Fentanyl continues to drive overdose deaths across Florida, pushing lawmakers to take urgent action. In response to the growing crisis, the state has introduced several key pieces of legislation aimed at curbing the supply of fentanyl, improving public awareness, and expanding behavioral health and addiction services.
For anyone struggling with opioid use, especially fentanyl, these changes can have a direct impact on their path to treatment. Whether you’re looking for help through a Florida PHP for addiction, an Intensive Outpatient Program in FL, or another type of outpatient rehab in FL, understanding how state laws shape care options for you and your loved ones is essential.
Today, we’ll break down three recent Florida laws: Gage’s Law, Florida House Bill 259, and the Tristin Murphy Act. Each reflects a growing recognition that addiction is not just a legal issue, but a public health crisis that should be treated as such.
Gage’s Law (CS/HB 1195) and Fentanyl Addiction Treatment
CS/HB 1195 Requires hospitals or hospital-based off-campus emergency departments to test for fentanyl in urine drug tests, and perform a confirmation test if urine test results are positive for fentanyl. The law also requires specified results to be retained as part of a patient’s clinical record.
This means that hospitals and other healthcare providers will have to test for fentanyl when performing a urine test in cases where there is a suspected drug overdose or accidental drug poisoning. This bill is also known as Gage’s law, and is named after Gage Austin Taylor who passed away in 2022 due to an accidental fentanyl overdose.
How Gage’s Law Impacts Intensive Outpatient Programs in FL and Other Treatment Programs
This law increases the medical detection of fentanyl exposure early, which can mean that more overdose patients are flagged for follow-up care and are saved from critical overdoses. Hospitals also might refer more patients to addiction programs, like Florida PHP for addiction or outpatient rehab in FL, when fentanyl is found, helping patients get into treatment sooner and more effectively.
For Florida IOP addiction treatment programs like ours, having the hospital confirm fentanyl exposure offers a clearer clinical baseline. It also helps outpatient providers like us arrange medically supervised detox or more intensive care for you, as needed, before you begin treatment here.
Florida House Bill 259 (2025) for Fentanyl Awareness
This bill establishes August 21 as “Fentanyl Awareness & Education Day”. It encourages state agencies, local governments, and public schools to sponsor events to promote awareness of dangers of fentanyl & potential overdoses, including education on specified topics related to the drug and its harms.
How HB 259 Impacts Florida IOP for Addiction Treatment and Other Programs
Although the law itself does not mandate new treatment protocols or strengthen penalties for fentanyl trafficking or use, it does play a role in shaping public perception. This bill helps to open doors for further and more honest engagement with addiction care for more people by raising awareness of fentanyl as a public health priority.
This new law helps reduce stigma, encourages conversations about substance use, and can motivate people to seek help for themselves or others before a crisis strikes.
Comprehensive Behavioral Health Reform Act of 2025
This act (officially CS/CS/SB 168 (2025)) reforms how Florida handles behavioral health and criminal justice overlap. Among other changes, it makes it easier for people with mental illness or substance use disorders who are arrested (in certain nonviolent cases) to be diverted into treatment instead of prison.
It also includes additional training for 911 and other public safety workers and emergency medical technicians, strengthens veterans treatment court programs, and encourages communities to apply for specified grants relating to the treatment of addiction and related disorders.
The bill is also named the Tristin Murphy Act. Tristan took his own life in a Florida prison in 2021. His story has raised awareness regarding the need for additional treatment options for mentally ill defendants in the criminal justice system.
How The Tristan Murphy Act Impacts Intensive Outpatient Programs in FL and other treatment programs
This law could dramatically increase referrals into outpatient rehab in FL including Partial Hospitalization Programs and other outpatient care, since diversion programs will steer individuals into treatment rather than prison.
This law also incentivizes integrated care models: criminal justice, health, and mental health systems will now have better coordination to more effectively treat people suffering from addiction.
Tribe Intensive Has Solutions for Fentanyl Addiction
Call us today at (772) 356-2283 to discuss your situation. We can help you understand which level of care fits your needs, coordinate with legal or medical referrals if needed, and create a personalized, evidence-based addiction treatment plan tailored to your recovery goals in Florida.
Don’t wait. Call now. Your life and freedom may depend on it.
Sources:
CS/HB 1195 (2025) – Fentanyl Testing. Florida House of Representatives.
HB 259 (2025) – Special Observances. Florida House of Representatives.
CS/CS/SB 168 (2025). Florida House of Representatives.
