SB 54 Florida Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Use of Substances Affecting Cognitive Function

Summary

Use of Substances Affecting Cognitive Function; Requiring medical examiners to take specified actions when performing an autopsy on a decedent who is a violent offender; requiring that autopsy reports for such individuals include certain findings and information; authorizing the release of certain patient records to law enforcement agencies without patient authorization under certain circumstances; requiring school safety specialists to provide school district staff with certain training on the adverse effects of specified substances, etc.

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

S 54 c1 → S 54 c2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the scope of medical record releases to include any records relevant to a suspect's mental state, not just those confirming psychotropic drug use. Additionally, the requirements for school safety specialists and safe-school officers were updated to include specific training on substance effects and revised duties regarding security assessments and inspections.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding medical record disclosure was broadened from a narrow focus on psychotropic drug history to a broader inclusion of any records relevant to mental or psychological state. The scope of training requirements for school personnel was also expanded to explicitly cover intoxicating substances alongside psychotropic drugs.

REQUIREMENT

Medical record releases to law enforcement now include any records relevant to a suspect's mental or psychological state, expanding beyond the previous requirement to only confirm psychotropic drug treatment.

Training requirements for school safety specialists and safe-school officers were updated to include instruction on the adverse effects of both psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances.

Duties for school safety specialists were revised to include specific responsibilities for conducting annual security risk assessments and unannounced safety inspections.

DEFINITION

The legislative title and summary were updated to reflect the broader inclusion of 'substances affecting cognitive function' rather than just psychotropic drugs.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 19, 2026

How they voted

37–2

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 40

Feb 19, 2026

D Democratic11

10 Yea 1 Nay

90% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican28

26 Yea 1 Nay 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 1

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 24 NAYS 0

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/10/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building

upper

Jan 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice; YEAS 6 NAYS 1

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

upper

Jan 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, 01/14/26, 2:00 pm, 37 Senate Building

upper

Dec 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Now in Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

upper

Dec 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Dec 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 12/09/25, 10:00 am, 37 Senate Building

upper

Oct 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to Criminal Justice; Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice; Rules

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors