1. Strengthening the Social Work Workforce
Florida faces a critical shortage of licensed social workers across various sectors, including healthcare, schools, aging services, and behavioral health. Strengthening our workforce ensures access to care, reduces burnout, and supports community well-being.
HB 13 and SB 74 – Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact
Position: Support
Summary: Allows Florida to join the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, improving workforce mobility and access to social work services across state lines.
Notes: These bills also support Priority 4.
HB 281 and SB 344 – Use of Artificial Intelligence in Psychology, Clinical, Counseling, and Therapy Services
Position: Support
Summary: Protects clients by prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence in the direct delivery of therapy services, ensuring that care is provided by qualified, licensed professionals. This safeguards the therapeutic relationship, ethical decision-making, and professional accountability that are central to social work practice.
Notes: These bills also support Priority 4.
HB 935 and SB 1026 – Community Health Worker Services
Position: Oppose but requesting amendments
Summary: Expands the use of community health workers in health and behavioral health settings. As written, this bill impinges on the duties of non-clinical social work professionals. Without amendments that address role duplication, address lower training and qualification standards, and ensure the inclusion of a BSW-level, MSW-level, or LCSW on the care team, we will remain opposed to the bill.
Notes: These bills also support Priority 4.
HB 1005 – Determination of Mental Conditions in Judicial Proceedings
Position: Support
Summary: It authorizes qualified clinical social workers and mental health counselors to be appointed as experts to evaluate a defendant's mental competency to proceed in court, expanding professional roles in forensic evaluations. The bill also provides for training and structured pathways for dismissal or conditional release when defendants are found incompetent due to neurocognitive disorders.
Note: This bill is awaiting a companion bill.
HB 641 and SB 1642 – Gender Identity Employment Practices
Position: Oppose
Summary: The “Freedom of Conscience in the Workplace Act” would permit employers to refuse to use gender pronouns that align with an employee's gender identity and restrict required diversity-related employment training. This undermines inclusive workplace practices and could exacerbate discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, harming clients and colleagues who already face systemic barriers.
2. Protecting Children, Youth, and Families
Children and families must have safe, stable environments and access to services that support their growth and resilience. Social workers play a vital role in preventing harm and fostering stability.
HB 279 and SB 306 – Luggage for Children Placed in Out-of-Home Care
Position: Support
Summary: "Fostering with Dignity Act" would require the Florida DCF to provide appropriate luggage to children entering out-of-home care and to work with partners to support that effort, recognizing basic dignity in foster care placements.
HB 1029 and SB 1508 – Maternal Health and Early Learning
Position: Support
Summary: Strengthens maternal and early childhood outcomes by expanding preventive, community-based supports for expectant mothers and families. It promotes early intervention and improved access to care during critical developmental periods.
HB 1331 and SB 1600 – Child Welfare
Position: Support
Summary: Would strengthen child welfare protections by requiring organizations and agencies that serve children to provide annual training on recognizing and preventing abuse and neglect, and by improving how the Department of Children and Families reviews and tracks reports of abuse.
HB 269 and CS/SB 296 – Victims of Domestic Violence and Dating Violence
Position: Support
Summary: "Helping Abuse Victims Escape Now (HAVEN) Act" strengthens support for victims of domestic and dating violence by studying the feasibility of an alert system and expanding eligibility for the Attorney General to designate organizations to assist victims in applying for confidentiality protections.
HB 373 and SB 590 – Statute of Limitations for Child Abuse Reporting Violations
Position: Support
Summary: This bill strengthens child protection by allowing action to be taken when failures to report child abuse or neglect are discovered later, rather than letting cases expire due to technical time limits.
3. Supporting Older Adults and Aging Services
Florida's aging population requires policies that uphold dignity, independence, and quality of care. Social workers play a crucial role in long-term care, guardianship, and caregiver support.
HB 861 and SB 674 – Grandparent Visitation Rights
Position: Support
Summary: Clarifies circumstances under which grandparents may seek visitation in the best interest of the child.
HB 565 and SB 794 – Maternal Health and Early Learning
Position: Support
Summary: Strengthen background screening requirements by requiring Level 2 employment screening for all staff working in residential facilities and adult day training programs under the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and update related administrative standards.
4. Expanding Access to Behavioral Health and Substance Use Services
Mental health and substance use crises continue to strain families and systems. Social workers provide critical front-line care, but access gaps remain.
HB 297 and SB 907 – Criminal Rehabilitation
Position: Support
Summary: Revise Florida's sentencing laws to emphasize rehabilitation as a primary purpose of sentencing and reduce the required minimum portion of a sentence that an offender must serve before becoming eligible for release credits.
*Please see Priority Strengthening the Social Work Workforce for additional bills that meet this priority.
5. Advancing Equity for Marginalized and Underserved Communities
Social workers are committed to advancing equity and protecting the rights of all people, especially those facing systemic barriers.
HB 315 and SB 328 – Immigration, Law Enforcement, and State-Issued Identification
Position: Support
Summary: Establishes clearer standards around immigration-related identification, enforcement practices, and protections against discrimination based on immigration status/p>
HB 681 and SB 782 – Health Care
Position: Support
Summary: Expands access to gender-affirming care and preserves reproductive rights by removing prior restrictions on those services and ensuring Medicaid cannot discriminate based on gender identity.
HB 725 and SB 1736 – Political Activity on Public Institutions of Higher Education
Position: Oppose
Summary: Would impose new requirements on public colleges and universities about how political activity is managed and presented on campus, including specifying how political discussions and debates must be promoted and regulated, and requiring prior institutional approval for many on-campus political activities.
HB 1033 and SB 1132 – Discharging Persons to Avoid Homelessness
Position: Support
Summary: The "Bridging Systems to Housing Act" would require hospitals, jails, and similar facilities to develop and implement procedures to prevent people from being discharged into homelessness and to encourage coordination with local housing and support agencies.
HB 347 and SB 426 – Adoption and Display of Flags by Governmental Entities
Position: Oppose
Summary: Regulate how governmental entities adopt and display flags on public property by restricting which flags may be placed.
HB 1189 and SB 1662 – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Affirmative Action
Position: Oppose
Summary: Prohibits executive agencies from using racial or gender set-asides, preferences, or quotas in decisions like hiring, contracting, and advisory board appointments, and limits how diversity factors may be considered in professional service evaluations.