summary
Introduced
03/05/2025
03/05/2025
In Committee
04/29/2025
04/29/2025
Crossed Over
05/01/2025
05/01/2025
Passed
06/25/2025
06/25/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/26/2025
06/26/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to child welfare; amending s. 39.524, F.S.; requiring the Department of Children and Families to maintain copies of certain assessments and tools used to assess children for certain placement; requiring the department to maintain certain data in a specified format; amending s. 39.905, F.S.; authorizing the department to waive a specified requirement if there is an emergency need for a new domestic violence center; authorizing the department to issue a provisional certificate under certain circumstances; authorizing the department to adopt rules; amending ss. 402.305 and 409.175, F.S.; removing authority for the department to grant exemptions from working with children or the developmentally disabled; authorizing the department to grant limited exemptions to certain minimum standards and requirements, respectively; amending s. 402.402, F.S.; subject to an appropriation, requiring the department to develop a child protective investigator and case manager recruitment program for a specified purpose; specifying requirements for the program; specifying duties of the department under the program, to be completed in collaboration with community-based care lead agencies; authorizing the department to adopt rules to implement the program; amending s. 409.987, F.S.; removing the requirement that an entity post a specified fidelity bond in order to serve as a lead agency; amending s. 409.993, F.S.; providing immunity from liability for subcontractors of lead agencies for certain acts or omissions; providing applicability; amending s. 409.996, F.S.; subject to an appropriation and beginning on a specified date, requiring the department to develop a 4-year pilot program for treatment foster care; requiring the department to implement the pilot program by a specified date; requiring the department to coordinate with community-based care lead agencies to develop a specified process; requiring community based care lead agencies to recruit individuals and families for a certain purpose; limiting participation in the pilot program to children meeting specified criteria; requiring the department to identify two judicial circuits determined to have the greatest need for implementation of such pilot program; requiring the department to arrange for an independent evaluation of the pilot program to make specified determinations; requiring the department to establish certain minimum standards for the pilot program; requiring the department, by a specified date, to submit to the Governor and the Legislature a final report which includes specified evaluations, findings, and recommendations; amending s. 1004.615, F.S.; specifying that incentives provided to state employees for participating in research or evaluation with the Florida Institute for Child Welfare do not violate certain laws or require certain reporting; amending ss. 402.30501, 1002.57, and 1002.59, F.S.; conforming cross-references; requiring the department to convene a case management workforce workgroup by a specified date; providing for membership of the workgroup; specifying duties of the workgroup, to be completed in collaboration with the Florida Institute for Child Welfare; providing for meetings of the workgroup; providing for the operation of the workgroup until a specified date; requiring the workgroup to submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature by a specified date; providing requirements for the report; requiring the department to contract for a detailed study of certain services for child victims of commercial sexual exploitation; requiring that the study be completed by a specified date; providing requirements for the study; providing effective dates.
AI Summary
This bill addresses multiple aspects of child welfare in Florida, focusing on improving services, recruitment, and oversight. The bill requires the Department of Children and Families to maintain detailed assessments and data related to children in foster care and those at risk of human trafficking, and allows for more flexible certification of domestic violence centers during emergencies. It establishes a new recruitment program to attract professionals from public safety and service backgrounds to work in child welfare, including law enforcement officers, teachers, and military servicemembers. The bill introduces a 4-year pilot program for treatment foster care, designed to support children with high behavioral needs by providing specialized foster homes with trained parents and comprehensive support services. Additionally, the bill creates a case management workforce workgroup to analyze existing practices, identify challenges, and develop recommendations for improving child welfare processes. The legislation also removes some previous requirements for lead agencies, such as posting certain bonds, and provides liability protections for subcontractors. The bill aims to enhance the quality, effectiveness, and supportiveness of Florida's child welfare system by implementing targeted improvements in recruitment, training, placement, and oversight.
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (2)
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs (Senate), Fiscal Policy (Senate)
Last Action
Chapter No. 2025-186 (on 06/26/2025)
Official Document
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