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Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-8

No. HB 569

Forensic Client Services
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SPONSOR
Chaney; Maney
FILED BY
Linda Chaney — District 61, Republican [search donations]
Patt Maney — District 4, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Forensic Client Services; Revising the definition of "forensic client" to include a defendant committed to involuntary residential services in a secure facility of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities; republishing s. 916.303, F.S., relating to determination of incompetency, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Expands forensic client status to include certain involuntary residential commitments.

The bill adds a new category of people who count as "forensic clients" under Florida law. This change affects who receives specific forensic services and protections.

It includes defendants committed to involuntary residential services in a secure facility of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. These individuals were previously excluded from this specific legal definition.

The change ensures these defendants are covered by the same forensic client provisions as those committed under other statutes. This aligns their legal status with other forensic populations.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Expanded Definition of Forensic Client majors. 916.106(9)

AIAdds defendants committed under s. 916.303(3) to the statutory definition of "forensic client" or "client" in s. 916.106(9).

“"Forensic client" or "client" means any defendant who has been committed to the department or agency pursuant to s. 916.13, s. 916.15, or s. 916.302, or s. 916.303(3).” bill text, line 17 →
§ 2 Republished Incompetency Determination Statute moderates. 916.303(1)

AIRepublishes s. 916.303 to clarify the procedure for dismissing charges against defendants found incompetent due to intellectual disability or autism.

“The charges against any defendant found to be incompetent to proceed due to intellectual disability or autism” bill text, line 24 →
TIMELINE
3/30/2026
Chapter No. 2026-8
3/27/2026
Approved by Governor
3/18/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/4/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/4/2026
In Messages
3/4/2026
Passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 528
3/4/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 528
3/4/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 528
3/4/2026
Substituted for SB 778 -SJ 528
3/4/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/4/2026
Withdrawn from Appropriations -SJ 528
2/18/2026
Received
2/18/2026
Referred to Appropriations
2/17/2026
In Messages
2/17/2026
Passed; YEAS 109, NAYS 0
2/17/2026
Read 3rd time
2/17/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/17/2026
Read 2nd time
2/10/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/17/2026)
2/3/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/3/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
2/3/2026
Reported out of Health & Human Services Committee
2/3/2026
Favorable by Health & Human Services Committee
1/30/2026
Added to Health & Human Services Committee agenda
1/20/2026
Now in Health & Human Services Committee
1/20/2026
Reported out of Health Care Budget Subcommittee
1/20/2026
Favorable by Health Care Budget Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Added to Health Care Budget Subcommittee agenda
1/14/2026
Now in Health Care Budget Subcommittee
1/14/2026
Reported out of Human Services Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/13/2026
Favorable by Human Services Subcommittee
1/9/2026
Added to Human Services Subcommittee agenda
12/12/2025
Now in Human Services Subcommittee
12/12/2025
Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
12/12/2025
Referred to Health Care Budget Subcommittee
12/12/2025
Referred to Human Services Subcommittee
12/1/2025
Filed
32 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 916.106
+3 / −1
s. 916.303
+0 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES