A newly filed bill aims to ensure individuals who are recovering post-surgery in a recovery home are given the care they deserve.
Miami Gardens Democratic Rep. Felicia Simone Robinson filed the measure (HB 81), which would establish regulatory frameworks for facilities that provide care to patients as they recover from surgical or medical procedures.[1]
According to the bill text, it was filed in response to growing concerns[2] around unregulated postsurgical recovery homes, which can pose significant risks to the safety of patients in their care.
Named the “Postsurgical Recovery Home Safety Act,” the bill would require a postsurgical recovery home to obtain a license from the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA[3]). The facility would have to submit evidence to show that the home is in compliance with safety standards and conduct criminal background checks for all staff and owners.
The homes must also provide proof of liability and malpractice insurance and undergo an initial inspection and an annual inspection by AHCA.
During daylight hours, recovery homes would be required to have at least one staff member for every eight patients. During the night, this ratio would drop to one staff member per every six patients. At least one registered nurse would need to be onsite or on call 24 hours a day, and all staff would be required to be trained in CPR[4], basic wound care and postoperative procedures.
Patient rooms and bathrooms would need to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act[5], be equipped with emergency power for critical equipment. They would also need to have proper facilities to dispose of medical waste safely, hurricane evacuation and disaster response plans in place, and a working contract with nearby hospitals for emergency transfers.
Before admission to the facility, patients would need to be provided a written service agreement, have access to a recovery plan, and the recovery home would be required to allow visitors to prevent patient isolation.
The measure would distinguish postsurgical recovery home facilities from addiction recovery residences to ensure safe and standardized care is provided.
The bill would make it unlawful and a third-degree felony to operate or advertise a postsurgical recovery home without a license. It would also be unlawful to provide care to patients without appropriate trained staff. Violations may result in civil fines of up to $10,000 per violation, and a suspended or revoked license.
AHCA would adopt rules covering licensing procedures, inspection protocols and staff training standards.
If passed, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2026.
References
- ^ HB 81 (www.flsenate.gov)
- ^ growing concerns (floridapolitics.com)
- ^ AHCA (ahca.myflorida.com)
- ^ CPR (www.redcross.org)
- ^ Americans with Disabilities Act (www.ada.gov)