Legislative Update 2026 Week 2

Florida House Bill 301 (2026), sponsored by Rep. Jason Shoaf, proposes to authorize certified Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (PMHNPs) to practice autonomously without a physician protocol. The bill aims to expand access to mental health services in Florida by removing supervised practice requirements for these specific APRNs. 

Key Aspects of HB 301 (2026):

• Autonomous Practice: Allows qualified psychiatric nurses to provide mental health services without a physician protocol.
• Targeted Role: Specifically impacts nurses with a psychiatric certification, allowing them to practice autonomously, similar to existing primary care autonomous APRNs.
• Scope & Impact: The goal is to increase access to mental health care, potentially reducing costs and addressing shortages in, say, rural areas.
• Effective Date: The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Progress: As of late January 2026, the bill has moved through committees and is on the legislative calendar for the 2026 session