide basis and disaggregated by community-based care lead agency, Page 8 of 14 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 age, race, and postsecondary educational institution type as provided in s.
1009.533.
Such metrics must include, but are not limited to, the following information for the preceding state fiscal year:
1.
The total number of young adults eligible for the aftercare services under subsection (3).
2.
The total number of young adults who received aftercare services.
3.
The average duration of a young adult’s participation in the program.
4.
The primary reason that a young adult seeks aftercare services.
5.
The total number of financial assistance disbursements made under subparagraph (3)(b)7.
for necessities or under subparagraph (3)(b)8.
for emergency situations.
6.
The utilization rate of key aftercare components, including, but not limited to, the percentage of participants who:
a.
Receive mentoring or tutoring services.
b.
Receive mental health or substance abuse counseling referrals.
c.
Complete a life skill class, which may include, but is not limited to, a financial literacy or credit management class.
d.
Receive job or career skills training.
e.
Report housing stability within 90 days after receiving housing-related assistance, which may include, but is not limited to, security deposits for rent and utilities.
f.
Enroll in educational or vocational programs, including, but not limited to, the postsecondary education services and Page 9 of 14 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 support provided under subsection (2), while receiving at least one aftercare service disbursement.
Section 3.
39.6251(1), over the age of Page 3 of 7 CODING:
39.6251(1), over the age of 12 years, residing with the owner or operator if the agency is located in or adjacent to the home of the owner or operator or if the family member of, or person residing with, the owner or operator has any direct contact with the children.
Members of the family of the owner or operator, or persons residing with the owner or operator, who are between the ages of 12 years and 18 years are not required to be fingerprinted, but must be screened for delinquency records.
For purposes of screening, the Page 10 of 14 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 560 603-02825-26 2026560c2 12 years, residing with the owner or operator if the agency is located in or adjacent to the home of the owner or operator or if the family member of, or person residing with, the owner or operator has any direct contact with the children.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 term also includes owners, operators, employees, and volunteers working in summer day camps, or summer 24-hour camps providing care for children.
Members of the family of the owner or operator, or persons residing with the owner or operator, who are between the ages of 12 years and 18 years are not required to be fingerprinted, but must be screened for delinquency records.
For purposes of screening, the term also includes owners, operators, employees, and volunteers working in summer day camps, or summer 24-hour camps providing care for children.
Section 3.
Section 4.
Subsection (13) of section 409.912, Florida Page 4 of 7 CODING:
Subsection (13) of section 409.912, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
409.912 Cost-effective purchasing of health care.—The agency shall purchase goods and services for Medicaid recipients in the most cost-effective manner consistent with the delivery of quality medical care.
To ensure that medical services are effectively utilized, the agency may, in any case, require a confirmation or second physician’s opinion of the correct diagnosis for purposes of authorizing future services under the Page 11 of 14 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 560 603-02825-26 2026560c2 Statutes, is amended to read:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 Medicaid program.
409.912 Cost-effective purchasing of health care.—The agency shall purchase goods and services for Medicaid recipients in the most cost-effective manner consistent with the delivery of quality medical care.
To ensure that medical services are effectively utilized, the agency may, in any case, require a confirmation or second physician’s opinion of the correct diagnosis for purposes of authorizing future services under the Medicaid program.
Page 5 of 7 CODING:
The agency may mandate prior authorization, drug therapy management, or disease management participation for certain populations of Medicaid beneficiaries, certain drug classes, or particular drugs to prevent fraud, abuse, overuse, and possible dangerous drug interactions.
The Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee shall make recommendations to the agency on drugs for which prior authorization is required.
The agency shall inform the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee of its decisions Page 12 of 14 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 560 603-02825-26 2026560c2 The agency may mandate prior authorization, drug therapy management, or disease management participation for certain populations of Medicaid beneficiaries, certain drug classes, or particular drugs to prevent fraud, abuse, overuse, and possible dangerous drug interactions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 regarding drugs subject to prior authorization.
The Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee shall make recommendations to the agency on drugs for which prior authorization is required.
The agency shall inform the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee of its decisions regarding drugs subject to prior authorization.
The agency shall determine instances in which allowing Medicaid beneficiaries to purchase durable medical equipment and other goods is less expensive to the Medicaid program than long-term Page 6 of 7 CODING:
The agency shall determine instances in which allowing Medicaid beneficiaries to purchase durable medical equipment and other goods is less expensive to the Medicaid program than long-term rental of the equipment or goods.
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for CS for SB 560 603-02825-26 2026560c2 rental of the equipment or goods.
(13) The agency may not pay for psychotropic medication prescribed for a child in the Medicaid program without the express and informed consent of the child’s parent or legal guardian.
(13) The agency may not pay for psychotropic medication prescribed for a child in the Medicaid program without the express and informed consent of the child’s parent or legal Page 13 of 14 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 560 586-02019-26 2026560c1 guardian.
Section 4.
Section 5.
Page 7 of 7 CODING:
Page 14 of 14 CODING:
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Action History

  1. Died in Messages

  2. In Messages

  3. CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 527

  4. Read 3rd time -SJ 527

  5. Read 2nd time -SJ 527

  6. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/04/26

  7. CS/CS/CS by Rules read 1st time

  8. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

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

  10. CS/CS/CS by- Rules; YEAS 23 NAYS 0

  11. On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/24/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building

  12. CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services read 1st time

  13. Now in Rules

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

  15. CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; YEAS 9 NAYS 0

  16. On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services, 02/12/26, 2:30 pm, 412 Knott Building

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

  18. Now in Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

  19. Remaining references corrected to Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services; Rules

  20. Original reference(s) removed: Health Policy

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

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

  23. On Committee agenda-- Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, 01/20/26, 9:30 am, 301 Senate Building

  24. Introduced

  25. Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Health Policy; Rules

  26. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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

Sponsors (1)

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

Third Reading

Passed 37 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 9001
Republican 26001
Unaffiliated 1000
No Party Affiliation 1000
Total 37002
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
How each member voted (39)
Member Party Vote
Smith — Yea
Arrington, Kristen Aston Democrat Yea
Berman, Lori Democrat Yea
Bernard, Mack Democrat Yea
Davis, Tracie Democrat Yea
Davis, Tracie Democrat Not Voting
Jones, Shevrin D. "Shev" Democrat Yea
Osgood, Rosalind Democrat Yea
Polsky, Tina Scott Democrat Yea
Rouson, Darryl Ervin Democrat Yea
Sharief, Barbara Democrat Yea
Pizzo, Jason W. B. No Party Affiliation Yea
Albritton, Ben Republican Yea
Boyd, Jim Republican Yea
Bradley, Jennifer Republican Yea
Brodeur, Jason Republican Yea
Burgess, Danny Republican Yea
Burton, Colleen Republican Yea
Calatayud, Alexis Republican Yea
DiCeglie, Nick Republican Yea
Gaetz, Don Republican Yea
Garcia, Ileana Republican Yea
Grall, Erin Republican Yea
Gruters, Joe Republican Yea
Harrell, Gayle Republican Yea
Hooper, Ed Republican Yea
Leek, Thomas J. "Tom" Republican Yea
Martin, Jonathan Republican Yea
Massullo, Ralph E., Jr. Republican Yea
Mayfield, Debbie Republican Yea
McClain, Stan Republican Yea
Passidomo, Kathleen Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Ana Maria Republican Yea
Simon, Corey Republican Yea
Truenow, Keith L. Republican Yea
Trumbull, Jay Republican Yea
Vacant Republican Not Voting
Wright, Tom A. Republican Yea
Yarborough, Clay Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Favorable with Committee Substitute

Passed 23 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 18000
Democrat 5000
No Party Affiliation 0001
Total 23001
% of votes cast 96%0%0%4%
How each member voted (24)
Member Party Vote
Berman, Lori Democrat Yea
Davis, Tracie Democrat Yea
Jones, Shevrin D. "Shev" Democrat Yea
Osgood, Rosalind Democrat Yea
Rouson, Darryl Ervin Democrat Yea
Pizzo, Jason W. B. No Party Affiliation Not Voting
Boyd, Jim Republican Yea
Bradley, Jennifer Republican Yea
Brodeur, Jason Republican Yea
Burgess, Danny Republican Yea
Burton, Colleen Republican Yea
DiCeglie, Nick Republican Yea
Gaetz, Don Republican Yea
Garcia, Ileana Republican Yea
Grall, Erin Republican Yea
Harrell, Gayle Republican Yea
Hooper, Ed Republican Yea
Martin, Jonathan Republican Yea
Passidomo, Kathleen Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Ana Maria Republican Yea
Simon, Corey Republican Yea
Trumbull, Jay Republican Yea
Vacant Republican Yea
Wright, Tom A. Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety healthcare labor
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

What does SB 560 do?
Child Welfare; Providing that a new medical report relating to the provision of psychotropic medication to a child in the legal custody of the Department of Children and Families may be required only under certain circumstances; requiring the department and each community-based care lead agency to coordinate with certain organizations and meet at least quarterly for a specified purpose; requiring a physician to provide to a pharmacy a copy of certain documentation, rather than a signed attestation, with certain prescriptions, etc.
Who sponsors SB 560?
SB 560 is sponsored by Garcia, Ileana (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 560?
This bill has passed the Senate. Introduced November 18, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track SB 560?
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