SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 1618

Coordinated Access Model Pilot Program
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SPONSOR
Leek
FILED BY
Thomas J. Leek — District 7, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Children

Filed under Healthcare.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Coordinated Access Model Pilot Program; Requiring the Department of Children and Families to contract with certain entities to establish and operate the Coordinated Access Model Pilot Program in Clay, Duval, and St. Johns Counties; providing requirements for contracted entities; requiring contracted entities to subcontract with certain state universities for certain purposes; requiring the department and contracted entities to create a coordinated access model, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Creates one referral entry point for behavioral health help in three counties.

The Department of Children and Families must contract with local organizations to run a single point of entry for behavioral health services across Clay, Duval, and St. Johns Counties, replacing separate, uncoordinated paths into care.

Contracted entities must partner with a state university to supply allied health staff and social work students who screen and interact with people contacting the network, and must offer phone, web, and in-person intake during business hours.

The program requires a shared data platform capable of connecting with Medicaid, managing entities, schools, and community health systems, tracking referral outcomes and service gaps under federal health-privacy rules.

The department must report quarterly to the Governor and legislative leaders while building the program, then assess and report on its effectiveness every year starting November 30, 2027. No new state funding is attached; the department may only seek outside grants.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Requires DCF to contract for a single-entry pilot majors. 394.45735

AIThe department must contract with local entities to build and run a single point of entry for behavioral health services in its Northeast Region, covering Clay, Duval, and St. Johns Counties.

“shall contract with local entities to establish and operate a behavioral health Coordinated Access Model Pilot Program” bill text, line 23 →
§ 2 Requires a data platform linking Medicaid and schools majors. 394.45735

AIThe program must use a data platform built to integrate with Medicaid, managing entities, school-based services, and community health systems, while complying with HIPAA and the extra federal confidentiality rules for substance-use records.

“Facilitate data sharing and interoperability in compliance with applicable state and federal privacy laws” bill text, line 77 →
§ 3 Sets required intake and referral features moderates. 394.45735

AIThe model must include a network access point reachable by phone, web, or in person during standard business hours, standardized screening tools, and referral coordination with warm handoffs and follow-up support to keep people connected to care.

“A network access point available during standard business hours with options for telephone, web-based, and in person intakes” bill text, line 55 →
§ 4 Requires a university subcontract for staffing moderates. 394.45735

AIContracted entities must subcontract with a state university, excluding one carrying the designation under s. 1001.7065(3), to supply allied health staff and social work and health professions students who screen and interact with people contacting the network.

“shall subcontract with a state university that is not designated pursuant to s. 1001.7065(3)” bill text, line 38 →
§ 5 Requires standardized performance metrics moderates. 394.45735

AIThe model must track measurable outcomes, including how quickly people are referred and connected to services, how often they successfully engage with those services, and how much duplicate intake assessment is reduced.

“Reduction in duplication of intake assessments.” bill text, line 90 →
§ 6 Requires reports to the Governor and Legislature moderates. 394.45735

AIWhile the program is being built, the department must report quarterly on its status. Once running, the department must assess its effectiveness and report annually, starting November 30, 2027, to the Governor and legislative leaders.

“the department shall assess the effectiveness of the pilot program and submit a report” bill text, line 97 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
1/22/2026
Introduced
1/16/2026
Referred to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Appropriations...
1/9/2026
Filed
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 394.45735
+598 / −0