Florida SB 294: Educational Facilities

Bill Text

294 
Connecting to Care Act 
2025-10-28T05:10:51Z 
Citing this act as the "Connecting to Care Act"; authorizing a pharmacist to administer certain medications under certain circumstances, etc. 
Original Filed Version 
2026 
S 
2026-07-01T00:00:00Z 
GB 
General Bill 
__ 

 Florida Senate - 2026 SB 294 

 By Senator Rodriguez 

 40-00572A-26 2026294__ 
 1 A bill to be entitled 
 2 An act relating to the Connecting to Care Act; 
 3 providing a short title; amending ss. 397.427 and 
 4 465.1893, F.S.; authorizing a pharmacist to administer 
 5 certain medications under certain circumstances; 
 6 providing an effective date. 
 7 
 8 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 
 9 
 10 Section 1. This act may be cited as the “Connecting to Care 
 11 Act.” 
 12 Section 2. Subsections (6) and (7) of section 397.427, 
 13 Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 
 14 397.427 Medication-assisted treatment service providers; 
 15 rehabilitation program; needs assessment and provision of 
 16 services; persons authorized to issue takeout medication; 
 17 unlawful operation; penalty.— 
 18 (6) A physician assistant, a registered nurse, an advanced 
 19 practice registered nurse, or a licensed practical nurse, or a 
 20 pharmacist working for a licensed service provider may deliver 
 21 medication as prescribed by rule if: 
 22 (a) The service provider is authorized to provide 
 23 medication-assisted treatment; 
 24 (b) The medication has been administered pursuant to a 
 25 valid prescription written by the program’s physician who is 
 26 licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459; and 
 27 (c) The medication ordered appears on a formulary or meets 
 28 federal requirements for medication-assisted treatment. 
 29 (7) Each licensed service provider that provides 
 30 medication-assisted treatment must adopt written protocols as 
 31 specified by the department and in accordance with federally 
 32 required rules, regulations, or procedures. The protocol shall 
 33 provide for the supervision of the physician assistant, 
 34 registered nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, or 
 35 licensed practical nurse working under the supervision of, or a 
 36 pharmacist acting pursuant to s. 465.1893 under an established 
 37 protocol with, a physician who is licensed under chapter 458 or 
 38 chapter 459. The protocol must specify how the medication will 
 39 be used in conjunction with counseling or psychosocial treatment 
 40 and that the services provided will be included on the treatment 
 41 plan. The protocol must specify the procedures by which 
 42 medication-assisted treatment may be administered by the 
 43 physician assistant, registered nurse, advanced practice 
 44 registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse, or pharmacist. 
 45 These protocols shall be signed by the supervising physician and 
 46 the administering physician assistant, registered nurse, 
 47 advanced practice registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse, 
 48 or pharmacist. 
 49 Section 3. Section 465.1893, Florida Statutes, is amended 
 50 to read: 
 51 465.1893 Administration of antipsychotic medication and 
 52 medication for the treatment of opiate addiction by injection.— 
 53 (1)(a) A pharmacist, at the direction of a physician 
 54 licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, may administer a 
 55 long-acting antipsychotic medication or medication for the 
 56 treatment of opiate addiction approved by the United States Food 
 57 and Drug Administration by injection to a patient if the 
 58 pharmacist: 
 59 1. Is authorized by and acting within the framework of an 
 60 established protocol with the prescribing physician. 
 61 2. Practices at a facility that accommodates privacy for 
 62 nondeltoid injections and conforms with state rules and 
 63 regulations regarding the appropriate and safe disposal of 
 64 medication and medical waste. 
 65 3. Has completed the course required under subsection (2). 
 66 (b) A separate prescription from a physician is required 
 67 for each injection administered by a pharmacist under this 
 68 subsection. 
 69 (2)(a) A pharmacist seeking to administer a long-acting 
 70 antipsychotic medication or medication for the treatment of 
 71 opiate addiction by injection must complete an 8-hour continuing 
 72 education course offered by: 
 73 1. A statewide professional association of physicians in 
 74 this state accredited to provide educational activities 
 75 designated for the American Medical Association Physician’s 
 76 Recognition Award (AMA PRA) Category 1 Credit or the American 
 77 Osteopathic Association (AOA) Category 1-A continuing medical 
 78 education (CME) credit; and 
 79 2. A statewide association of pharmacists. 
 80 (b) The course may be offered in a distance learning format 
 81 and must be included in the 30 hours of continuing professional 
 82 pharmaceutical education required under s. 465.009(1). The 
 83 course shall have a curriculum of instruction that concerns the 
 84