TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — On the eightieth anniversary of D-Day, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed three new payments into legislation designed to develop help for veterans and their households throughout the state. The laws contains measures to enhance entry to long-term care, strengthen psychological well being companies, and defend veterans from predatory monetary practices.
“With almost 1.5 million veterans calling Florida dwelling, we proceed to steer the nation in honoring and supporting those that served,” DeSantis mentioned throughout a signing ceremony. “On D-Day and day by day, Florida honors those that served our nation in uniform.”
The laws contains:
- Home Invoice 797 – This invoice eliminates bureaucratic limitations such because the Certificates of Want requirement, making it simpler for veterans and their spouses to entry long-term care. It additionally allows nursing amenities to order particular beds for veterans and their spouses, topic to approval by the Florida Division of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) and adherence to high quality care requirements.
- Senate Invoice 116 – This measure expands the state’s suicide prevention efforts by shifting the main target towards early identification of psychological well being circumstances in veterans, somewhat than simply disaster response. It additionally requires the event of a statewide plan for grownup well being care facilities tailor-made particularly to veterans’ wants.
- Senate Invoice 910 – Concentrating on fraudulent and exploitative practices, this invoice introduces new restrictions on unaccredited advantages advisors. It limits funds to those that efficiently assist veterans safe elevated advantages, bans referral kickbacks, prohibits deceptive guarantees, and requires background checks for paid advisors. Violations will carry more durable penalties underneath Florida’s Misleading and Unfair Commerce Practices Act.
Governor DeSantis additionally praised the continuing impression of the Hope Florida: A Pathway for Patriots initiative, led by First Woman Casey DeSantis. This system connects veterans with educated “Hope Navigators” who help with navigating state sources, eradicating limitations to employment, housing, and healthcare, and inspiring monetary independence. In accordance with state officers, greater than 1,000 veterans have benefited from this system because it launched in late 2023.
Veterans in want of help can attain the Hope Line at 833-GET-HOPE. Extra details about companies and advantages is accessible at FloridaVets.org, or by contacting a State Veterans’ Service Officer at (727) 319-7440 or FDVA.vso@FDVA.fl.gov.
