Florida · s. 400.509 · Rule 59A-8.025 · Updated October 20, 2026
Florida Homemaker and Companion Agency Policies and Procedures
What Florida requires your homemaker and companion agency’s policies and procedures to cover, rule by rule, and what to write even where the rules are silent.
Who this applies to
You need Homemaker and Companion Services Provider registration if you provide only companion or homemaker services, and no home health services, to elderly or disabled adults (s. 400.509). Licensed home health agencies and nurse registries don’t register separately, and neither do Agency for Persons with Disabilities contractors serving only people with developmental disabilities.
- Companion or sitter: spends time with or cares for an elderly, handicapped or convalescent person, goes with them on trips and outings, and may prepare and serve meals (s. 400.462).
- Homemaker: housekeeping, meal planning and preparation, shopping help and routine household activities (s. 400.462).
- Neither may give hands-on personal care such as bathing, dressing, toileting or transfers. That is a home health service.
What your policies and procedures must cover
Registration and renewal s. 400.509(1)–(3) · 59A-8.025(1)–(5)
Register before serving clients, apply on AHCA Form 3110-1003, renew at least 60 days before expiration, and pay $50 per biennium. A registration lasts up to two years. Your policy should name who tracks the renewal date.
In our manual: Policy 1.04
Scope: no hands-on care s. 400.462(8), (22)
Your scope-of-services policy, task list and service agreement should list only companion and homemaker tasks, and tell staff what to do when a client asks for personal care.
In our manual: Policies 1.03 and 4.02
Counties served 59A-8.025(6)
Initial and change-of-ownership applications identify the counties you serve within your health service planning district.
In our manual: Policies 1.03 and 4.04
Employment history s. 400.509(4) · 59A-8.025(7)
Get and verify each worker’s employment or contract history. Two documented attempts count as diligent efforts. Your hiring procedure should say who calls, what is recorded and where.
In our manual: Policy 5.02
Level 2 background screening s. 400.512 · s. 408.809 · ch. 435
Level 2 screening for employees and contractors, plus the administrator, financial officer and controlling interests, with rescreening every 5 years.
In our manual: Policy 5.03 and Form F-17
Registration number in ads s. 400.509(5)
Every advertisement for registered services includes your AHCA registration number: website, flyers, listings and vehicle signs.
In our manual: Policy 1.07
Client record contents 59A-8.025(8)
Identifying information; emergency, next-of-kin or guardian and physician contacts; the contract or service agreement; services with visit duration and frequency; dietary restrictions; food allergies; activity limits; and any written termination notice. Records are confidential.
In our manual: Policies 14.01 and 15.01
Accepting clients and staffing visits 59A-8.025(9)
Accept a client only when you can reasonably expect to serve them safely, collect what you need to deliver services, and send qualified staff to every visit.
In our manual: Policies 3.02, 3.03 and 4.07
Abuse reporting s. 415.1034
Anyone who knows or suspects abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult reports it right away to the Florida Abuse Hotline, 1-800-962-2873.
In our manual: Policies 9.01 to 9.03
What Florida doesn’t require, but you should still write down
Section 400.509 and Rule 59A-8.025 don’t set requirements for these. Most agencies still write policies for them, because insurers, payers, families and surveyors handling complaints expect them:
- Client rights and a complaint procedure
- Caregiver training hours and topics
- TB screening
- Supervisory visit schedules
- Emergency and hurricane preparedness
- Record retention periods
If you bill Medicaid waiver or Older Americans Act programs, check your contract. It may add requirements, including Alzheimer’s and related disorders (ADRD) training.
59A-8.025 or 59A-18.009?
Rule 59A-18.009, “Homemakers or Companions”, sits in the nurse registry chapter. It lists the duties of homemakers and companions referred by a licensed nurse registry. A stand-alone homemaker and companion agency follows Rule 59A-8.025. The 59A-18.009 duty list is still a useful reference for what companions and homemakers do day to day.
Checklist: Florida homemaker and companion policies
| Florida law or rule | Policy to write |
|---|---|
| s. 400.509; 59A-8.025(1)–(5) | Registration, renewal and fee tracking |
| s. 400.462 | Scope of services; permitted and prohibited tasks |
| 59A-8.025(6) | Counties served |
| s. 400.509(4); 59A-8.025(7) | Verifying employment history |
| s. 400.512; s. 408.809 | Level 2 screening and 5-year rescreening |
| s. 400.509(5) | Advertising with your registration number |
| 59A-8.025(8) | Client record contents and confidentiality |
| 59A-8.025(9) | Client acceptance and staffing every visit |
| s. 415.1034 | Abuse, neglect and exploitation reporting |
Filling in a ready-made manual? See how to fill in a Florida homemaker and companion policy manual template.
Skip the blank page
Florida Home Care Policy Manual
Every policy on this page already written for AHCA registrants: 105 pages, 15 sections, 17 forms and a Florida crosswalk. Editable Word plus PDF, $79.
FAQ
Do Florida homemaker and companion agencies need a policies and procedures manual?
The registration statute and rule don’t name one. They do set duties you have to carry out and be able to show, and written policies are how you do that consistently.
Can a Florida companion help a client bathe?
No. Hands-on personal care is a home health service. It needs a home health agency license, or referral through a licensed nurse registry.
How much does Florida homemaker and companion registration cost?
The statute sets $50 per biennium (s. 400.509(3)). Check AHCA for current forms and any other fees.
Where do I report suspected abuse?
To the Florida Abuse Hotline, 1-800-962-2873 (s. 415.1034). In an emergency, call 911 first.
Sources
- Section 400.509, F.S. (Florida Legislature)
- Section 400.462, F.S., Definitions
- Section 400.512, F.S., Screening of personnel
- Section 408.809, F.S., Background screening
- Section 415.1034, F.S., Mandatory reporting
- Rule 59A-8.025, F.A.C. (Cornell LII)
- Rule 59A-18.009, F.A.C., Homemakers or Companions (Cornell LII)
- AHCA, Homemaker and Companion Services Provider rules and survey standards
- Florida DCF, Florida Abuse Hotline
This page summarizes Florida statutes and rules as reviewed on October 19–20, 2026 and is not legal advice. Laws and rules change; confirm current requirements with AHCA.