FALA 2020 Legislative and Regulatory Policy Positions
The following list of topics represent general policy statements of the Florida Assisted Living Association as approved by the Legislative Committee.
2020_fala_end_of_session_legislative_report.pdf
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FUNDING ISSUES:
  • Support increased reimbursement rates for Assisted Care Services.
  • Support increased funding for Personal Needs Allowances.
  • Support increased reimbursement rates for Long Term Care services.
  • Support increased funding for Long Term Care and Nursing Home and Community-Based services to provide relief for a backlog of residents on the LTC wait list.
  • Support creation of a funding methodology workgroup for Medicaid reimbursement.
REGULATION/LICENSING:
  • Support the equitable application of Chapters 408, 429 and 435, F.S. and related administrative rules.
  • Oppose any additional regulations that increase cost but have no direct impact or correlation to resident health and safety.
  • Oppose unfunded regulatory mandates.
  • Study the potential of creating alternative accreditation options for facilities.
  • Study the applicability of the current specialty license structure (LNS, ECC and LMH).
  • Support adequate training of agency personnel to ensure appropriate application of inspection standards.
  • Support a rehabilitative versus punitive survey process that increases compliance through the establishment of best practices.
SAFETY / EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:
  • Support ways to create cooperative working relationships with state and local emergency management agencies to ensure resident safety during an emergency situation.
  • Support adding a representative of FALA to the state emergency operations center team.
  • Support and recognize assisted living facilities who are meeting or exceeding mandated safety standards.
LIABILITY INSURANCE / TORT REFORM:
  • Support tort reform efforts to address assisted living facility liability issues.
  • Support the creation of a workgroup to study assisted living facility insurance rates.
EMPLOYEE / STAFFING ISSUES:
  • Support appropriate staffing requirements to fulfill residents needs and ensure their safety.
  • Study potential revisions to employment background screening requirements in Chapter 435, F.S. 
  • Oppose any effort to place a state-mandated minimum wage in the Florida Constitution.

2020 Session Dates

January 10, 2020 5:00 p.m.,                 Deadline for approving final drafts of general bills and joint resolutions, including companion bills Senate Session Dates
House Session Dates

January 14, 2020                                   Regular Session convenes [Article III, section 3(b), Constitution]  12:00 noon, deadline for filing bills for introduction [Senate Rule 3.7(1)]                                                                               [House Rule 5.2]
February 13, 2020 5:00 p.m.,              House Ceremonial Resolution submission deadline House Dates Memo

February 27, 2020                                 House Ceremonial Resolution filing deadline House Important Dates

February 28, 2020                                 House 45th Day rule - After the 45th day (February 27) of regular session, notice shall be provided no later than 4:30 p.m. on the day                                                                                   (including Saturdays, Sundays, and official state holidays) before the committee or subcommittee meeting House Important Dates

February 29, 2020                                 All bills are immediately certified [Senate Rule 6.8] [House Rule 11.7(k)]    Motion to reconsider made and considered the same day [Senate                                                                       Rule 6.4(4)]
March 3, 2020                                        50th day rule (Senate) - last day for regularly scheduled committee meetings [Senate Rule 2.9(2)]

March 13, 2020                                      60th day -- last day of Regular Session [Article III, section 3(b), Constitution]

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