summary
Introduced
09/26/2025
09/26/2025
In Committee
03/03/2026
03/03/2026
Crossed Over
03/05/2026
03/05/2026
Passed
03/05/2026
03/05/2026
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to specific medical diagnoses in child protective investigations; amending s. 39.301, F.S.; providing an exception to the requirement that the Department of Children and Families immediately forward certain allegations to a law enforcement agency; requiring such allegations to be immediately forwarded to a law enforcement agency upon completion of the department's investigation; requiring a child protective investigator to inform the subject of an investigation of a certain duty; requiring the department to request medical records of certain children from certain licensed health care professionals; conforming a cross-reference; amending s. 39.303, F.S.; requiring Child Protection Teams to consult with a licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse with certain experience when evaluating certain reports; conforming cross- references; amending s. 39.304, F.S.; authorizing a parent or legal custodian of a child who is the subject of a protective investigation or shelter order to request specified medical examinations of the child within a specified timeframe; requiring that certain medical examinations be paid for by the parent or legal custodian making the request or as otherwise hb47 -03-er2026 Legislature covered by insurance; requiring the physician or advanced practice registered nurse who performed certain medical examinations to submit a written report to the department and certain persons within a specified timeframe; requiring the department to immediately convene a case staffing with specified persons under certain circumstances; amending s. 456.057, F.S.; requiring certain records be provided to the department within a specified timeframe; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill modifies procedures for child protective investigations, particularly concerning allegations involving specific medical diagnoses. It allows the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to delay reporting certain allegations of criminal conduct to law enforcement if the parent claims the child has a preexisting medical diagnosis or is requesting a medical examination, with these allegations needing to be forwarded upon completion of the DCF investigation if criminal conduct is still suspected. Child protective investigators must now inform parents or legal custodians of their duty to report any preexisting medical diagnoses for the child, including providing the name and contact information of the treating healthcare professional within 10 days. The bill also requires Child Protection Teams to consult with a physician or advanced practice registered nurse experienced in treating conditions like rickets, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, or vitamin D deficiency when evaluating children with these diagnoses. Parents or legal custodians can request additional medical examinations for their child within a specified timeframe, with the cost generally borne by the parent or covered by insurance, and if these examinations yield differing conclusions, the DCF must convene a case staffing with relevant parties to reach a consensus. Finally, healthcare professionals are required to provide requested medical records to the DCF within 14 days.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services, Justice
Sponsors (14)
Robin Bartleman (D)*,
Patt Maney (R)*,
James Buchanan (R),
Daryl Campbell (D),
Kimberly Daniels (D),
Anna Eskamani (D),
Christine Hunschofsky (D),
Johanna López (D),
Jim Mooney (R),
Bill Partington (R),
Allison Tant (D),
Debra Tendrich (D),
Dana Trabulsy (R),
Marie Woodson (D),
Other Sponsors (2)
Health & Human Services Committee (House), Human Services Subcommittee (House)
Last Action
Ordered enrolled (on 03/05/2026)
Official Document
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