# Fla. Stat. § 420.626: 420.626 Homelessness; discharge guidelines

> Florida · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.626

## Section

- **Citation:** Fla. Stat. § 420.626
- **Heading:** 420.626 Homelessness; discharge guidelines
- **Jurisdiction:** Florida
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Florida Code / Title XXX / Chapter 420 / Part VI / Section 420.626

## Text

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature, to encourage mental health facilities or institutions under contract with, operated, licensed, or regulated by the state and local governments to ensure that persons leaving their care or custody are not discharged into homelessness.

(2) The following facilities and institutions are encouraged to develop and implement procedures designed to reduce the discharge of persons into homelessness when such persons are admitted or housed for more than 24 hours at such facilities or institutions: hospitals and inpatient medical facilities; crisis stabilization units; residential treatment facilities; assisted living facilities; and detoxification centers.

(3) The procedures should include all of the following: (a) Development and implementation of a screening process or other mechanism for identifying persons to be discharged from the facility or institution who are at considerable risk for homelessness or face some imminent threat to health and safety upon discharge. (b) Development and implementation of a discharge plan addressing how identified persons will secure housing and other needed care and support upon discharge. (c) Communication with the entities to whom identified persons may potentially be discharged to determine their capability to serve such persons and their acceptance of such persons into their programs, and selection of the entity determined to be best equipped to provide or facilitate the provision of suitable care and support. (d) Coordination of effort and sharing of information with entities that are expected to bear the responsibility for providing care or support to identified persons upon discharge. (e) Provision of sufficient medication, medical equipment and supplies, clothing, transportation, and other basic resources necessary to ensure that the health and well-being of identified persons are not jeopardized upon their discharge.

(4) This section is intended only to recommend model guidelines and procedures that mental health facilities or institutions under contract with or operated, licensed, or regulated by the state or local governments may consider when discharging persons into the community. This section is not an entitlement, and no cause of action shall arise against the state, the local government entity, or any other political subdivision of this state for failure to follow any of the procedures or provide any of the services suggested under this section.

History: s. 13, ch. 2001-98; s. 8, ch. 2020-44.

## Nearby sections

- [Fla. Stat. § 420.601 420.601 Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.601.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.602 420.602 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.602.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.606 420.606 Training and technical assistance program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.606.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.609 420.609 Affordable Housing Study Commission.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.609.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.615 420.615 Affordable housing land donation density bonus incentives.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.615.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.621 420.621 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.621.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.622 420.622 State Office on Homelessness; Council on Homelessness.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.622.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.626 420.626 Homelessness; discharge guidelines.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.626.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.628 420.628 Affordable housing for children and young adults leaving foster care; legislative findings and intent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.628.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.630 420.630 Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.630.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.631 420.631 Definitions relating to Urban Homesteading Act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.631.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.632 420.632 Authority to operate.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.632.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.633 420.633 Eligibility.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.633.md)
- [Fla. Stat. § 420.634 420.634 Application process; deed to qualified buyer.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.634.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_FL_TXXX_C420_PVI_S420.626. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.