Bill > S1724

This bill aims to enhance protections and services for sexually exploited children by requiring the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to develop or adopt initial screening and assessment instruments to identify their needs and appropriate placements, including safe houses and safe foster homes, which will now need to be certified by the department. It also mandates specialized training for DCF, community-based care lead agencies, and Department of Juvenile Justice staff who work with these children, and establishes regular multidisciplinary meetings to coordinate services. Furthermore, the bill creates the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking within the Department of Legal Affairs, composed of various state officials and appointed members, to coordinate efforts in combating human trafficking and supporting victims, and requires a study on commercial sexual exploitation of children in Florida to assess its prevalence, identify service needs and gaps, and analyze the effectiveness of various placement options.