Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Legislation to Support Florida Veterans and their Families
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PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. ~ In a move to further support and honor the nearly 1.5 million veterans who call Florida home, Governor Ron DeSantis signed three pieces of legislation today aimed at strengthening the state's support systems for veterans and their families.

During the signing ceremony in Port Charlotte, Governor DeSantis emphasized Florida's commitment to its veterans, stating, "On D-Day and every day, Florida honors those who served our country in uniform." He went on to say that he was proud to support these bills which reaffirm Florida's status as the most military- and veteran-friendly state in the nation.

The three bills signed into law by Governor DeSantis are House Bill 797, Senate Bill 116, and Senate Bill 910. House Bill 797 aims to streamline access to long-term care for veterans and their spouses by removing bureaucratic obstacles such as Certificate of Needs processes. It also allows skilled nursing facilities to designate specific beds for veterans and their spouses with approval from the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs (FDVA), as long as they meet rigorous standards for care and admission.

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Senate Bill 116 provides a comprehensive overhaul of how Florida supports its veterans by expanding suicide prevention programs to include early recognition of mental health conditions. This bill also directs the creation of a statewide plan for adult health care centers dedicated to serving veterans.

The third bill signed into law, Senate Bill 910, aims to protect veterans from predatory practices by cracking down on bad actors who seek to exploit them during the benefits process. This legislation creates strong new protections for veterans by placing limits on unaccredited benefits advisors, banning referral kickbacks, prohibiting misleading guarantees, and mandating high-level background checks for anyone offering paid benefits. Violators will face stricter penalties under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Governor DeSantis also highlighted the success of the Hope Florida "A Pathway for Patriots" initiative led by First Lady Casey DeSantis. This program, within the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, connects veterans with trained navigators who offer guidance and support for overcoming obstacles and achieving economic self-sufficiency. Since its launch in late 2023, over 1,000 veterans have benefited from this unique approach to providing assistance. Veterans in need of support can reach out to Hope Florida by calling the Hope Line (833-GET-HOPE).

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For more information on benefits and services available to veterans in Florida, they can visit FloridaVets.org or contact a State Veterans' Service Officer at (727) 319-7440 or via email. For immediate counsel, veterans can call the National Veteran Crisis Hotline at 988 (press 1) or the Florida Veterans Support Line at 1-844-MyFLVet (1-844-693-5838). They can also dial 211 for assistance.

With these new pieces of legislation and ongoing initiatives like Hope Florida, it is clear that Florida remains dedicated to supporting its veterans and their families. As Governor DeSantis stated, "Florida remains the most veteran-friendly state in the nation."

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