THE BILL ITSELF
SB 866
Health Care Practitioner Maternal Mental Health Continuing Education Requirements
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 866 By Senator Sharief 35-01559-26 2026866__
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to health care practitioner maternal
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mental health continuing education requirements;
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creating s. 456.63, F.S.; providing curriculum
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requirements relating to maternal mental health for
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the required continuing education hours for licensure
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renewal; requiring a board, or the Department of
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Health if there is no board, to periodically update
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specified curriculum and accept the successful
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completion of such curriculum as credit toward
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continuing education requirements; providing an
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effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. Section 456.63, Florida Statutes, is created to
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read:
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456.63 Continuing education on maternal mental health.—
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(1) Continuing education hours required for licensure
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renewal for health care practitioners must include all of the
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following:
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(a) The best practices in screening for maternal mental
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health disorders.
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(b) The range of maternal mental health disorders.
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(c) The range of evidence-based treatment options,
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including the importance of allowing a mother to be involved in
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developing a treatment plan.
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(d) When an obstetrician or a primary care physician should
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consult with a psychiatrist versus making a referral.
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(2) A board, or the department if there is no board, shall:
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(a) Periodically update any curriculum developed pursuant
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to subsection (1) to account for new research.
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(b) Accept the successful completion of the curriculum
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under subsection (1) as credit toward the continuing education
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requirements for renewal of a license by a health care
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practitioner who practices in the specialty of:
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1. Pediatrics;
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2. Obstetrics and gynecology;
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3. Psychiatry; or
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4. Clinical psychology.
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Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.