Okaloosa County BOCC — December 16, 2014 — reading text

Segment Elevated Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) legislation that leads to better coordination of care without imposing additional liability or administrative costs on county government. OPPOSE legislation that preempts county authority to regulate use or register distribution of Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs). SUPPORT a cost recovery mechanism if county provided training is mandated. Graduate Medical Education (GME): SUPPORT efforts to fund GME programs to meet the healthcare needs of the state and its local communities, with a particular emphasis on programs that provide for specialties in need as well as the development of physicians practice in medically underserved areas. Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Program: SUPPORT including County Health Departments as priority providers within the Medicaid Managed Care Program and protect their ability to deliver primary care services to the communities they serve. SUPPORT carving out the coordinated Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) system to avoid fragmentation, inefficient operation, and costly duplication of TD services. SUPPORT the continuation of the Medically Needy program. Trauma Care System: SUPPORT efforts to maintain and enhance established trauma care funding, including incentives for the development of new trauma centers. OPPOSE any efforts to shift the state’s financial responsibility for the trauma system to 20 Packet Pg. 445  2014-15 Legislative Program counties or divert trauma care funding for purposes other than those intended by the existing legislation. HUMAN SERVICES Healthy Start and Healthy Families: SUPPORT a continuation of funding for the Florida Healthy Start and Healthy Families program. Smoking Regulation: SUPPORT legislation that repeals the state statutory preemption of smoking regulation by allowing local governments to enact local regulations that exceed state standards. In lieu of a total repeal of the preemption, SUPPORT legislation granting to local governments additional authority to restrict smoking on certain outdoor property. OPPOSE efforts to preempt local regulation of tobacco products and other nicotine dispensing devices. Homelessness: SUPPORT developing a dedicated state funding source for homeless programs. SUPPORT legislation that streamlines current state statutes relating to homelessness and associated programs, including the funding allocation and appropriation processes. SUPPORT the implementation of discharge protocols and/or procedures for hospitals, correctional facilities, and mental health facilities when releasing homeless persons. SUPPORT the development of strategies that would allow local governments to work with the state and federal government to serve target populations: the chronically homeless, veterans, and families and children, with particular emphasis on children aging out of the foster care system. SUPPORT continued coordination with the state's homeless planning council, specifically as it develops policies in support of the new Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness. SUPPORT efforts to extend tax credits to businesses that employ the homeless. SUPPORT creation of a public records exemption for individual identifying information entered into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Veterans: SUPPORT legislation establishing a designation program that allocates state funds to hire Veterans Services Officers to increase services and federal benefits for Florida veterans. Transportation Disadvantaged (TD): SUPPORT efforts to avoid fragmentation, inefficient operation, and costly duplication of TD services. SUPPORT appropriate and dedicated state funding for the TD program. SUPPORT efforts to protect the TD trust fund. Community Care for the Elderly: SUPPORT restoration and expansion of state funding for the Community Care for the Elderly Program, which provides cost efficient diversion from nursing home placement for impaired elders. 21 Packet Pg. 446  2014-15 Legislative Program Open Water Life Guards: SUPPORT legislation that would provide for open water lifeguard agency certification in Florida. Recovery Residences: SUPPORT legislation defining and establishing minimum regulatory standards for recovery residence facilities, while also allowing more stringent local regulation. 22 Packet Pg. 447  2014-15 Legislative Program Lisa M. Hurley, Esq., Legislative Director lhurley@fl-counties.com Public Safety Phone: 850-922-4300 Fax: 850-488-7501 Eric Poole, Assistant Legislative Director Email: epoole@fl-counties.com Phone: 850-922-4300 Fax: 850-488-7501 JUDICIAL SYSTEM Article V: SUPPORT eliminating the requirements of s. 29.008(4)(a), F.S., that require counties to fund certain court expenditures by 1.5 percent over the prior county fiscal year. Court Technology Fee: SUPPORT increasing the service fee charged for recording documents and instruments pursuant to s. 28.24(12)(e), F.S., from $4.00 to $8.00, so that $6.00 of the fee is distributed to boards of county commissioners to help fund court-related technology and technology needs as mandated by s. 29.008(1)(f)(2), F.S. Flexibility in Additional Court Costs for Criminal/Traffic Offenses: SUPPORT legislation giving counties more flexibility in the use of the funds generated by the discretionary $65.00 cost on criminal and traffic cases provided in s. 939.185, F.S. Pretrial Service Agencies: SUPPORT maintaining county ability to provide non- monetary and risk assessment pretrial release services that ensure the safety and welfare of local communities by preventing new offenses and ensuring those appear as obligated. OPPOSE legislation limiting the discretion of the first appearance judge, requiring written reports and eliminating the presumption of release on non-monetary conditions. SUPPORT changing pretrial program reporting requirements as provided in s. 907.043, F.S., from weekly to monthly updates. OPPOSE legislation that restricts pretrial services to only indigent defendants and SUPPORT legislation that requires bail bondsmen to report information as required of pretrial service agencies in s.907.043 F. Traffic Hearing Officer Program: SUPPORT full funding for traffic hearing officer programs statewide and allow magistrates to handle cases resulting from red light camera offenses. IMPACTS TO COUNTY JAILS Small County Courthouse Funding: SUPPORT continued state general revenue funding for capital improvements to county courthouses and other court-related facilities, including jails, located in rural counties. 23 Packet Pg. 448  2014-15 Legislative Program Core Services and Funding for Persons with Behavioral Health Issues or Disabilities and maintaining Medicaid eligibility for inmates: SUPPORT appropriate funding for core mental health and substance abuse services. SUPPORT continued efforts to work through Medicaid reform initiatives to ensure that persons with substance abuse and mental health treatment needs are appropriately served. SUPPORT continued efforts to obtain Medicaid eligibility for persons incarcerated in county jails while waiting disposition of their cases. SUPPORT efforts to increase supportive housing, jail diversion, and employment and education initiatives for people with behavioral health issues and/or disabilities. Inmate Medical Costs: SUPPORT legislation that reduces jail expenses by setting a reimbursement amount paid by counties to medical providers for health care services for inmates and arrestees at no higher than the established Medicare rate plus 10%, the same rate as currently charged to the Department of Corrections, unless there is an existing contract in place or a business practice providing a lower rate. Shift of Prison Inmates to Jails: OPPOSE any efforts to shift inmates with less than a year on their sentence at the time of sentencing to jails instead of prisons. Mentally Ill and Substance Abuse: SUPPORT increased funding of the Criminal Justice Mental Health and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant Program with recurring dollars in a trust fund. SUPPORT sustainable matching state funds to counties that have received both planning and implementation Reinvestment Grant funds. JUVENILE JUSTICE Juvenile Detention: SUPPORT the state taking full responsibility for funding and operation of detention facilities serving juveniles, both for pre-disposition and post- disposition days and implementing juvenile justice reform, as recommended by the Detention Cost Share Proviso Workgroup. In the alternative, SUPPORT funding for the secure detention as upheld by Florida’s courts. SUPPORT allowing counties to pay actual costs on a monthly reimbursement basis. SUPPORT initiatives which reduce juvenile detention through prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services. Juvenile Detention Facilities: SUPPORT the legislature appropriating state funds to the Department of Juvenile Justice to upgrade, renovate, or reconstruct detention centers across Florida that are in a state of disrepair. SUPPORT state investments in 24 Packet Pg. 449  2014-15 Legislative Program juvenile facilities to improve the conditions of secure confinement for detained youth without such costs being shifted to the counties. Cost of Care: SUPPORT legislation allowing counties to charge juveniles, or the parents of juveniles, for the costs of providing pre-adjudicatory, secure detention care based on their availability to pay. Juvenile Assessment Centers (JAC Centers): SUPPORT state funding of JAC Centers throughout Florida to strive to achieve equal treatment of youth offenders. GENERAL PUBLIC SAFETY Medical Marijuana: If there is an effort to expand or modify the use of medical marijuana SUPPORT legislation that provides a comprehensive health-based regulatory system where the Department of Health is responsible for licensing cultivation sites, dispensing facilities and manufacturers of marijuana for medicinal purposes subject to local ordinances, including but not limited to occupational licensing, regulation and zoning laws. Synthetic Drugs: SUPPORT expanding the controlled substance schedule to include new iterations of synthetic formulas that mimic the effects of illegal drugs. SUPPORT prohibiting certain types of packaging and marketing of any products claiming to mimic the effects of illegal drugs. Pain Management Clinics: OPPOSE preemption of the regulation of pain management clinics to the state. County Emergency Radio Systems: OPPOSE legislation that would shift funds or impede counties from building and maintaining an interoperable radio communication system as