Legislative Planning

Provides direction for the development and articulation of departmental policies involving federal, state and local legislation; establishes priorities and procedures for legislative program development; prepares and secures the enactment of state and federal legislation; assesses the impact of state and federal legislation on Department of Health programs. This Office also directs the Department’s legislative agenda and legislative bill package; prepares staff for legislative committee presentations; monitors all legislation that impacts the Department of Health; tracks the implementation of enrolled legislation and proviso; responds to information requests from Legislators, Committee staff, the Governor’s Office and the public.

Director of the Office of Legislative Planning: Michael Cantens

Biography information about Michael Cantens, Director of the Office of Legislative Planning

Michael joined the Department in 2010. The past two years Michael has worked as the Legislative Analyst for the Divisions of Medical Quality Assurance, Family Health, Children's Medical Services, and Emergency Medical Operations. During that time Michael was instrumental in the transition of the Women, Infant, and Children's from a check based system to an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system. Additionally, Michael assisted the Bureau of Radiation Control to pass legislation which updated licensure types to coincide with advancements made in radiation-emitting equipment.

Prior to joining the Department Michael worked as a Legislative Assistant to Representative Marcelo Llorente from 2008-2010. During that time Rep. Llorente served as the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. In 2009, Michael assisted Rep. Llorente in the passage of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Database. The Database was the first in many steps to help reduce Florida's prescription drug abuse problem.

Michael has also worked as campaign manager for former Rep, Juan C. Zapata in 2008; he was an Aide to Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz.

Staff Members
Telephone numbers for employees in the Office of Legislative Planning.

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead contact these offices by phone or in writing.

For questions, comments, or concerns, our office can be reached by calling (850) 245-4006 or by email at legislativeplanning@doh.state.fl.us