Governor DeSantis signs mental health, substance abuse bills at Tampa news conference

Gov. DeSantis signs mental health, substance abuse bills

FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer reports.

TAMPA, Fla. - Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a pair of bills into law Wednesday focusing on services for mental health and substance abuse.

The bill signing ceremony was part of a news conference at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa on Wednesday morning.

Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis signs bills at a news conference in Tampa on June 25, 2025.

Senate Bill 1620

Big picture view:

SB 1620 implements a series of recommendations from Florida’s Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder.

The bill makes the following changes to the state's Mental Health Act, according to the Florida Senate:

Defines person-first language to mean language used in a professional medical setting must emphasize the patient as a person rather than his or her disability or illness and requires use and promotion of person-first language as the standard in professional behavioral health settings.
Requires the continued promotion of best practices in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care.
Requires that individualized treatment plans be updated every 30 days that the patient is in a receiving or treatment facility, with those patients in a facility longer than 24 months having plans updated every 60 days.
Requires the use and statewide integration of the Daily Living Activities-20 (DLA-20) functional assessment tool.
Requires the Department of Children and Families (DCF), in consultation with the Department of Education (DOE), to conduct a biennial review of school-based behavioral health services and behavioral health telehealth access.
Requires the DCF to conduct biennial reviews and the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to prioritize licensing for short-term residential treatment facilities in underserved counties and high-need areas.

The measure also officially names the Florida Mental Health Institute the Senator Darryl E. Rouson Center for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Research. The center is located on USF's main campus.

Senate Bill 168: Tristin Murphy Act

SB 168 is named for Tristin Murphy, who suffered from schizophrenia and was in prison on a felony littering charge when he died by suicide while on work detail in 2021.

The Florida Senate says the Tristin Murphy Act:

Establishes probation conditions for defendants with mental illness
Sets requirements for work assignments and programs
Expands training options under the Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant Program
Creates model processes for diverting defendants to mental health treatment
Creates a plan for continued improvement in Florida’s behavioral health system of care

What they're saying:

"I think this is the product of people really looking and trying to see what goes on in this space – and not just in Florida, but looking around the country to see what's worked or not worked," DeSantis said.

Pictured: Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a news conference in Tampa on June 25, 2025.

Florida Senate President Ben Albritton became emotional when talking about the Tristin Murphy Act as he spoke directly to Murphy's family, who were present for Wednesday's bill signing.

"I am better today knowing you," Albritton said. "Thank you for your tireless efforts to make a difference in a very hard space."

Pictured: Florida Senate President Ben Albritton speaks at a news conference in Tampa on June 25, 2025.

What's next:

SB 1620 officially takes effect July 1, while the Tristin Murphy Act will take effect Oct. 1.

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The Source: This story was written with information from a news conference in Tampa on June 25, 2025, with additional details from the Florida Senate

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