FALA 2019 - 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 on October 12, 2019. At the October 31, 2019 committee meeting, the committee will review currently filed legislation and develop the list of legislation to support or oppose during the 2020 Legislative Session.
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
August 1, 2019                                          Deadline for filing Senate claim bills [Senate Rule 4.81(2)]

September 16-20, 2019                           Interim Committee Week 1 Memo

September 16, 2019 FY 2020-21            Agency Legislative Budget Requests due Instructions

September 30, 2019 FY 2020-21           Agency Long Range Program Plans due Instructions

October 14-18, 2019 Interim Committee Week 2

October 21-25, 2019 Interim Committee Week 3

November 4-8, 2019 Interim Committee Week 4

November 12-15, 2019 Interim Committee Week 5

Novmenber 15, 2019 5:00 p.m.,            House Appropriations Project request form deadline;
5:00 p.m.,                                                  House Member Bill request submission deadline House Dates Memo

November 22, 2019 5:00 p.m.,              Senate deadline for submitting requests for drafts of general bills and joint resolutions, including requests for companion bills Senate                                                                               Session Dates

November 26, 2019 12:00 noon,         House Early Member Bill filing deadline - at least 2 of a member's bills must be filed House Dates Memo

December 9-13, 2019                            Interim Committee Week 6 Memo

December 15, 2019                               House Publication of Notice for Local Bills - Notice for local bills must be published in order to be available for opening day introduction                                                                            House Dates Memo

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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