SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 1594

Veteran Benefit Payments to Minor Clients
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SPONSOR
Gaetz
FILED BY
Don Gaetz — District 1, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
returning Messages

Filed under Public Health & Safety.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Veteran Benefit Payments to Minor Clients; Authorizing the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, or the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to access certain benefit payments for specified purposes; prohibiting the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, or the Agency for Persons with Disabilities from supplanting certain financial assistance, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Lets the department access a minor client's VA benefit funds.

Once a minor client in the department's care turns 18 -- or 23, if still enrolled in school -- the department may draw on that client's combined account holding VA benefit payments for postsecondary education and aftercare services.

That access comes with a limit: the department cannot use the VA funds to supplant -- replace or reduce -- the specific financial assistance section 409.1451(2)(b) otherwise requires it to provide to that client.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Lets the department access a minor client's VA benefit account majors. 402.33

AIThe department may draw on benefit payments the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays into a minor client's combined account for postsecondary education and aftercare services, once that client turns 18, or turns 23 if still enrolled in school.

“The department may access benefit payments provided by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs” bill text, line 20 →
§ 2 Bars using VA funds to replace the state's own assistance moderates. 402.33

AIEven after tapping a client's VA benefit account, the department may not use that access to supplant, meaning replace or reduce, the specific financial assistance section 409.1451(2)(b) otherwise requires it to provide.

“the department may not supplant financial assistance provided in 409.1451(2)(b)” bill text, line 25 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in returning Messages
3/12/2026
In Messages
3/12/2026
Refused to concur, requested House to recede -SJ 854
3/9/2026
In returning messages
3/9/2026
Passed as amended; YEAS 112, NAYS 0
3/9/2026
Read 3rd time
3/9/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/9/2026
Amendment 769955 adopted
3/9/2026
Read 2nd time
3/5/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
3/5/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026)
3/5/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/25/2026
In Messages
2/25/2026
Immediately certified -SJ 437
2/25/2026
Passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 437
2/25/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 437
2/25/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 437
2/23/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/25/26
2/18/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/18/2026
Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 19 NAYS 0
2/13/2026
On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 02/18/26, 1:30 pm, 110 Senate Building
2/11/2026
Now in Fiscal Policy
2/11/2026
Favorable by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic...
2/6/2026
On Committee agenda-- Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and...
1/27/2026
Now in Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
1/27/2026
Favorable by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; YEAS 5 NAYS 0
1/22/2026
Introduced
1/22/2026
On Committee agenda-- Children, Families, and Elder Affairs,...
1/16/2026
Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Military and...
1/9/2026
Filed
24 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 402.33
+63 / −0
s. 402.33
+0 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES
3 MORE →