summary
Introduced
11/19/2025
11/19/2025
In Committee
11/24/2025
11/24/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to dependent children; providing a short title; amending s. 39.01, F.S.; defining the term "incapacitated parent or legal custodian"; amending s. 39.0139, F.S.; revising legislative findings and intent; providing additional situations in which a rebuttable presumption of detriment is created; requiring certain guardians ad litem and attorneys ad litem to have special training in parricide; requiring certain persons to provide to the court and certain agencies and persons access to certain records of a child; requiring visitation or other contact to be supervised by a person who has special training in parricide; requiring the court to refer certain children to specified trauma-informed therapeutic services; amending s. 39.401, F.S.; providing additional reasons a law enforcement officer or authorized agent of the Department of Children and Families can take a child into custody; amending s. 39.402, F.S.; requiring a hearing before placing certain children in a shelter; amending ss. 39.302, 394.495, 934.255, 960.065, and 984.03, F.S.; conforming cross-references; providing an effective date. hb499-00
AI Summary
This bill, named "Ellie's Law," introduces several significant changes to Florida's laws regarding dependent children, focusing primarily on cases involving severe parental abuse or incapacitation. The bill defines a new term "incapacitated parent or legal custodian" as a person deemed unable to care for their child due to physical or mental limitations, and creates additional legal protections for children in situations involving potential parricide (killing of a parent) or when a parent has been arrested for violent crimes against the other parent. The legislation expands circumstances under which law enforcement can take a child into custody, requires specialized training for guardians ad litem in cases of child sexual abuse and parricide, and mandates that courts refer children in potentially traumatic situations to trauma-informed therapeutic services. The bill also requires more comprehensive record access for courts and child welfare professionals, ensures supervised visitation in high-risk situations, and creates a rebuttable presumption of potential detriment to a child when specific criminal circumstances exist. These changes aim to provide more robust legal mechanisms to protect children from potential harm, particularly in complex family situations involving violence or parental incapacitation, with the law set to take effect on July 1, 2026.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/499 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/499/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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