2025–2026 Legislative Review and Outlook
This month’s legislative webinar recapped the 2025 session and previewed priorities for 2026. Lawmakers advanced dozens of bills affecting behavioral health, criminal justice, and general health and education. While there was meaningful progress many overdose-related bills still fall within the criminal justice silo, rather than the broader behavioral health system.
- Recovery Residences: By January 1, 2026, every county and municipality must adopt ordinances to review and approve certified recovery residences, including a process for requesting reasonable accommodations against restrictive zoning rules.
- 988 Crisis Lifeline: New legislation strengthens crisis services by enhancing Florida’s 988 suicide and crisis call center, refining involuntary treatment procedures, and expanding outpatient support.
- Criminal Justice System: Legislators expanded diversion programs and training, but most of the successful bills in this area focused on penalties and enforcement. The balance of investments shows us there is still more work to be done to shift from punishment toward recovery supports.
- Transparency & Oversight: Behavioral health managing entities will now face stricter audit and reporting requirements, with performance metrics published for accountability.
- Fentanyl Measures: Two bills were filed with differing requirements for hospital testing, leaving uncertainty. One required fentanyl testing following urine analysis; the other made testing optional. While the debate continues, what’s clear is the Legislature’s sustained focus on fentanyl’s impact.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Expect renewed focus on three areas. Each presents opportunities for you to get engaged:
- Recovery Residences: Contact Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR) to learn more about their legislative agenda and ensure that any proposed solutions also work for your organization.
- Peer Support Certification: Contact Live Tampa Bay to help educate lawmakers on how the current certification and exemption process has impacted your workforce—or your own recovery journey.
- Commission on Mental Health & Substance Abuse: The Commission will continue introducing legislation to improve Florida’s behavioral health systems. Join one of the Commission’s subcommittees to collaborate with statewide leaders and influence policy.