Bill > S1804

This resolution, a formal expression of opinion from the Florida Senate, recognizes the significant legacy of the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) of Pinellas County. The JWB was established in 1945 as the nation's first independent special taxing district, meaning it was created by law and funded by local taxes, specifically to address the needs of at-risk children in Pinellas County, a problem identified by juvenile court Judge Lincoln Bogue in the 1940s when incarceration was the primary recourse. The JWB was officially ratified by Pinellas County citizens in 1946 and has since evolved into a vital organization that, by 2025, served over 83,000 children through investments in nearly 100 programs with 51 nonprofit agencies, offering services from early childhood development to career preparation, and also acts as a leader in community partnerships to address critical issues like child mortality, mental health, reading proficiency, and hunger, all in service to the citizens of Pinellas County and Florida.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1804