House Bill 1019er

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    ENROLLED

    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1

  2         An act relating to children and family health

  3         and safety; creating the "Marriage Preparation

  4         and Preservation Act"; providing legislative

  5         findings; amending s. 232.246, F.S.;

  6         prescribing a high school graduation

  7         requirement; amending s. 741.01, F.S.;

  8         providing for a reduction of the marriage

  9         license fee under certain circumstances;

10         creating a waiting period before a marriage

11         license is issued; creating s. 741.0305, F.S.;

12         providing for a premarital preparation course;

13         providing for modification of marriage license

14         fees; specifying course providers; providing

15         course contents; providing for a review of such

16         courses; providing for compilation of

17         information and report of findings; providing

18         for pilot programs; creating s. 741.0306, F.S.;

19         providing for creation of a marriage law

20         handbook created by the Family Law Section of

21         The Florida Bar; amending s. 741.04, F.S.;

22         prohibiting issuance of a marriage license

23         until petitioners verify certain facts and

24         complete a questionnaire; providing for a

25         waiting period; amending s. 741.05, F.S.;

26         conforming provisions; amending s. 61.043,

27         F.S.; providing for completion of an

28         informational questionnaire upon filing for

29         dissolution of marriage; amending s. 61.21,

30         F.S.; revising provisions relating to the

31         authorized parenting course offered to educate,


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    ENROLLED

    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         train, and assist divorcing parents in regard

  2         to the consequences of divorce on parents and

  3         children; providing legislative findings and

  4         purpose; requiring judicial circuits to approve

  5         a parenting course; requiring parties to a

  6         dissolution proceeding with a minor child to

  7         attend a court-approved parenting family

  8         course; providing procedures and guidelines and

  9         course objectives; requiring parties to file

10         proof of compliance with the court; authorizing

11         the court to require parties to a modification

12         of a final judgment of dissolution to take the

13         course under certain circumstances; amending s.

14         28.101, F.S.; providing a fee for filing for

15         dissolution of marriage; providing an

16         appropriation; reorganizing and revising ch.

17         39, F.S.; providing for pt. I of said chapter,

18         entitled "General Provisions"; amending ss.

19         39.001, 39.002, and 415.501, F.S.; revising

20         purposes and intent; providing for personnel

21         standards and screening and for drug testing;

22         amending s. 39.01, F.S.; revising definitions;

23         renumbering and amending s. 39.455, F.S.,

24         relating to immunity from liability for agents

25         of the Department of Children and Family

26         Services or a social service agency; amending

27         s. 39.012, F.S., and creating s. 39.0121, F.S.;

28         providing authority and requirements for

29         department rules; renumbering and amending s.

30         39.40, F.S., relating to procedures and

31         jurisdiction; providing for right to counsel;


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    ENROLLED

    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         renumbering s. 39.4057, F.S., relating to

  2         permanent mailing address designation;

  3         renumbering and amending s. 39.411, F.S.,

  4         relating to oaths, records, and confidential

  5         information; renumbering s. 39.414, F.S.,

  6         relating to court and witness fees; renumbering

  7         and amending ss. 39.415 and 39.474, F.S.,

  8         relating to compensation of appointed counsel;

  9         renumbering and amending s. 39.418, F.S.,

10         relating to the Operations and Maintenance

11         Trust Fund; renumbering and amending s.

12         415.5015, F.S., relating to child abuse

13         prevention training in the district school

14         system; providing for pt. II of ch. 39, F.S.,

15         entitled "Reporting Child Abuse"; renumbering

16         and amending s. 415.504, F.S., relating to

17         mandatory reports of child abuse, abandonment,

18         or neglect; amending and renumbering s. 415.51,

19         F.S.; revising provisions relating to

20         confidentiality of Department of Children and

21         Family Services reports and records of cases of

22         child abuse and neglect; requiring certain

23         recordkeeping and preservation by the

24         department; renumbering and amending s.

25         415.511, F.S., relating to immunity from

26         liability in cases of child abuse, abandonment,

27         or neglect; renumbering and amending s.

28         415.512, F.S., relating to abrogation of

29         privileged communications in cases of child

30         abuse, abandonment, or neglect; renumbering and

31         amending s. 415.513, F.S.; providing penalties


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    ENROLLED

    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         relating to reporting of child abuse,

  2         abandonment, or neglect; deleting the

  3         requirement for the Department of Children and

  4         Family Services to provide information to the

  5         state attorney; providing for the Department of

  6         Children and Family Services to report annually

  7         to the Legislature the number of reports

  8         referred to law enforcement agencies; providing

  9         for investigation by local law enforcement

10         agencies of possible false reports; providing

11         for law enforcement agencies to refer certain

12         reports to the state attorney for prosecution;

13         providing for law enforcement entities to

14         handle certain reports of abuse, abandonment,

15         or neglect during the pendency of such an

16         investigation; providing procedures; specifying

17         the penalty for knowingly and willfully making,

18         or advising another to make, a false report;

19         providing for state attorneys to report

20         annually to the Legislature the number of

21         complaints that have resulted in informations

22         or indictments and the disposition of those

23         complaints; renumbering and amending s.

24         415.5131, F.S., increasing an administrative

25         fine for false reporting; providing for civil

26         damages; providing for pt. III of ch. 39, F.S.,

27         entitled "Protective Investigations"; creating

28         s. 39.301, F.S.; providing for child protective

29         investigations; creating s. 39.302, F.S.;

30         providing for protective investigations of

31         institutional child abuse, abandonment, or


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    ENROLLED

    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         neglect; renumbering and amending s. 415.5055,

  2         F.S., relating to child protection teams and

  3         services and eligible cases; creating s.

  4         39.3035, F.S.; providing standards for child

  5         advocacy centers eligible for state funding;

  6         renumbering and amending s. 415.507, F.S.,

  7         relating to photographs, medical examinations,

  8         X rays, and medical treatment of an abused,

  9         abandoned, or neglected child; renumbering and

10         amending s. 415.5095, F.S., relating to a model

11         plan for intervention and treatment in sexual

12         abuse cases; creating s. 39.306, F.S.;

13         providing for working agreements with local law

14         enforcement to perform criminal investigations;

15         renumbering and amending s. 415.50171, F.S.,

16         relating to reports of child-on-child sexual

17         abuse; providing for pt. IV of ch. 39, F.S.,

18         entitled "Family Builders Program"; renumbering

19         and amending s. 415.515, F.S., relating to

20         establishment of the program; renumbering and

21         amending s. 415.516, F.S., relating to goals of

22         the program; renumbering and amending s.

23         415.517, F.S., relating to contracts for

24         services; renumbering and amending s. 415.518,

25         F.S., relating to family eligibility;

26         renumbering s. 415.519, F.S., relating to

27         delivery of services; renumbering and amending

28         s. 415.520, F.S., relating to qualifications of

29         program workers; renumbering s. 415.521, F.S.,

30         relating to outcome evaluation; renumbering and

31         amending s. 415.522, F.S., relating to funding;


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    ENROLLED

    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         providing for pt. V of ch. 39, F.S., entitled

  2         "Taking Children into Custody and Shelter

  3         Hearings"; creating s. 39.395, F.S.; providing

  4         for medical or hospital personnel taking a

  5         child into protective custody; amending s.

  6         39.401, F.S.; providing for law enforcement

  7         officers or authorized agents of the department

  8         taking a child alleged to be dependent into

  9         custody; amending s. 39.402, F.S., relating to

10         placement in a shelter; amending s. 39.407,

11         F.S., relating to physical and mental

12         examination and treatment of a child and

13         physical or mental examination of a person

14         requesting custody; renumbering and amending s.

15         39.4033, F.S., relating to referral of a

16         dependency case to mediation; providing for pt.

17         VI of ch. 39, F.S., entitled "Petition,

18         Arraignment, Adjudication, and Disposition";

19         renumbering and amending s. 39.404, F.S.,

20         relating to petition for dependency;

21         renumbering and amending s. 39.405, F.S.,

22         relating to notice, process, and service;

23         renumbering and amending s. 39.4051, F.S.,

24         relating to procedures when the identity or

25         location of the parent, legal custodian, or

26         caregiver is unknown; renumbering and amending

27         s. 39.4055, F.S., relating to injunction

28         pending disposition of a petition for detention

29         or dependency; renumbering and amending s.

30         39.406, F.S., relating to answers to petitions

31         or other pleadings; renumbering and amending s.


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    ENROLLED

    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         39.408(1), F.S., relating to arraignment

  2         hearings; renumbering and amending ss.

  3         39.408(2) and 39.409, F.S., relating to

  4         adjudicatory hearings and orders; renumbering

  5         and amending ss. 39.408(3) and (4) and 39.41,

  6         F.S., relating to disposition hearings and

  7         powers of disposition; creating s. 39.5085,

  8         F.S.; directing the Department of Children and

  9         Family Services to establish and operate the

10         Relative Caregiver Program; providing financial

11         assistance within available resources to

12         relatives caring for children; providing for

13         financial assistance and support services to

14         relatives caring for children placed with them

15         by the child protection system; providing for

16         rules establishing eligibility guidelines,

17         caregiver benefits, and payment schedule;

18         renumbering and amending s. 39.4105, F.S.,

19         relating to grandparents rights; renumbering

20         and amending s. 39.413, F.S., relating to

21         appeals; providing for pt. VII of ch. 39, F.S.,

22         entitled "Case Plans"; renumbering and amending

23         ss. 39.4031 and 39.451, F.S., relating to case

24         plan requirements and case planning for

25         children in out-of-home care; renumbering and

26         amending s. 39.452(1)-(4), F.S., relating to

27         case planning for children in out-of-home care

28         when the parents, legal custodians, or

29         caregivers do not participate; renumbering and

30         amending s. 39.452(5), F.S., relating to court

31         approvals of case planning; providing for pt.


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    ENROLLED

    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         VIII of ch. 39, F.S., entitled "Judicial

  2         Reviews"; renumbering and amending s. 39.453,

  3         F.S., relating to judicial review of the status

  4         of a child; renumbering and amending s.

  5         39.4531, F.S., relating to citizen review

  6         panels; renumbering and amending s. 39.454,

  7         F.S., relating to initiation of proceedings for

  8         termination of parental rights; renumbering and

  9         amending s. 39.456, F.S.; revising exemptions

10         from judicial review; providing for pt. IX of

11         ch. 39, F.S., entitled "Termination of Parental

12         Rights"; renumbering and amending ss. 39.46 and

13         39.462, F.S., relating to procedures,

14         jurisdiction, and service of process;

15         renumbering and amending ss. 39.461 and

16         39.4611, F.S., relating to petition for

17         termination of parental rights, and filing and

18         elements thereof; creating s. 39.803, F.S.;

19         providing procedures when the identity or

20         location of the parent is unknown after filing

21         a petition for termination of parental rights;

22         renumbering s. 39.4627, F.S., relating to

23         penalties for false statements of paternity;

24         renumbering and amending s. 39.463, F.S.,

25         relating to petitions and pleadings for which

26         no answer is required; renumbering and amending

27         s. 39.464, F.S., relating to grounds for

28         termination of paternal rights; renumbering and

29         amending s. 39.465, F.S., relating to right to

30         counsel and appointment of a guardian ad litem;

31         renumbering and amending s. 39.466, F.S.,


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    ENROLLED

    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         relating to advisory hearings; renumbering and

  2         amending s. 39.467, F.S., relating to

  3         adjudicatory hearings; renumbering and amending

  4         s. 39.4612, F.S., relating to the manifest best

  5         interests of the child; renumbering and

  6         amending s. 39.469, F.S., relating to powers of

  7         disposition and order of disposition;

  8         renumbering and amending s. 39.47, F.S.,

  9         relating to post disposition relief; creating

10         s. 39.813, F.S.; providing for continuing

11         jurisdiction of the court which terminates

12         parental rights over all matters pertaining to

13         the child's adoption; renumbering s. 39.471,

14         F.S., relating to oaths, records, and

15         confidential information; renumbering and

16         amending s. 39.473, F.S., relating to appeal;

17         creating s. 39.816, F.S.; authorizing certain

18         pilot and demonstration projects contingent on

19         receipt of federal grants or contracts;

20         creating s. 39.817, F.S.; providing for a

21         foster care demonstration pilot project;

22         providing for pt. X of ch. 39, F.S., entitled

23         "Guardians Ad Litem and Guardian Advocates";

24         creating s. 39.820, F.S.; providing

25         definitions; renumbering s. 415.5077, F.S.,

26         relating to qualifications of guardians ad

27         litem; renumbering and amending s. 415.508,

28         F.S., relating to appointment of a guardian ad

29         litem for an abused, abandoned, or neglected

30         child; renumbering and amending s. 415.5082,

31         F.S., relating to guardian advocates for drug


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    ENROLLED

    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         dependent newborns; renumbering and amending s.

  2         415.5083, F.S., relating to procedures and

  3         jurisdiction; renumbering s. 415.5084, F.S.,

  4         relating to petition for appointment of a

  5         guardian advocate; renumbering s. 415.5085,

  6         F.S., relating to process and service;

  7         renumbering and amending s. 415.5086, F.S.,

  8         relating to hearing for appointment of a

  9         guardian advocate; renumbering and amending s.

10         415.5087, F.S., relating to grounds for

11         appointment of a guardian advocate; renumbering

12         s. 415.5088, F.S., relating to powers and

13         duties of the guardian advocate; renumbering

14         and amending s. 415.5089, F.S., relating to

15         review and removal of a guardian advocate;

16         providing for pt. XI of ch. 39, F.S., entitled

17         "Domestic Violence"; renumbering s. 415.601,

18         F.S., relating to legislative intent regarding

19         treatment and rehabilitation of victims and

20         perpetrators; renumbering and amending s.

21         415.602, F.S., relating to definitions;

22         renumbering and amending s. 415.603, F.S.,

23         relating to duties and functions of the

24         department; renumbering and amending s.

25         415.604, F.S., relating to an annual report to

26         the Legislature; renumbering and amending s.

27         415.605, F.S., relating to domestic violence

28         centers; renumbering s. 415.606, F.S., relating

29         to referral to such centers and notice of

30         rights; renumbering s. 415.608, F.S., relating

31         to confidentiality of information received by


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    ENROLLED

    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         the department or a center; amending ss. 20.43,

  2         61.13, 61.401, 61.402, 63.052, 63.092, 90.5036,

  3         154.067, 216.136, 232.50, 318.21, 384.29,

  4         392.65, 393.063, 395.1023, 400.4174, 400.556,

  5         402.165, 402.166, 409.1672, 409.176, 409.2554,

  6         409.912, 409.9126, 414.065, 447.401, 464.018,

  7         490.014, 491.014, 741.30, 744.309, 784.075,

  8         933.18, 944.401, 944.705, 984.03, 984.10,

  9         984.15, 984.24, 985.03, and 985.303, F.S.;

10         correcting cross references; conforming related

11         provisions and references; amending s. 20.19,

12         F.S.; providing for certification programs for

13         family safety and preservation employees of the

14         department; providing for rules; amending s.

15         119.07, F.S., to conform to the act; amending

16         ss. 213.053 and 409.2577, F.S.; authorizing

17         disclosure of certain confidential taxpayer and

18         parent locator information for diligent search

19         activities under ch. 39, F.S.; creating s.

20         435.045, F.S.; providing background screening

21         requirements for prospective foster or adoptive

22         parents; amending s. 943.045, F.S.; providing

23         that the protective investigation component of

24         the Department of Children and Family Services

25         is a "criminal justice agency" for purposes of

26         the criminal justice information system;

27         providing appropriations; repealing s. 39.0195,

28         F.S., relating to sheltering unmarried minors

29         and aiding unmarried runaways; repealing s.

30         39.0196, F.S., relating to children locked out

31         of the home; repealing ss. 39.39, 39.449, and


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    ENROLLED

    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         39.459, F.S., relating to definition of

  2         "department"; repealing s. 39.403, F.S.,

  3         relating to protective investigation; repealing

  4         s. 39.4032, F.S., relating to multidisciplinary

  5         case staffing; repealing s. 39.4052, F.S.,

  6         relating to affirmative duty of written notice

  7         to adult relatives; repealing s. 39.4053, F.S.,

  8         relating to diligent search after taking a

  9         child into custody; repealing s. 39.45, F.S.,

10         relating to legislative intent regarding foster

11         care; repealing s. 39.457, F.S., relating to a

12         pilot program in Leon County to provide

13         additional benefits to children in foster care;

14         repealing s. 39.4625, F.S., relating to

15         identity or location of parent unknown after

16         filing of petition for termination of parental

17         rights; repealing s. 39.472, F.S., relating to

18         court and witness fees; repealing s. 39.475,

19         F.S., relating to rights of grandparents;

20         repealing ss. 415.5016, 415.50165, 415.5017,

21         415.50175, 415.5018, 415.50185, and 415.5019,

22         F.S., relating to purpose and legislative

23         intent, definitions, procedures,

24         confidentiality of records, district authority

25         and responsibilities, outcome evaluation, and

26         rules for the family services response system;

27         repealing s. 415.502, F.S., relating to

28         legislative intent for comprehensive protective

29         services for abused or neglected children;

30         repealing s. 415.503, F.S., relating to

31         definitions; repealing s. 415.505, F.S.,


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    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         relating to child protective investigations and

  2         investigations of institutional child abuse or

  3         neglect; repealing s. 415.506, F.S., relating

  4         to taking a child into protective custody;

  5         repealing s. 415.5075, F.S., relating to rules

  6         for medical screening and treatment of

  7         children; repealing s. 415.509, F.S., relating

  8         to public agencies' responsibilities for

  9         prevention, identification, and treatment of

10         child abuse and neglect; repealing s. 415.514,

11         F.S., relating to rules for protective

12         services; providing effective dates.

13

14  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

15

16         Section 1.  Sections 1-16 of this act may be cited as

17  the "Marriage Preparation and Preservation Act of 1998."

18         Section 2.  (1)  It is the finding of the Legislature

19  based on reliable research that:

20         (1)  The divorce rate has been accelerating.

21         (2)  Just as the family is the foundation of society,

22  the marital relationship is the foundation of the family.

23  Consequently, strengthening marriages can only lead to

24  stronger families, children, and communities, as well as a

25  stronger economy.

26         (3)  An inability to cope with stress from both

27  internal and external sources leads to significantly higher

28  incidents of domestic violence, child abuse, absenteeism,

29  medical costs, learning and social deficiencies, and divorce.

30         (4)  Relationship skills can be learned.

31


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  1         (5)  Once learned, relationship skills can facilitate

  2  communication between parties to a marriage and assist couples

  3  in avoiding conflict.

  4         (6)  Once relationship skills are learned, they are

  5  generalized to parenting, the workplace, schools,

  6  neighborhoods, and civic relationships.

  7         (7)  By reducing conflict and increasing communication,

  8  stressors can be diminished and coping can be furthered.

  9         (8)  When effective coping exists, domestic violence,

10  child abuse, and divorce and its effect on children, such as

11  absenteeism, medical costs, and learning and social

12  deficiencies, are diminished.

13         (9)  The state has a compelling interest in educating

14  its citizens with regard to marriage and, if contemplated, the

15  effects of divorce.

16         (2)  This section shall take effect January 1, 1999.

17         Section 3.  Effective January 1, 1999, paragraph (i) of

18  subsection (1) of section 232.246, Florida Statutes, is

19  amended to read:

20         232.246  General requirements for high school

21  graduation.--

22         (1)  Graduation requires successful completion of

23  either a minimum of 24 academic credits in grades 9 through 12

24  or an International Baccalaureate curriculum. The 24 credits

25  shall be distributed as follows:

26         (i)  One-half credit in life management skills to

27  include consumer education, positive emotional development,

28  marriage and relationship skill-based education, nutrition,

29  prevention of human immunodeficiency virus infection and

30  acquired immune deficiency syndrome and other sexually

31  transmissible diseases, benefits of sexual abstinence and


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    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1  consequences of teenage pregnancy, information and instruction

  2  on breast cancer detection and breast self-examination,

  3  cardiopulmonary resuscitation, drug education, and the hazards

  4  of smoking.  Such credit shall be given for a course to be

  5  taken by all students in either the 9th or 10th grade.

  6

  7  School boards may award a maximum of one-half credit in social

  8  studies and one-half elective credit for student completion of

  9  nonpaid voluntary community or school service work.  Students

10  choosing this option must complete a minimum of 75 hours of

11  service in order to earn the one-half credit in either

12  category of instruction.  Credit may not be earned for service

13  provided as a result of court action.  School boards that

14  approve the award of credit for student volunteer service

15  shall develop guidelines regarding the award of the credit,

16  and school principals are responsible for approving specific

17  volunteer activities. A course designated in the Course Code

18  Directory as grade 9 through grade 12 which is taken below the

19  9th grade may be used to satisfy high school graduation

20  requirements or Florida Academic Scholar's Certificate Program

21  requirements as specified in a district's pupil progression

22  plan.

23         Section 4.  Effective January 1, 1999, subsection (5)

24  is added to section 741.01, Florida Statutes, to read:

25         741.01  County court judge or clerk of the circuit

26  court to issue marriage license; fee.--

27         (5)  The fee charged for each marriage license issued

28  in the state shall be reduced by a sum of $32.50 for all

29  couples who present valid certificates of completion of a

30  premarital preparation course from a qualified course provider

31  registered under s. 741.0305(5) for a course taken no more


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  1  than 1 year prior to the date of application for a marriage

  2  license. For each license issued that is subject to the fee

  3  reduction of this subsection, the clerk is not required to

  4  transfer the sum of $7.50 to the State Treasury for deposit in

  5  the Displaced Homemaker Trust Fund pursuant to subsection (3)

  6  or to transfer the sum of $25 to the Supreme Court for deposit

  7  in the Family Courts Trust Fund.

  8         Section 5.  Effective January 1, 1999, section

  9  741.0305, Florida Statutes, is created to read:

10         741.0305  Marriage fee reduction for completion of

11  premarital preparation course.--

12         (1)  A man and a woman who intend to apply for a

13  marriage license under s. 741.04 may, together or separately,

14  complete a premarital preparation course of not less than 4

15  hours. Each individual shall verify completion of the course

16  by filing with the application a valid certificate of

17  completion from the course provider, which certificate shall

18  specify whether the course was completed by personal

19  instruction, videotape instruction, instruction via other

20  electronic medium, or a combination of those methods. All

21  individuals who complete a premarital preparation course

22  pursuant to this section must be issued a certificate of

23  completion at the conclusion of the course by their course

24  provider. Upon furnishing such certificate when applying for a

25  marriage license, the individuals shall have their marriage

26  license fee reduced by $32.50.

27         (2)  The premarital preparation course may include

28  instruction regarding:

29         (a)  Conflict management.

30         (b)  Communication skills.

31         (c)  Financial responsibilities.


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  1         (d)  Children and parenting responsibilities.

  2         (e)  Data compiled from available information relating

  3  to problems reported by married couples who seek marital or

  4  individual counseling.

  5         (3)(a)  All individuals electing to participate in a

  6  premarital preparation course shall choose from the following

  7  list of qualified instructors:

  8         1.  A psychologist licensed under chapter 490.

  9         2.  A clinical social worker licensed under chapter

10  491.

11         3.  A marriage and family therapist licensed under

12  chapter 491.

13         4.  A mental health counselor licensed under chapter

14  491.

15         5.  An official representative of a religious

16  institution which is recognized under s. 496.404(20), if the

17  representative has relevant training.

18         6.  Any other provider designated by a judicial

19  circuit, including, but not limited to, school counselors who

20  are certified to offer such courses. Each judicial circuit may

21  establish a roster of area course providers, including those

22  who offer the course on a sliding fee scale or for free.

23         (b)  The costs of such premarital preparation course

24  shall be paid by the applicant.

25         (4)  Each premarital preparation course provider shall

26  furnish each participant who completes the course with a

27  certificate of completion specifying the name of the

28  participant and the date of completion and whether the course

29  was conducted by personal instruction, videotape instruction,

30  or instruction via other electronic medium, or by a

31  combination of these methods.


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  1         (5)  All area course providers shall register with the

  2  clerk of the circuit court by filing an affidavit in writing

  3  attesting to the provider's compliance with the premarital

  4  preparation course requirements as set forth in this section

  5  and including the course instructor's name and qualifications,

  6  including the license number, if any, or, if an official

  7  representative of a religious institution, a statement as to

  8  relevant training. The affidavit shall also include the

  9  addresses where the provider may be contacted.

10         Section 6.  (1)  (1)  Premarital preparation courses

11  offered and completed by individuals across the state shall be

12  reviewed by researchers from the Florida State University

13  Center for Marriage and Family in order to determine the

14  efficacy of such premarital preparation courses.

15         (2)  Premarital preparation pilot programs may be

16  created by the Florida State University Center for Marriage

17  and Family, which will be administered by course providers or

18  by qualified instructors as provided in s. 741.0305(3),

19  Florida Statutes. These pilot programs shall offer a

20  premarital preparation course based on statistical information

21  and data obtained by researchers from the Florida State

22  University Center for Marriage and Family.

23         (3)  The Florida State University Center for Marriage

24  and Family shall develop a questionnaire and create a

25  curriculum based on data collected by its researchers. Any

26  curriculum developed by The Florida State University Center

27  for Marriage and Family researchers shall be the sole property

28  of the center.

29         (2)  This section shall take effect January 1, 1999.

30         Section 7.  Effective January 1, 1999, section

31  741.0306, Florida Statutes, is created to read:


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  1         741.0306  Creation of a family law handbook.--

  2         (1)  Based upon their willingness to undertake this

  3  project, there shall be created by the Family Law Section of

  4  The Florida Bar a handbook explaining those sections of

  5  Florida law pertaining to the rights and responsibilities

  6  under Florida law of marital partners to each other and to

  7  their children, both during a marriage and upon dissolution.

  8  The material in the handbook or other suitable electronic

  9  media shall be reviewed for accuracy by the Family Court

10  Steering Committee of the Florida Supreme Court prior to

11  publication and distribution.

12         (2)  Such handbooks shall be available from the clerk

13  of the circuit court upon application for a marriage license.

14  The clerks may also make the information in the handbook

15  available on videotape or other electronic media and are

16  encouraged to provide a list of course providers and sites at

17  which marriage and relationship skill-building classes are

18  available.

19         (3)  The information contained in the handbook or other

20  electronic media presentation may be reviewed and updated

21  annually, and may include, but need not be limited to:

22         (a)  Prenuptial agreements; as a contract and as an

23  opportunity to structure financial arrangements and other

24  aspects of the marital relationship.

25         (b)  Shared parental responsibility for children; the

26  determination of primary residence or custody and secondary

27  residence or routine visitation, holiday, summer, and vacation

28  visitation arrangements, telephone access, and the process for

29  notice for changes.

30         (c)  Permanent relocation restrictions on parents with

31  primary residential responsibility.


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  1         (d)  Child support for minor children; both parents are

  2  obligated for support in accordance with applicable child

  3  support guidelines.

  4         (e)  Property rights, including equitable distribution,

  5  special equity, premarital property, and nonmarital property.

  6         (f)  Alimony, including temporary, permanent

  7  rehabilitative, and lump sum.

  8         (g)  Domestic violence and child abuse and neglect,

  9  including penalties and other ramifications of false

10  reporting.

11         (h)  Court process for dissolution with or without

12  legal assistance, including who may attend, the recording of

13  proceedings, how to access those records, and the cost of such

14  access.

15         (i)  Parent education course requirements for divorcing

16  parents with children.

17         (j)  Community resources that are available for

18  separating or divorcing persons and their children.

19         (k)  Women's rights specified in the Battered Women's

20  Bill of Rights.

21         (4)  The material contained in such a handbook may also

22  be provided through videotape or other suitable electronic

23  media. The information contained in the handbook or other

24  electronic media presentation shall be reviewed and updated

25  annually.

26         Section 8.  Effective January 1, 1999, section 741.04,

27  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

28         741.04  Marriage license issued.--

29         (1)  No county court judge or clerk of the circuit

30  court in this state shall issue a license for the marriage of

31  any person unless there shall be first presented and filed


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  1  with him or her an affidavit in writing, signed by both

  2  parties to the marriage, providing the social security numbers

  3  of each party, made and subscribed before some person

  4  authorized by law to administer an oath, reciting the true and

  5  correct ages of such parties; unless both such parties shall

  6  be over the age of 18 years, except as provided in s.

  7  741.0405; and unless one party is a male and the other party

  8  is a female. Pursuant to the federal Personal Responsibility

  9  and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, each party is

10  required to provide his or her social security number in

11  accordance with this section. Disclosure of social security

12  numbers obtained through this requirement shall be limited to

13  the purpose of administration of the Title IV-D program for

14  child support enforcement.

15         (2)  No county court judge or clerk of the circuit

16  court in this state shall issue a license for the marriage of

17  any person unless there shall be first presented and filed

18  with him or her:

19         (a)  A statement in writing, signed by both parties,

20  which specifies whether the parties, separately or together,

21  have completed a premarital preparation course.

22         (b)  A statement that verifies that both parties have

23  obtained and read or otherwise accessed the information

24  contained in the handbook or other electronic media

25  presentation of the rights and responsibilities of parties to

26  a marriage specified in s. 741.0306.

27         (3)  If a couple has not submitted to the clerk valid

28  certificates of completion of a premarital preparation course,

29  the effective date of the marriage license shall be delayed 3

30  days from the date of application. The effective date shall be

31  printed on the marriage license in bold print. If a couple has


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  1  submitted valid certificates of completion of a premarital

  2  preparation course, the effective date of the marriage license

  3  shall not be delayed. Exceptions to the delayed effective date

  4  must be granted to non-Florida residents seeking a marriage

  5  license from the state and for individuals asserting hardship.

  6  Marriage license fee waivers shall continue to be available to

  7  all eligible individuals. For state residents, a county court

  8  judge issuing a marriage license may waive the delayed

  9  effective date for good cause.

10         Section 9.  (1)  When applying for a marriage license,

11  an applicant may complete and file with the clerk of the

12  circuit court an unsigned anonymous informational

13  questionnaire which shall be provided by the clerk. The clerk

14  shall, for purposes of anonymity, keep all such questionnaires

15  in a separate file for later distribution by the clerk to

16  researchers from The Florida State University Center for

17  Marriage and Family. These questionnaires must be made

18  available to researchers from the center at their request.

19  Researchers from the center shall develop the questionnaire

20  and distribute them to the clerk of the circuit court in each

21  county.

22         (2)  This section shall take effect January 1, 1999.

23         Section 10.  Effective January 1, 1999, section 741.05,

24  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

25         741.05  Penalty for violation of ss. 741.03,

26  741.04(1).--Any county court judge, clerk of the circuit

27  court, or other person who shall violate any provision of ss.

28  741.03 and 741.04(1) shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the

29  first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.

30  775.083.

31


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  1         Section 11.  Effective January 1, 1999, section 61.043,

  2  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         61.043  Commencement of a proceeding for dissolution of

  4  marriage or for alimony and child support.--

  5         (1)  A proceeding for dissolution of marriage or a

  6  proceeding under  s. 61.09 shall be commenced by filing in the

  7  circuit court a petition entitled "In re the marriage of ....,

  8  husband, and ...., wife."  A copy of the petition together

  9  with a copy of a summons shall be served upon the other party

10  to the marriage in the same manner as service of papers in

11  civil actions generally.

12         (2)  Upon filing for dissolution of marriage, the

13  petitioner must complete and file with the clerk of the

14  circuit court an unsigned anonymous informational

15  questionnaire. For purposes of anonymity, completed

16  questionnaires must be kept in a separate file for later

17  distribution by the clerk to researchers from The Florida

18  State University Center for Marriage and Family. These

19  questionnaires must be made available to researchers from The

20  Florida State University Center for Marriage and Family at

21  their request. The actual questionnaire shall be formulated by

22  researchers from Florida State University who shall distribute

23  them to the clerk of the circuit court in each county.

24         Section 12.  Effective January 1, 1999, subsection (2)

25  of section 61.052, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

26         61.052  Dissolution of marriage.--

27         (2)  Based on the evidence at the hearing, which

28  evidence need not be corroborated except to establish that the

29  residence requirements of s. 61.021 are met which may be

30  corroborated by a valid Florida driver's license, a Florida

31  voter's registration card, a valid Florida identification card


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  1  issued under ss. 322.051, or the testimony or affidavit of a

  2  third party, the court shall dispose of the petition for

  3  dissolution of marriage when the petition is based on the

  4  allegation that the marriage is irretrievably broken as

  5  follows:

  6         (a)  If there is no minor child of the marriage and if

  7  the responding party does not, by answer to the petition for

  8  dissolution, deny that the marriage is irretrievably broken,

  9  the court shall enter a judgment of dissolution of the

10  marriage if the court finds that the marriage is irretrievably

11  broken.

12         (b)  When there is a minor child of the marriage, or

13  when the responding party denies by answer to the petition for

14  dissolution that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the

15  court may:

16         1.  Order either or both parties to consult with a

17  marriage counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, minister,

18  priest, rabbi, or any other person deemed qualified by the

19  court and acceptable to the party or parties ordered to seek

20  consultation; or

21         2.  Continue the proceedings for a reasonable length of

22  time not to exceed 3 months, to enable the parties themselves

23  to effect a reconciliation; or

24         3.  Take such other action as may be in the best

25  interest of the parties and the minor child of the marriage.

26

27  If, at any time, the court finds that the marriage is

28  irretrievably broken, the court shall enter a judgment of

29  dissolution of the marriage.  If the court finds that the

30  marriage is not irretrievably broken, it shall deny the

31  petition for dissolution of marriage.


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  1         Section 13.  Effective January 1, 1999, section 61.21,

  2  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         61.21  Parenting course authorized; fees; required

  4  attendance authorized; contempt.--

  5         (1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; PURPOSE.--It is the finding

  6  of the Legislature that:

  7         (a)  A large number of children experience the

  8  separation or divorce of their parents each year. Parental

  9  conflict related to divorce is a societal concern because

10  children suffer potential short-term and long-term detrimental

11  economic, emotional, and educational effects during this

12  difficult period of family transition. This is particularly

13  true when parents engage in lengthy legal conflict.

14         (b)  Parents are more likely to consider the best

15  interests of their children when determining parental

16  arrangements if courts provide families with information

17  regarding the process by which courts make decisions on issues

18  affecting their children and suggestions as to how parents may

19  ease the coming adjustments in family structure for their

20  children.

21         (c)  It has been found to be beneficial to parents who

22  are separating or divorcing to have available an educational

23  program that will provide general information regarding:

24         1.  The issues and legal procedures for resolving

25  custody and child support disputes.

26         2.  The emotional experiences and problems of divorcing

27  adults.

28         3. The family problems and the emotional concerns and

29  needs of the children.

30         4.  The availability of community services and

31  resources.


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  1         (d)  Parents who are separating or divorcing are more

  2  likely to receive maximum benefit from a program if they

  3  attend such program at the earliest stages of their dispute,

  4  before extensive litigation occurs and adversarial positions

  5  are assumed or intensified.

  6         (2)(1)  All judicial circuits in the state shall may

  7  approve a parenting course which shall be a course of a

  8  minimum of 4 hours designed to educate, train, and assist

  9  divorcing parents in regard to the consequences of divorce on

10  parents and children.

11         (a)  The parenting course referred to in this section

12  shall be named the Parent Education and Family Stabilization

13  Course and may include, but need not be limited to, the

14  following topics as they relate to court actions between

15  parents involving custody, care, visitation, and support of a

16  child or children:

17         1.  Legal aspects of deciding child-related issues

18  between parents.

19         2.  Emotional aspects of separation and divorce on

20  adults.

21         3.  Emotional aspects of separation and divorce on

22  children.

23         4.  Family relationships and family dynamics.

24         5.  Financial responsibilities to a child or children.

25         6.  Issues regarding spousal or child abuse and

26  neglect.

27         7.  Skill-based relationship education that may be

28  generalized to parenting, workplace, school, neighborhood, and

29  civic relationships.

30         (b)  Information regarding spousal and child abuse and

31  neglect shall be included in every parent education and family


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    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1  stabilization course. A list of local agencies that provide

  2  assistance with such issues shall also be provided.

  3         (c)  The parent education and family stabilization

  4  course shall be educational in nature and shall not be

  5  designed to provide individual mental health therapy for

  6  parents or children, or individual legal advice to parents or

  7  children.

  8         (d)  Course providers shall not solicit participants

  9  from the sessions they conduct to become private clients or

10  patients.

11         (e)  Course providers shall not give individual legal

12  advice or mental health therapy.

13         (3)(2)  All parties to a dissolution of marriage

14  proceeding with minor children or a paternity action which

15  involves issues of parental responsibility shall or a

16  modification of a final judgment action involving shared

17  parental responsibilities, custody, or visitation may be

18  required to complete the Parent Education and Family

19  Stabilization a court-approved parenting Course prior to the

20  entry by the court of a final judgment or order modifying the

21  final judgment. The court may excuse a party from attending

22  the parenting course for good cause.

23         (4)(3)  All parties required to complete a parenting

24  course under this section shall begin the course as

25  expeditiously as possible after filing for dissolution of

26  marriage and shall file proof of compliance with the court

27  prior to the entry of the final judgment or order modifying

28  the final judgment.

29         (5)  All parties to a modification of a final judgment

30  involving shared parental responsibilities, custody, or

31  visitation may be required to complete a court-approved


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    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1  parenting course prior to the entry of an order modifying the

  2  final judgment.

  3         (6)  Each judicial circuit may establish a registry of

  4  course providers and sites at which the parent education and

  5  family stabilization course required by this section may be

  6  completed. The court shall also include within the registry of

  7  course providers and sites at least one site in each circuit

  8  at which the parent education and family stabilization course

  9  may be completed on a sliding fee scale, if available.

10         (7)(4)  A reasonable fee may be charged to each parent

11  attending the course.

12         (8)(5)  Information obtained or statements made by the

13  parties at any educational session required under this statute

14  shall not be considered in the adjudication of a pending or

15  subsequent action, nor shall any report resulting from such

16  educational session become part of the record of the case

17  unless the parties have stipulated in writing to the contrary.

18         (9)(6)  The court may hold any parent who fails to

19  attend a required parenting course in contempt or that parent

20  may be denied shared parental responsibility or visitation or

21  otherwise sanctioned as the court deems appropriate.

22         (10)(7)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to

23  require the parties to a dissolution of marriage to attend a

24  court-approved parenting course together.

25         (11)  The court may, without motion of either party,

26  prohibit the parenting course from being taken together, if

27  there is a history of domestic violence between the parties.

28         Section 14.  Effective January 1, 1999, paragraph (d)

29  is added to subsection (1) of section 28.101, Florida

30  Statutes, to read:

31


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  1         28.101  Petitions and records of dissolution of

  2  marriage; additional charges.--

  3         (1)  When a party petitions for a dissolution of

  4  marriage, in addition to the filing charges in s. 28.241, the

  5  clerk shall collect and receive:

  6         (d)  A charge of $32.50. On a monthly basis the clerk

  7  shall transfer the moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph

  8  as follows:

  9         1.  An amount of $7.50 to the State Treasury for

10  deposit in the Displaced Homemaker Trust Fund.

11         2.  An amount of $25 to the Supreme Court for deposit

12  in the Family Courts Trust Fund.

13         Section 15.  Effective January 1, 1999, section 25.388,

14  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

15         25.388  Family Courts Trust Fund.--

16         (1)(a)  The trust fund moneys in the Family Courts

17  Trust Fund, administered by the Supreme Court, shall be used

18  to implement family court plans in all judicial circuits of

19  this state.

20         (b)  The Supreme Court, through the Office of the State

21  Courts Administrator, shall adopt a comprehensive plan for the

22  operation of the trust fund and the expenditure of any moneys

23  deposited into the trust fund. The plan shall provide for a

24  comprehensive integrated response to families in litigation,

25  including domestic violence matters, guardian ad litem

26  programs, mediation programs, legal support, training,

27  automation, and other related costs incurred to benefit the

28  citizens of the state and the courts in relation to family law

29  cases. The trust fund shall be used to fund the publication of

30  the handbook created pursuant to s. 741.0306.

31


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  1         (2)  As part of its comprehensive plan, the Supreme

  2  Court shall evaluate the necessity for an installment plan or

  3  a waiver for any or all of the fees based on financial

  4  necessity and report such findings to the Legislature.

  5         (3)  The trust fund shall be funded with moneys

  6  generated from fees assessed pursuant to ss. 28.101 and s.

  7  741.01(4).

  8         Section 16.  Effective January 1, 1999, there is hereby

  9  appropriated in fiscal year 1998-1999 the sum of $75,000 from

10  the General Revenue Fund to the Florida State University

11  Center for Marriage and Family for review of premarital

12  preparation courses, development of premarital preparation

13  pilot programs, and development of a questionnaire and

14  creation of a curriculum based on data collected by its

15  researchers.

16         Section 17.  Part I of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

17  consisting of sections 39.001, 39.01, 39.011, 39.012, 39.0121,

18  39.013, 39.0131, 39.0132, 39.0133, 39.0134, and 39.0135,

19  Florida Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

20                              PART I

21                        GENERAL PROVISIONS

22         Section 18.  Section 39.001, Florida Statutes, is

23  amended, subsection (3) of said section is renumbered as

24  subsection (9), section 39.002, Florida Statutes, is

25  renumbered as subsections (3), (4), and (5) of said section

26  and amended, and section 415.501, Florida Statutes, is

27  renumbered as subsections (6), (7), and (8) of said section

28  and amended, to read:

29         39.001  Purposes and intent; personnel standards and

30  screening.--

31


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    1998 Legislature                      HB 1019, Third Engrossed



  1         (1)  PURPOSES OF CHAPTER.--The purposes of this chapter

  2  are:

  3         (a)(b)  To provide for the care, safety, and protection

  4  of children in an environment that fosters healthy social,

  5  emotional, intellectual, and physical development; to ensure

  6  secure and safe custody; and to promote the health and

  7  well-being of all children under the state's care.

  8         (b)  To recognize that most families desire to be

  9  competent caregivers and providers for their children and that

10  children achieve their greatest potential when families are

11  able to support and nurture the growth and development of

12  their children. Therefore, the Legislature finds that policies

13  and procedures that provide for intervention through the

14  department's child protection system should be based on the

15  following principles:

16         1.  The health and safety of the children served shall

17  be of paramount concern.

18         2.  The intervention should engage families in

19  constructive, supportive, and nonadversarial relationships.

20         3.  The intervention should intrude as little as

21  possible into the life of the family, be focused on clearly

22  defined objectives, and take the most parsimonious path to

23  remedy a family's problems.

24         4.  The intervention should be based upon outcome

25  evaluation results that demonstrate success in protecting

26  children and supporting families.

27         (c)  To provide a child protection system that reflects

28  a partnership between the department, other agencies, and

29  local communities.

30         (d)  To provide a child protection system that is

31  sensitive to the social and cultural diversity of the state.


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  1         (e)  To provide procedures which allow the department

  2  to respond to reports of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect

  3  in the most efficient and effective manner that ensures the

  4  health and safety of children and the integrity of families.

  5         (c)  To ensure the protection of society, by providing

  6  for a comprehensive standardized assessment of the child's

  7  needs so that the most appropriate control, discipline,

  8  punishment, and treatment can be administered consistent with

  9  the seriousness of the act committed, the community's

10  long-term need for public safety, the prior record of the

11  child and the specific rehabilitation needs of the child,

12  while also providing whenever possible restitution to the

13  victim of the offense.

14         (f)(d)  To preserve and strengthen the child's family

15  ties whenever possible, removing the child from parental

16  custody only when his or her welfare or the safety and

17  protection of the public cannot be adequately safeguarded

18  without such removal.; and, when the child is removed from his

19  or her own family, to secure for the child custody, care, and

20  discipline as nearly as possible equivalent to that which

21  should have been given by the parents; and to assure, in all

22  cases in which a child must be permanently removed from

23  parental custody, that the child be placed in an approved

24  family home, adoptive home, independent living program, or

25  other placement that provides the most stable and permanent

26  living arrangement for the child, as determined by the court.

27         (g)  To ensure that the parent or guardian from whose

28  custody the child has been taken assists the department to the

29  fullest extent possible in locating relatives suitable to

30  serve as caregivers for the child.

31


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  1         (h)  To ensure that permanent placement with the

  2  biological or adoptive family is achieved as soon as possible

  3  for every child in foster care and that no child remains in

  4  foster care longer than 1 year.

  5         (i)  To secure for the child, when removal of the child

  6  from his or her own family is necessary, custody, care, and

  7  discipline as nearly as possible equivalent to that which

  8  should have been given by the parents; and to ensure, in all

  9  cases in which a child must be removed from parental custody,

10  that the child is placed in an approved relative home,

11  licensed foster home, adoptive home, or independent living

12  program that provides the most stable and potentially

13  permanent living arrangement for the child, as determined by

14  the court. All placements shall be in a safe environment where

15  drugs and alcohol are not abused.

16         (j)  To ensure that, when reunification or adoption is

17  not possible, the child will be prepared for alternative

18  permanency goals or placements, to include, but not be limited

19  to, long-term foster care, independent living, custody to a

20  relative on a permanent basis with or without legal

21  guardianship, or custody to a foster parent or caregiver on a

22  permanent basis with or without legal guardianship.

23         (k)  To make every possible effort, when two or more

24  children who are in the care or under the supervision of the

25  department are siblings, to place the siblings in the same

26  home; and in the event of permanent placement of the siblings,

27  to place them in the same adoptive home or, if the siblings

28  are separated, to keep them in contact with each other.

29         (l)(a)  To provide judicial and other procedures to

30  assure due process through which children, parents, and

31  guardians and other interested parties are assured fair


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  1  hearings by a respectful and respected court or other tribunal

  2  and the recognition, protection, and enforcement of their

  3  constitutional and other legal rights, while ensuring that

  4  public safety interests and the authority and dignity of the

  5  courts are adequately protected.

  6         (m)  To ensure that children under the jurisdiction of

  7  the courts are provided equal treatment with respect to goals,

  8  objectives, services, and case plans, without regard to the

  9  location of their placement. It is the further intent of the

10  Legislature that, when children are removed from their homes,

11  disruption to their education be minimized to the extent

12  possible.

13         (e)1.  To assure that the adjudication and disposition

14  of a child alleged or found to have committed a violation of

15  Florida law be exercised with appropriate discretion and in

16  keeping with the seriousness of the offense and the need for

17  treatment services, and that all findings made under this

18  chapter be based upon facts presented at a hearing that meets

19  the constitutional standards of fundamental fairness and due

20  process.

21         2.  To assure that the sentencing and placement of a

22  child tried as an adult be appropriate and in keeping with the

23  seriousness of the offense and the child's need for

24  rehabilitative services, and that the proceedings and

25  procedures applicable to such sentencing and placement be

26  applied within the full framework of constitutional standards

27  of fundamental fairness and due process.

28         (f)  To provide children committed to the Department of

29  Juvenile Justice with training in life skills, including

30  career education.

31


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  1         (2)  DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS.--The department of Juvenile

  2  Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services, as

  3  appropriate, may contract with the Federal Government, other

  4  state departments and agencies, county and municipal

  5  governments and agencies, public and private agencies, and

  6  private individuals and corporations in carrying out the

  7  purposes of, and the responsibilities established in, this

  8  chapter.

  9         (a)  When the department of Juvenile Justice or the

10  Department of Children and Family Services contracts with a

11  provider for any program for children, all personnel,

12  including owners, operators, employees, and volunteers, in the

13  facility must be of good moral character. A volunteer who

14  assists on an intermittent basis for less than 40 hours per

15  month need not be screened if the volunteer is under direct

16  and constant supervision by persons who meet the screening

17  requirements.

18         (b)  The department of Juvenile Justice and the

19  Department of Children and Family Services shall require

20  employment screening, and rescreening no less frequently than

21  once every 5 years, pursuant to chapter 435, using the level 2

22  standards set forth in that chapter for personnel in programs

23  for children or youths.

24         (c)  The department of Juvenile Justice or the

25  Department of Children and Family Services may grant

26  exemptions from disqualification from working with children as

27  provided in s. 435.07.

28         (d)  The department shall require all job applicants,

29  current employees, volunteers, and contract personnel who

30  currently perform or are seeking to perform child protective

31  investigations to be drug tested pursuant to the procedures


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  1  and requirements of s. 112.0455, the Drug-Free Workplace Act.

  2  The department is authorized to adopt rules, policies, and

  3  procedures necessary to implement this paragraph.

  4         (e)  The department shall develop and implement a

  5  written and performance-based testing and evaluation program

  6  pursuant to s. 20.19(4), to ensure measurable competencies of

  7  all employees assigned to manage or supervise cases of child

  8  abuse, abandonment, and neglect.

  9         39.002  Legislative intent.--

10         (3)(1)  GENERAL PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN.--It is a

11  purpose of the Legislature that the children of this state be

12  provided with the following protections:

13         (a)  Protection from abuse, abandonment, neglect, and

14  exploitation.

15         (b)  A permanent and stable home.

16         (c)  A safe and nurturing environment which will

17  preserve a sense of personal dignity and integrity.

18         (d)  Adequate nutrition, shelter, and clothing.

19         (e)  Effective treatment to address physical, social,

20  and emotional needs, regardless of geographical location.

21         (f)  Equal opportunity and access to quality and

22  effective education, which will meet the individual needs of

23  each child, and to recreation and other community resources to

24  develop individual abilities.

25         (g)  Access to preventive services.

26         (h)  An independent, trained advocate, when

27  intervention is necessary and a skilled guardian or caregiver

28  caretaker in a safe environment when alternative placement is

29  necessary.

30         (4)(2)  SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES.--The Legislature

31  finds that children in the care of the state's dependency


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  1  system and delinquency systems need appropriate health care

  2  services, that the impact of substance abuse on health

  3  indicates the need for health care services to include

  4  substance abuse services to children and parents where

  5  appropriate, and that it is in the state's best interest that

  6  such children be provided the services they need to enable

  7  them to become and remain independent of state care.  In order

  8  to provide these services, the state's dependency system and

  9  delinquency systems must have the ability to identify and

10  provide appropriate intervention and treatment for children

11  with personal or family-related substance abuse problems.  It

12  is therefore the purpose of the Legislature to provide

13  authority for the state to contract with community substance

14  abuse treatment providers for the development and operation of

15  specialized support and overlay services for the dependency

16  system and delinquency systems, which will be fully

17  implemented and utilized as resources permit.

18         (5)(3)  PARENTAL, CUSTODIAL, AND GUARDIAN

19  RESPONSIBILITIES.--Parents, custodians, and guardians are

20  deemed by the state to be responsible for providing their

21  children with sufficient support, guidance, and supervision to

22  deter their participation in delinquent acts. The state

23  further recognizes that the ability of parents, custodians,

24  and guardians to fulfill those responsibilities can be greatly

25  impaired by economic, social, behavioral, emotional, and

26  related problems. It is therefore the policy of the

27  Legislature that it is the state's responsibility to ensure

28  that factors impeding the ability of caregivers caretakers to

29  fulfill their responsibilities are identified through the

30  dependency delinquency intake process and that appropriate

31


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  1  recommendations and services to address those problems are

  2  considered in any judicial or nonjudicial proceeding.

  3         415.501  Prevention of abuse and neglect of children;

  4  state plan.--

  5         (6)(1)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT FOR THE PREVENTION OF ABUSE,

  6  ABANDONMENT, AND NEGLECT OF CHILDREN.--The incidence of known

  7  child abuse, abandonment, and child neglect has increased

  8  rapidly over the past 5 years.  The impact that abuse,

  9  abandonment, or neglect has on the victimized child, siblings,

10  family structure, and inevitably on all citizens of the state

11  has caused the Legislature to determine that the prevention of

12  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect shall be a priority of

13  this state.  To further this end, it is the intent of the

14  Legislature that a comprehensive approach for the prevention

15  of abuse, abandonment, and neglect of children be developed

16  for the state and that this planned, comprehensive approach be

17  used as a basis for funding.

18         (7)(2)  PLAN FOR COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.--

19         (a)  The department of Children and Family Services

20  shall develop a state plan for the prevention of abuse,

21  abandonment, and neglect of children and shall submit the plan

22  to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President

23  of the Senate, and the Governor no later than January 1, 1983.

24  The Department of Education and the Division of Children's

25  Medical Services of the Department of Health shall participate

26  and fully cooperate in the development of the state plan at

27  both the state and local levels. Furthermore, appropriate

28  local agencies and organizations shall be provided an

29  opportunity to participate in the development of the state

30  plan at the local level.  Appropriate local groups and

31  organizations shall include, but not be limited to, community


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  1  mental health centers; guardian ad litem programs for children

  2  under the circuit court; the school boards of the local school

  3  districts; the district human rights advocacy committees;

  4  private or public organizations or programs with recognized

  5  expertise in working with children who are sexually abused,

  6  physically abused, emotionally abused, abandoned, or neglected

  7  and with expertise in working with the families of such

  8  children; private or public programs or organizations with

  9  expertise in maternal and infant health care;

10  multidisciplinary child protection teams; child day care

11  centers; law enforcement agencies, and the circuit courts,

12  when guardian ad litem programs are not available in the local

13  area.  The state plan to be provided to the Legislature and

14  the Governor shall include, as a minimum, the information

15  required of the various groups in paragraph (b).

16         (b)  The development of the comprehensive state plan

17  shall be accomplished in the following manner:

18         1.  The department of Children and Family Services

19  shall establish an interprogram task force comprised of the

20  Assistant Secretary for Children and Family Services, or a

21  designee, a representative from the Children and Families

22  Program Office, a representative from the Alcohol, Drug Abuse,

23  and Mental Health Program Office, a representative from the

24  Developmental Services Program Office, a representative from

25  the Office of Standards and Evaluation, and a representative

26  from the Division of Children's Medical Services of the

27  Department of Health.  Representatives of the Department of

28  Law Enforcement and of the Department of Education shall serve

29  as ex officio members of the interprogram task force. The

30  interprogram task force shall be responsible for:

31


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  1         a.  Developing a plan of action for better coordination

  2  and integration of the goals, activities, and funding

  3  pertaining to the prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and

  4  neglect conducted by the department in order to maximize staff

  5  and resources at the state level.  The plan of action shall be

  6  included in the state plan.

  7         b.  Providing a basic format to be utilized by the

  8  districts in the preparation of local plans of action in order

  9  to provide for uniformity in the district plans and to provide

10  for greater ease in compiling information for the state plan.

11         c.  Providing the districts with technical assistance

12  in the development of local plans of action, if requested.

13         d.  Examining the local plans to determine if all the

14  requirements of the local plans have been met and, if they

15  have not, informing the districts of the deficiencies and

16  requesting the additional information needed.

17         e.  Preparing the state plan for submission to the

18  Legislature and the Governor.  Such preparation shall include

19  the collapsing of information obtained from the local plans,

20  the cooperative plans with the Department of Education, and

21  the plan of action for coordination and integration of

22  departmental activities into one comprehensive plan.  The

23  comprehensive plan shall include a section reflecting general

24  conditions and needs, an analysis of variations based on

25  population or geographic areas, identified problems, and

26  recommendations for change.  In essence, the plan shall

27  provide an analysis and summary of each element of the local

28  plans to provide a statewide perspective.  The plan shall also

29  include each separate local plan of action.

30

31


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  1         f.  Working with the specified state agency in

  2  fulfilling the requirements of subparagraphs 2., 3., 4., and

  3  5.

  4         2.  The department, the Department of Education, the

  5  Department of Children and Family Services, and the Department

  6  of Health shall work together in developing ways to inform and

  7  instruct parents of school children and appropriate district

  8  school personnel in all school districts in the detection of

  9  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect and in the proper action

10  that should be taken in a suspected case of child abuse,

11  abandonment, or neglect, and in caring for a child's needs

12  after a report is made. The plan for accomplishing this end

13  shall be included in the state plan.

14         3.  The department, the Department of Law Enforcement,

15  the Department of Children and Family Services, and the

16  Department of Health shall work together in developing ways to

17  inform and instruct appropriate local law enforcement

18  personnel in the detection of child abuse, abandonment, and

19  neglect and in the proper action that should be taken in a

20  suspected case of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

21         4.  Within existing appropriations, the department of

22  Children and Family Services shall work with other appropriate

23  public and private agencies to emphasize efforts to educate

24  the general public about the problem of and ways to detect

25  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect and in the proper action

26  that should be taken in a suspected case of child abuse,

27  abandonment, or neglect.  The plan for accomplishing this end

28  shall be included in the state plan.

29         5.  The department, the Department of Education, the

30  Department of Children and Family Services, and the Department

31  of Health shall work together on the enhancement or adaptation


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  1  of curriculum materials to assist instructional personnel in

  2  providing instruction through a multidisciplinary approach on

  3  the identification, intervention, and prevention of child

  4  abuse, abandonment, and neglect.  The curriculum materials

  5  shall be geared toward a sequential program of instruction at

  6  the four progressional levels, K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12.

  7  Strategies for encouraging all school districts to utilize the

  8  curriculum are to be included in the comprehensive state plan

  9  for the prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and child

10  neglect.

11         6.  Each district of the department of Children and

12  Family Services shall develop a plan for its specific

13  geographical area.  The plan developed at the district level

14  shall be submitted to the interprogram task force for

15  utilization in preparing the state plan.  The district local

16  plan of action shall be prepared with the involvement and

17  assistance of the local agencies and organizations listed in

18  paragraph (a), as well as representatives from those

19  departmental district offices participating in the treatment

20  and prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect.  In

21  order to accomplish this, the district administrator in each

22  district shall establish a task force on the prevention of

23  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect.  The district

24  administrator shall appoint the members of the task force in

25  accordance with the membership requirements of this section.

26  In addition, the district administrator shall ensure that each

27  subdistrict is represented on the task force; and, if the

28  district does not have subdistricts, the district

29  administrator shall ensure that both urban and rural areas are

30  represented on the task force.  The task force shall develop a

31  written statement clearly identifying its operating


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  1  procedures, purpose, overall responsibilities, and method of

  2  meeting responsibilities.  The district plan of action to be

  3  prepared by the task force shall include, but shall not be

  4  limited to:

  5         a.  Documentation of the magnitude of the problems of

  6  child abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, and

  7  emotional abuse, and child abandonment and neglect in its

  8  geographical area.

  9         b.  A description of programs currently serving abused,

10  abandoned, and neglected children and their families and a

11  description of programs for the prevention of child abuse,

12  abandonment, and neglect, including information on the impact,

13  cost-effectiveness, and sources of funding of such programs.

14         c.  A continuum of programs and services necessary for

15  a comprehensive approach to the prevention of all types of

16  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect as well as a brief

17  description of such programs and services.

18         d.  A description, documentation, and priority ranking

19  of local needs related to child abuse, abandonment, and

20  neglect prevention based upon the continuum of programs and

21  services.

22         e.  A plan for steps to be taken in meeting identified

23  needs, including the coordination and integration of services

24  to avoid unnecessary duplication and cost, and for alternative

25  funding strategies for meeting needs through the reallocation

26  of existing resources, utilization of volunteers, contracting

27  with local universities for services, and local government or

28  private agency funding.

29         f.  A description of barriers to the accomplishment of

30  a comprehensive approach to the prevention of child abuse,

31  abandonment, and neglect.


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  1         g.  Recommendations for changes that can be

  2  accomplished only at the state program level or by legislative

  3  action.

  4         (8)(3)  FUNDING AND SUBSEQUENT PLANS.--

  5         (a)  All budget requests submitted by the department of

  6  Children and Family Services, the Department of Education, or

  7  any other agency to the Legislature for funding of efforts for

  8  the prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect shall

  9  be based on the state plan developed pursuant to this section.

10         (b)  The department of Children and Family Services at

11  the state and district levels and the other agencies listed in

12  paragraph (7)(2)(a) shall readdress the plan and make

13  necessary revisions every 5 years, at a minimum. Such

14  revisions shall be submitted to the Speaker of the House of

15  Representatives and the President of the Senate no later than

16  June 30 of each year divisible by 5.  An annual progress

17  report shall be submitted to update the plan in the years

18  between the 5-year intervals.  In order to avoid duplication

19  of effort, these required plans may be made a part of or

20  merged with other plans required by either the state or

21  Federal Government, so long as the portions of the other state

22  or Federal Government plan that constitute the state plan for

23  the prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect are

24  clearly identified as such and are provided to the Speaker of

25  the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate

26  as required above.

27         (9)(3)  LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION.--It is the intent of the

28  Legislature that this chapter be liberally interpreted and

29  construed in conformity with its declared purposes.

30

31


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    ENROLLED

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  1         Section 19.  Section 415.5015, Florida Statutes, is

  2  renumbered as section 39.0015, Florida Statutes, and amended

  3  to read:

  4         39.0015 415.5015  Child abuse prevention training in

  5  the district school system.--

  6         (1)  SHORT TITLE.--This section may be cited as the

  7  "Child Abuse Prevention Training Act of 1985."

  8         (2)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--It is the intent of the

  9  Legislature that primary prevention training for all children

10  in kindergarten through grade 12 be encouraged in the district

11  school system through the training of school teachers,

12  guidance counselors, parents, and children.

13         (3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:

14         (a)  "Department" means the Department of Education.

15         (b)  "Child abuse" means those acts as defined in ss.

16  39.01, 415.503, and 827.04.

17         (c)  "Primary prevention and training program" means a

18  training and educational program for children, parents, and

19  teachers which is directed toward preventing the occurrence of

20  child abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, child

21  abandonment, child neglect, and drug and alcohol abuse, and

22  toward reducing the vulnerability of children through training

23  of children and through including coordination with, and

24  training for, parents and school personnel.

25         (d)  "Prevention training center" means a center as

26  described in subsection (5).

27         (4)  PRIMARY PREVENTION AND TRAINING PROGRAM.--A

28  primary prevention and training program shall include all of

29  the following, as appropriate for the persons being trained:

30         (a)  Information provided in a clear and nonthreatening

31  manner, describing the problem of sexual abuse, physical


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  1  abuse, abandonment, neglect, and alcohol and drug abuse, and

  2  the possible solutions.

  3         (b)  Information and training designed to counteract

  4  common stereotypes about victims and offenders.

  5         (c)  Crisis counseling techniques.

  6         (d)  Available community resources and ways to access

  7  those resources.

  8         (e)  Physical and behavioral indicators of abuse.

  9         (f)  Rights and responsibilities regarding reporting.

10         (g)  School district procedures to facilitate

11  reporting.

12         (h)  Caring for a child's needs after a report is made.

13         (i)  How to disclose incidents of abuse.

14         (j)  Child safety training and age-appropriate

15  self-defense techniques.

16         (k)  The right of every child to live free of abuse.

17         (l)  The relationship of child abuse to handicaps in

18  young children.

19         (m)  Parenting, including communication skills.

20         (n)  Normal and abnormal child development.

21         (o)  Information on recognizing and alleviating family

22  stress caused by the demands required in caring for a

23  high-risk or handicapped child.

24         (p)  Supports needed by school-age parents in caring

25  for a young child.

26         (5)  PREVENTION TRAINING CENTERS; FUNCTIONS; SELECTION

27  PROCESS; MONITORING AND EVALUATION.--

28         (a)  Each training center shall perform the following

29  functions:

30         1.  Act as a clearinghouse to provide information on

31  prevention curricula which meet the requirements of this


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  1  section and the requirements of ss. 39.001, 231.17, and

  2  236.0811, and 415.501.

  3         2.  Assist the local school district in selecting a

  4  prevention program model which meets the needs of the local

  5  community.

  6         3.  At the request of the local school district, design

  7  and administer training sessions to develop or expand local

  8  primary prevention and training programs.

  9         4.  Provide assistance to local school districts,

10  including, but not limited to, all of the following:

11  administration, management, program development, multicultural

12  staffing, and community education, in order to better meet the

13  requirements of this section and of ss. 39.001, 231.17, and

14  236.0811, and 415.501.

15         5.  At the request of the department of Education or

16  the local school district, provide ongoing program development

17  and training to achieve all of the following:

18         a.  Meet the special needs of children, including, but

19  not limited to, the needs of disabled and high-risk children.

20         b.  Conduct an outreach program to inform the

21  surrounding communities of the existence of primary prevention

22  and training programs and of funds to conduct such programs.

23         6.  Serve as a resource to the Department of Children

24  and Family Services and its districts.

25         (b)  The department, in consultation with the

26  Department of Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative

27  Services, shall select and award grants by January 1, 1986,

28  for the establishment of three private, nonprofit prevention

29  training centers:  one located in and serving South Florida,

30  one located in and serving Central Florida, and one located in

31  and serving North Florida. The department, in consultation


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  1  with the Department of Children and Family Health and

  2  Rehabilitative Services, shall select an agency or agencies to

  3  establish three training centers which can fulfill the

  4  requirements of this section and meet the following

  5  requirements:

  6         1.  Have demonstrated experience in child abuse

  7  prevention training.

  8         2.  Have shown capacity for training primary prevention

  9  and training programs as provided for in subsections (3) and

10  defined in subsection (4).

11         3.  Have provided training and organizing technical

12  assistance to the greatest number of private prevention and

13  training programs.

14         4.  Have employed the greatest number of trainers with

15  experience in private child abuse prevention and training

16  programs.

17         5.  Have employed trainers which represent the cultural

18  diversity of the area.

19         6.  Have established broad community support.

20         (c)  The department shall monitor and evaluate primary

21  prevention and training programs utilized in the local school

22  districts and shall monitor and evaluate the impact of the

23  prevention training centers on the implementation of primary

24  prevention programs and their ability to meet the required

25  responsibilities of a center as described in this section.

26         (6)  The department of Education shall administer this

27  section act and in so doing is authorized to adopt rules and

28  standards necessary to implement the specific provisions of

29  this section act.

30

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  1         Section 20.  Section 39.01, Florida Statutes, as

  2  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is amended to

  3  read:

  4         39.01  Definitions.--When used in this chapter, unless

  5  the context otherwise requires:

  6         (1)  "Abandoned" means a situation in which the parent

  7  or legal custodian of a child or, in the absence of a parent

  8  or legal custodian, the caregiver person responsible for the

  9  child's welfare, while being able, makes no provision for the

10  child's support and makes no effort to communicate with the

11  child, which situation is sufficient to evince a willful

12  rejection of parental obligations. If the efforts of such

13  parent or legal custodian, or caregiver person primarily

14  responsible for the child's welfare, to support and

15  communicate with the child are, in the opinion of the court,

16  only marginal efforts that do not evince a settled purpose to

17  assume all parental duties, the court may declare the child to

18  be abandoned. The term "abandoned" does not include a "child

19  in need of services" as defined in chapter 984 or a "family in

20  need of services" as defined in chapter 984. The incarceration

21  of a parent, legal custodian, or caregiver person responsible

22  for a child's welfare may support does not constitute a bar to

23  a finding of abandonment.

24         (2)  "Abuse" means any willful act or threatened act

25  that results in any physical, mental, or sexual injury or harm

26  that causes or is likely to cause the child's physical,

27  mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired. For

28  the purpose of protective investigations, abuse of a child

29  includes the acts or omissions of the parent, legal custodian,

30  caregiver, or other person responsible for the child's

31  welfare. Corporal discipline of a child by a parent, legal


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  1  custodian, or caregiver guardian for disciplinary purposes

  2  does not in itself constitute abuse when it does not result in

  3  harm to the child as defined in s. 415.503.

  4         (3)  "Addictions receiving facility" means a substance

  5  abuse service provider as defined in chapter 397.

  6         (4)  "Adjudicatory hearing" means a hearing for the

  7  court to determine whether or not the facts support the

  8  allegations stated in the petition as is provided for under s.

  9  39.408(2), in dependency cases, or s. 39.467, in termination

10  of parental rights cases.

11         (5)  "Adult" means any natural person other than a

12  child.

13         (6)  "Adoption" means the act of creating the legal

14  relationship between parent and child where it did not exist,

15  thereby declaring the child to be legally the child of the

16  adoptive parents and their heir at law, and entitled to all

17  the rights and privileges and subject to all the obligations

18  of a child born to such adoptive parents in lawful wedlock.

19         (7)  "Alleged juvenile sexual offender" means:

20         (a)  A child 12 years of age or younger who is alleged

21  to have committed a violation of chapter 794, chapter 796,

22  chapter 800, s. 827.071, or s. 847.0133; or

23         (b)  A child who is alleged to have committed any

24  violation of law or delinquent act involving juvenile sexual

25  abuse. "Juvenile sexual abuse" means any sexual behavior which

26  occurs without consent, without equality, or as a result of

27  coercion.  For purposes of this paragraph, the following

28  definitions apply:

29         1.  "Coercion" means the exploitation of authority or

30  the use of bribes, threats of force, or intimidation to gain

31  cooperation or compliance.


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  1         2.  "Equality" means two participants operating with

  2  the same level of power in a relationship, neither being

  3  controlled nor coerced by the other.

  4         3.  "Consent" means an agreement, including all of the

  5  following:

  6         a.  Understanding what is proposed based on age,

  7  maturity, developmental level, functioning, and experience.

  8         b.  Knowledge of societal standards for what is being

  9  proposed.

10         c.  Awareness of potential consequences and

11  alternatives.

12         d.  Assumption that agreement or disagreement will be

13  accepted equally.

14         e.  Voluntary decision.

15         f.  Mental competence.

16

17  Juvenile sexual offender behavior ranges from noncontact

18  sexual behavior such as making obscene phone calls,

19  exhibitionism, voyeurism, and the showing or taking of lewd

20  photographs to varying degrees of direct sexual contact, such

21  as frottage, fondling, digital penetration, rape, fellatio,

22  sodomy, and various other sexually aggressive acts.

23         (8)(6)  "Arbitration" means a process whereby a neutral

24  third person or panel, called an arbitrator or an arbitration

25  panel, considers the facts and arguments presented by the

26  parties and renders a decision which may be binding or

27  nonbinding.

28         (9)(7)  "Authorized agent" or "designee" of the

29  department means an employee, volunteer, or other person or

30  agency determined by the state to be eligible for state-funded

31  risk management coverage, that is a person or agency assigned


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  1  or designated by the department of Juvenile Justice or the

  2  Department of Children and Family Services, as appropriate, to

  3  perform duties or exercise powers pursuant to this chapter and

  4  includes contract providers and their employees for purposes

  5  of providing services to and managing cases of children in

  6  need of services and families in need of services.

  7         (10)  "Caregiver" means the parent, legal custodian,

  8  adult household member, or other person responsible for a

  9  child's welfare as defined in subsection (47).

10         (8)  "Caretaker/homemaker" means an authorized agent of

11  the Department of Children and Family Services who shall

12  remain in the child's home with the child until a parent,

13  legal guardian, or relative of the child enters the home and

14  is capable of assuming and agrees to assume charge of the

15  child.

16         (11)(9)  "Case plan" or "plan" means a document, as

17  described in s. 39.601 39.4031, prepared by the department

18  with input from all parties, including parents, guardians ad

19  litem, legal custodians, caregivers, and the child. The case

20  plan, that follows the child from the provision of voluntary

21  services through any dependency, foster care, or termination

22  of parental rights proceeding or related activity or process.

23         (12)(10)  "Child" or "juvenile" or "youth" means any

24  unmarried person under the age of 18 years who has not been

25  emancipated by order of the court and who has been alleged or

26  found or alleged to be dependent, in need of services, or from

27  a family in need of services; or any married or unmarried

28  person who is charged with a violation of law occurring prior

29  to the time that person reached the age of 18 years.

30         (13)  "Child protection team" means a team of

31  professionals established by the department to receive


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  1  referrals from the protective investigators and protective

  2  supervision staff of the department and to provide specialized

  3  and supportive services to the program in processing child

  4  abuse, abandonment, or neglect cases. A child protection team

  5  shall provide consultation to other programs of the department

  6  and other persons regarding child abuse, abandonment, or

  7  neglect cases.

  8         (14)(11)  "Child who is found to be dependent" means a

  9  child who, pursuant to this chapter, is found by the court:

10         (a)  To have been abandoned, abused, or neglected by

11  the child's parent or parents, legal custodians, or

12  caregivers; or other custodians.

13         (b)  To have been surrendered to the department of

14  Children and Family Services, the former Department of Health

15  and Rehabilitative Services, or a licensed child-placing

16  agency for purpose of adoption;.

17         (c)  To have been voluntarily placed with a licensed

18  child-caring agency, a licensed child-placing agency, an adult

19  relative, the department of Children and Family Services, or

20  the former Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services,

21  after which placement, under the requirements of part II of

22  this chapter, a case plan has expired and the parent or

23  parents, legal custodians, or caregivers have failed to

24  substantially comply with the requirements of the plan;.

25         (d)  To have been voluntarily placed with a licensed

26  child-placing agency for the purposes of subsequent adoption,

27  and a natural parent or parents has signed a consent pursuant

28  to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure;.

29         (e)  To have no parent, legal custodian, or caregiver

30  responsible adult relative to provide supervision and care;

31  or.


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  1         (f)  To be at substantial risk of imminent abuse,

  2  abandonment, or neglect by the parent or parents, legal

  3  custodians, or caregivers or the custodian.

  4         (15)(12)  "Child support" means a court-ordered

  5  obligation, enforced under chapter 61 and ss.

  6  409.2551-409.2597, for monetary support for the care,

  7  maintenance, training, and education of a child.

  8         (16)(13)  "Circuit" means any of the 20 judicial

  9  circuits as set forth in s. 26.021.

10         (17)(14)  "Comprehensive assessment" or "assessment"

11  means the gathering of information for the evaluation of a

12  juvenile offender's or a child's and caregiver's physical,

13  psychiatric, psychological or mental health, educational,

14  vocational, and social condition and family environment as

15  they relate to the child's and caregiver's need for

16  rehabilitative and treatment services, including substance

17  abuse treatment services, mental health services,

18  developmental services, literacy services, medical services,

19  family services, and other specialized services, as

20  appropriate.

21         (18)(15)  "Court," unless otherwise expressly stated,

22  means the circuit court assigned to exercise jurisdiction

23  under this chapter.

24         (19)(16)  "Department," as used in this chapter, means

25  the Department of Children and Family Services.

26         (20)(17)  "Diligent efforts by a parent, legal

27  custodian, or caregiver" means a course of conduct which

28  results in a reduction in risk to the child in the child's

29  home that would allow the child to be safely placed

30  permanently back in the home as set forth in the case plan.

31


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  1         (21)(18)  "Diligent efforts of social service agency"

  2  means reasonable efforts to provide social services or

  3  reunification services made by any social service agency as

  4  defined in this section that is a party to a case plan.

  5         (22)(19)  "Diligent search" means the efforts of a

  6  social service agency to locate a parent or prospective parent

  7  whose identity or location is unknown, or a relative made

  8  known to the social services agency by the parent or custodian

  9  of a child. When the search is for a parent, prospective

10  parent, or relative of a child in the custody of the

11  department, this search must be initiated as soon as the

12  social service agency is made aware of the existence of such

13  parent, with the search progress reported at each court

14  hearing until the parent is either identified and located or

15  the court excuses further search. prospective parent, or

16  relative. A diligent search shall include interviews with

17  persons who are likely to have information about the identity

18  or location of the person being sought, comprehensive database

19  searches, and records searches, including searches of

20  employment, residence, utilities, Armed Forces, vehicle

21  registration, child support enforcement, law enforcement, and

22  corrections records, and any other records likely to result in

23  identifying and locating the person being sought. The initial

24  diligent search must be completed within 90 days after a child

25  is taken into custody. After the completion of the initial

26  diligent search, the department, unless excused by the court,

27  shall have a continuing duty to search for relatives with whom

28  it may be appropriate to place the child, until such relatives

29  are found or until the child is placed for adoption.

30         (23)(20)  "Disposition hearing" means a hearing in

31  which the court determines the most appropriate family support


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  1  dispositional services in the least restrictive available

  2  setting provided for under s. 39.408(3), in dependency cases,

  3  or s. 39.469, in termination of parental rights cases.

  4         (24)  "District" means any one of the 15 service

  5  districts of the department established pursuant to s. 20.19.

  6         (25)(21)  "District administrator" means the chief

  7  operating officer of each service district of the department

  8  of Children and Family Services as defined in s. 20.19(7)(6)

  9  and, where appropriate, includes any each district

10  administrator whose service district falls within the

11  boundaries of a judicial circuit.

12         (26)  "Expedited termination of parental rights" means

13  proceedings wherein a case plan with the goal of reunification

14  is not being offered.

15         (27)  "False report" means a report of abuse, neglect,

16  or abandonment of a child to the central abuse hotline, which

17  report is maliciously made for the purpose of:

18         (a)  Harassing, embarrassing, or harming another

19  person;

20         (b)  Personal financial gain for the reporting person;

21         (c)  Acquiring custody of a child; or

22         (d)  Personal benefit for the reporting person in any

23  other private dispute involving a child.

24

25  The term "false report" does not include a report of abuse,

26  neglect, or abandonment of a child made in good faith to the

27  central abuse hotline.

28         (28)(22)  "Family" means a collective body of persons,

29  consisting of a child and a parent, legal guardian, adult

30  custodian, caregiver, or adult relative, in which:

31


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  1         (a)  The persons reside in the same house or living

  2  unit; or

  3         (b)  The parent, legal guardian, adult custodian,

  4  caregiver, or adult relative has a legal responsibility by

  5  blood, marriage, or court order to support or care for the

  6  child.

  7         (29)(23)  "Foster care" means care provided a child in

  8  a foster family or boarding home, group home, agency boarding

  9  home, child care institution, or any combination thereof.

10         (30)  "Harm" to a child's health or welfare can occur

11  when the parent, legal custodian, or caregiver responsible for

12  the child's welfare:

13         (a)  Inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon the child

14  physical, mental, or emotional injury. In determining whether

15  harm has occurred, the following factors must be considered in

16  evaluating any physical, mental, or emotional injury to a

17  child: the age of the child; any prior history of injuries to

18  the child; the location of the injury on the body of the

19  child; the multiplicity of the injury; and the type of trauma

20  inflicted. Such injury includes, but is not limited to:

21         1.  Willful acts that produce the following specific

22  injuries:

23         a.  Sprains, dislocations, or cartilage damage.

24         b.  Bone or skull fractures.

25         c.  Brain or spinal cord damage.

26         d.  Intracranial hemorrhage or injury to other internal

27  organs.

28         e.  Asphyxiation, suffocation, or drowning.

29         f.  Injury resulting from the use of a deadly weapon.

30         g.  Burns or scalding.

31         h.  Cuts, lacerations, punctures, or bites.


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  1         i.  Permanent or temporary disfigurement.

  2         j.  Permanent or temporary loss or impairment of a body

  3  part or function.

  4

  5  As used in this subparagraph, the term "willful" refers to the

  6  intent to perform an action, not to the intent to achieve a

  7  result or to cause an injury.

  8         2.  Purposely giving a child poison, alcohol, drugs, or

  9  other substances that substantially affect the child's

10  behavior, motor coordination, or judgment or that result in

11  sickness or internal injury.  For the purposes of this

12  subparagraph, the term "drugs" means prescription drugs not

13  prescribed for the child or not administered as prescribed,

14  and controlled substances as outlined in Schedule I or

15  Schedule II of s. 893.03.

16         3.  Leaving a child without adult supervision or

17  arrangement appropriate for the child's age or mental or

18  physical condition, so that the child is unable to care for

19  the child's own needs or another's basic needs or is unable to

20  exercise good judgment in responding to any kind of physical

21  or emotional crisis.

22         4.  Inappropriate or excessively harsh disciplinary

23  action that is likely to result in physical injury, mental

24  injury as defined in this section, or emotional injury.  The

25  significance of any injury must be evaluated in light of the

26  following factors:  the age of the child; any prior history of

27  injuries to the child; the location of the injury on the body

28  of the child; the multiplicity of the injury; and the type of

29  trauma inflicted.  Corporal discipline may be considered

30  excessive or abusive when it results in any of the following

31  or other similar injuries:


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  1         a.  Sprains, dislocations, or cartilage damage.

  2         b.  Bone or skull fractures.

  3         c.  Brain or spinal cord damage.

  4         d.  Intracranial hemorrhage or injury to other internal

  5  organs.

  6         e.  Asphyxiation, suffocation, or drowning.

  7         f.  Injury resulting from the use of a deadly weapon.

  8         g.  Burns or scalding.

  9         h.  Cuts, lacerations, punctures, or bites.

10         i.  Permanent or temporary disfigurement.

11         j.  Permanent or temporary loss or impairment of a body

12  part or function.

13         k.  Significant bruises or welts.

14         (b)  Commits, or allows to be committed, sexual

15  battery, as defined in chapter 794, or lewd or lascivious

16  acts, as defined in chapter 800, against the child.

17         (c)  Allows, encourages, or forces the sexual

18  exploitation of a child, which includes allowing, encouraging,

19  or forcing a child to:

20         1.  Solicit for or engage in prostitution; or

21         2.  Engage in a sexual performance, as defined by

22  chapter 827.

23         (d)  Exploits a child, or allows a child to be

24  exploited, as provided in s. 450.151.

25         (e)  Abandons the child. Within the context of the

26  definition of "harm," the term "abandons the child" means that

27  the parent or legal custodian of a child or, in the absence of

28  a parent or legal custodian, the person responsible for the

29  child's welfare, while being able, makes no provision for the

30  child's support and makes no effort to communicate with the

31  child, which situation is sufficient to evince a willful


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  1  rejection of parental obligation.  If the efforts of such a

  2  parent or legal custodian or person primarily responsible for

  3  the child's welfare to support and communicate with the child

  4  are only marginal efforts that do not evince a settled purpose

  5  to assume all parental duties, the child may be determined to

  6  have been abandoned.

  7         (f)  Neglects the child. Within the context of the

  8  definition of "harm," the term "neglects the child" means that

  9  the parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare

10  fails to supply the child with adequate food, clothing,

11  shelter, or health care, although financially able to do so or

12  although offered financial or other means to do so.  However,

13  a parent, legal custodian, or caregiver who, by reason of the

14  legitimate practice of religious beliefs, does not provide

15  specified medical treatment for a child may not be considered

16  abusive or neglectful for that reason alone, but such an

17  exception does not:

18         1.  Eliminate the requirement that such a case be

19  reported to the department;

20         2.  Prevent the department from investigating such a

21  case; or

22         3.  Preclude a court from ordering, when the health of

23  the child requires it, the provision of medical services by a

24  physician, as defined in this section, or treatment by a duly

25  accredited practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means

26  for healing in accordance with the tenets and practices of a

27  well-recognized church or religious organization.

28         (g)  Exposes a child to a controlled substance or

29  alcohol. Exposure to a controlled substance or alcohol is

30  established by:

31


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  1         1.  Use by the mother of a controlled substance or

  2  alcohol during pregnancy when the child, at birth, is

  3  demonstrably adversely affected by such usage; or

  4         2.  Continued chronic and severe use of a controlled

  5  substance or alcohol by a parent when the child is

  6  demonstrably adversely affected by such usage.

  7

  8  As used in this paragraph, the term "controlled substance"

  9  means prescription drugs not prescribed for the parent or not

10  administered as prescribed and controlled substances as

11  outlined in Schedule I or Schedule II of s. 893.03.

12         (h)  Uses mechanical devices, unreasonable restraints,

13  or extended periods of isolation to control a child.

14         (i)  Engages in violent behavior that demonstrates a

15  wanton disregard for the presence of a child and could

16  reasonably result in serious injury to the child.

17         (j)  Negligently fails to protect a child in his or her

18  care from inflicted physical, mental, or sexual injury caused

19  by the acts of another.

20         (k)  Has allowed a child's sibling to die as a result

21  of abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

22         (31)(24)  "Health and human services board" means the

23  body created in each service district of the department of

24  Children and Family Services pursuant to the provisions of s.

25  20.19(8)(7).

26         (32)  "Institutional child abuse or neglect" means

27  situations of known or suspected child abuse or neglect in

28  which the person allegedly perpetrating the child abuse or

29  neglect is an employee of a private school, public or private

30  day care center, residential home, institution, facility, or

31


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  1  agency or any other person at such institution responsible for

  2  the child's care.

  3         (33)(25)  "Judge" means the circuit judge exercising

  4  jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter.

  5         (34)(26)  "Legal custody" means a legal status created

  6  by court order or letter of guardianship which vests in a

  7  custodian of the person or guardian, whether an agency or an

  8  individual, the right to have physical custody of the child

  9  and the right and duty to protect, train, and discipline the

10  child and to provide him or her with food, shelter, education,

11  and ordinary medical, dental, psychiatric, and psychological

12  care. The legal custodian is the person or entity in whom the

13  legal right to custody is vested.

14         (35)  "Legal guardianship" means a judicially created

15  relationship between the child and caregiver which is intended

16  to be permanent and self-sustaining and is provided pursuant

17  to the procedures in chapter 744.

18         (36)(27)  "Licensed child-caring agency" means a

19  person, society, association, or agency licensed by the

20  department of Children and Family Services to care for,

21  receive, and board children.

22         (37)(28)  "Licensed child-placing agency" means a

23  person, society, association, or institution licensed by the

24  department of Children and Family Services to care for,

25  receive, or board children and to place children in a licensed

26  child-caring institution or a foster or adoptive home.

27         (38)(29)  "Licensed health care professional" means a

28  physician licensed under chapter 458, an osteopathic physician

29  licensed under chapter 459, a nurse licensed under chapter

30  464, a physician assistant certified under chapter 458 or

31  chapter 459, or a dentist licensed under chapter 466.


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  1         (39)(30)  "Likely to injure oneself" means that, as

  2  evidenced by violent or other actively self-destructive

  3  behavior, it is more likely than not that within a 24-hour

  4  period the child will attempt to commit suicide or inflict

  5  serious bodily harm on himself or herself.

  6         (40)(31)  "Likely to injure others" means that it is

  7  more likely than not that within a 24-hour period the child

  8  will inflict serious and unjustified bodily harm on another

  9  person.

10         (41)(32)  "Long-term relative custodian" means an adult

11  relative who is a party to a long-term custodial relationship

12  created by a court order pursuant to this chapter s.

13  39.41(2)(a)5.

14         (42)(33)  "Long-term relative custody" or "long-term

15  custodial relationship" means the relationship that a juvenile

16  court order creates between a child and an adult relative of

17  the child or other caregiver an adult nonrelative approved by

18  the court when the child cannot be placed in the custody of a

19  natural parent and termination of parental rights is not

20  deemed to be in the best interest of the child. Long-term

21  relative custody confers upon the long-term relative or other

22  caregiver nonrelative custodian the right to physical custody

23  of the child, a right which will not be disturbed by the court

24  except upon request of the caregiver custodian or upon a

25  showing that a material change in circumstances necessitates a

26  change of custody for the best interest of the child. A

27  long-term relative or other caregiver nonrelative custodian

28  shall have all of the rights and duties of a natural parent,

29  including, but not limited to, the right and duty to protect,

30  train, and discipline the child and to provide the child with

31  food, shelter, and education, and ordinary medical, dental,


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  1  psychiatric, and psychological care, unless these rights and

  2  duties are otherwise enlarged or limited by the court order

  3  establishing the long-term custodial relationship.

  4         (43)(34)  "Mediation" means a process whereby a neutral

  5  third person called a mediator acts to encourage and

  6  facilitate the resolution of a dispute between two or more

  7  parties.  It is an informal and nonadversarial process with

  8  the objective of helping the disputing parties reach a

  9  mutually acceptable and voluntary agreement.  In mediation,

10  decisionmaking authority rests with the parties.  The role of

11  the mediator includes, but is not limited to, assisting the

12  parties in identifying issues, fostering joint problem

13  solving, and exploring settlement alternatives.

14         (44)  "Mental injury" means an injury to the

15  intellectual or psychological capacity of a child as evidenced

16  by a discernible and substantial impairment in the ability to

17  function within the normal range of performance and behavior.

18         (45)(35)  "Necessary medical treatment" means care

19  which is necessary within a reasonable degree of medical

20  certainty to prevent the deterioration of a child's condition

21  or to alleviate immediate pain of a child.

22         (46)(36)  "Neglect" occurs when the parent or legal

23  custodian of a child or, in the absence of a parent or legal

24  custodian, the caregiver person primarily responsible for the

25  child's welfare deprives a child of, or allows a child to be

26  deprived of, necessary food, clothing, shelter, or medical

27  treatment or permits a child to live in an environment when

28  such deprivation or environment causes the child's physical,

29  mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired or to

30  be in danger of being significantly impaired. The foregoing

31  circumstances shall not be considered neglect if caused


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  1  primarily by financial inability unless actual services for

  2  relief have been offered to and rejected by such person. A

  3  parent, legal custodian, or caregiver guardian legitimately

  4  practicing religious beliefs in accordance with a recognized

  5  church or religious organization who thereby does not provide

  6  specific medical treatment for a child shall not, for that

  7  reason alone, be considered a negligent parent, legal

  8  custodian, or caregiver guardian; however, such an exception

  9  does not preclude a court from ordering the following services

10  to be provided, when the health of the child so requires:

11         (a)  Medical services from a licensed physician,

12  dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, or other qualified health

13  care provider; or

14         (b)  Treatment by a duly accredited practitioner who

15  relies solely on spiritual means for healing in accordance

16  with the tenets and practices of a well-recognized church or

17  religious organization.

18

19  For the purpose of protective investigations, neglect of a

20  child includes the acts or omissions of the parent, legal

21  custodian, or caregiver.

22         (47)  "Other person responsible for a child's welfare"

23  includes the child's legal guardian, legal custodian, or

24  foster parent; an employee of a private school, public or

25  private child day care center, residential home, institution,

26  facility, or agency; or any other person legally responsible

27  for the child's welfare in a residential setting; and also

28  includes an adult sitter or relative entrusted with a child's

29  care. For the purpose of departmental investigative

30  jurisdiction, this definition does not include law enforcement

31  officers, or employees of municipal or county detention


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  1  facilities or the Department of Corrections, while acting in

  2  an official capacity.

  3         (48)(37)  "Next of kin" means an adult relative of a

  4  child who is the child's brother, sister, grandparent, aunt,

  5  uncle, or first cousin.

  6         (49)(38)  "Parent" means a woman who gives birth to a

  7  child and a man whose consent to the adoption of the child

  8  would be required under s. 63.062(1)(b). If a child has been

  9  legally adopted, the term "parent" means the adoptive mother

10  or father of the child. The term does not include an

11  individual whose parental relationship to the child has been

12  legally terminated, or an alleged or prospective parent,

13  unless the parental status falls within the terms of either s.

14  39.4051(7) or s. 63.062(1)(b).

15         (50)(39)  "Participant," for purposes of a shelter

16  proceeding, dependency proceeding, or termination of parental

17  rights proceeding, means any person who is not a party but who

18  should receive notice of hearings involving the child,

19  including foster parents or caregivers, identified prospective

20  parents, grandparents entitled to priority for adoption

21  consideration under s. 63.0425, actual custodians of the

22  child, and any other person whose participation may be in the

23  best interest of the child. Participants may be granted leave

24  by the court to be heard without the necessity of filing a

25  motion to intervene.

26         (51)(40)  "Party," for purposes of a shelter

27  proceeding, dependency proceeding, or termination of parental

28  rights proceeding, means the parent or legal custodian of the

29  child, the petitioner, the department, the guardian ad litem

30  or the representative of the guardian ad litem program when

31  the program one has been appointed, and the child. The


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  1  presence of the child may be excused by order of the court

  2  when presence would not be in the child's best interest.

  3  Notice to the child may be excused by order of the court when

  4  the age, capacity, or other condition of the child is such

  5  that the notice would be meaningless or detrimental to the

  6  child.

  7         (52)  "Physical injury" means death, permanent or

  8  temporary disfigurement, or impairment of any bodily part.

  9         (53)  "Physician" means any licensed physician,

10  dentist, podiatrist, or optometrist and includes any intern or

11  resident.

12         (54)(41)  "Preliminary screening" means the gathering

13  of preliminary information to be used in determining a child's

14  need for further evaluation or assessment or for referral for

15  other substance abuse services through means such as

16  psychosocial interviews; urine and breathalyzer screenings;

17  and reviews of available educational, delinquency, and

18  dependency records of the child.

19         (55)(42)  "Preventive services" means social services

20  and other supportive and rehabilitative services provided to

21  the parent of the child, the legal custodian guardian of the

22  child, or the caregiver custodian of the child and to the

23  child for the purpose of averting the removal of the child

24  from the home or disruption of a family which will or could

25  result in the placement of a child in foster care.  Social

26  services and other supportive and rehabilitative services

27  shall promote the child's need for physical, mental, and

28  emotional health and a safe, continuous, stable, living

29  environment, and shall promote family autonomy, and shall

30  strengthen family life, as the first priority whenever

31  possible.


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  1         (56)(43)  "Prospective parent" means a person who

  2  claims to be, or has been identified as, a person who may be a

  3  mother or a father of a child.

  4         (57)(44)  "Protective investigation" means the

  5  acceptance of a report alleging child abuse, abandonment, or

  6  neglect, as defined in this chapter s. 415.503, by the central

  7  abuse hotline or the acceptance of a report of other

  8  dependency by the department local children, youth, and

  9  families office of the Department of Children and Family

10  Services; the investigation and classification of each report;

11  the determination of whether action by the court is warranted;

12  the determination of the disposition of each report without

13  court or public agency action when appropriate; and the

14  referral of a child to another public or private agency when

15  appropriate; and the recommendation by the protective

16  investigator of court action when appropriate.

17         (58)(45)  "Protective investigator" means an authorized

18  agent of the department of Children and Family Services who

19  receives and, investigates, and classifies reports of child

20  abuse, abandonment, or neglect as defined in s. 415.503; who,

21  as a result of the investigation, may recommend that a

22  dependency petition be filed for the child under the criteria

23  of paragraph (11)(a); and who performs other duties necessary

24  to carry out the required actions of the protective

25  investigation function.

26         (59)(46)  "Protective supervision" means a legal status

27  in dependency cases, child-in-need-of-services cases, or

28  family-in-need-of-services cases which permits the child to

29  remain safely in his or her own home or other placement under

30  the supervision of an agent of the department and which must

31  be reviewed by Department of Juvenile Justice or the


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  1  Department of Children and Family Services, subject to being

  2  returned to the court during the period of supervision.

  3         (47)  "Protective supervision case plan" means a

  4  document that is prepared by the protective supervision

  5  counselor of the Department of Children and Family Services,

  6  is based upon the voluntary protective supervision of a case

  7  pursuant to s. 39.403(2)(b), or a disposition order entered

  8  pursuant to s. 39.41(2)(a)3., and that:

  9         (a)  Is developed in conference with the parent,

10  guardian, or custodian of the child and, if appropriate, the

11  child and any court-appointed guardian ad litem.

12         (b)  Is written simply and clearly in the principal

13  language, to the extent possible, of the parent, guardian, or

14  custodian of the child and in English.

15         (c)  Is subject to modification based on changing

16  circumstances and negotiations among the parties to the plan

17  and includes, at a minimum:

18         1.  All services and activities ordered by the court.

19         2.  Goals and specific activities to be achieved by all

20  parties to the plan.

21         3.  Anticipated dates for achieving each goal and

22  activity.

23         4.  Signatures of all parties to the plan.

24         (d)  Is submitted to the court in cases where a

25  dispositional order has been entered pursuant to s.

26  39.41(2)(a)3.

27         (60)(48)  "Relative" means a grandparent,

28  great-grandparent, sibling, first cousin, aunt, uncle,

29  great-aunt, great-uncle, niece, or nephew, whether related by

30  the whole or half blood, by affinity, or by adoption. The term

31  does not include a stepparent.


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  1         (61)(49)  "Reunification services" means social

  2  services and other supportive and rehabilitative services

  3  provided to the parent of the child, the legal custodian

  4  guardian of the child, or the caregiver custodian of the

  5  child, whichever is applicable, to the child, and where

  6  appropriate to the foster parents of the child, for the

  7  purpose of enabling a child who has been placed in out-of-home

  8  foster care to safely return to his or her family at the

  9  earliest possible time.  The health and safety of the child

10  shall be the paramount goal of social services and other

11  supportive and rehabilitative services. Such services shall

12  promote the child's need for physical, mental, and emotional

13  health and a safe, continuous, stable, living environment, and

14  shall promote family autonomy, and shall strengthen family

15  life, as a first priority whenever possible.

16         (62)  "Secretary" means the Secretary of Children and

17  Family Services.

18         (63)  "Sexual abuse of a child" means one or more of

19  the following acts:

20         (a)  Any penetration, however slight, of the vagina or

21  anal opening of one person by the penis of another person,

22  whether or not there is the emission of semen.

23         (b)  Any sexual contact between the genitals or anal

24  opening of one person and the mouth or tongue of another

25  person.

26         (c)  Any intrusion by one person into the genitals or

27  anal opening of another person, including the use of any

28  object for this purpose, except that this does not include any

29  act intended for a valid medical purpose.

30         (d)  The intentional touching of the genitals or

31  intimate parts, including the breasts, genital area, groin,


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  1  inner thighs, and buttocks, or the clothing covering them, of

  2  either the child or the perpetrator, except that this does not

  3  include:

  4         1.  Any act which may reasonably be construed to be a

  5  normal caregiver responsibility, any interaction with, or

  6  affection for a child; or

  7         2.  Any act intended for a valid medical purpose.

  8         (e)  The intentional masturbation of the perpetrator's

  9  genitals in the presence of a child.

10         (f)  The intentional exposure of the perpetrator's

11  genitals in the presence of a child, or any other sexual act

12  intentionally perpetrated in the presence of a child, if such

13  exposure or sexual act is for the purpose of sexual arousal or

14  gratification, aggression, degradation, or other similar

15  purpose.

16         (g)  The sexual exploitation of a child, which includes

17  allowing, encouraging, or forcing a child to:

18         1.  Solicit for or engage in prostitution; or

19         2.  Engage in a sexual performance, as defined by

20  chapter 827.

21         (64)(50)  "Shelter" means a place for the temporary

22  care of a child who is alleged to be or who has been found to

23  be dependent, a child from a family in need of services, or a

24  child in need of services, pending court disposition before or

25  after adjudication. or after execution of a court order.

26  "Shelter" may include a facility which provides 24-hour

27  continual supervision for the temporary care of a child who is

28  placed pursuant to s. 984.14.

29         (65)(51)  "Shelter hearing" means a hearing in which

30  the court determines whether probable cause exists to keep a

31  child in shelter status pending further investigation of the


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  1  case provided for under s. 984.14 in

  2  family-in-need-of-services cases or child-in-need-of-services

  3  cases.

  4         (66)(52)  "Social service agency" means the department

  5  of Children and Family Services, a licensed child-caring

  6  agency, or a licensed child-placing agency.

  7         (53)  "Staff-secure shelter" means a facility in which

  8  a child is supervised 24 hours a day by staff members who are

  9  awake while on duty. The facility is for the temporary care

10  and assessment of a child who has been found to be dependent,

11  who has violated a court order and been found in contempt of

12  court, or whom the Department of Children and Family Services

13  is unable to properly assess or place for assistance within

14  the continuum of services provided for dependent children.

15         (67)(54)  "Substance abuse" means using, without

16  medical reason, any psychoactive or mood-altering drug,

17  including alcohol, in such a manner as to induce impairment

18  resulting in dysfunctional social behavior.

19         (68)(55)  "Substantial compliance" means that the

20  circumstances which caused the creation of the case plan

21  placement in foster care have been significantly remedied to

22  the extent that the well-being and safety of the child will

23  not be endangered upon the child's remaining with or being

24  returned to the child's parent, legal custodian, or caregiver

25  or guardian.

26         (69)(56)  "Taken into custody" means the status of a

27  child immediately when temporary physical control over the

28  child is attained by a person authorized by law, pending the

29  child's release or placement, detention, placement, or other

30  disposition as authorized by law.

31


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  1         (70)(57)  "Temporary legal custody" means the

  2  relationship that a juvenile court creates between a child and

  3  an adult relative of the child, legal custodian, or caregiver

  4  adult nonrelative approved by the court, or other person until

  5  a more permanent arrangement is ordered. Temporary legal

  6  custody confers upon the custodian the right to have temporary

  7  physical custody of the child and the right and duty to

  8  protect, train, and discipline the child and to provide the

  9  child with food, shelter, and education, and ordinary medical,

10  dental, psychiatric, and psychological care, unless these

11  rights and duties are otherwise enlarged or limited by the

12  court order establishing the temporary legal custody

13  relationship.

14         (71)  "Victim" means any child who has sustained or is

15  threatened with physical, mental, or emotional injury

16  identified in a report involving child abuse, neglect, or

17  abandonment, or child-on-child sexual abuse.

18         Section 21.  Section 39.455, Florida Statutes, is

19  renumbered as section 39.011, Florida Statutes, and amended to

20  read:

21         39.011 39.455  Immunity from liability.--

22         (1)  In no case shall employees or agents of the

23  department or a social service agency acting in good faith be

24  liable for damages as a result of failing to provide services

25  agreed to under the case plan or permanent placement plan

26  unless the failure to provide such services occurs as a result

27  of bad faith or malicious purpose or occurs in a manner

28  exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights,

29  safety, or property.

30         (2)  The inability or failure of the department or of a

31  social service agency or the employees or agents of the social


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  1  service agency to provide the services agreed to under the

  2  case plan or permanent placement plan shall not render the

  3  state or the social service agency liable for damages unless

  4  such failure to provide services occurs in a manner exhibiting

  5  wanton or willful disregard of human rights, safety, or

  6  property.

  7         (3)  A member or agent of a citizen review panel acting

  8  in good faith is not liable for damages as a result of any

  9  review or recommendation with regard to a foster care or

10  shelter care matter unless such member or agent exhibits

11  wanton and willful disregard of human rights or safety, or

12  property.

13         Section 22.  Section 39.012, Florida Statutes, is

14  amended to read:

15         39.012  Rules for implementation.--The department of

16  Children and Family Services shall adopt rules for the

17  efficient and effective management of all programs, services,

18  facilities, and functions necessary for implementing this

19  chapter. Such rules may not conflict with the Florida Rules of

20  Juvenile Procedure. All rules and policies must conform to

21  accepted standards of care and treatment.

22         Section 23.  Section 39.0121, Florida Statutes, is

23  created to read:

24         39.0121  Specific rulemaking authority.--Pursuant to

25  the requirements of s. 120.536, the department is specifically

26  authorized to adopt, amend, and repeal administrative rules

27  which implement or interpret law or policy, or describe the

28  procedure and practice requirements necessary to implement

29  this chapter, including, but not limited to, the following:

30         (1)  Background screening of department employees and

31  applicants; criminal records checks of prospective foster and


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  1  adoptive parents; and drug testing of protective

  2  investigators.

  3         (2)  Reporting of child abuse, neglect, and

  4  abandonment; reporting of child-on-child sexual abuse; false

  5  reporting; child protective investigations; taking a child

  6  into protective custody; and shelter procedures.

  7         (3)  Confidentiality and retention of department

  8  records; access to records; and record requests.

  9         (4)  Department and client trust funds.

10         (5)  Child protection teams and services, and eligible

11  cases.

12         (6)  Consent to and provision of medical care and

13  treatment for children in the care of the department.

14         (7)  Federal funding requirements and procedures;

15  foster care and adoption subsidies; subsidized independent

16  living; and subsidized child care.

17         (8)  Agreements with law enforcement and other state

18  agencies; access to the National Crime Information Center

19  (NCIC); and access to the parent locator service.

20         (9)  Licensing, registration, and certification of

21  child day care providers, shelter and foster homes, and

22  residential child-caring and child-placing agencies.

23         (10)  The Family Builders Program, the Intensive Crisis

24  Counseling Program, and any other early intervention programs

25  and kinship care assistance programs.

26         (11)  Department contracts, pilot programs, and

27  demonstration projects.

28         (12)  Legal and casework procedures, including, but not

29  limited to, mediation, diligent search, stipulations,

30  consents, surrenders, and default, with respect to dependency,

31


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  1  termination of parental rights, adoption, guardianship, and

  2  kinship care proceedings.

  3         (13)  Legal and casework management of cases involving

  4  in-home supervision and out-of-home care, including judicial

  5  reviews, administrative reviews, case plans, and any other

  6  documentation or procedures required by federal or state law.

  7         (14)  Injunctions and other protective orders,

  8  domestic-violence-related cases, and certification of domestic

  9  violence centers.

10         Section 24.  Section 39.40, Florida Statutes, is

11  renumbered as section 39.013, Florida Statutes, and amended to

12  read:

13         39.013 39.40  Procedures and jurisdiction; right to

14  counsel.--

15         (1)  All procedures, including petitions, pleadings,

16  subpoenas, summonses, and hearings, in this chapter dependency

17  cases shall be according to the Florida Rules of Juvenile

18  Procedure unless otherwise provided by law. Parents must be

19  informed by the court of their right to counsel in dependency

20  proceedings at each stage of the dependency proceedings.

21  Parents who are unable to afford counsel and who are

22  threatened with criminal charges based on the facts underlying

23  the dependency petition or a permanent loss of custody of

24  their children must be appointed counsel.

25         (2)  The circuit court shall have exclusive original

26  jurisdiction of all proceedings under parts III, IV, V, and VI

27  of this chapter, of a child voluntarily placed with a licensed

28  child-caring agency, a licensed child-placing agency, or the

29  department, and of the adoption of children whose parental

30  rights have been terminated pursuant to this chapter.

31  Jurisdiction attaches when the initial shelter petition,


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  1  dependency petition, or termination of parental rights

  2  petition is filed or when a child is taken into the custody of

  3  the department. The circuit court may assume jurisdiction over

  4  any such proceeding regardless of whether the child was in the

  5  physical custody of both parents, was in the sole legal or

  6  physical custody of only one parent, caregiver, or of some

  7  other person, or was in the physical or legal custody of no

  8  person when the event or condition occurred that brought the

  9  child to the attention of the court. When the court obtains

10  jurisdiction of any child who has been found to be dependent

11  is obtained, the court shall retain jurisdiction, unless

12  relinquished by its order, until the child reaches 18 years of

13  age.

14         (3)  When a child is under the jurisdiction of the

15  circuit court pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the

16  juvenile court, as a division of the circuit court, may

17  exercise the general and equitable jurisdiction over

18  guardianship proceedings pursuant to the provisions of chapter

19  744, and proceedings for temporary custody of minor children

20  by extended family pursuant to the provisions of chapter 751.

21         (4)(3)  The court shall expedite the resolution of the

22  placement issue in cases involving a child who under 4 years

23  of age when the child has been removed from the family and

24  placed in a shelter.

25         (5)(4)  The court shall expedite the judicial handling

26  of all cases when the child has been removed from the family

27  and placed in a shelter, and of all cases involving a child

28  under 4 years of age.

29         (6)(5)  It is the intent of the Legislature that

30  Children removed from their homes shall be provided equal

31  treatment with respect to goals, objectives, services, and


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  1  case plans, without regard to the location of their

  2  placement., and that placement shall be in a safe environment

  3  where drugs and alcohol are not abused. It is the further

  4  intent of the Legislature that, when children are removed from

  5  their homes, disruption to their education be minimized to the

  6  extent possible.

  7         (7)  For any child who remains in the custody or under

  8  the supervision of the department, the court shall, within the

  9  6-month period before the child's 18th birthday, hold a

10  hearing to review the progress of the child while in the

11  custody or under the supervision of the department.

12         (8)(a)  At each stage of the proceedings under this

13  chapter, the court shall advise the parent, legal custodian,

14  or caregiver of the right to counsel. The court shall appoint

15  counsel for indigent persons. The court shall ascertain

16  whether the right to counsel is understood. When right to

17  counsel is waived, the court shall determine whether the

18  waiver is knowing and intelligent. The court shall enter its

19  findings in writing with respect to the appointment or waiver

20  of counsel for indigent parties or the waiver of counsel by

21  nonindigent parties.

22         (b)  Once counsel has entered an appearance or been

23  appointed by the court to represent the parent of the child,

24  the attorney shall continue to represent the parent throughout

25  the proceedings. If the attorney-client relationship is

26  discontinued, the court shall advise the parent of the right

27  to have new counsel retained or appointed for the remainder of

28  the proceedings.

29         (c)1.  No waiver of counsel may be accepted if it

30  appears that the parent, legal custodian, or caregiver is

31  unable to make an intelligent and understanding choice because


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  1  of mental condition, age, education, experience, the nature or

  2  complexity of the case, or other factors.

  3         2.  A waiver of counsel made in court must be of

  4  record.

  5         3.  If a waiver of counsel is accepted at any hearing

  6  or proceeding, the offer of assistance of counsel must be

  7  renewed by the court at each subsequent stage of the

  8  proceedings at which the parent, legal custodian, or caregiver

  9  appears without counsel.

10         (d)  This subsection does not apply to any parent who

11  has voluntarily executed a written surrender of the child and

12  consents to the entry of a court order terminating parental

13  rights.

14         (9)  The time limitations in this chapter do not

15  include:

16         (a)  Periods of delay resulting from a continuance

17  granted at the request or with the consent of the child's

18  counsel or the child's guardian ad litem, if one has been

19  appointed by the court, or, if the child is of sufficient

20  capacity to express reasonable consent, at the request or with

21  the consent of the child.

22         (b)  Periods of delay resulting from a continuance

23  granted at the request of the attorney for the department, if

24  the continuance is granted:

25         1.  Because of an unavailability of evidence material

26  to the case when the attorney for the department has exercised

27  due diligence to obtain such evidence and there are

28  substantial grounds to believe that such evidence will be

29  available within 30 days.  However, if the department is not

30  prepared to present its case within 30 days, the parent or

31  guardian may move for issuance of an order to show cause or


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  1  the court on its own motion may impose appropriate sanctions,

  2  which may include dismissal of the petition.

  3         2.  To allow the attorney for the department additional

  4  time to prepare the case and additional time is justified

  5  because of an exceptional circumstance.

  6         (c)  Reasonable periods of delay necessary to

  7  accomplish notice of the hearing to the child's parents;

  8  however, the petitioner shall continue regular efforts to

  9  provide notice to the parents during such periods of delay.

10         (d)  Reasonable periods of delay resulting from a

11  continuance granted at the request of the parent or legal

12  custodian of a subject child.

13         (10)  Court-appointed counsel representing indigent

14  parents or legal guardians at shelter hearings shall be paid

15  from state funds appropriated by general law.

16         Section 25.  Section 39.4057, Florida Statutes, is

17  renumbered as section 39.0131, Florida Statutes.

18         Section 26.  Section 39.411, Florida Statutes, is

19  renumbered as section 39.0132, Florida Statutes, and

20  subsections (3) and (4) of said section are amended to read:

21         39.0132 39.411  Oaths, records, and confidential

22  information.--

23         (3)  The clerk shall keep all court records required by

24  this part separate from other records of the circuit court.

25  All court records required by this part shall not be open to

26  inspection by the public.  All records shall be inspected only

27  upon order of the court by persons deemed by the court to have

28  a proper interest therein, except that, subject to the

29  provisions of s. 63.162, a child and the parents, or legal

30  custodians, or caregivers of the child and their attorneys,

31  guardian ad litem, law enforcement agencies, and the


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  1  department and its designees shall always have the right to

  2  inspect and copy any official record pertaining to the child.

  3  The court may permit authorized representatives of recognized

  4  organizations compiling statistics for proper purposes to

  5  inspect and make abstracts from official records, under

  6  whatever conditions upon their use and disposition the court

  7  may deem proper, and may punish by contempt proceedings any

  8  violation of those conditions.

  9         (4)  All information obtained pursuant to this part in

10  the discharge of official duty by any judge, employee of the

11  court, authorized agent of the department, correctional

12  probation officer, or law enforcement agent shall be

13  confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1)

14  and shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the authorized

15  personnel of the court, the department and its designees,

16  correctional probation officers, law enforcement agents,

17  guardian ad litem, and others entitled under this chapter to

18  receive that information, except upon order of the court.

19         Section 27.  Section 39.414, Florida Statutes, is

20  renumbered as section 39.0133, Florida Statutes.

21         Section 28.  Sections 39.415 and 39.474, Florida

22  Statutes, are renumbered as section 39.0134, Florida Statutes,

23  and amended to read:

24         39.0134 39.415  Appointed counsel; compensation.--

25         (1)  If counsel is entitled to receive compensation for

26  representation pursuant to a court appointment in a dependency

27  proceeding pursuant to this chapter, such compensation shall

28  be established by each county not exceed $1,000 at the trial

29  level and $2,500 at the appellate level.

30         39.474  Appointed counsel; compensation.--

31


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  1         (2)  If counsel is entitled to receive compensation for

  2  representation pursuant to court appointment in a termination

  3  of parental rights proceeding, such compensation shall not

  4  exceed $1,000 at the trial level and $2,500 at the appellate

  5  level.

  6         Section 29.  Section 39.418, Florida Statutes, is

  7  renumbered as section 39.0135, Florida Statutes, and amended

  8  to read:

  9         39.0135 39.418  Operations and Maintenance Trust

10  Fund.--Effective July 1, 1996, The department of Children and

11  Family Services shall deposit all child support payments made

12  to the department pursuant to this chapter s. 39.41(2) into

13  the Operations and Maintenance Trust Fund.  The purpose of

14  this funding is to care for children who are committed to the

15  temporary legal custody of the department pursuant to s.

16  39.41(2)(a)8.

17         Section 30.  Part II of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

18  consisting of sections 39.201, 39.202, 39.203, 39.204, 39.205,

19  and 39.206, Florida Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

20                             PART II

21                      REPORTING CHILD ABUSE

22         Section 31.  Section 415.504, Florida Statutes, is

23  renumbered as section 39.201, Florida Statutes, and amended to

24  read:

25         39.201 415.504  Mandatory reports of child abuse,

26  abandonment, or neglect; mandatory reports of death; central

27  abuse hotline.--

28         (1)  Any person, including, but not limited to, any:

29         (a)  Physician, osteopathic physician, medical

30  examiner, chiropractor, nurse, or hospital personnel engaged

31  in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons;


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  1         (b)  Health or mental health professional other than

  2  one listed in paragraph (a);

  3         (c)  Practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means

  4  for healing;

  5         (d)  School teacher or other school official or

  6  personnel;

  7         (e)  Social worker, day care center worker, or other

  8  professional child care, foster care, residential, or

  9  institutional worker; or

10         (f)  Law enforcement officer,

11

12  who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is

13  an abused, abandoned, or neglected child shall report such

14  knowledge or suspicion to the department in the manner

15  prescribed in subsection (2).

16         (2)(a)  Each report of known or suspected child abuse,

17  abandonment, or neglect pursuant to this section, except those

18  solely under s. 827.04(3)(4), shall be made immediately to the

19  department's central abuse hotline on the single statewide

20  toll-free telephone number, and, if the report is of an

21  instance of known or suspected child abuse by a noncaretaker,

22  the call shall be immediately electronically transferred to

23  the appropriate county sheriff's office by the central abuse

24  hotline.  If the report is of an instance of known or

25  suspected child abuse involving impregnation of a child under

26  16 years of age by a person 21 years of age or older solely

27  under s. 827.04(3)(4), the report shall be made immediately to

28  the appropriate county sheriff's office or other appropriate

29  law enforcement agency. If the report is of an instance of

30  known or suspected child abuse solely under s. 827.04(3)(4),

31  the reporting provisions of this subsection do not apply to


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  1  health care professionals or other persons who provide medical

  2  or counseling services to pregnant children when such

  3  reporting would interfere with the provision of medical

  4  services.

  5         (b)  Reporters in occupation categories designated in

  6  subsection (1) are required to provide their names to the

  7  hotline staff.  The names of reporters shall be entered into

  8  the record of the report, but shall be held confidential as

  9  provided in s. 39.202 415.51.

10         (c)  Reports involving known or suspected institutional

11  child abuse or neglect shall be made and received in the same

12  manner as all other reports made pursuant to this section.

13         (d)  Reports involving a known or suspected juvenile

14  sexual offender shall be made and received by the department.

15         1.  The department shall determine the age of the

16  alleged juvenile sexual offender if known.

17         2.  When the alleged juvenile sexual offender is 12

18  years of age or younger, the department shall proceed with an

19  investigation of the report pursuant to this part III,

20  immediately electronically transfer the call to the

21  appropriate law enforcement agency office by the central abuse

22  hotline, and send a written report of the allegation to the

23  appropriate county sheriff's office within 48 hours after the

24  initial report is made to the central abuse hotline.

25         3.  When the alleged juvenile sexual offender is 13

26  years of age or older, the department shall immediately

27  electronically transfer the call to the appropriate county

28  sheriff's office by the central abuse hotline, and send a

29  written report to the appropriate county sheriff's office

30  within 48 hours after the initial report to the central abuse

31  hotline.


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  1         (e)  Hotline counselors shall receive periodic training

  2  in encouraging reporters to provide their names when reporting

  3  abuse, abandonment, or neglect.  Callers shall be advised of

  4  the confidentiality provisions of s. 39.202 415.51. The

  5  department shall secure and install electronic equipment that

  6  automatically provides to the hotline the number from which

  7  the call is placed.  This number shall be entered into the

  8  report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect and become a part of

  9  the record of the report, but shall enjoy the same

10  confidentiality as provided to the identity of the caller

11  pursuant to s. 39.202 415.51.

12         (3)  Any person required to report or investigate cases

13  of suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect who has

14  reasonable cause to suspect that a child died as a result of

15  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect shall report his or her

16  suspicion to the appropriate medical examiner. The medical

17  examiner shall accept the report for investigation pursuant to

18  s. 406.11 and shall report his or her findings, in writing, to

19  the local law enforcement agency, the appropriate state

20  attorney, and the department.  Autopsy reports maintained by

21  the medical examiner are not subject to the confidentiality

22  requirements provided for in s. 39.202 415.51.

23         (4)(a)  The department shall establish and maintain a

24  central abuse hotline to receive all reports made pursuant to

25  this section in writing or through a single statewide

26  toll-free telephone number, which any person may use to report

27  known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect at any

28  hour of the day or night, any day of the week. The central

29  abuse hotline shall be operated in such a manner as to enable

30  the department to:

31


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  1         (a)1.  Immediately identify and locate prior reports or

  2  cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect through

  3  utilization of the department's automated tracking system.

  4         (b)2.  Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the

  5  department's program for reporting and investigating suspected

  6  abuse, abandonment, or neglect of children through the

  7  development and analysis of statistical and other information.

  8         (c)3.  Track critical steps in the investigative

  9  process to ensure compliance with all requirements for any

10  report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

11         (d)4.  Maintain and produce aggregate statistical

12  reports monitoring patterns of both child abuse, child

13  abandonment, and child neglect. The department shall collect

14  and analyze child-on-child sexual abuse reports and include

15  the information in aggregate statistical reports.

16         (e)5.  Serve as a resource for the evaluation,

17  management, and planning of preventive and remedial services

18  for children who have been subject to abuse, abandonment, or

19  neglect.

20         (f)6.  Initiate and enter into agreements with other

21  states for the purpose of gathering and sharing information

22  contained in reports on child maltreatment to further enhance

23  programs for the protection of children.

24         (b)  Upon receiving an oral or written report of known

25  or suspected child abuse or neglect, the central abuse hotline

26  shall determine if the report requires an immediate onsite

27  protective investigation.  For reports requiring an immediate

28  onsite protective investigation, the central abuse hotline

29  shall immediately notify the department's designated children

30  and families district staff responsible for protective

31  investigations to ensure that an onsite investigation is


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  1  promptly initiated.  For reports not requiring an immediate

  2  onsite protective investigation, the central abuse hotline

  3  shall notify the department's designated children and families

  4  district staff responsible for protective investigations in

  5  sufficient time to allow for an investigation, or if the

  6  district determines appropriate, a family services response

  7  system approach to be commenced within 24 hours. When a

  8  district decides to respond to a report of child abuse or

  9  neglect with a family services response system approach, the

10  provisions of part III apply.  If, in the course of assessing

11  risk and services or at any other appropriate time,

12  responsible district staff determines that the risk to the

13  child requires a child protective investigation, then the

14  department shall suspend its family services response system

15  activities and shall proceed with an investigation as

16  delineated in this part.  At the time of notification of

17  district staff with respect to the report, the central abuse

18  hotline shall also provide information on any previous report

19  concerning a subject of the present report or any pertinent

20  information relative to the present report or any noted

21  earlier reports.

22         (c)  Upon commencing an investigation under this part,

23  the child protective investigator shall inform any subject of

24  the investigation of the following:

25         1.  The names of the investigators and identifying

26  credentials from the department.

27         2.  The purpose of the investigation.

28         3.  The right to obtain his or her own attorney and

29  ways that the information provided by the subject may be used.

30         (d)  The department shall make and keep records of all

31  cases brought before it pursuant to this part and shall


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  1  preserve the records pertaining to a child and family until 7

  2  years after the last entry was made or until the child is 18

  3  years of age.  The department shall then destroy the records,

  4  except where the child has been placed under the protective

  5  supervision of the department, the court has made a finding of

  6  dependency, or a criminal conviction has resulted from the

  7  facts associated with the report and there is a likelihood

  8  that future services of the department may be required.

  9         (5)  The department shall be capable of receiving and

10  investigating reports of known or suspected child abuse,

11  abandonment, or neglect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  If it

12  appears that the immediate safety or well-being of a child is

13  endangered, that the family may flee or the child will be

14  unavailable for purposes of conducting a child protective

15  investigation, or that the facts otherwise so warrant, the

16  department shall commence an investigation immediately,

17  regardless of the time of day or night. In all other child

18  abuse, abandonment, or neglect cases, a child protective

19  investigation shall be commenced within 24 hours after receipt

20  of the report. In an institutional investigation, the alleged

21  perpetrator may be represented by an attorney, at his or her

22  own expense, or accompanied by another person, if the person

23  or the attorney executes an affidavit of understanding with

24  the department and agrees to comply with the confidentiality

25  provisions of s. 39.202. The absence of an attorney or other

26  person does not prevent the department from proceeding with

27  other aspects of the investigation, including interviews with

28  other persons. In institutional child abuse cases when the

29  institution is not operating and the child cannot otherwise be

30  located, the investigation shall commence immediately upon the

31  resumption of operation. If requested by a state attorney or


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  1  local law enforcement agency, the department shall furnish all

  2  investigative reports to that agency.

  3         (6)(e)  Information in the central abuse hotline may

  4  not be used for employment screening, except as provided in s.

  5  39.202(2)(a) and (h). Information in the central abuse hotline

  6  and the department's automated abuse information system may be

  7  used by the department, its authorized agents or contract

  8  providers, the Department of Health, or county agencies as

  9  part of the licensure or registration process pursuant to ss.

10  402.301-402.319 and ss. 409.175-409.176. Access to the

11  information shall only be granted as set forth in s. 415.51.

12         (7)(5)  This section does not require a professional

13  who is hired by or enters into a contract with the department

14  for the purpose of treating or counseling any person, as a

15  result of a report of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, to

16  again report to the central abuse hotline the abuse,

17  abandonment, or neglect that was the subject of the referral

18  for treatment.

19         Section 32.  Section 415.51, Florida Statutes, is

20  renumbered as section 39.202, Florida Statutes, and amended to

21  read:

22         39.202 415.51  Confidentiality of reports and records

23  in cases of child abuse or neglect.--

24         (1)(a)  In order to protect the rights of the child and

25  the child's parents or other persons responsible for the

26  child's welfare, all records held by the department concerning

27  reports of child abuse or neglect, including reports made to

28  the central abuse hotline and all records generated as a

29  result of such reports, shall be confidential and exempt from

30  the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and shall not be disclosed

31  except as specifically authorized by this chapter ss.


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  1  415.502-415.514. Such exemption from s. 119.07(1) applies to

  2  information in the possession of those entities granted access

  3  as set forth in this section.

  4         (b)  Except for information identifying individuals,

  5  all records involving the death of a child determined to be a

  6  result of abuse, abandonment, or neglect shall be released to

  7  the public within 10 days after completion of the

  8  investigation.

  9         (2)  Access to such records, excluding the name of the

10  reporter which shall be released only as provided in

11  subsection (4) (9), shall be granted only to the following

12  persons, officials, and agencies:

13         (a)  Employees, authorized or agents, or contract

14  providers of the department, the Department of Health, or

15  county agencies responsible for carrying out child or adult

16  protective investigations, ongoing child or adult protective

17  services, Healthy Start services, or licensure or approval of

18  adoptive homes, foster homes, or child care facilities, or

19  family day care homes or informal child care providers who

20  receive subsidized child care funding, or other homes used to

21  provide for the care and welfare of children.  Also, employees

22  or agents of the Department of Juvenile Justice responsible

23  for the provision of services to children, pursuant to parts

24  II and IV of chapter 985 39.

25         (b)  Criminal justice agencies of appropriate

26  jurisdiction.

27         (c)  The state attorney of the judicial circuit in

28  which the child resides or in which the alleged abuse or

29  neglect occurred.

30         (d)  The parent, caregiver, or legal custodian of any

31  child who is alleged to have been abused, abandoned, or


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  1  neglected, and the child, and their attorneys or abandoned.

  2  This access shall be made available no later than 30 days

  3  after the department receives the initial report of abuse,

  4  neglect, or abandonment. However, any information otherwise

  5  made confidential or exempt by law shall not be released

  6  pursuant to this paragraph.

  7         (e)  Any person alleged in the report as having caused

  8  the abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or abandonment of a child.

  9  This access shall be made available no later than 30 days

10  after the department receives the initial report of abuse,

11  abandonment, or neglect, or abandonment. However, any

12  information otherwise made confidential or exempt by law shall

13  not be released pursuant to this paragraph.

14         (f)  A court upon its finding that access to such

15  records may be necessary for the determination of an issue

16  before the court; however, such access shall be limited to

17  inspection in camera, unless the court determines that public

18  disclosure of the information contained therein is necessary

19  for the resolution of an issue then pending before it.

20         (g)  A grand jury, by subpoena, upon its determination

21  that access to such records is necessary in the conduct of its

22  official business.

23         (h)  Any appropriate official of the department

24  responsible for:

25         1.  Administration or supervision of the department's

26  program for the prevention, investigation, or treatment of

27  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or abuse, neglect, or

28  exploitation of a disabled adult or elderly person, when

29  carrying out his or her official function; or

30         2.  Taking appropriate administrative action concerning

31  an employee of the department alleged to have perpetrated


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  1  institutional child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or abuse,

  2  neglect, or exploitation of a disabled adult or elderly

  3  person; or.

  4         3.  Employing and continuing employment of personnel of

  5  the department.

  6         (i)  Any person engaged in the use of such records or

  7  information for bona fide research, statistical, or audit

  8  purposes. However, no information identifying the subjects of

  9  the report shall be made available to the researcher.

10         (j)  The Division of Administrative Hearings for

11  purposes of any administrative challenge.

12         (k)  Any appropriate official of the human rights

13  advocacy committee investigating a report of known or

14  suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, the Auditor

15  General for the purpose of conducting preliminary or

16  compliance reviews pursuant to s. 11.45, or the guardian ad

17  litem for the child as defined in s. 415.503.

18         (l)  Employees or agents of an agency of another state

19  that has comparable jurisdiction to the jurisdiction described

20  in paragraph (a).

21         (m)  The Public Employees Relations Commission for the

22  sole purpose of obtaining evidence for appeals filed pursuant

23  to s. 447.207.  Records may be released only after deletion of

24  all information which specifically identifies persons other

25  than the employee.

26         (n)  Employees or agents of the Department of Revenue

27  responsible for child support enforcement activities.

28         (3)  The department may release to professional persons

29  such information as is necessary for the diagnosis and

30  treatment of the child or the person perpetrating the abuse or

31  neglect.


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  1         (4)  The name of any person reporting child abuse,

  2  abandonment, or neglect may not be released to any person

  3  other than employees of the department responsible for child

  4  protective services, or the central abuse hotline, law

  5  enforcement, or the appropriate state attorney or law

  6  enforcement agency, without the written consent of the person

  7  reporting. This does not prohibit the subpoenaing of a person

  8  reporting child abuse, abandonment, or neglect when deemed

  9  necessary by the court, the state attorney, or the department,

10  provided the fact that such person made the report is not

11  disclosed.  Any person who reports a case of child abuse or

12  neglect may, at the time he or she makes the report, request

13  that the department notify him or her that a child protective

14  investigation occurred as a result of the report.  The

15  department shall mail such a notice to the reporter within 10

16  days after completing the child protective investigation.

17         (5)  All records and reports of the child protection

18  team are confidential and exempt from the provisions of ss.

19  119.07(1) and 455.667 455.241, and shall not be disclosed,

20  except, upon request, to the state attorney, law enforcement,

21  the department, and necessary professionals, in furtherance of

22  the treatment or additional evaluative needs of the child or

23  by order of the court.

24         (6)  The department shall make and keep reports and

25  records of all cases under this chapter relating to child

26  abuse, abandonment, and neglect and shall preserve the records

27  pertaining to a child and family until 7 years after the last

28  entry was made or until the child is 18 years of age,

29  whichever date is first reached, and may then destroy the

30  records. Department records required by this chapter relating

31


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  1  to child abuse, abandonment, and neglect may be inspected only

  2  upon order of the court or as provided for in this section.

  3         (7)(6)  A person who knowingly or willfully makes

  4  public or discloses to any unauthorized person any

  5  confidential information contained in the central abuse

  6  hotline is subject to the penalty provisions of s. 39.205

  7  415.513. This notice shall be prominently displayed on the

  8  first sheet of any documents released pursuant to this

  9  section.

10         Section 33.  Section 415.511, Florida Statutes, is

11  renumbered as section 39.203, Florida Statutes, and amended to

12  read:

13         39.203 415.511  Immunity from liability in cases of

14  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.--

15         (1)(a)  Any person, official, or institution

16  participating in good faith in any act authorized or required

17  by this chapter ss. 415.502-415.514, or reporting in good

18  faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to

19  any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or

20  criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of

21  such action.

22         (b)  Except as provided in this chapter s.

23  415.503(10)(f), nothing contained in this section shall be

24  deemed to grant immunity, civil or criminal, to any person

25  suspected of having abused, abandoned, or neglected a child,

26  or committed any illegal act upon or against a child.

27         (2)(a)  No resident or employee of a facility serving

28  children may be subjected to reprisal or discharge because of

29  his or her actions in reporting abuse, abandonment, or neglect

30  pursuant to the requirements of this section.

31


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  1         (b)  Any person making a report under this section

  2  shall have a civil cause of action for appropriate

  3  compensatory and punitive damages against any person who

  4  causes detrimental changes in the employment status of such

  5  reporting party by reason of his or her making such report.

  6  Any detrimental change made in the residency or employment

  7  status of such person, including, but not limited to,

  8  discharge, termination, demotion, transfer, or reduction in

  9  pay or benefits or work privileges, or negative evaluations

10  within a prescribed period of time shall establish a

11  rebuttable presumption that such action was retaliatory.

12         Section 34.  Section 415.512, Florida Statutes, is

13  renumbered as section 39.204, Florida Statutes, and amended to

14  read:

15         39.204 415.512  Abrogation of privileged communications

16  in cases involving child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.--The

17  privileged quality of communication between husband and wife

18  and between any professional person and his or her patient or

19  client, and any other privileged communication except that

20  between attorney and client or the privilege provided in s.

21  90.505, as such communication relates both to the competency

22  of the witness and to the exclusion of confidential

23  communications, shall not apply to any communication involving

24  the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator in any situation

25  involving known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or

26  neglect and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report

27  as required by s. 39.201 415.504 regardless of the source of

28  the information requiring the report, failure to cooperate

29  with the department in its activities pursuant to this chapter

30  ss. 415.502-415.514, or failure to give evidence in any

31


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  1  judicial proceeding relating to child abuse, abandonment, or

  2  neglect.

  3         Section 35.  Section 415.513, Florida Statutes, is

  4  renumbered as section 39.205, Florida Statutes, and amended to

  5  read:

  6         39.205 415.513  Penalties relating to abuse reporting

  7  of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.--

  8         (1)  A person who is required by s. 415.504 to report

  9  known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect and

10  who knowingly and willfully fails to do so, or who knowingly

11  and willfully prevents another person from doing so, is guilty

12  of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided

13  in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

14         (2)  A person who knowingly and willfully makes public

15  or discloses any confidential information contained in the

16  central abuse hotline registry and tracking system or in the

17  records of any child abuse, abandonment, or neglect case,

18  except as provided in this chapter ss. 415.502-415.514, is

19  guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as

20  provided in  s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

21         (3)  The department shall establish procedures for

22  determining whether a false report of child abuse,

23  abandonment, or neglect has been made and for submitting all

24  identifying information relating to such a report to the

25  appropriate law enforcement agency and shall report annually

26  to the Legislature the number of reports referred the state

27  attorney for prosecution.

28         (4)  If the department or its authorized agent has

29  determined after its investigation that a report is false, the

30  department shall, with the consent of the alleged perpetrator,

31  refer the report to the local law enforcement agency having


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  1  jurisdiction for an investigation to determine whether

  2  sufficient evidence exists to refer the case for prosecution

  3  for filing a false report as defined in s. 39.01(27).  During

  4  the pendency of the investigation by the local law enforcement

  5  agency, the department must notify the local law enforcement

  6  agency of, and the local law enforcement agency must respond

  7  to all subsequent reports concerning children in that same

  8  family in accordance with s. 39.301.  If the law enforcement

  9  agency believes that there are indicators of abuse,

10  abandonment, or neglect, it must immediately notify the

11  department, which must assure the safety of the children.  If

12  the law enforcement agency finds sufficient evidence for

13  prosecution for filing a false report, it must refer the case

14  to the appropriate state attorney for prosecution.

15         (5)(4)  A person who knowing and willfully makes a

16  false report of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or who

17  advises another to make a false report, is guilty of a felony

18  of the third misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as

19  provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.  Anyone making a report

20  who is acting in good faith is immune from any liability under

21  this subsection.

22         (6)(5)  Each state attorney shall establish written

23  procedures to facilitate the prosecution of persons under this

24  section, and shall report to the Legislature annually the

25  number of complaints that have resulted in the filing of an

26  information or indictment and the disposition of those

27  complaints under this section.

28         Section 36.  Section 415.5131, Florida Statutes, is

29  renumbered as section 39.206, Florida Statutes, and amended to

30  read:

31


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  1         39.206 415.5131  Administrative fines for false report

  2  of abuse, abandonment, or neglect of a child; civil damages.--

  3         (1)  In addition to any other penalty authorized by

  4  this section, chapter 120, or other law, the department may

  5  impose a fine, not to exceed $10,000 $1,000 for each

  6  violation, upon a person who knowingly and willfully makes a

  7  false report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect of a child, or

  8  a person who counsels another to make a false report.

  9         (2)  If the department alleges that a person has filed

10  a false report with the central abuse hotline registry and

11  tracking system, the department must file a Notice of Intent

12  which alleges the name, age, and address of the individual,

13  the facts constituting the allegation that the individual made

14  a false report, and the administrative fine the department

15  proposes to impose on the person. Each time that a false

16  report is made constitutes a separate violation.

17         (3)  The Notice of Intent to impose the administrative

18  fine must be served upon the person alleged to have filed the

19  false report and the person's legal counsel, if any. Such

20  Notice of Intent must be given by certified mail, return

21  receipt requested.

22         (4)  Any person alleged to have filed the false report

23  is entitled to an administrative hearing, pursuant to chapter

24  120, before the imposition of the fine becomes final. The

25  person must request an administrative hearing within 60 days

26  after receipt of the Notice of Intent by filing a request with

27  the department. Failure to request an administrative hearing

28  within 60 days after receipt of the Notice of Intent

29  constitutes a waiver of the right to a hearing, making the

30  administrative fine final.

31


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  1         (5)  At the hearing, the department must prove by a

  2  preponderance of the clear and convincing evidence that the

  3  person filed a false report with the central abuse hotline

  4  registry and tracking system. The court shall advise any

  5  person against whom a fine may be imposed of that person's

  6  right to be represented by counsel at the hearing.

  7         (6)  In determining the amount of fine to be imposed,

  8  if any, the following factors shall be considered:

  9         (a)  The gravity of the violation, including the

10  probability that serious physical or emotional harm to any

11  person will result or has resulted, the severity of the actual

12  or potential harm, and the nature of the false allegation.

13         (b)  Actions taken by the false reporter to retract the

14  false report as an element of mitigation, or, in contrast, to

15  encourage an investigation on the basis of false information.

16         (c)  Any previous false reports filed by the same

17  individual.

18         (7)  A decision by the department, following the

19  administrative hearing, to impose an administrative fine for

20  filing a false report constitutes final agency action within

21  the meaning of chapter 120. Notice of the imposition of the

22  administrative fine must be served upon the person and the

23  person's legal counsel, by certified mail, return receipt

24  requested, and must state that the person may seek judicial

25  review of the administrative fine pursuant to s. 120.68.

26         (8)  All amounts collected under this section shall be

27  deposited into an appropriate trust fund of the department.

28         (9)  A person who is determined to have filed a false

29  report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect is not entitled to

30  confidentiality. Subsequent to the conclusion of all

31  administrative or other judicial proceedings concerning the


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  1  filing of a false report, the name of the false reporter and

  2  the nature of the false report shall be made public, pursuant

  3  to s. 119.01(1). Such information shall be admissible in any

  4  civil or criminal proceeding.

  5         (10)  A person who knowingly and willfully makes a

  6  false report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect of a child, or

  7  a person who counsels another to make a false report may be

  8  civilly liable for damages suffered, including reasonable

  9  attorney fees and costs, as a result of the filing of the

10  false report. If the name of the person who filed the false

11  report or counseled another to do so has not been disclosed

12  under subsection (9), the department as custodian of the

13  records may be named as a party in the suit until the

14  dependency court determines in a written order upon an in

15  camera inspection of the records and report that there is a

16  reasonable basis for believing that the report was false and

17  that the identity of the reporter may be disclosed for the

18  purpose of proceeding with a lawsuit for civil damages

19  resulting from the filing of the false report. The alleged

20  perpetrator may submit witness affidavits to assist the court

21  in making this initial determination.

22         (11)(10)  Any person making a report who is acting in

23  good faith is immune from any liability under this section and

24  shall continue to be entitled to have the confidentiality of

25  their identity maintained.

26         Section 37.  Part III of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

27  consisting of sections 39.301, 39.302, 39.303, 39.3035,

28  39.304, 39.305, 39.306, and 39.307, Florida Statutes, shall be

29  entitled to read:

30                             PART III

31                    PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS


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  1         Section 38.  Section 39.301, Florida Statutes, is

  2  created to read:

  3         39.301  Initiation of protective investigations.--

  4         (1)  Upon receiving an oral or written report of known

  5  or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, the central

  6  abuse hotline shall determine if the report requires an

  7  immediate onsite protective investigation.  For reports

  8  requiring an immediate onsite protective investigation, the

  9  central abuse hotline shall immediately notify the

10  department's designated children and families district staff

11  responsible for protective investigations to ensure that an

12  onsite investigation is promptly initiated.  For reports not

13  requiring an immediate onsite protective investigation, the

14  central abuse hotline shall notify the department's designated

15  children and families district staff responsible for

16  protective investigations in sufficient time to allow for an

17  investigation. At the time of notification of district staff

18  with respect to the report, the central abuse hotline shall

19  also provide information on any previous report concerning a

20  subject of the present report or any pertinent information

21  relative to the present report or any noted earlier reports.

22         (2)(a)  Upon commencing an investigation under this

23  part, the child protective investigator shall inform any

24  subject of the investigation of the following:

25         1.  The names of the investigators and identifying

26  credentials from the department.

27         2.  The purpose of the investigation.

28         3.  The right to obtain his or her own attorney and

29  ways that the information provided by the subject may be used.

30         4.  The possible outcomes and services of the

31  department's response shall be explained to the caregiver.


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  1         5.  The right of the parent, legal custodian, or

  2  caregiver to be involved to the fullest extent possible in

  3  determining the nature of the allegation and the nature of any

  4  identified problem.

  5         (b)  The department's training program shall ensure

  6  that protective investigators know how to fully inform

  7  parents, guardians, and caregivers of their rights and

  8  options, including opportunities for audio or video recording

  9  of investigators' interviews with parents, guardians,

10  caretakers, or children.

11         (3)  An assessment of risk and the perceived needs for

12  the child and family shall be conducted in a manner that is

13  sensitive to the social, economic, and cultural environment of

14  the family.

15         (4)  Protective investigations shall be performed by

16  the department or its agent.

17         (5)  The person responsible for the investigation shall

18  make a preliminary determination as to whether the report or

19  complaint is complete, consulting with the attorney for the

20  department when necessary.  In any case in which the person

21  responsible for the investigation finds that the report or

22  complaint is incomplete, he or she shall return it without

23  delay to the person or agency originating the report or

24  complaint or having knowledge of the facts, or to the

25  appropriate law enforcement agency having investigative

26  jurisdiction, and request additional information in order to

27  complete the report or complaint; however, the confidentiality

28  of any report filed in accordance with this chapter shall not

29  be violated.

30         (a)  If it is determined that the report or complaint

31  is complete, after determining that such action would be in


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  1  the best interests of the child, the attorney for the

  2  department shall file a petition for dependency.

  3         (b)  If it is determined that the report or complaint

  4  is complete, but the interests of the child and the public

  5  will be best served by providing the child care or other

  6  treatment voluntarily accepted by the child and the parents,

  7  caregivers, or legal custodians, the protective investigator

  8  may refer the child for such care or other treatment.

  9         (c)  If the person conducting the investigation refuses

10  to request the attorney for the department to file a petition

11  for dependency, the complainant shall be advised of the right

12  to file a petition pursuant to this part.

13         (6)  For each report it receives, the department shall

14  perform an onsite child protective investigation to:

15         (a)  Determine the composition of the family or

16  household, including the name, address, date of birth, social

17  security number, sex, and race of each child named in the

18  report; any siblings or other children in the same household

19  or in the care of the same adults; the parents, legal

20  custodians, or caregivers; and any other adults in the same

21  household.

22         (b)  Determine whether there is indication that any

23  child in the family or household has been abused, abandoned,

24  or neglected; the nature and extent of present or prior

25  injuries, abuse, or neglect, and any evidence thereof; and a

26  determination as to the person or persons apparently

27  responsible for the abuse, abandonment, or neglect, including

28  the name, address, date of birth, social security number, sex,

29  and race of each such person.

30         (c)  Determine the immediate and long-term risk to each

31  child by conducting state and federal records checks on the


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  1  parents, legal custodians, or caregivers, and any other

  2  persons in the same household. This information shall be used

  3  solely for purposes supporting the detection, apprehension,

  4  prosecution, pretrial release, post-trial release, or

  5  rehabilitation of criminal offenders or persons accused of the

  6  crimes of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect and shall not

  7  be further disseminated or used for any other purpose. The

  8  department's child protection investigators are hereby

  9  designated a criminal justice agency for the purpose of

10  accessing criminal justice information to be used for

11  enforcing this state's laws concerning the crimes of child

12  abuse, abandonment, and neglect.

13         (d)  Determine the immediate and long-term risk to each

14  child through utilization of standardized risk assessment

15  instruments.

16         (e)  Based on the information obtained from the

17  caregiver, complete the risk-assessment instrument within 48

18  hours after the initial contact and, if needed, develop a case

19  plan.

20         (f)  Determine the protective, treatment, and

21  ameliorative services necessary to safeguard and ensure the

22  child's safety and well-being and development, and cause the

23  delivery of those services through the early intervention of

24  the department or its agent.

25         (7)  If the department or its agent is denied

26  reasonable access to a child by the parents, legal custodians,

27  or caregivers and the department deems that the best interests

28  of the child so require, it shall seek an appropriate court

29  order or other legal authority prior to examining and

30  interviewing the child.

31


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  1         (8)  If the department or its agent determines that a

  2  child requires immediate or long-term protection through:

  3         (a)  Medical or other health care;

  4         (b)  Homemaker care, day care, protective supervision,

  5  or other services to stabilize the home environment, including

  6  intensive family preservation services through the Family

  7  Builders Program, the Intensive Crisis Counseling Program, or

  8  both; or

  9         (c)  Foster care, shelter care, or other substitute

10  care to remove the child from the custody of the parents,

11  legal guardians, or caregivers,

12

13  such services shall first be offered for voluntary acceptance

14  unless there are high-risk factors that may impact the ability

15  of the parents, legal guardians, or caregivers to exercise

16  judgment. Such factors may include the parents', legal

17  guardians', or caregivers' young age or history of substance

18  abuse or domestic violence. The parents, legal custodians, or

19  caregivers shall be informed of the right to refuse services,

20  as well as the responsibility of the department to protect the

21  child regardless of the acceptance or refusal of services. If

22  the services are refused and the department deems that the

23  child's need for protection so requires, the department shall

24  take the child into protective custody or petition the court

25  as provided in this chapter.

26         (9)  When a child is taken into custody pursuant to

27  this section, the authorized agent of the department shall

28  request that the child's parent, caregiver, or legal custodian

29  disclose the names, relationships, and addresses of all

30  parents and prospective parents and all next of kin, so far as

31  are known.


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  1         (10)  No later than 30 days after receiving the initial

  2  report, the local office of the department shall complete its

  3  investigation.

  4         (11)  Immediately upon receipt of a report alleging, or

  5  immediately upon learning during the course of an

  6  investigation, that:

  7         (a)  The immediate safety or well-being of a child is

  8  endangered;

  9         (b)  The family is likely to flee;

10         (c)  A child died as a result of abuse, abandonment, or

11  neglect;

12         (d)  A child is a victim of aggravated child abuse as

13  defined in s. 827.03; or

14         (e)  A child is a victim of sexual battery or of sexual

15  abuse,

16

17  the department shall orally notify the jurisdictionally

18  responsible state attorney, and county sheriff's office or

19  local police department, and, as soon as practicable, transmit

20  the report to those agencies.  The law enforcement agency

21  shall review the report and determine whether a criminal

22  investigation needs to be conducted and shall assume lead

23  responsibility for all criminal fact-finding activities.  A

24  criminal investigation shall be coordinated, whenever

25  possible, with the child protective investigation of the

26  department.  Any interested person who has information

27  regarding an offense described in this subsection may forward

28  a statement to the state attorney as to whether prosecution is

29  warranted and appropriate.

30         (12)  In a child protective investigation or a criminal

31  investigation, when the initial interview with the child is


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  1  conducted at school, the department or the law enforcement

  2  agency may allow, notwithstanding the provisions of s.

  3  39.0132(4), a school instructional staff member who is known

  4  by the child to be present during the initial interview if:

  5         (a)  The department or law enforcement agency believes

  6  that the school instructional staff member could enhance the

  7  success of the interview by his or her presence; and

  8         (b)  The child requests or consents to the presence of

  9  the school instructional staff member at the interview.

10

11  School instructional staff may only be present when authorized

12  by this subsection.  Information received during the interview

13  or from any other source regarding the alleged abuse or

14  neglect of the child shall be confidential and exempt from the

15  provisions of s. 119.07(1), except as otherwise provided by

16  court order.  A separate record of the investigation of the

17  abuse, abandonment, or neglect shall not be maintained by the

18  school or school instructional staff member. Violation of this

19  subsection constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree,

20  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

21         (13)  Within 15 days after the completion of the

22  investigation of cases reported to him or her pursuant to this

23  section, the state attorney shall report his or her findings

24  to the department and shall include in such report a

25  determination of whether or not prosecution is justified and

26  appropriate in view of the circumstances of the specific case.

27         Section 39.  Section 39.302, Florida Statutes, is

28  created to read:

29         39.302  Protective investigations of institutional

30  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.--

31


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  1         (1)  The department shall conduct a child protective

  2  investigation of each report of institutional child abuse,

  3  abandonment, or neglect.  Upon receipt of a report which

  4  alleges that an employee or agent of the department, or any

  5  other entity or person covered by s. 39.01(32) or (47), acting

  6  in an official capacity, has committed an act of child abuse,

  7  abandonment, or neglect, the department shall immediately

  8  initiate a child protective investigation and orally notify

  9  the appropriate state attorney, law enforcement agency, and

10  licensing agency.  These agencies shall immediately conduct a

11  joint investigation, unless independent investigations are

12  more feasible.  When a facility is exempt from licensing, the

13  department shall inform the owner or operator of the facility

14  of the report.  Each agency conducting a joint investigation

15  shall be entitled to full access to the information gathered

16  by the department in the course of the investigation. In all

17  cases, the department shall make a full written report to the

18  state attorney within 3 days after making the oral report. A

19  criminal investigation shall be coordinated, whenever

20  possible, with the child protective investigation of the

21  department. Any interested person who has information

22  regarding the offenses described in this subsection may

23  forward a statement to the state attorney as to whether

24  prosecution is warranted and appropriate. Within 15 days after

25  the completion of the investigation, the state attorney shall

26  report the findings to the department and shall include in

27  such report a determination of whether or not prosecution is

28  justified and appropriate in view of the circumstances of the

29  specific case.

30         (2)(a)  If in the course of the child protective

31  investigation, the department finds that a subject of a


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  1  report, by continued contact with children in care,

  2  constitutes a threatened harm to the physical health, mental

  3  health, or welfare of the children, the department may

  4  restrict a subject's access to the children pending the

  5  outcome of the investigation.  The department or its agent

  6  shall employ the least restrictive means necessary to

  7  safeguard the physical health, mental health, and welfare of

  8  the children in care.  This authority shall apply only to

  9  child protective investigations in which there is some

10  evidence that child abuse, abandonment, or neglect has

11  occurred.  A subject of a report whose access to children in

12  care has been restricted is entitled to petition the circuit

13  court for judicial review. The court shall enter written

14  findings of fact based upon the preponderance of evidence that

15  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect did occur and that the

16  department's restrictive action against a subject of the

17  report was justified in order to safeguard the physical

18  health, mental health, and welfare of the children in care.

19  The restrictive action of the department shall be effective

20  for no more than 90 days without a judicial finding supporting

21  the actions of the department.

22         (b)  Upon completion of the department's child

23  protective investigation, the department may make application

24  to the circuit court for continued restrictive action against

25  any person necessary to safeguard the physical health, mental

26  health, and welfare of the children in care.

27         (3)  Pursuant to the restrictive actions described in

28  subsection (2), in cases of institutional abuse, abandonment,

29  or neglect in which the removal of a subject of a report will

30  result in the closure of the facility, and when requested by

31  the owner of the facility, the department may provide


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  1  appropriate personnel to assist in maintaining the operation

  2  of the facility.  The department may provide assistance when

  3  it can be demonstrated by the owner that there are no

  4  reasonable alternatives to such action. The length of the

  5  assistance shall be agreed upon by the owner and the

  6  department; however, the assistance shall not be for longer

  7  than the course of the restrictive action imposed pursuant to

  8  subsection (2).  The owner shall reimburse the department for

  9  the assistance of personnel provided.

10         (4)  The department shall notify the human rights

11  advocacy committee in the appropriate district of the

12  department as to every report of institutional child abuse,

13  abandonment, or neglect in the district in which a client of

14  the department is alleged or shown to have been abused,

15  abandoned, or neglected, which notification shall be made

16  within 48 hours after the department commences its

17  investigation.

18         (5)  The department shall notify the state attorney and

19  the appropriate law enforcement agency of any other child

20  abuse, abandonment, or neglect case in which a criminal

21  investigation is deemed appropriate by the department.

22         (6)  In cases of institutional child abuse,

23  abandonment, or neglect in which the multiplicity of reports

24  of abuse, abandonment, or neglect or the severity of the

25  allegations indicates the need for specialized investigation

26  by the department in order to afford greater safeguards for

27  the physical health, mental health, and welfare of the

28  children in care, the department shall provide a team of

29  persons specially trained in the areas of child abuse,

30  abandonment, and neglect investigations, diagnosis, and

31  treatment to assist the local office of the department in


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  1  expediting its investigation and in making recommendations for

  2  restrictive actions and to assist in other ways deemed

  3  necessary by the department in order to carry out the

  4  provisions of this section. The specially trained team shall

  5  also provide assistance to any investigation of the

  6  allegations by local law enforcement and the Department of Law

  7  Enforcement.

  8         Section 40.  Section 415.5055, Florida Statutes, is

  9  renumbered as section 39.303, Florida Statutes, and amended to

10  read:

11         39.303 415.5055  Child protection teams; services;

12  eligible cases.--The department shall develop, maintain, and

13  coordinate the services of one or more multidisciplinary child

14  protection teams in each of the service districts of the

15  department.  Such teams may be composed of representatives of

16  appropriate health, mental health, social service, legal

17  service, and law enforcement agencies. The Legislature finds

18  that optimal coordination of child protection teams and sexual

19  abuse treatment programs requires collaboration between the

20  Department of Health and the Department of Children and Family

21  Services. The two departments shall maintain an interagency

22  agreement that establishes protocols for oversight and

23  operations of child protection teams and sexual abuse

24  treatment programs. The Secretary of Health and the Director

25  of the Division of Children's Medical Services, in

26  consultation with the Secretary of Children and Family

27  Services, shall maintain the responsibility for the screening,

28  employment, and, if necessary, the termination of child

29  protection team medical directors, at headquarters and in the

30  15 districts. Child protection team medical directors shall be

31  responsible for oversight of the teams in the districts.


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  1         (1)  The department shall utilize and convene the teams

  2  to supplement the assessment and protective supervision

  3  activities of the children, youth, and families program of the

  4  department.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to

  5  remove or reduce the duty and responsibility of any person to

  6  report pursuant to this chapter s. 415.504 all suspected or

  7  actual cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect or sexual

  8  abuse of a child.  The role of the teams shall be to support

  9  activities of the program and to provide services deemed by

10  the teams to be necessary and appropriate to abused,

11  abandoned, and neglected children upon referral.  The

12  specialized diagnostic assessment, evaluation, coordination,

13  consultation, and other supportive services that a child

14  protection team shall be capable of providing include, but are

15  not limited to, the following:

16         (a)  Medical diagnosis and evaluation services,

17  including provision or interpretation of X rays and laboratory

18  tests, and related services, as needed, and documentation of

19  findings relative thereto.

20         (b)  Telephone consultation services in emergencies and

21  in other situations.

22         (c)  Medical evaluation related to abuse, abandonment,

23  or neglect, as defined by department policy or rule.

24         (d)  Such psychological and psychiatric diagnosis and

25  evaluation services for the child or the child's parent or

26  parents, legal custodian or custodians guardian or guardians,

27  or other caregivers, or any other individual involved in a

28  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect case, as the team may

29  determine to be needed.

30         (e)  Short-term psychological treatment.  It is the

31  intent of the Legislature that short-term psychological


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  1  treatment be limited to no more than 6 months' duration after

  2  treatment is initiated, except that the appropriate district

  3  administrator may authorize such treatment for individual

  4  children beyond this limitation if the administrator deems it

  5  appropriate.

  6         (f)  Expert medical, psychological, and related

  7  professional testimony in court cases.

  8         (g)  Case staffings to develop, implement, and monitor

  9  treatment plans for children whose cases have been referred to

10  the team.  A child protection team may provide consultation

11  with respect to a child who has not been referred to the team,

12  but who is alleged or is shown to be abused, abandoned, or

13  neglected, which consultation shall be provided at the request

14  of a representative of the children, youth, and families

15  program or at the request of any other professional involved

16  with a child or the child's parent or parents, legal custodian

17  or custodians guardian or guardians, or other caregivers.  In

18  every such child protection team case staffing, consultation,

19  or staff activity involving a child, a children, youth, and

20  families program representative shall attend and participate.

21         (h)  Case service coordination and assistance,

22  including the location of services available from other public

23  and private agencies in the community.

24         (i)  Such training services for program and other

25  department employees as is deemed appropriate to enable them

26  to develop and maintain their professional skills and

27  abilities in handling child abuse, abandonment, and neglect

28  cases.

29         (j)  Educational and community awareness campaigns on

30  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect in an effort to enable

31


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  1  citizens more successfully to prevent, identify, and treat

  2  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect in the community.

  3         (2)  The child abuse, abandonment, and neglect cases

  4  that are appropriate for referral by the children, youth, and

  5  families program to child protection teams for support

  6  services as set forth in subsection (1) include, but are not

  7  limited to, cases involving:

  8         (a)  Bruises, burns, or fractures in a child under the

  9  age of 3 years or in a nonambulatory child of any age.

10         (b)  Unexplained or implausibly explained bruises,

11  burns, fractures, or other injuries in a child of any age.

12         (c)  Sexual abuse of a child in which vaginal or anal

13  penetration is alleged or in which other unlawful sexual

14  conduct has been determined to have occurred.

15         (d)  Venereal disease, or any other sexually

16  transmitted disease, in a prepubescent child.

17         (e)  Reported malnutrition of a child and failure of a

18  child to thrive.

19         (f)  Reported medical, physical, or emotional neglect

20  of a child.

21         (g)  Any family in which one or more children have been

22  pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital or other health care

23  facility, or have been injured and later died, as a result of

24  suspected abuse, abandonment, or neglect, when any sibling or

25  other child remains in the home.

26         (h)  Symptoms of serious emotional problems in a child

27  when emotional or other abuse, abandonment, or neglect is

28  suspected.

29         (3)  All records and reports of the child protection

30  team are confidential and exempt from the provisions of ss.

31  119.07(1) and 455.241, and shall not be disclosed, except,


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  1  upon request, to the state attorney, law enforcement, the

  2  department, and necessary professionals, in furtherance of the

  3  treatment or additional evaluative needs of the child or by

  4  order of the court.

  5         (3)  In all instances in which a child protection team

  6  is providing certain services to abused, abandoned, or

  7  neglected children, other offices and units of the department

  8  shall avoid duplicating the provision of those services.

  9         Section 41.  Section 39.3035, Florida Statutes, is

10  created to read:

11         39.3035  Child advocacy centers; standards; state

12  funding.--

13         (1)  In order to become eligible for a full membership

14  in the Florida Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, Inc., a

15  child advocacy center in this state shall:

16         (a)  Be a private, nonprofit incorporated agency or a

17  governmental entity.

18         (b)  Be a child protection team with established

19  community protocols which meet all of the requirements of the

20  National Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, Inc.

21         (c)  Have a neutral, child-focused facility where joint

22  department and law enforcement interviews take place with

23  children in appropriate cases of suspected child sexual abuse

24  or physical abuse.  All multidisciplinary agencies shall have

25  a place to interact with the child as investigative or

26  treatment needs require.

27         (d)  Have a minimum designated staff that is supervised

28  and approved by the local board of directors or governmental

29  entity.

30         (e)  Have a multidisciplinary case review team that

31  meets on a regularly scheduled basis or as the caseload of the


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  1  community requires.  The team shall consist of representatives

  2  from the Office of the State Attorney, the department, the

  3  child protection team, mental health services, law

  4  enforcement, and the child advocacy center staff.  Medical

  5  personnel and a victim's advocate may be part of the team.

  6         (f)  Provide case tracking of child abuse cases seen

  7  through the center.  A center shall also collect data on the

  8  number of child abuse cases seen at the center, by sex, race,

  9  age, and other relevant data; the number of cases referred for

10  prosecution; and the number of cases referred for mental

11  health therapy. Case records shall be subject to the

12  confidentiality provisions of s. 39.202.

13         (g)  Provide referrals for medical exams and mental

14  health therapy.  The center shall provide followup on cases

15  referred for mental health therapy.

16         (h)  Provide training for various disciplines in the

17  community that deal with child abuse.

18         (i)  Have an interagency commitment, in writing,

19  covering those aspects of agency participation in a

20  multidisciplinary approach to the handling of child sexual

21  abuse and serious physical abuse cases.

22         (2)  Provide assurance that child advocacy center

23  employees and volunteers at the center are trained and

24  screened in accordance with s. 39.001(2).

25         (3)  Any child advocacy center within this state that

26  meets the standards of subsection (1) and is certified by the

27  Florida Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, Inc., as being

28  a full member in the organization shall be eligible to receive

29  state funds that are appropriated by the Legislature.

30

31


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  1         Section 42.  Section 415.507, Florida Statutes, is

  2  renumbered as section 39.304, Florida Statutes, and amended to

  3  read:

  4         39.304 415.507  Photographs, medical examinations, X

  5  rays, and medical treatment of abused, abandoned, or neglected

  6  child.--

  7         (1)  Any person required to investigate cases of

  8  suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect may take or

  9  cause to be taken photographs of the areas of trauma visible

10  on a child who is the subject of a report.  If the areas of

11  trauma visible on a child indicate a need for a medical

12  examination, or if the child verbally complains or otherwise

13  exhibits distress as a result of injury through suspected

14  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or is alleged to have

15  been sexually abused, the person required to investigate may

16  cause the child to be referred for diagnosis to a licensed

17  physician or an emergency department in a hospital without the

18  consent of the child's parents, caregiver legal guardian, or

19  legal custodian.  Such examination may be performed by an

20  advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed pursuant to

21  chapter 464. Any licensed physician, or advanced registered

22  nurse practitioner licensed pursuant to chapter 464, who has

23  reasonable cause to suspect that an injury was the result of

24  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect may authorize a

25  radiological examination to be performed on the child without

26  the consent of the child's parent, caregiver legal guardian,

27  or legal custodian.

28         (2)  Consent for any medical treatment shall be

29  obtained in the following manner.

30         (a)1.  Consent to medical treatment shall be obtained

31  from a parent or legal custodian guardian of the child; or


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  1         2.  A court order for such treatment shall be obtained.

  2         (b)  If a parent or legal custodian guardian of the

  3  child is unavailable and his or her whereabouts cannot be

  4  reasonably ascertained, and it is after normal working hours

  5  so that a court order cannot reasonably be obtained, an

  6  authorized agent of the department shall have the authority to

  7  consent to necessary medical treatment for the child. The

  8  authority of the department to consent to medical treatment in

  9  this circumstance shall be limited to the time reasonably

10  necessary to obtain court authorization.

11         (c)  If a parent or legal custodian guardian of the

12  child is available but refuses to consent to the necessary

13  treatment, a court order shall be required unless the

14  situation meets the definition of an emergency in s. 743.064

15  or the treatment needed is related to suspected abuse,

16  abandonment, or neglect of the child by a parent or legal

17  custodian guardian. In such case, the department shall have

18  the authority to consent to necessary medical treatment.  This

19  authority is limited to the time reasonably necessary to

20  obtain court authorization.

21

22  In no case shall the department consent to sterilization,

23  abortion, or termination of life support.

24         (3)  Any facility licensed under chapter 395 shall

25  provide to the department, its agent, or a child protection

26  team that contracts with the department any photograph or

27  report on examinations made or X rays taken pursuant to this

28  section, or copies thereof, for the purpose of investigation

29  or assessment of cases of abuse, abandonment, neglect, or

30  exploitation of children.

31


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  1         (4)(3)  Any photograph or report on examinations made

  2  or X rays taken pursuant to this section, or copies thereof,

  3  shall be sent to the department as soon as possible.

  4         (5)(4)  The county in which the child is a resident

  5  shall bear the initial costs of the examination of the

  6  allegedly abused, abandoned, or neglected child; however, the

  7  parents, caregiver legal guardian, or legal custodian of the

  8  child shall be required to reimburse the county for the costs

  9  of such examination, other than an initial forensic physical

10  examination as provided in s. 960.28, and to reimburse the

11  department of Children and Family Services for the cost of the

12  photographs taken pursuant to this section.  A medical

13  provider may not bill a child victim, directly or indirectly,

14  for the cost of an initial forensic physical examination.

15         (5)  The court shall order a defendant or juvenile

16  offender who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or who is

17  convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for, a violation of

18  chapter 794 or chapter 800 to make restitution to the Crimes

19  Compensation Trust Fund or to the county, whichever paid for

20  the initial forensic physical examination, in an amount equal

21  to the compensation paid to the medical provider for the cost

22  of the initial forensic physical examination.  The order may

23  be enforced by the department in the same manner as a judgment

24  in a civil action.

25         Section 43.  Section 415.5095, Florida Statutes, is

26  renumbered as section 39.305, Florida Statutes, and amended to

27  read:

28         39.305 415.5095  Intervention and treatment in sexual

29  abuse cases; model plan.--

30         (1)  The impact of sexual abuse on the child and family

31  has caused the Legislature to determine that special


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  1  intervention and treatment must be offered in certain cases so

  2  that the child can be protected from further abuse, the family

  3  can be kept together, and the abuser can benefit from

  4  treatment.  To further this end, it is the intent of the

  5  Legislature that special funding shall be available in those

  6  communities where agencies and professionals are able to work

  7  cooperatively to effectuate intervention and treatment in

  8  intrafamily sexual abuse cases.

  9         (2)  The department of Children and Family Services

10  shall develop a model plan for community intervention and

11  treatment of intrafamily sexual abuse in conjunction with the

12  Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Health, the

13  Department of Education, the Attorney General, the state

14  Guardian Ad Litem Program, the Department of Corrections,

15  representatives of the judiciary, and professionals and

16  advocates from the mental health and child welfare community.

17         Section 44.  Section 39.306, Florida Statutes, is

18  created to read:

19         39.306  Child protective investigations; working

20  agreements with local law enforcement.--The department shall

21  enter into agreements with the jurisdictionally responsible

22  county sheriffs' offices and local police departments that

23  will assume the lead in conducting any potential criminal

24  investigations arising from allegations of child abuse,

25  abandonment, or neglect. The written agreement must specify

26  how the requirements of this chapter will be met. For the

27  purposes of such agreement, the jurisdictionally responsible

28  law enforcement entity is authorized to share Florida criminal

29  history information that is not otherwise exempt from s.

30  119.07(1) with the district personnel, authorized agent, or

31  contract provider directly responsible for the child


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  1  protective investigation and emergency child placement. The

  2  agencies entering into such agreement must comply with s.

  3  943.0525. Criminal justice information provided by such law

  4  enforcement entity shall be used only for the purposes

  5  specified in the agreement and shall be provided at no charge.

  6  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department of

  7  Law Enforcement shall provide to the department electronic

  8  access to Florida criminal justice information which is

  9  lawfully available and not exempt from s. 119.07(1), only for

10  the purpose of child protective investigations and emergency

11  child placement.  As a condition of access to such

12  information, the department shall be required to execute an

13  appropriate user agreement addressing the access, use,

14  dissemination, and destruction of such information and to

15  comply with all applicable laws and regulations, and rules of

16  the Department of Law Enforcement.

17         Section 45.  Section 415.50171, Florida Statutes, is

18  renumbered as section 39.307, Florida Statutes, and subsection

19  (1), paragraph (a) of subsection (2), and subsection (6) of

20  said section are amended to read:

21         39.307 415.50171  Family services response system;

22  Reports of child-on-child sexual abuse.--

23         (1)  Subject to specific appropriation, Upon receiving

24  a report alleging juvenile sexual abuse as defined in s.

25  39.01(7)(b), the department shall assist the family in

26  receiving appropriate services 415.50165(7), district staff

27  shall, unless caregiver abuse or neglect is involved, use a

28  family services response system approach to address the

29  allegations of the report.

30         (2)  District staff, at a minimum, shall adhere to the

31  following procedures:


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  1         (a)  The purpose of the response to a report alleging

  2  juvenile sexual abuse behavior shall be explained to the

  3  caregiver.

  4         1.  The purpose of the response shall be explained in a

  5  manner consistent with legislative purpose and intent provided

  6  in this chapter part.

  7         2.  The name and office telephone number of the person

  8  responding shall be provided to the caregiver of the alleged

  9  juvenile sexual offender and victim's caregiver.

10         3.  The possible consequences of the department's

11  response, including outcomes and services, shall be explained

12  to the caregiver of the alleged juvenile sexual offender and

13  the victim's family or caregiver.

14         (6)  At any time, as a result of additional

15  information, findings of facts, or changing conditions, the

16  department may pursue a child protective investigation as

17  provided in this chapter part IV.

18         Section 46.  Part IV of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

19  consisting of sections 39.311, 39.312, 39.313, 39.314, 39.315,

20  39.316, 39.317, and 39.318, Florida Statutes, shall be

21  entitled to read:

22                             PART IV

23                     FAMILY BUILDERS PROGRAM

24         Section 47.  Section 415.515, Florida Statutes, is

25  renumbered as section 39.311, Florida Statutes, and amended to

26  read:

27         39.311 415.515  Establishment of Family Builders

28  Program.--

29         (1)  Any Family Builders Program that is established by

30  the department of Children and Family Services or the

31  Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide family


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  1  preservation services to families whose children are at risk

  2  of imminent out-of-home placement because they are dependent

  3  or delinquent or are children in need of services, to reunite

  4  families whose children have been removed and placed in foster

  5  care, and to maintain adoptive families intact who are at risk

  6  of fragmentation. The Family Builders Program shall provide

  7  programs to achieve long-term changes within families that

  8  will allow children to remain with their families as an

  9  alternative to the more expensive and potentially

10  psychologically damaging program of out-of-home placement.

11         (2)  The department of Children and Family Services and

12  the Department of Juvenile Justice may adopt rules to

13  implement the Family Builders Program.

14         Section 48.  Section 415.516, Florida Statutes, is

15  renumbered as section 39.312, Florida Statutes, and amended to

16  read:

17         39.312 415.516  Goals.--The goals of any Family

18  Builders Program shall be to:

19         (1)  Ensure child health and safety while working with

20  the family.

21         (2)(1)  Help parents to improve their relationships

22  with their children and to provide better care, nutrition,

23  hygiene, discipline, protection, instruction, and supervision.

24         (3)(2)  Help parents to provide a better household

25  environment for their children by improving household

26  maintenance, budgeting, and purchasing.

27         (4)(3)  Provide part-time child care when parents are

28  unable to do so or need temporary relief.

29         (5)(4)  Perform household maintenance, budgeting, and

30  purchasing when parents are unable to do so on their own or

31  need temporary relief.


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  1         (6)(5)  Assist parents and children to manage and

  2  resolve conflicts.

  3         (7)(6)  Assist parents to meet the special physical,

  4  mental, or emotional needs of their children and help parents

  5  to deal with their own special physical, mental, or emotional

  6  needs that interfere with their ability to care for their

  7  children and to manage their households.

  8         (8)(7)  Help families to discover and gain access to

  9  community resources to which the family or children might be

10  entitled and which would assist the family in meeting its

11  needs and the needs of the children, including the needs for

12  food, clothing, housing, utilities, transportation,

13  appropriate educational opportunities, employment, respite

14  care, and recreational and social activities.

15         (9)(8)  Help families by providing cash or in-kind

16  assistance to meet their needs for food, clothing, housing, or

17  transportation when such needs prevent or threaten to prevent

18  parents from caring for their children, and when such needs

19  are not met by other sources in the community in a timely

20  fashion.

21         (9)  Emphasize parental responsibility and facilitate

22  counseling for children at high risk of delinquent behavior

23  and their parents.

24         (10)  Provide such additional reasonable services for

25  the prevention of maltreatment and unnecessary foster care as

26  may be needed in order to strengthen a family at risk.

27         Section 49.  Section 415.517, Florida Statutes, is

28  renumbered as section 39.313, Florida Statutes, and amended to

29  read:

30         39.313 415.517  Contracting of services.--The

31  department may contract for the delivery of Family Builders


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  1  Program services by professionally qualified persons or local

  2  governments when it determines that it is in the family's best

  3  interest.  The service provider or program operator must

  4  submit to the department monthly activity reports covering any

  5  services rendered.  These activity reports must include

  6  project evaluation in relation to individual families being

  7  served, as well as statistical data concerning families

  8  referred for services who are not served due to the

  9  unavailability of resources.  The costs of program evaluation

10  are an allowable cost consideration in any service contract

11  negotiated in accordance with this section subsection.

12         Section 50.  Section 415.518, Florida Statutes, is

13  renumbered as section 39.314, Florida Statutes, and amended to

14  read:

15         39.314 415.518  Eligibility for Family Builders Program

16  services.--Family Builders Program services must be made

17  available to a family at risk on a voluntary basis, provided

18  the family meets the eligibility requirements as established

19  by rule and there is space available in the program.  All

20  members of the families who accept such services are

21  responsible for cooperating fully with the family preservation

22  plan developed for each family under s. 39.315 this section.

23  Families in which children are at imminent risk of sexual

24  abuse or physical endangerment perpetrated by a member of

25  their immediate household are not eligible to receive family

26  preservation services unless the perpetrator is in, or has

27  agreed to enter, a program for treatment and the safety of the

28  children may be enhanced through participation in the Family

29  Builders Program.

30         Section 51.  Section 415.519, Florida Statutes, is

31  renumbered as section 39.315, Florida Statutes.


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  1         Section 52.  Section 415.520, Florida Statutes, is

  2  renumbered as section 39.316, Florida Statutes, and subsection

  3  (3) of said section is amended to read:

  4         39.316 415.520  Qualifications of Family Builders

  5  Program workers.--

  6         (3)  Caseworkers must successfully complete at least 40

  7  hours of intensive training prior to providing direct services

  8  service under this program.  Paraprofessional aides and

  9  supervisors must, within 90 days after hiring, complete a

10  training program prescribed by the department on child abuse,

11  abandonment, and neglect and an overview of the children,

12  youth, and families program components and service delivery

13  system.  Program supervisors and caseworkers must thereafter

14  complete at least 40 hours of additional training each year in

15  accordance with standards established by the department.

16         Section 53.  Section 415.521, Florida Statutes, is

17  renumbered as section 39.317, Florida Statutes.

18         Section 54.  Section 415.522, Florida Statutes, is

19  renumbered as section 39.318, Florida Statutes, and amended to

20  read:

21         39.318 415.522  Funding.--The department is authorized

22  to use appropriate state, federal, and private funds within

23  its budget for operating the Family Builders Program.  For

24  each child served, the cost of providing home-based services

25  described in this part act must not exceed the costs of

26  out-of-home care which otherwise would be incurred.

27         Section 55.  Part V of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

28  consisting of sections 39.395, 39.401, 39.402, 39.407, and

29  39.4075, Florida Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

30                              PART V

31                   TAKING CHILDREN INTO CUSTODY


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  1                       AND SHELTER HEARINGS

  2         Section 56.  Section 39.395, Florida Statutes, is

  3  created to read:

  4         39.395  Detaining a child; medical or hospital

  5  personnel.--Any person in charge of a hospital or similar

  6  institution, or any physician or licensed health care

  7  professional treating a child may detain that child without

  8  the consent of the parents, caregiver, or legal custodian,

  9  whether or not additional medical treatment is required, if

10  the circumstances are such, or if the condition of the child

11  is such that returning the child to the care or custody of the

12  parents, caregiver, or legal custodian presents an imminent

13  danger to the child's life or physical or mental health.  Any

14  such person detaining a child shall immediately notify the

15  department, whereupon the department shall immediately begin a

16  child protective investigation in accordance with the

17  provisions of this chapter and shall make every reasonable

18  effort to immediately notify the parents, caregiver, or legal

19  custodian that such child has been detained.  If the

20  department determines, according to the criteria set forth in

21  this chapter, that the child should be detained longer than 24

22  hours, it shall petition the court through the attorney

23  representing the Department of Children and Family Services as

24  quickly as possible and not to exceed 24 hours, for an order

25  authorizing such custody in the same manner as if the child

26  were placed in a shelter.  The department shall attempt to

27  avoid the placement of a child in an institution whenever

28  possible.

29         Section 57.  Section 39.401, Florida Statutes, as

30  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is amended to

31  read:


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  1         39.401  Taking a child alleged to be dependent into

  2  custody; law enforcement officers and authorized agents of the

  3  department.--

  4         (1)  A child may only be taken into custody:

  5         (a)  Pursuant to the provisions of this part, based

  6  upon sworn testimony, either before or after a petition is

  7  filed; or.

  8         (b)  By a law enforcement officer, or an authorized

  9  agent of the department, if the officer or authorized agent

10  has probable cause to support a finding or reasonable grounds

11  for removal and that removal is necessary to protect the

12  child.  Reasonable grounds for removal are as follows:

13         1.  That the child has been abused, neglected, or

14  abandoned, or is suffering from or is in imminent danger of

15  illness  or injury as a result of abuse, neglect, or

16  abandonment;

17         2.  That the parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or

18  responsible adult relative custodian of the child has

19  materially violated a condition of placement imposed by the

20  court; or

21         3.  That the child has no parent, legal custodian,

22  caregiver, or responsible adult relative immediately known and

23  available to provide supervision and care.

24         (2)  If the law enforcement officer takes person taking

25  the child into custody is not an authorized agent of the

26  department, that officer person shall:

27         (a)  Release the child to:

28         1.  The parent, caregiver, or guardian, legal custodian

29  of the child;,

30         2.  A responsible adult approved by the court when

31  limited to temporary emergency situations;,


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  1         3.  A responsible adult relative who shall be given

  2  priority consideration over a nonrelative placement when this

  3  is in the best interests of the child;, or

  4         4.  A responsible adult approved by the department;

  5  within 3 days following such release, the person taking the

  6  child into custody shall make a full written report to the

  7  department for cases involving allegations of abandonment,

  8  abuse, or neglect or other dependency cases, or

  9         (b)  Deliver the child to an authorized agent of the

10  department, stating the facts by reason of which the child was

11  taken into custody and sufficient information to establish

12  probable cause that the child is abandoned, abused, or

13  neglected, or otherwise dependent and make a full written

14  report to the department within 3 days.

15

16  For cases involving allegations of abandonment, abuse, or

17  neglect, or other dependency cases, within 3 days after such

18  release or within 3 days after delivering the child to an

19  authorized agent of the department, the law enforcement

20  officer who took the child into custody shall make a full

21  written report to the department.

22         (3)  If the child is taken into custody by, or is

23  delivered to, an authorized agent of the department, the

24  authorized agent shall review the facts supporting the removal

25  with an attorney representing the department legal staff prior

26  to the emergency shelter hearing.  The purpose of this review

27  shall be to determine whether probable cause exists for the

28  filing of a an emergency shelter petition pursuant to s.

29  39.402(1).  If the facts are not sufficient to support the

30  filing of a shelter petition, the child shall immediately be

31  returned to the custody of the parent, caregiver, or legal


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  1  custodian.  If the facts are sufficient to support the filing

  2  of the shelter hearing the attorney representing the

  3  Department of Children and Family Services shall request

  4  pursuant to s. 39.402(1), such hearing to be held as quickly

  5  as possible and not to exceed within 24 hours after the

  6  removal of the child.  While awaiting the emergency shelter

  7  hearing, the authorized agent of the department may place the

  8  child in licensed shelter care or may release the child to a

  9  parent, guardian, legal custodian, caregiver, or responsible

10  adult relative who shall be given priority consideration over

11  a licensed nonrelative placement, or responsible adult

12  approved by the department when this is in the best interests

13  of the child.  Any placement of a child which is not in a

14  licensed shelter must be preceded by a local and state

15  criminal records check, as well as a search of the

16  department's automated abuse information system, on all

17  members of the household, to assess the child's safety within

18  the home.  In addition, the department may authorize placement

19  of a housekeeper/homemaker in the home of a child alleged to

20  be dependent until the parent or legal custodian assumes care

21  of the child.

22         (4)  When a child is taken into custody pursuant to

23  this section, the department of Children and Family Services

24  shall request that the child's parent, caregiver, or legal

25  custodian disclose the names, relationships, and addresses of

26  all parents and prospective parents and all next of kin of the

27  child, so far as are known.

28         Section 58.  Section 39.402, Florida Statutes, as

29  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is amended to

30  read:

31         39.402  Placement in a shelter.--


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  1         (1)  Unless ordered by the court under this chapter, a

  2  child taken into custody shall not be placed in a shelter

  3  prior to a court hearing unless there are reasonable grounds

  4  for removal and removal is necessary to protect the child.

  5  Reasonable grounds for removal are as follows:

  6         (a)  The child has been abused, neglected, or

  7  abandoned, or is suffering from or is in imminent danger of

  8  illness or injury as a result of abuse, neglect, or

  9  abandonment;

10         (b)  The custodian of the child has materially violated

11  a condition of placement imposed by the court; or

12         (c)  The child has no parent, legal custodian,

13  caregiver, or responsible adult relative immediately known and

14  available to provide supervision and care.

15         (2)  A child taken into custody may be placed or

16  continued in a shelter only if one or more of the criteria in

17  subsection (1) applies and the court has made a specific

18  finding of fact regarding the necessity for removal of the

19  child from the home and has made a determination that the

20  provision of appropriate and available services will not

21  eliminate the need for placement.

22         (3)  Whenever a child is taken into custody, the

23  department shall immediately notify the parents or legal

24  custodians, shall provide the parents or legal custodians with

25  a statement setting forth a summary of procedures involved in

26  dependency cases, and shall notify them of their right to

27  obtain their own attorney.

28         (4)  If the department determines that placement in a

29  shelter is necessary under subsections (1) and (2), the

30  authorized agent of the department shall authorize placement

31  of the child in a shelter.


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  1         (5)(a)  The parents or legal custodians of the child

  2  shall be given actual notice of the date, time, and location

  3  of the emergency shelter hearing.  If the parents or legal

  4  custodians are outside the jurisdiction of the court, are not

  5  known, or cannot be located or refuse or evade service, they

  6  shall be given such notice as best ensures their actual

  7  knowledge of the date, time, and location of the emergency

  8  shelter hearing.  The person providing or attempting to

  9  provide notice to the parents or legal custodians shall, if

10  the parents or legal custodians are not present at the

11  hearing, advise the court either in person or by sworn

12  affidavit, of the attempts made to provide notice and the

13  results of those attempts.

14         (b)  The parents or legal custodians shall be given

15  written notice that:

16         (b)  At the emergency shelter hearing, the department

17  must establish probable cause that reasonable grounds for

18  removal exist and that the provision of appropriate and

19  available services will not eliminate the need for placement.

20         1.(c)  They will The parents or legal custodians shall

21  be given an opportunity to be heard and to present evidence at

22  the emergency shelter hearing; and.

23         2.  They have the right to be represented by counsel,

24  and, if indigent, the right to be represented by appointed

25  counsel, at the shelter hearing and at each subsequent hearing

26  or proceeding, pursuant to the procedures set forth in s.

27  39.013.

28         (6)(5)(a)  The circuit court, or the county court, if

29  previously designated by the chief judge of the circuit court

30  for such purpose, shall hold the shelter hearing.

31


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  1         (b)  The shelter petition filed with the court must

  2  address each condition required to be determined by the court

  3  in paragraphs (8)(a) and (b) subsection (7).

  4         (7)(6)  A child may not be removed from the home or

  5  continued out of the home pending disposition if, with the

  6  provision of appropriate and available early intervention or

  7  preventive services, including services provided in the home,

  8  the child could safely remain at home.  If the child's safety

  9  and well-being are in danger, the child shall be removed from

10  danger and continue to be removed until the danger has passed.

11  If the child has been removed from the home and the reasons

12  for his or her removal have been remedied, the child may be

13  returned to the home. If the court finds that the prevention

14  or reunification efforts of the department will allow the

15  child to remain safely at home, the court shall allow the

16  child to remain in the home.

17         (8)(7)(a)  A child may not be held in a shelter longer

18  than 24 hours unless an order so directing is entered by the

19  court after a an emergency shelter hearing. In the interval

20  until the shelter hearing is held, the decision to place the

21  child in a shelter or release the child from a shelter lies

22  with the protective investigator. At the emergency shelter

23  hearing, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to

24  represent the child unless the court finds that such

25  representation is unnecessary.

26         (b)  The parents or legal custodians of the child shall

27  be given such notice as best ensures their actual knowledge of

28  the time and place of the shelter hearing and shall be given

29  an opportunity to be heard and to present evidence at the

30  emergency shelter hearing. The failure to provide notice to a

31  party or participant does not invalidate an order placing a


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  1  child in a shelter if the court finds that the petitioner has

  2  made a good faith effort to provide such notice. The court

  3  shall require the parents or legal custodians present at the

  4  hearing to provide to the court on the record the names,

  5  addresses, and relationships of all parents, prospective

  6  parents, and next of kin of the child, so far as are known.

  7         (c)  At the shelter hearing, the court shall:

  8         1.  Appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child,

  9  unless the court finds that such representation is

10  unnecessary;

11         2.  Inform the parents or legal custodians of their

12  right to counsel to represent them at the shelter hearing and

13  at each subsequent hearing or proceeding, and the right of the

14  parents to appointed counsel, pursuant to the procedures set

15  forth in s. 39.013; and

16         3.  Give the parents or legal custodians an opportunity

17  to be heard and to present evidence.

18         (d)  At the shelter hearing, the department must

19  establish probable cause that reasonable grounds for removal

20  exist and that the provision of appropriate and available

21  services will not eliminate the need for placement.

22         (e)  At the shelter hearing, each party shall provide

23  to the court a permanent mailing address. The court shall

24  advise each party that this address will be used by the court

25  and the petitioner for notice purposes unless and until the

26  party notifies the court and the petitioner in writing of a

27  new mailing address.

28         (f)(b)  The order for placement of a child in shelter

29  care must identify the parties present at the hearing and must

30  contain written findings:

31


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  1         1.  That placement in shelter care is necessary based

  2  on the criteria in subsections (1) and (2).

  3         2.  That placement in shelter care is in the best

  4  interest of the child.

  5         3.  That continuation of the child in the home is

  6  contrary to the welfare of the child because the home

  7  situation presents a substantial and immediate danger to the

  8  child's physical, mental, or emotional health or safety child

  9  which cannot be mitigated by the provision of preventive

10  services.

11         4.  That based upon the allegations of the petition for

12  placement in shelter care, there is probable cause to believe

13  that the child is dependent.

14         5.  That the department has made reasonable efforts to

15  prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from

16  the home.  A finding of reasonable effort by the department to

17  prevent or eliminate the need for removal may be made and the

18  department is deemed to have made reasonable efforts to

19  prevent or eliminate the need for removal if:

20         a.  The first contact of the department with the family

21  occurs during an emergency.

22         b.  The appraisal of the home situation by the

23  department indicates that the home situation presents a

24  substantial and immediate danger to the child's physical,

25  mental, or emotional health or safety child which cannot be

26  mitigated by the provision of preventive services.

27         c.  The child cannot safely remain at home, either

28  because there are no preventive services that can ensure the

29  health and safety of the child or because, even with

30  appropriate and available services being provided, the health

31  and safety of the child cannot be ensured.


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  1         6.  That the court notified the parents or legal

  2  custodians of the subsequent dependency proceedings, including

  3  scheduled hearings, and of the importance of the active

  4  participation of the parents or legal custodians in those

  5  subsequent proceedings and hearings.

  6         7.  That the court notified the parents or legal

  7  custodians of their right to counsel to represent them at the

  8  shelter hearing and at each subsequent hearing or proceeding,

  9  and the right of the parents to appointed counsel, pursuant to

10  the procedures set forth in s. 39.013.

11         (c)  The failure to provide notice to a party or

12  participant does not invalidate an order placing a child in a

13  shelter if the court finds that the petitioner has made a good

14  faith effort to provide such notice.

15         (d)  In the interval until the shelter hearing is held

16  under paragraph (a), the decision to place the child in a

17  shelter or release the child from a shelter lies with the

18  protective investigator in accordance with subsection (3).

19         (9)  At any shelter hearing, the court shall determine

20  visitation rights absent a clear and convincing showing that

21  visitation is not in the best interest of the child.

22         (10)  The shelter hearing order shall contain a written

23  determination as to whether the department has made a

24  reasonable effort to prevent or eliminate the need for removal

25  or continued removal of the child from the home. If the

26  department has not made such an effort, the court shall order

27  the department to provide appropriate and available services

28  to ensure the protection of the child in the home when such

29  services are necessary for the child's health and safety.

30         (8)  A child may not be held in a shelter under an

31  order so directing for more than 21 days unless an order of


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  1  adjudication for the case has been entered by the court. The

  2  parent, guardian, or custodian of the child must be notified

  3  of any order directing placement of the child in an emergency

  4  shelter and, upon request, must be afforded a hearing within

  5  48 hours, excluding Sundays and legal holidays, to review the

  6  necessity for continued placement in the shelter for any time

  7  periods as provided in this section.  At any arraignment

  8  hearing or determination of emergency shelter care, the court

  9  shall determine visitation rights absent a clear and

10  convincing showing that visitation is not in the best interest

11  of the child, and the court shall make a written determination

12  as to whether the department has made a reasonable effort to

13  prevent or eliminate the need for removal or continued removal

14  of the child from the home.  If the department has not made

15  such an effort, the court shall order the department to

16  provide appropriate and available services to assure the

17  protection of the child in the home when such services are

18  necessary for the child's safety.  Within 7 days after the

19  child is taken into custody, a petition alleging dependency

20  must be filed and, within 14 days after the child is taken

21  into custody, an arraignment hearing must be held for the

22  child's parent, guardian, or custodian to admit, deny, or

23  consent to the findings of dependency alleged in the petition.

24         (11)(12)  If a When any child is placed in a shelter

25  pursuant to under a court order following a shelter hearing,

26  the court shall prepare a shelter hearing order requiring the

27  parents of the child, or the guardian of the child's estate,

28  if possessed of assets which under law may be disbursed for

29  the care, support, and maintenance of the child, to pay, to

30  the department or institution having custody of the child,

31  fees as established by the department.  When the order affects


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  1  the guardianship estate, a certified copy of the order shall

  2  be delivered to the judge having jurisdiction of the

  3  guardianship estate.

  4         (12)  In the event the shelter hearing is conducted by

  5  a judge other than the juvenile court judge, the juvenile

  6  court judge shall hold a shelter review on the status of the

  7  child within 2 working days after the shelter hearing.

  8         (13)(9)  A child may not be held in a shelter under an

  9  order so directing for more than 60 days without an

10  adjudication of dependency. A child may not be held in a

11  shelter for more than 30 days after the entry of an order of

12  adjudication unless an order of disposition under s. 39.41 has

13  been entered by the court.

14         (14)(10)  The time limitations in this section

15  subsection (8) do not include:

16         (a)  Periods of delay resulting from a continuance

17  granted at the request or with the consent of the child's

18  counsel or the child's guardian ad litem, if one has been

19  appointed by the court, or, if the child is of sufficient

20  capacity to express reasonable consent, at the request or with

21  the consent of the child's attorney or the child's guardian ad

22  litem, if one has been appointed by the court, and the child.

23         (b)  Periods of delay resulting from a continuance

24  granted at the request of the attorney for the department, if

25  the continuance is granted:

26         1.  Because of an unavailability of evidence material

27  to the case when the attorney for the department has exercised

28  due diligence to obtain such evidence and there are

29  substantial grounds to believe that such evidence will be

30  available within 30 days.  However, if the department is not

31  prepared to present its case within 30 days, the parent or


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  1  legal custodian guardian may move for issuance of an order to

  2  show cause or the court on its own motion may impose

  3  appropriate sanctions, which may include dismissal of the

  4  petition.

  5         2.  To allow the attorney for the department additional

  6  time to prepare the case and additional time is justified

  7  because of an exceptional circumstance.

  8         (c)  Reasonable periods of delay necessary to

  9  accomplish notice of the hearing to the child's parents or

10  legal custodians; however, the petitioner shall continue

11  regular efforts to provide notice to the parents or legal

12  custodians during such periods of delay.

13         (d)  Reasonable periods of delay resulting from a

14  continuance granted at the request of the parent or legal

15  custodian of a subject child.

16         (15)  At the conclusion of a shelter hearing, the court

17  shall notify all parties in writing of the next scheduled

18  hearing to review the shelter placement. Such hearing shall be

19  held no later than 30 days after placement of the child in

20  shelter status, in conjunction with the arraignment hearing.

21         (11)  The court shall review the necessity for a

22  child's continued placement in a shelter in the same manner as

23  the initial placement decision was made and shall make a

24  determination regarding the continued placement:

25         (a)  Within 24 hours after any violation of the time

26  requirements for the filing of a petition or the holding of an

27  arraignment hearing as prescribed in subsection (8); or

28         (b)  Prior to the court's granting any delay as

29  specified in subsection (10).

30         Section 59.  Section 39.407, Florida Statutes, is

31  amended to read:


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  1         39.407  Medical, psychiatric, and psychological

  2  examination and treatment of child; physical or mental

  3  examination of parent, guardian, or person requesting custody

  4  of child.--

  5         (1)  When any child is taken into custody and is to be

  6  detained in shelter care, the department is authorized to have

  7  a medical screening performed on the child without

  8  authorization from the court and without consent from a parent

  9  or legal custodian guardian.  Such medical screening shall be

10  performed by a licensed health care professional and shall be

11  to examine the child for injury, illness, and communicable

12  diseases and to determine the need for immunization.  The

13  department shall by rule establish the invasiveness of the

14  medical procedures authorized to be performed under this

15  subsection.  In no case does this subsection authorize the

16  department to consent to medical treatment for such children.

17         (2)  When the department has performed the medical

18  screening authorized by subsection (1), or when it is

19  otherwise determined by a licensed health care professional

20  that a child who is in the custody of the department, but who

21  has not been committed to the department pursuant to s. 39.41,

22  is in need of medical treatment, including the need for

23  immunization, consent for medical treatment shall be obtained

24  in the following manner:

25         (a)1.  Consent to medical treatment shall be obtained

26  from a parent or legal custodian guardian of the child; or

27         2.  A court order for such treatment shall be obtained.

28         (b)  If a parent or legal custodian guardian of the

29  child is unavailable and his or her whereabouts cannot be

30  reasonably ascertained, and it is after normal working hours

31  so that a court order cannot reasonably be obtained, an


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  1  authorized agent of the department shall have the authority to

  2  consent to necessary medical treatment, including

  3  immunization, for the child. The authority of the department

  4  to consent to medical treatment in this circumstance shall be

  5  limited to the time reasonably necessary to obtain court

  6  authorization.

  7         (c)  If a parent or legal custodian guardian of the

  8  child is available but refuses to consent to the necessary

  9  treatment, including immunization, a court order shall be

10  required unless the situation meets the definition of an

11  emergency in s. 743.064 or the treatment needed is related to

12  suspected abuse, abandonment, or neglect of the child by a

13  parent, caregiver, or legal custodian or guardian.  In such

14  case, the department shall have the authority to consent to

15  necessary medical treatment.  This authority is limited to the

16  time reasonably necessary to obtain court authorization.

17

18  In no case shall the department consent to sterilization,

19  abortion, or termination of life support.

20         (3)  A judge may order a child in the physical custody

21  of the department to be examined by a licensed health care

22  professional.  The judge may also order such child to be

23  evaluated by a psychiatrist or a psychologist, by a district

24  school board educational needs assessment team, or, if a

25  developmental disability is suspected or alleged, by the

26  developmental disability diagnostic and evaluation team of the

27  department.  If it is necessary to place a child in a

28  residential facility for such evaluation, then the criteria

29  and procedure established in s. 394.463(2) or chapter 393

30  shall be used, whichever is applicable. The educational needs

31  assessment provided by the district school board educational


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  1  needs assessment team shall include, but not be limited to,

  2  reports of intelligence and achievement tests, screening for

  3  learning disabilities and other handicaps, and screening for

  4  the need for alternative education as defined in s. 230.23

  5  230.2315(2).

  6         (4)  A judge may order a child in the physical custody

  7  of the department to be treated by a licensed health care

  8  professional based on evidence that the child should receive

  9  treatment.  The judge may also order such child to receive

10  mental health or retardation services from a psychiatrist,

11  psychologist, or other appropriate service provider.  If it is

12  necessary to place the child in a residential facility for

13  such services, then the procedures and criteria established in

14  s. 394.467 or chapter 393 shall be used, whichever is

15  applicable. A child may be provided mental health or

16  retardation services in emergency situations, pursuant to the

17  procedures and criteria contained in s. 394.463(1) or chapter

18  393, whichever is applicable.

19         (5)  When a child is in the physical custody of the

20  department, a licensed health care professional shall be

21  immediately called if there are indications of physical injury

22  or illness, or the child shall be taken to the nearest

23  available hospital for emergency care.

24         (6)  Except as otherwise provided herein, nothing in

25  this section shall be deemed to eliminate the right of a

26  parent, legal custodian guardian, or the child to consent to

27  examination or treatment for the child.

28         (7)  Except as otherwise provided herein, nothing in

29  this section shall be deemed to alter the provisions of s.

30  743.064.

31


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  1         (8)  A court shall not be precluded from ordering

  2  services or treatment to be provided to the child by a duly

  3  accredited practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means

  4  for healing in accordance with the tenets and practices of a

  5  church or religious organization, when required by the child's

  6  health and when requested by the child.

  7         (9)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to

  8  authorize the permanent sterilization of the child unless such

  9  sterilization is the result of or incidental to medically

10  necessary treatment to protect or preserve the life of the

11  child.

12         (10)  For the purpose of obtaining an evaluation or

13  examination, or receiving treatment as authorized pursuant to

14  this section subsection, no child alleged to be or found to be

15  dependent shall be placed in a detention home or other program

16  used primarily for the care and custody of children alleged or

17  found to have committed delinquent acts.

18         (11)  The parents or legal custodian guardian of a

19  child in the physical custody of the department remain

20  financially responsible for the cost of medical treatment

21  provided to the child even if either one or both of the

22  parents or if the legal custodian guardian did not consent to

23  the medical treatment.  After a hearing, the court may order

24  the parents or legal custodian guardian, if found able to do

25  so, to reimburse the department or other provider of medical

26  services for treatment provided.

27         (12)  Nothing in this section alters the authority of

28  the department to consent to medical treatment for a dependent

29  child when the child has been committed to the department

30  pursuant to s. 39.41, and the department has become the legal

31  custodian of the child.


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  1         (13)  At any time after the filing of a shelter

  2  petition or petition for dependency, when the mental or

  3  physical condition, including the blood group, of a parent,

  4  caregiver, legal custodian guardian, or other person

  5  requesting custody of a child is in controversy, the court may

  6  order the person to submit to a physical or mental examination

  7  by a qualified professional.  The order may be made only upon

  8  good cause shown and pursuant to notice and procedures as set

  9  forth by the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure.

10         Section 60.  Section 39.4033, Florida Statutes, is

11  renumbered as section 39.4075, Florida Statutes, and amended

12  to read:

13         39.4075 39.4033  Referral of a dependency case to

14  mediation.--

15         (1)  At any stage in a dependency proceeding, the case

16  staffing committee or any party may request the court to refer

17  the parties to mediation in accordance with chapter 44 and

18  rules and procedures developed by the Supreme Court.

19         (2)  A court may refer the parties to mediation. When

20  such services are available, the court must determine whether

21  it is in the best interests of the child to refer the parties

22  to mediation.

23         (3)  The department shall advise the parties parents or

24  legal guardians that they are responsible for contributing to

25  the cost of the dependency family mediation to the extent of

26  their ability to pay.

27         (4)  This section applies only to courts in counties in

28  which dependency mediation programs have been established and

29  does not require the establishment of such programs in any

30  county.

31


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  1         Section 61.  Part VI of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

  2  consisting of sections 39.501, 39.502, 39.503, 39.504, 39.505,

  3  39.506, 39.507, 39.508, 39.5085, 39.509, and 39.510, Florida

  4  Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

  5                             PART VI

  6               PETITION, ARRAIGNMENT, ADJUDICATION,

  7                         AND DISPOSITION

  8         Section 62.  Section 39.404, Florida Statutes, is

  9  renumbered as section 39.501, Florida Statutes, and amended to

10  read:

11         39.501 39.404  Petition for dependency.--

12         (1)  All proceedings seeking an adjudication that a

13  child is dependent shall be initiated by the filing of a

14  petition by an attorney for the department, or any other

15  person who has knowledge of the facts alleged or is informed

16  of them and believes that they are true.

17         (2)  The purpose of a petition seeking the adjudication

18  of a child as a dependent child is the protection of the child

19  and not the punishment of the person creating the condition of

20  dependency.

21         (3)(a)  The petition shall be in writing, shall

22  identify and list all parents, if known, and all current

23  caregivers or legal custodians of the child, and shall be

24  signed by the petitioner under oath stating the petitioner's

25  good faith in filing the petition. When the petition is filed

26  by the department, it shall be signed by an attorney for the

27  department.

28         (b)  The form of the petition and its contents shall be

29  determined by rules of juvenile procedure adopted by the

30  Supreme Court.

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  1         (c)  The petition must specifically set forth the acts

  2  or omissions upon which the petition is based and the identity

  3  of the person or persons alleged to have committed the acts or

  4  omissions, if known. The petition need not contain allegations

  5  of acts or omissions by both parents.

  6         (d)  The petitioner must state in the petition, if

  7  known, whether:

  8         1.  A parent, legal custodian, or caregiver person

  9  responsible for the child's welfare named in the petition has

10  previously unsuccessfully participated in voluntary services

11  offered by the department;

12         2.  A parent or, legal custodian, or person responsible

13  for the child's welfare named in the petition has participated

14  in mediation and whether a mediation agreement exists;

15         3.  A parent or, legal custodian, or person responsible

16  for the child's welfare has rejected the voluntary services

17  offered by the department; or

18         4.  The department has determined that voluntary

19  services are not appropriate for this family and the reasons

20  for such determination.

21         (4)  When a child has been placed in shelter status by

22  order of the court the child has been taken into custody, a

23  petition alleging dependency must be filed within 7 days upon

24  demand of a party, but no later than 21 days after the shelter

25  hearing after the date the child is taken into custody. In all

26  other cases, the petition must be filed within a reasonable

27  time after the date the child was referred to protective

28  investigation under s. 39.403. The child's parent, guardian,

29  or custodian must be served with a copy of the petition at

30  least 72 hours before the arraignment hearing.

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  1         (5)  A petition for termination of parental rights

  2  under s. 39.464 may be filed at any time.

  3         Section 63.  Section 39.405, Florida Statutes, as

  4  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is renumbered as

  5  section 39.502, Florida Statutes, and amended to read:

  6         39.502 39.405  Notice, process, and service.--

  7         (1)  Unless parental rights have been terminated, all

  8  parents and legal custodians must be notified of all

  9  proceedings or hearings involving the child. Notice in cases

10  involving shelter hearings and hearings resulting from medical

11  emergencies must be that most likely to result in actual

12  notice to the parents and legal custodians. In all other

13  dependency proceedings, notice must be provided in accordance

14  with subsections (4) through (9).

15         (2)  Personal appearance of any person in a hearing

16  before the court obviates the necessity of serving process on

17  that person.

18         (3)  Upon the filing of a petition containing

19  allegations of facts which, if true, would establish that the

20  child is a dependent child, and upon the request of the

21  petitioner, the clerk or deputy clerk shall issue a summons.

22         (4)  The summons shall require the person on whom it is

23  served to appear for a hearing at a time and place specified,

24  not less than 24 hours after service of the summons.  A copy

25  of the petition shall be attached to the summons.

26         (5)  The summons shall be directed to, and shall be

27  served upon, all parties other than the petitioner.

28         (6)  It is the duty of the petitioner or moving party

29  to notify all participants and parties known to the petitioner

30  or moving party of all hearings subsequent to the initial

31  hearing unless notice is contained in prior court orders and


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  1  these orders were provided to the participant or party. Proof

  2  of notice or provision of orders may be provided by certified

  3  mail with a signed return receipt.

  4         (7)  Service of the summons and service of pleadings,

  5  papers, and notices subsequent to the summons on persons

  6  outside this state must be made pursuant to s. 61.1312.

  7         (8)  It is not necessary to the validity of a

  8  proceeding covered by this part that the parents, caregivers,

  9  or legal custodians be present if their identity or residence

10  is unknown after a diligent search has been made, but in this

11  event the petitioner shall file an affidavit of diligent

12  search prepared by the person who made the search and inquiry,

13  and the court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the child.

14         (9)  When an affidavit of diligent search has been

15  filed under subsection (8), the petitioner shall continue to

16  search for and attempt to serve the person sought until

17  excused from further search by the court. The petitioner shall

18  report on the results of the search at each court hearing

19  until the person is identified or located or further search is

20  excused by the court.

21         (10)(9)  Service by publication shall not be required

22  for dependency hearings and the failure to serve a party or

23  give notice to a participant shall not affect the validity of

24  an order of adjudication or disposition if the court finds

25  that the petitioner has completed a diligent search for that

26  party or participant.

27         (11)(10)  Upon the application of a party or the

28  petitioner, the clerk or deputy clerk shall issue, and the

29  court on its own motion may issue, subpoenas requiring

30  attendance and testimony of witnesses and production of

31  records, documents, and other tangible objects at any hearing.


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  1         (12)(11)  All process and orders issued by the court

  2  shall be served or executed as other process and orders of the

  3  circuit court and, in addition, may be served or executed by

  4  authorized agents of the department or the guardian ad litem.

  5         (13)(12)  Subpoenas may be served within the state by

  6  any person over 18 years of age who is not a party to the

  7  proceeding and, in addition, may be served by authorized

  8  agents of the department.

  9         (14)(13)  No fee shall be paid for service of any

10  process or other papers by an agent of the department or the

11  guardian ad litem. If any process, orders, or any other papers

12  are served or executed by any sheriff, the sheriff's fees

13  shall be paid by the county.

14         (14)  Failure of a person served with notice to respond

15  or appear at the arraignment hearing constitutes the person's

16  consent to a dependency adjudication. The document containing

17  the notice to respond or appear must contain, in type at least

18  as large as the balance of the document, the following or

19  substantially similar language:  "FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THIS

20  NOTICE OR TO APPEAR AT THIS HEARING CONSTITUTES CONSENT TO THE

21  ADJUDICATION OF THIS CHILD (OR THESE CHILDREN) AS DEPENDENT

22  CHILDREN AND MAY ULTIMATELY RESULT IN LOSS OF CUSTODY OF THIS

23  CHILD."

24         (15)  A party who is identified as a person with mental

25  illness or with a developmental disability developmentally

26  disabled person must be informed by the court of the

27  availability of advocacy services through the department, the

28  Association for Retarded Citizens, or other appropriate mental

29  health or developmental disability advocacy groups and

30  encouraged to seek such services.

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  1         (16)  If the party to whom an order is directed is

  2  present or represented at the final hearing, service of the

  3  order is not required.

  4         (17)  The parent or legal custodian of the child, the

  5  attorney for the department, the guardian ad litem, and all

  6  other parties and participants shall be given reasonable

  7  notice of all hearings provided for under this part.

  8         (18)  In all proceedings under this chapter, the court

  9  shall provide to the parent or legal custodian of the child,

10  at the conclusion of any hearing, a written notice containing

11  the date of the next scheduled hearing. The court shall also

12  include the date of the next hearing in any order issued by

13  the court.

14         Section 64.  Section 39.4051, Florida Statutes, as

15  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is renumbered as

16  section 39.503, Florida Statutes, and amended to read:

17         39.503 39.4051  Identity or location of parent or legal

18  custodian unknown; special procedures.--

19         (1)  If the identity or location of a parent or legal

20  custodian is unknown and a petition for dependency or shelter

21  is filed, the court shall conduct the following inquiry of the

22  parent or legal custodian who is available, or, if no parent

23  or legal custodian is available, of any relative or custodian

24  of the child who is present at the hearing and likely to have

25  the information:

26         (a)  Whether the mother of the child was married at the

27  probable time of conception of the child or at the time of

28  birth of the child.

29         (b)  Whether the mother was cohabiting with a male at

30  the probable time of conception of the child.

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  1         (c)  Whether the mother has received payments or

  2  promises of support with respect to the child or because of

  3  her pregnancy from a man who claims to be the father.

  4         (d)  Whether the mother has named any man as the father

  5  on the birth certificate of the child or in connection with

  6  applying for or receiving public assistance.

  7         (e)  Whether any man has acknowledged or claimed

  8  paternity of the child in a jurisdiction in which the mother

  9  resided at the time of or since conception of the child, or in

10  which the child has resided or resides.

11         (2)  The information required in subsection (1) may be

12  supplied to the court or the department in the form of a sworn

13  affidavit by a person having personal knowledge of the facts.

14         (3)  If the inquiry under subsection (1) identifies any

15  person as a parent or prospective parent, the court shall

16  require notice of the hearing to be provided to that person.

17         (4)  If the inquiry under subsection (1) fails to

18  identify any person as a parent or prospective parent, the

19  court shall so find and may proceed without further notice.

20         (5)  If the inquiry under subsection (1) identifies a

21  parent or prospective parent, and that person's location is

22  unknown, the court shall direct the department to shall

23  conduct a diligent search for that person before the

24  scheduling of a disposition hearing regarding the dependency

25  of the child unless the court finds that the best interest of

26  the child requires proceeding without notice to the person

27  whose location is unknown.

28         (6)  The diligent search required by subsection (5)

29  must include, at a minimum, inquiries of all relatives of the

30  parent or prospective parent made known to the petitioner,

31  inquiries of all offices of program areas of the department


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  1  likely to have information about the parent or prospective

  2  parent, inquiries of other state and federal agencies likely

  3  to have information about the parent or prospective parent,

  4  inquiries of appropriate utility and postal providers, and

  5  inquiries of appropriate law enforcement agencies. Pursuant to

  6  s. 453 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 653(c)(B)(4), the

  7  department, as the state agency administering Titles IV-B and

  8  IV-E of the act, shall be provided access to the federal and

  9  state parent locator service for diligent search activities.

10         (7)  Any agency contacted by a petitioner with a

11  request for information pursuant to subsection (6) shall

12  release the requested information to the petitioner without

13  the necessity of a subpoena or court order.

14         (8)  If the inquiry and diligent search identifies a

15  prospective parent, that person must be given the opportunity

16  to become a party to the proceedings by completing a sworn

17  affidavit of parenthood and filing it with the court or the

18  department. A prospective parent who files a sworn affidavit

19  of parenthood while the child is a dependent child but no

20  later than at the time of or prior to the adjudicatory hearing

21  in any termination of parental rights proceeding for the child

22  shall be considered a parent for all purposes under this

23  section unless the other parent contests the determination of

24  parenthood. If the known parent contests the recognition of

25  the prospective parent as a parent, the prospective parent

26  shall not be recognized as a parent until proceedings under

27  chapter 742 have been concluded. However, the prospective

28  parent shall continue to receive notice of hearings as a

29  participant pending results of the chapter 742 proceedings.

30

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  1         Section 65.  Section 39.4055, Florida Statutes, is

  2  renumbered as section 39.504, Florida Statutes, and

  3  subsections (2) and (4) of said section are amended to read:

  4         39.504 39.4055  Injunction pending disposition of

  5  petition for detention or dependency; penalty.--

  6         (2)(a)  Notice shall be provided to the parties as set

  7  forth in the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, unless the

  8  child is reported to be in imminent danger, in which case the

  9  court may issue an injunction immediately. A judge may issue

10  an emergency injunction pursuant to this section without

11  notice at times when the court is closed for the transaction

12  of judicial business. When such an immediate injunction is

13  issued, the court shall hold a hearing on the next day of

14  judicial business either to dissolve the injunction or to

15  continue or modify it in accordance with the other provisions

16  of this section.

17         (b)  A judge may issue an emergency injunction pursuant

18  to this section at times when the court is closed for the

19  transaction of judicial business.  The court shall hold a

20  hearing on the next day of judicial business either to

21  dissolve the emergency injunction or to continue or modify it

22  in accordance with the other provisions of this section.

23         (4)  A copy of any injunction issued pursuant to this

24  section shall be delivered to the protected party, or a parent

25  or caregiver or an individual acting in the place of a parent

26  who is not the respondent, and to any law enforcement agency

27  having jurisdiction to enforce such injunction. Upon delivery

28  of the injunction to the appropriate law enforcement agency,

29  the agency shall have the duty and responsibility to enforce

30  the injunction.

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  1         Section 66.  Section 39.406, Florida Statutes, is

  2  renumbered as section 39.505, Florida Statutes, and amended to

  3  read:

  4         39.505 39.406  No answer required.--No answer to the

  5  petition or any other pleading need be filed by any child,

  6  parent, or legal custodian, but any matters which might be set

  7  forth in an answer or other pleading may be pleaded orally

  8  before the court or filed in writing as any such person may

  9  choose. Notwithstanding the filing of an answer or any

10  pleading, the respondent child or parent shall, prior to an

11  adjudicatory hearing, be advised by the court of the right to

12  counsel and shall be given an opportunity to deny the

13  allegations in the petition for dependency or to enter a plea

14  to allegations in the petition before the court.

15         Section 67.  Subsection (1) of section 39.408, Florida

16  Statutes, is renumbered as section 39.506, Florida Statutes,

17  and amended to read:

18         39.506 39.408  Arraignment hearings for dependency

19  cases.--

20         (1)  ARRAIGNMENT HEARING.--

21         (a)  When a child has been detained by order of the

22  court, an arraignment hearing must be held, within 7 days

23  after the date of filing of the dependency petition 14 days

24  from the date the child is taken into custody, for the parent,

25  guardian, or legal custodian to admit, deny, or consent to

26  findings of dependency alleged in the petition. If the parent,

27  guardian, or legal custodian admits or consents to the

28  findings in the petition, the court shall proceed as set forth

29  in the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. However, if the

30  parent, guardian, or legal custodian denies any of the

31  allegations of the petition, the court shall hold an


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  1  adjudicatory hearing within 30 days after 7 days from the date

  2  of the arraignment hearing unless a continuance is granted

  3  pursuant to this chapter s. 39.402(11).

  4         (2)(b)  When a child is in the custody of the parent,

  5  guardian, or legal custodian, upon the filing of a petition

  6  the clerk shall set a date for an arraignment hearing within a

  7  reasonable time after the date of the filing. If the parent,

  8  guardian, or legal custodian admits or consents to an

  9  adjudication, the court shall proceed as set forth in the

10  Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. However, if the parent,

11  guardian, or legal custodian denies any of the allegations of

12  dependency, the court shall hold an adjudicatory hearing

13  within a reasonable time after the date of the arraignment

14  hearing.

15         (3)  Failure of a person served with notice to respond

16  or appear at the arraignment hearing constitutes the person's

17  consent to a dependency adjudication. The document containing

18  the notice to respond or appear must contain, in type at least

19  as large as the balance of the document, the following or

20  substantially similar language:  "FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THIS

21  NOTICE OR TO PERSONALLY APPEAR AT THE ARRAIGNMENT HEARING

22  CONSTITUTES CONSENT TO THE ADJUDICATION OF THIS CHILD (OR

23  CHILDREN) AS A DEPENDENT CHILD (OR CHILDREN) AND MAY

24  ULTIMATELY RESULT IN LOSS OF CUSTODY OF THIS CHILD (OR

25  CHILDREN)."

26         (4)  At the arraignment hearing, each party shall

27  provide to the court a permanent mailing address. The court

28  shall advise each party that this address will be used by the

29  court and the petitioner for notice purposes unless and until

30  the party notifies the court and the petitioner in writing of

31  a new mailing address.


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  1         (5)(c)  If at the arraignment hearing the parent,

  2  guardian, or legal custodian consents or admits to the

  3  allegations in the petition, the court shall proceed to hold a

  4  dispositional hearing no more than 15 days after the date of

  5  the arraignment hearing unless a continuance is necessary at

  6  the earliest practicable time that will allow for the

  7  completion of a predisposition study.

  8         (6)  At any arraignment hearing, the court shall order

  9  visitation rights absent a clear and convincing showing that

10  visitation is not in the best interest of the child.

11         (7)  The court shall review whether the department has

12  made a reasonable effort to prevent or eliminate the need for

13  removal or continued removal of the child from the home. If

14  the court determines that the department has not made such an

15  effort, the court shall order the department to provide

16  appropriate and available services to assure the protection of

17  the child in the home when such services are necessary for the

18  child's physical, mental, or emotional health and safety.

19         (8)  At the arraignment hearing, and no more than 15

20  days thereafter, the court shall review the necessity for the

21  child's continued placement in the shelter. The court shall

22  also make a written determination regarding the child's

23  continued placement in shelter within 24 hours after any

24  violation of the time requirements for the filing of a

25  petition or prior to the court's granting any continuance as

26  specified in subsection (5).

27         (9)  At the conclusion of the arraignment hearing, all

28  parties shall be notified in writing by the court of the date,

29  time, and location for the next scheduled hearing.

30

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  1         Section 68.  Subsection (2) of section 39.408, Florida

  2  Statutes, and section 39.409, Florida Statutes, are renumbered

  3  as section 39.507, Florida Statutes, and amended to read:

  4         39.507 39.408  Adjudicatory hearings; orders of

  5  adjudication Hearings for dependency cases.--

  6         (2)  ADJUDICATORY HEARING.--

  7         (1)(a)  The adjudicatory hearing shall be held as soon

  8  as practicable after the petition for dependency is filed and

  9  in accordance with the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure,

10  but no later than 30 days after the arraignment. reasonable

11  delay for the purpose of investigation, discovery, or

12  procuring counsel or witnesses shall, whenever practicable, be

13  granted. If the child is in custody, the time limitations

14  provided in s. 39.402 and subsection (1) of this section

15  apply.

16         (b)  Adjudicatory hearings shall be conducted by the

17  judge without a jury, applying the rules of evidence in use in

18  civil cases and adjourning the hearings from time to time as

19  necessary. In a hearing on a petition in which it is alleged

20  that the child is dependent, a preponderance of evidence will

21  be required to establish the state of dependency. Any evidence

22  presented in the dependency hearing which was obtained as the

23  result of an anonymous call must be independently

24  corroborated.  In no instance shall allegations made in an

25  anonymous report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect be

26  sufficient to support an adjudication of dependency in the

27  absence of corroborating evidence.

28         (2)(c)  All hearings, except as provided in this

29  section, shall be open to the public, and a person may not be

30  excluded except on special order of the judge, who may close

31  any hearing to the public upon determining that the public


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  1  interest or the welfare of the child is best served by so

  2  doing. However, the parents shall be allowed to obtain

  3  discovery pursuant to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure.

  4  However, nothing in this subsection paragraph shall be

  5  construed to affect the provisions of s. 39.202 415.51(9).

  6  Hearings involving more than one child may be held

  7  simultaneously when the children involved are related to each

  8  other or were involved in the same case. The child and the

  9  parents, caregivers, or legal custodians of the child may be

10  examined separately and apart from each other.

11         (3)  Except as otherwise specifically provided, nothing

12  in this section prohibits the publication of the proceedings

13  in a hearing.

14         39.409  Orders of adjudication.--

15         (4)(1)  If the court finds at the adjudicatory hearing

16  that the child named in a petition is not dependent, it shall

17  enter an order so finding and dismissing the case.

18         (5)(2)  If the court finds that the child named in the

19  petition is dependent, but finds that no action other than

20  supervision in the child's home is required, it may enter an

21  order briefly stating the facts upon which its finding is

22  based, but withholding an order of adjudication and placing

23  the child's home under the supervision of the department.  If

24  the court later finds that the parents, caregivers, or legal

25  custodians of the child have not complied with the conditions

26  of supervision imposed, the court may, after a hearing to

27  establish the noncompliance, but without further evidence of

28  the state of dependency, enter an order of adjudication and

29  shall thereafter have full authority under this chapter to

30  provide for the child as adjudicated.

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  1         (6)(3)  If the court finds that the child named in a

  2  petition is dependent, but shall elect not to proceed under

  3  subsection (5) (2), it shall incorporate that finding in an

  4  order of adjudication entered in the case, briefly stating the

  5  facts upon which the finding is made, and the court shall

  6  thereafter have full authority under this chapter to provide

  7  for the child as adjudicated.

  8         (7)  At the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing, if

  9  the child named in the petition is found dependent, the court

10  shall schedule the disposition hearing within 30 days after

11  the filing of the adjudicatory order. All parties shall be

12  notified in writing by the court of the date, time, and

13  location of the disposition hearing.

14         (8)(4)  An order of adjudication by a court that a

15  child is dependent shall not be deemed a conviction, nor shall

16  the child be deemed to have been found guilty or to be a

17  criminal by reason of that adjudication, nor shall that

18  adjudication operate to impose upon the child any of the civil

19  disabilities ordinarily imposed by or resulting from

20  conviction or disqualify or prejudice the child in any civil

21  service application or appointment.

22         Section 69.  Subsections (3) and (4) of section 39.408,

23  Florida Statutes, and section 39.41, Florida Statutes, as

24  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, are renumbered as

25  section 39.508, Florida Statutes, and amended to read:

26         39.508 39.408  Disposition hearings; powers of

27  disposition Hearings for dependency cases.--

28         (1)(3)  DISPOSITION HEARING.--At the disposition

29  hearing, if the court finds that the facts alleged in the

30  petition for dependency were proven in the adjudicatory

31  hearing, or if the parents, caregivers, or legal custodians


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  1  have consented to the finding of dependency or admitted the

  2  allegations in the petition, have failed to appear for the

  3  arraignment hearing after proper notice, or have not been

  4  located despite a diligent search having been conducted, the

  5  court shall receive and consider a case plan and a

  6  predisposition study, which must be in writing and presented

  7  by an authorized agent of the department.

  8         (2)(a)  The predisposition study shall cover for any

  9  dependent child all factors specified in s. 61.13(3), and must

10  also provide the court with the following documented

11  information:

12         (a)1.  An assessment defining the dangers and risks of

13  returning the child home, including a description of the

14  changes in and resolutions to the initial risks.

15         (b)2.  A description of what risks are still present

16  and what resources are available and will be provided for the

17  protection and safety of the child.

18         (c)3.  A description of the benefits of returning the

19  child home.

20         (d)4.  A description of all unresolved issues.

21         (e)5.  An abuse registry history and criminal records

22  check for all caregivers caretakers, family members, and

23  individuals residing within the household.

24         (f)6.  The complete child protection team report and

25  recommendation or, if no report exists, a statement reflecting

26  that no report has been made.

27         (g)7.  All opinions or recommendations from other

28  professionals or agencies that provide evaluative, social,

29  reunification, or other services to the family.

30         (h)8.  The availability of appropriate prevention and

31  reunification services for the family to prevent the removal


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  1  of the child from the home or to reunify the child with the

  2  family after removal, including the availability of family

  3  preservation services through the Family Builders Program, the

  4  Intensive Crisis Counseling Program, or both.

  5         (i)9.  The inappropriateness of other prevention and

  6  reunification services that were available.

  7         (j)10.  The efforts by the department to prevent

  8  out-of-home placement of the child or, when applicable, to

  9  reunify the family if appropriate services were available,

10  including the application of intensive family preservation

11  services through the Family Builders Program, the Intensive

12  Crisis Counseling Program, or both.

13         (k)11.  Whether the services were provided to the

14  family and child.

15         (l)12.  If the services were provided, whether they

16  were sufficient to meet the needs of the child and the family

17  and to enable the child to remain safely at home or to be

18  returned home.

19         (m)13.  If the services were not provided, the reasons

20  for such lack of action.

21         (n)14.  The need for, or appropriateness of, continuing

22  the services if the child remains in the custody of the family

23  or if the child is placed outside the home.

24         (o)15.  Whether family mediation was provided.

25         16.  Whether a multidisciplinary case staffing was

26  conducted and, if so, the results.

27         (p)17.  If the child has been removed from the home and

28  there is a parent, caregiver, or legal custodian who may be

29  considered for custody pursuant to this section s. 39.41(1), a

30  recommendation as to whether placement of the child with that

31


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  1  parent, caregiver, or legal custodian would be detrimental to

  2  the child.

  3         (q)  If the child has been removed from the home and

  4  will be remaining with a relative or caregiver, a home study

  5  report shall be included in the predisposition report.

  6

  7  Any other relevant and material evidence, including other

  8  written or oral reports, may be received by the court in its

  9  effort to determine the action to be taken with regard to the

10  child and may be relied upon to the extent of its probative

11  value, even though not competent in an adjudicatory hearing.

12  Except as otherwise specifically provided, nothing in this

13  section prohibits the publication of proceedings in a hearing.

14         (3)(a)  Prior to recommending to the court any

15  out-of-home placement for a child other than placement in a

16  licensed shelter or foster home, the department shall conduct

17  a study of the home of the proposed caregivers, which must

18  include, at a minimum:

19         1.  An interview with the proposed adult caregivers to

20  assess their ongoing commitment and ability to care for the

21  child.

22         2.  Records checks through the department's automated

23  abuse information system, and local and statewide criminal and

24  juvenile records checks through the Department of Law

25  Enforcement, on all household members 12 years of age or older

26  and any other persons made known to the department who are

27  frequent visitors in the home.

28         3.  An assessment of the physical environment of the

29  home.

30         4.  A determination of the financial security of the

31  proposed caregivers.


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  1         5.  A determination of suitable child care arrangements

  2  if the proposed caregivers are employed outside of the home.

  3         6.  Documentation of counseling and information

  4  provided to the proposed caregivers regarding the dependency

  5  process and possible outcomes.

  6         7.  Documentation that information regarding support

  7  services available in the community has been provided to the

  8  caregivers.

  9         (b)  The department shall not place the child or

10  continue the placement of the child in the home of the

11  proposed caregivers if the results of the home study are

12  unfavorable.

13         (4)(b)  If placement of the child with anyone other

14  than the child's parent, caregiver, or legal custodian is

15  being considered, the predisposition study shall include the

16  designation of a specific length of time as to when custody by

17  the parent, caregiver, or legal custodian will be

18  reconsidered.

19         (c)  A copy of the predisposition study must be

20  furnished to all parties no later than 48 hours before the

21  disposition hearing.

22         (5)(d)  The predisposition study may not be made before

23  the adjudication of dependency unless the parents, caregivers,

24  or legal custodians of the child consent.

25         (6)  A case plan and predisposition study must be filed

26  with the court and served upon the parents, caregivers, or

27  legal custodians of the child, provided to the representative

28  of the guardian ad litem program, if the program has been

29  appointed, and provided to all other parties not less than 72

30  hours before the disposition hearing. All such case plans must

31  be approved by the court. If the court does not approve the


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  1  case plan at the disposition hearing, the court must set a

  2  hearing within 30 days after the disposition hearing to review

  3  and approve the case plan.

  4         (7)  The initial judicial review must be held no later

  5  than 90 days after the date of the disposition hearing or

  6  after the date of the hearing at which the court approves the

  7  case plan, but in no event shall the review be held later than

  8  6 months after the date of the child's removal from the home.

  9

10  Any other relevant and material evidence, including other

11  written or oral reports, may be received by the court in its

12  effort to determine the action to be taken with regard to the

13  child and may be relied upon to the extent of its probative

14  value, even though not competent in an adjudicatory hearing.

15  Except as provided in paragraph (2)(c), nothing in this

16  section prohibits the publication of proceedings in a hearing.

17         (4)  NOTICE OF HEARINGS.--The parent or legal custodian

18  of the child, the attorney for the department, the guardian ad

19  litem, and all other parties and participants shall be given

20  reasonable notice of all hearings provided for under this

21  section.

22         39.41  Powers of disposition.--

23         (8)(1)  When any child is adjudicated by a court to be

24  dependent, and the court finds that removal of the child from

25  the custody of a parent, legal custodian, or caregiver is

26  necessary, the court shall first determine whether there is a

27  parent with whom the child was not residing at the time the

28  events or conditions arose that brought the child within the

29  jurisdiction of the court who desires to assume custody of the

30  child and, if such parent requests custody, the court shall

31  place the child with the parent unless it finds that such


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  1  placement would endanger the safety, and well-being, or

  2  physical, mental, or emotional health of the child. Any party

  3  with knowledge of the facts may present to the court evidence

  4  regarding whether the placement will endanger the safety, and

  5  well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the

  6  child. If the court places the child with such parent, it may

  7  do either of the following:

  8         (a)  Order that the parent become the legal and

  9  physical custodian of the child. The court may also provide

10  for reasonable visitation by the noncustodial parent. The

11  court shall then terminate its jurisdiction over the child.

12  The custody order shall continue unless modified by a

13  subsequent order of the court. The order of the juvenile court

14  shall be filed in any dissolution or other custody action or

15  proceeding between the parents.

16         (b)  Order that the parent assume custody subject to

17  the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. The court may order

18  that reunification services be provided to the parent,

19  caregiver, or legal custodian or guardian from whom the child

20  has been removed, that services be provided solely to the

21  parent who is assuming physical custody in order to allow that

22  parent to retain later custody without court jurisdiction, or

23  that services be provided to both parents, in which case the

24  court shall determine at every review hearing hearings held

25  every 6 months which parent, if either, shall have custody of

26  the child. The standard for changing custody of the child from

27  one parent to another or to a relative or caregiver must meet

28  the home study criteria and court approval pursuant to this

29  chapter at the review hearings shall be the same standard as

30  applies to changing custody of the child in a custody hearing

31  following a decree of dissolution of marriage.


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  1         (9)(2)(a)  When any child is adjudicated by a court to

  2  be dependent, the court having jurisdiction of the child has

  3  the power, by order, to:

  4         1.  Require the parent, caregiver, or legal guardian,

  5  or custodian, and the child when appropriate, to participate

  6  in treatment and services identified as necessary.

  7         2.  Require the parent, caregiver, or legal guardian,

  8  or custodian, and the child when appropriate, to participate

  9  in mediation if the parent, caregiver, or legal guardian, or

10  custodian refused to participate in mediation under s.

11  39.4033.

12         3.  Place the child under the protective supervision of

13  an authorized agent of the department, either in the child's

14  own home or, the prospective custodian being willing, in the

15  home of a relative of the child or of a caregiver an adult

16  nonrelative approved by the court, or in some other suitable

17  place under such reasonable conditions as the court may

18  direct. Whenever the child is placed under protective

19  supervision pursuant to this section, the department shall

20  prepare a case plan and shall file it with the court.

21  Protective supervision continues until the court terminates it

22  or until the child reaches the age of 18, whichever date is

23  first. Protective supervision shall may be terminated by the

24  court whenever the court determines that permanency has been

25  achieved for the child the child's placement, whether with a

26  parent, another relative, a legal custodian, or a caregiver,

27  or a nonrelative, is stable and that protective supervision is

28  no longer needed.  The termination of supervision may be with

29  or without retaining jurisdiction, at the court's discretion,

30  and shall in either case be considered a permanency option for

31  the child.  The order terminating supervision by the


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  1  department of Children and Family Services shall set forth the

  2  powers of the custodian of the child and shall include the

  3  powers ordinarily granted to a guardian of the person of a

  4  minor unless otherwise specified.

  5         4.  Place the child in the temporary legal custody of

  6  an adult relative or caregiver an adult nonrelative approved

  7  by the court who is willing to care for the child.

  8         5.a.  When the parents have failed to comply with a

  9  case plan and the court determines at a judicial review

10  hearing, or at an adjudication hearing held pursuant to s.

11  39.453, or at a hearing held pursuant to subparagraph (1)(a)7.

12  of this section, that neither reunification, termination of

13  parental rights, nor adoption is in the best interest of the

14  child, the court may place the child in the long-term custody

15  of an adult relative or caregiver adult nonrelative approved

16  by the court willing to care for the child, if the following

17  conditions are met:

18         (I)  A case plan describing the responsibilities of the

19  relative or caregiver nonrelative, the department, and any

20  other party must have been submitted to the court.

21         (II)  The case plan for the child does not include

22  reunification with the parents or adoption by the relative or

23  caregiver.

24         (III)  The child and the relative or caregiver

25  nonrelative custodian are determined not to need protective

26  supervision or preventive services to ensure the stability of

27  the long-term custodial relationship, or the department

28  assures the court that protective supervision or preventive

29  services will be provided in order to ensure the stability of

30  the long-term custodial relationship.

31


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  1         (IV)  Each party to the proceeding agrees that a

  2  long-term custodial relationship does not preclude the

  3  possibility of the child returning to the custody of the

  4  parent at a later date.

  5         (V)  The court has considered the reasonable preference

  6  of the child if the court has found the child to be of

  7  sufficient intelligence, understanding, and experience to

  8  express a preference.

  9         (VI)  The court has considered the recommendation of

10  the guardian ad litem if one has been appointed.

11         b.  The court shall retain jurisdiction over the case,

12  and the child shall remain in the long-term custody of the

13  relative or caregiver nonrelative approved by the court until

14  the order creating the long-term custodial relationship is

15  modified by the court. The court may relieve the department of

16  the responsibility for supervising the placement of the child

17  whenever the court determines that the placement is stable and

18  that such supervision is no longer needed.  Notwithstanding

19  the retention of jurisdiction, the placement shall be

20  considered a permanency option for the child when the court

21  relieves the department of the responsibility for supervising

22  the placement.  The order terminating supervision by the

23  department of Children and Family Services shall set forth the

24  powers of the custodian of the child and shall include the

25  powers ordinarily granted to a guardian of the person of a

26  minor unless otherwise specified.  The court may modify the

27  order terminating supervision of the long-term relative or

28  caregiver nonrelative placement if it finds that a party to

29  the proceeding has shown a material change in circumstances

30  which causes the long-term relative or caregiver nonrelative

31  placement to be no longer in the best interest of the child.


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  1         6.a.  Approve placement of the child in long-term

  2  out-of-home foster care, when the following conditions are

  3  met:

  4         (I)  The foster child is 16 years of age or older,

  5  unless the court determines that the history or condition of a

  6  younger child makes long-term out-of-home foster care the most

  7  appropriate placement.

  8         (II)  The child demonstrates no desire to be placed in

  9  an independent living arrangement pursuant to this subsection.

10         (III)  The department's social services study pursuant

11  to part VIII s. 39.453(6)(a) recommends long-term out-of-home

12  foster care.

13         b.  Long-term out-of-home foster care under the above

14  conditions shall not be considered a permanency option.

15         c.  The court may approve placement of the child in

16  long-term out-of-home foster care, as a permanency option,

17  when all of the following conditions are met:

18         (I)  The child is 14 years of age or older,

19         (II)  The child is living in a licensed home and the

20  foster parents desire to provide care for the child on a

21  permanent basis and the foster parents and the child do not

22  desire adoption,

23         (III)  The foster family has made a commitment to

24  provide for the child until he or she reaches the age of

25  majority and to prepare the child for adulthood and

26  independence, and

27         (IV)  The child has remained in the home for a

28  continuous period of no less than 12 months.

29         (V)  The foster parents and the child view one another

30  as family and consider living together as the best place for

31  the child to be on a permanent basis.


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  1         (VI)  The department's social services study recommends

  2  such placement and finds the child's well-being has been

  3  promoted through living with the foster parents.

  4         d.  Notwithstanding the retention of jurisdiction and

  5  supervision by the department, long-term out-of-home foster

  6  care placements made pursuant to sub-subparagraph (2)(a)6.c.

  7  of this section shall be considered a permanency option for

  8  the child.  For purposes of this subsection, supervision by

  9  the department shall be defined as a minimum of semiannual

10  visits.  The order placing the child in long-term out-of-home

11  foster care as a permanency option shall set forth the powers

12  of the custodian of the child and shall include the powers

13  ordinarily granted to a guardian of the person of a minor

14  unless otherwise specified.  The court may modify the

15  permanency option of long-term out-of-home foster care if it

16  finds that a party to the proceeding has shown a material

17  change in circumstances which causes the placement to be no

18  longer in the best interests of the child.

19         e.  Approve placement of the child in an independent

20  living arrangement for any foster child 16 years of age or

21  older, if it can be clearly established that this type of

22  alternate care arrangement is the most appropriate plan and

23  that the health, safety, and well-being of the child will not

24  be jeopardized by such an arrangement. While in independent

25  living situations, children whose legal custody has been

26  awarded to the department or a licensed child-caring or

27  child-placing agency, or who have been voluntarily placed with

28  such an agency by a parent, guardian, relative, or adult

29  nonrelative approved by the court, continue to be subject to

30  court review provisions.

31


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  1         7.  Commit the child to a licensed child-caring agency

  2  willing to receive the child. Continued commitment to the

  3  licensed child-caring agency, as well as all other proceedings

  4  under this section pertaining to the child, are also governed

  5  by part V of this chapter.

  6         7.8.  Commit the child to the temporary legal custody

  7  of the department. Such commitment invests in the department

  8  all rights and responsibilities of a legal custodian. The

  9  department shall not return any child to the physical care and

10  custody of the person from whom the child was removed, except

11  for short visitation periods, without the approval of the

12  court. The term of such commitment continues until terminated

13  by the court or until the child reaches the age of 18. After

14  the child is committed to the temporary custody of the

15  department, all further proceedings under this section are

16  also governed by part V of this chapter.

17         8.9.a.  Change the temporary legal custody or the

18  conditions of protective supervision at a postdisposition

19  hearing subsequent to the initial detention hearing, without

20  the necessity of another adjudicatory hearing. A child who has

21  been placed in the child's own home under the protective

22  supervision of an authorized agent of the department, in the

23  home of a relative, in the home of a legal custodian or

24  caregiver nonrelative, or in some other place may be brought

25  before the court by the agent of the department who is

26  supervising the placement or by any other interested person,

27  upon the filing of a petition alleging a need for a change in

28  the conditions of protective supervision or the placement. If

29  the parents or other custodians deny the need for a change,

30  the court shall hear all parties in person or by counsel, or

31  both. Upon the admission of a need for a change or after such


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  1  hearing, the court shall enter an order changing the

  2  placement, modifying the conditions of protective supervision,

  3  or continuing the conditions of protective supervision as

  4  ordered. The standard for changing custody of the child from

  5  one parent to another or to a relative or caregiver must meet

  6  the home study criteria and court approval pursuant to this

  7  chapter.

  8         b.  In cases where the issue before the court is

  9  whether a child should be reunited with a parent, the court

10  shall determine whether the parent has substantially complied

11  with the terms of the case plan to the extent that the

12  well-being and safety, well-being, and physical, mental, and

13  emotional health of the child is not endangered by the return

14  of the child to the home.

15         10.  Approve placement of the child in an independent

16  living arrangement for any foster child 16 years of age or

17  older, if it can be clearly established that this type of

18  alternate care arrangement is the most appropriate plan and

19  that the safety and welfare of the child will not be

20  jeopardized by such an arrangement. While in independent

21  living situations, children whose legal custody has been

22  awarded to the department or a licensed child-caring or

23  child-placing agency, or who have been voluntarily placed with

24  such an agency by a parent, guardian, relative, or adult

25  nonrelative approved by the court, continue to be subject to

26  the court review provisions of s. 39.453.

27         (b)  The court shall, in its written order of

28  disposition, include all of the following:

29         1.  The placement or custody of the child as provided

30  in paragraph (a).

31         2.  Special conditions of placement and visitation.


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  1         3.  Evaluation, counseling, treatment activities, and

  2  other actions to be taken by the parties, if ordered.

  3         4.  The persons or entities responsible for supervising

  4  or monitoring services to the child and family.

  5         5.  Continuation or discharge of the guardian ad litem,

  6  as appropriate.

  7         6.  The date, time, and location of the next scheduled

  8  review hearing, which must occur within 90 days after the

  9  disposition hearing or within the earlier of:

10         a.  Six months after the date of the last review

11  hearing; or

12         b.  Six months after the date of the child's removal

13  from his or her home, if no review hearing has been held since

14  the child's removal from the home. The period of time or date

15  for any subsequent case review required by law.

16         7.  Other requirements necessary to protect the health,

17  safety, and well-being of the child, to preserve the stability

18  of the child's educational placement, and to promote family

19  preservation or reunification whenever possible.

20         (c)  If the court finds that the prevention or

21  reunification efforts of the department will allow the child

22  to remain safely at home or be safely returned to the home,

23  the court shall allow the child to remain in or return to the

24  home after making a specific finding of fact that the reasons

25  for removal have been remedied to the extent that the child's

26  safety, and well-being, and physical, mental, and emotional

27  health will not be endangered.

28         (d)(5)(a)  If the court commits the child to the

29  temporary legal custody of the department, the disposition

30  order must include a written determination that the child

31  cannot safely remain at home with reunification or family


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  1  preservation services and that removal of the child is

  2  necessary to protect the child. If the child has been removed

  3  before the disposition hearing, the order must also include a

  4  written determination as to whether, after removal, the

  5  department has made a reasonable effort to reunify the family.

  6  The department has the burden of demonstrating that it has

  7  made reasonable efforts under this paragraph subsection.

  8         1.(b)  For the purposes of this paragraph subsection,

  9  the term "reasonable effort" means the exercise of reasonable

10  diligence and care by the department to provide the services

11  delineated in the case plan.

12         2.(c)  In support of its determination as to whether

13  reasonable efforts have been made, the court shall:

14         a.1.  Enter written findings as to whether or not

15  prevention or reunification efforts were indicated.

16         b.2.  If prevention or reunification efforts were

17  indicated, include a brief written description of what

18  appropriate and available prevention and reunification efforts

19  were made.

20         c.3.  Indicate in writing why further efforts could or

21  could not have prevented or shortened the separation of the

22  family.

23         3.(d)  A court may find that the department has made a

24  reasonable effort to prevent or eliminate the need for removal

25  if:

26         a.1.  The first contact of the department with the

27  family occurs during an emergency.

28         b.2.  The appraisal by the department of the home

29  situation indicates that it presents a substantial and

30  immediate danger to the child's safety or physical, mental, or

31


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  1  emotional health child which cannot be mitigated by the

  2  provision of preventive services.

  3         c.3.  The child cannot safely remain at home, either

  4  because there are no preventive services that can ensure the

  5  health and safety of the child or, even with appropriate and

  6  available services being provided, the health and safety of

  7  the child cannot be ensured.

  8         4.(e)  A reasonable effort by the department for

  9  reunification of the family has been made if the appraisal of

10  the home situation by the department indicates that the

11  severity of the conditions of dependency is such that

12  reunification efforts are inappropriate. The department has

13  the burden of demonstrating to the court that reunification

14  efforts were inappropriate.

15         5.(f)  If the court finds that the prevention or

16  reunification effort of the department would not have

17  permitted the child to remain safely at home, the court may

18  commit the child to the temporary legal custody of the

19  department or take any other action authorized by this chapter

20  part.

21         (10)(3)(a)  When any child is adjudicated by the court

22  to be dependent and temporary legal custody of the child has

23  been placed with an adult relative, legal custodian, or

24  caregiver or adult nonrelative approved by the court willing

25  to care for the child, a licensed child-caring agency, or the

26  department, the court shall, unless a parent has voluntarily

27  executed a written surrender for purposes of adoption, order

28  the parents, or the guardian of the child's estate if

29  possessed of assets which under law may be disbursed for the

30  care, support, and maintenance of the child, to pay child

31  support to the adult relative, legal custodian, or caregiver


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  1  or nonrelative caring for the child, the licensed child-caring

  2  agency, or the department. The court may exercise jurisdiction

  3  over all child support matters, shall adjudicate the financial

  4  obligation, including health insurance, of the child's parents

  5  or guardian, and shall enforce the financial obligation as

  6  provided in chapter 61. The state's child support enforcement

  7  agency shall enforce child support orders under this section

  8  in the same manner as child support orders under chapter 61.

  9         (b)  Placement of the child pursuant to subsection (8)

10  (1) shall not be contingent upon issuance of a support order.

11         (11)(4)(a)  If the court does not commit the child to

12  the temporary legal custody of an adult relative, legal

13  custodian, or caregiver or adult nonrelative approved by the

14  court, the disposition order shall include the reasons for

15  such a decision and shall include a determination as to

16  whether diligent efforts were made by the department to locate

17  an adult relative, legal custodian, or caregiver willing to

18  care for the child in order to present that placement option

19  to the court instead of placement with the department.

20         (b)  If diligent efforts are a diligent search is made

21  to locate an adult relative willing and able to care for the

22  child but, because no suitable relative is found, the child is

23  placed with the department or a legal custodian or caregiver

24  nonrelative custodian, both the department and the court shall

25  consider transferring temporary legal custody to an a willing

26  adult relative or adult nonrelative approved by the court at a

27  later date, but neither the department nor the court is

28  obligated to so place the child if it is in the child's best

29  interest to remain in the current placement. For the purposes

30  of this paragraph, "diligent efforts to locate an adult

31  relative" means a search similar to the diligent search for a


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  1  parent, but without the continuing obligation to search after

  2  an initial adequate search is completed.

  3         (12)(6)  An agency granted legal custody shall have the

  4  right to determine where and with whom the child shall live,

  5  but an individual granted legal custody shall exercise all

  6  rights and duties personally unless otherwise ordered by the

  7  court.

  8         (13)(7)  In carrying out the provisions of this

  9  chapter, the court may order the natural parents, caregivers,

10  or legal custodians guardian of a child who is found to be

11  dependent to participate in family counseling and other

12  professional counseling activities deemed necessary for the

13  rehabilitation of the child.

14         (14)(8)  With respect to a child who is the subject in

15  proceedings under part V of this chapter, the court shall

16  issue to the department an order to show cause why it should

17  not return the child to the custody of the natural parents,

18  legal custodians, or caregivers upon expiration of the case

19  plan, or sooner if the parents, legal custodians, or

20  caregivers have substantially complied with the case plan.

21         (15)(9)  The court may at any time enter an order

22  ending its jurisdiction over any child, except that, when a

23  child has been returned to the parents under subsection (14)

24  (8), the court shall not terminate its jurisdiction over the

25  child until 6 months after the child's return. Based on a

26  report of the department or agency or the child's guardian ad

27  litem, and any other relevant factors, the court shall then

28  determine whether its jurisdiction should be continued or

29  terminated in such a case; if its jurisdiction is to be

30  terminated, the court shall enter an order to that effect.

31


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  1         Section 70.  Section 39.5085, Florida Statutes, is

  2  created to read:

  3         39.5085  Relative Caregiver Program.--

  4         (1)  It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting

  5  this section to:

  6         (a)  Recognize family relationships in which a

  7  grandparent or other relative is the head of a household that

  8  includes a child otherwise at risk of foster care placement.

  9         (b)  Enhance family preservation and stability by

10  recognizing that most children in such placements with

11  grandparents and other relatives do not need intensive

12  supervision of the placement by the courts or by the

13  department.

14         (c)  Provide additional placement options and

15  incentives that will achieve permanency and stability for many

16  children who are otherwise at risk of foster care placement

17  because of abuse, abandonment, or neglect, but who may

18  successfully be able to be placed by the dependency court in

19  the care of such relatives.

20         (d)  Reserve the limited casework and supervisory

21  resources of the courts and the department for those cases in

22  which children do not have the option for safe, stable care

23  within the family.

24         (2)(a)  The Department of Children and Family Services

25  shall establish and operate the Relative Caregiver Program

26  pursuant to eligibility guidelines established in this section

27  as further implemented by rule of the department.  The

28  Relative Caregiver Program shall, within the limits of

29  available funding, provide financial assistance to relatives

30  who are within the fifth degree by blood or marriage to the

31  parent or stepparent of a child and who are caring full-time


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  1  for that child in the role of substitute parent as a result of

  2  a departmental determination of child abuse, neglect, or

  3  abandonment and subsequent placement with the relative

  4  pursuant to chapter 39.  Such placement may be either

  5  court-ordered temporary legal custody to the relative pursuant

  6  to s. 39.508(9), or court-ordered placement in the home of a

  7  relative under protective supervision of the department

  8  pursuant to s. 39.508(9).  The Relative Caregiver Program

  9  shall offer financial assistance to caregivers who are

10  relatives and who would be unable to serve in that capacity

11  without the relative caregiver payment because of financial

12  burden, thus exposing the child to the trauma of placement in

13  a shelter or in foster care.

14         (b)  Caregivers who are relatives and who receive

15  assistance under this section must be capable, as determined

16  by a home study, of providing a physically safe environment

17  and a stable, supportive home for the children under their

18  care, and must assure that the children's well-being is met,

19  including, but not limited to, the provision of immunizations,

20  education, and mental health services as needed.

21         (c)  Relatives who qualify for and participate in the

22  Relative Caregiver Program are not required to meet foster

23  care licensing requirements under s. 409.175.

24         (d)  Relatives who are caring for children placed with

25  them by the child protection system shall receive a special

26  monthly relative caregiver benefit established by rule of the

27  department.  The amount of the special benefit payment shall

28  be based on the child's age within a payment schedule

29  established by rule of the department and subject to

30  availability of funding.  The statewide average monthly rate

31  for children judicially placed with relatives who are not


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  1  licensed as foster homes may not exceed 82 percent of the

  2  statewide average foster care rate, nor may the cost of

  3  providing the assistance described in this section to any

  4  relative caregiver exceed the cost of providing out-of-home

  5  care in emergency shelter or foster care.

  6         (e)  Children receiving cash benefits under this

  7  section are not eligible to simultaneously receive WAGES cash

  8  benefits under chapter 414.

  9         (f)  Within available funding, the Relative Caregiver

10  Program shall provide relative caregivers with family support

11  and preservation services, flexible funds in accordance with

12  s. 409.165, subsidized child care, and other available

13  services in order to support the child's safety, growth, and

14  healthy development.  Children living with relative caregivers

15  who are receiving assistance under this section shall be

16  eligible for medicaid coverage.

17         (g)  The department may use appropriate available

18  state, federal, and private funds to operate the Relative

19  Caregiver Program.

20         Section 71.  Section 39.4105, Florida Statutes, is

21  renumbered as section 39.509, Florida Statutes, and amended to

22  read:

23         39.509 39.4105  Grandparents rights.--Notwithstanding

24  any other provision of law, a maternal or paternal grandparent

25  as well as a stepgrandparent is entitled to reasonable

26  visitation with his or her grandchild who has been adjudicated

27  a dependent child and taken from the physical custody of the

28  his or her parent, custodian, legal guardian, or caregiver

29  unless the court finds that such visitation is not in the best

30  interest of the child or that such visitation would interfere

31  with the goals of the case plan pursuant to s. 39.451.


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  1  Reasonable visitation may be unsupervised and, where

  2  appropriate and feasible, may be frequent and continuing.

  3         (1)  Grandparent visitation may take place in the home

  4  of the grandparent unless there is a compelling reason for

  5  denying such a visitation. The department's caseworker shall

  6  arrange the visitation to which a grandparent is entitled

  7  pursuant to this section.  The state shall not charge a fee

  8  for any costs associated with arranging the visitation.

  9  However, the grandparent shall pay for the child's cost of

10  transportation when the visitation is to take place in the

11  grandparent's home.  The caseworker shall document the reasons

12  for any decision to restrict a grandparent's visitation.

13         (2)  A grandparent entitled to visitation pursuant to

14  this section shall not be restricted from appropriate displays

15  of affection to the child, such as appropriately hugging or

16  kissing his or her grandchild.  Gifts, cards, and letters from

17  the grandparent and other family members shall not be denied

18  to a child who has been adjudicated a dependent child.

19         (3)  Any attempt by a grandparent to facilitate a

20  meeting between the child who has been adjudicated a dependent

21  child and the child's parent, custodian, legal guardian, or

22  caregiver in violation of a court order shall automatically

23  terminate future visitation rights of the grandparent.

24         (4)  When the child has been returned to the physical

25  custody of his or her parent or permanent custodian, legal

26  guardian, or caregiver, the visitation rights granted pursuant

27  to this section shall terminate.

28         (5)  The termination of parental rights does not affect

29  the rights of grandparents unless the court finds that such

30  visitation is not in the best interest of the child or that

31


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  1  such visitation would interfere with the goals of permanency

  2  planning for the child.

  3         (6)(5)  In determining whether grandparental visitation

  4  is not in the child's best interest, consideration may be

  5  given to the finding of guilt, regardless of adjudication, or

  6  entry or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to charges under

  7  the following statutes, or similar statutes of other

  8  jurisdictions:  s. 787.04, relating to removing minors from

  9  the state or concealing minors contrary to court order; s.

10  794.011, relating to sexual battery; s. 798.02, relating to

11  lewd and lascivious behavior; chapter 800, relating to

12  lewdness and indecent exposure; or chapter 827, relating to

13  the abuse of children.  Consideration may also be given to a

14  finding of confirmed abuse, abandonment, or neglect under ss.

15  415.101-415.113 or this chapter and ss. 415.502-415.514.

16         Section 72.  Section 39.413, Florida Statutes, is

17  renumbered as section 39.510, Florida Statutes, and subsection

18  (1) of said section is amended to read:

19         39.510 39.413  Appeal.--

20         (1)  Any child, any parent, guardian ad litem,

21  caregiver, or legal custodian of any child, any other party to

22  the proceeding who is affected by an order of the court, or

23  the department may appeal to the appropriate district court of

24  appeal within the time and in the manner prescribed by the

25  Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. Appointed counsel shall

26  be compensated as provided in this chapter s. 39.415.

27         Section 73.  Part VII of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

28  consisting of sections 39.601, 39.602, and 39.603, Florida

29  Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

30                             PART VII

31                            CASE PLANS


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  1         Section 74.  Sections 39.4031 and 39.451, Florida

  2  Statutes, are renumbered as section 39.601, Florida Statutes,

  3  and amended to read:

  4         39.601 39.4031  Case plan requirements.--

  5         (1)  The department or agent of the department shall

  6  develop a case plan for each child or child's family receiving

  7  services pursuant to this chapter who is a party to any

  8  dependency proceeding, activity, or process under this part.

  9  A parent, caregiver, or legal guardian, or custodian of a

10  child may not be required nor coerced through threat of loss

11  of custody or parental rights to admit in the case plan to

12  abusing, neglecting, or abandoning a child. Where dependency

13  mediation services are available and appropriate to the best

14  interests of the child, the court may refer the case to

15  mediation for development of a case plan. This section does

16  not change the provisions of s. 39.807 39.464.

17         (2)  The case plan must be:

18         (a)  The case plan must be developed in conference with

19  the parent, caregiver, or legal guardian, or custodian of the

20  child and, if appropriate, the child and any court-appointed

21  guardian ad litem and, if appropriate, the child. Any parent

22  who believes that his or her perspective has not been

23  considered in the development of a case plan may request

24  referral to mediation pursuant to s. 39.4033 when such

25  services are available.

26         (b)  The case plan must be written simply and clearly

27  in English and, if English is not the principal language of

28  the child's parent, caregiver, or legal guardian, or

29  custodian, to the extent possible in such principal language.

30         (c)  The case plan must describe the minimum number of

31  face-to-face meetings to be held each month between the


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  1  parents, caregivers, or legal custodians and the department's

  2  caseworkers to review progress of the plan, to eliminate

  3  barriers to progress, and to resolve conflicts or

  4  disagreements.

  5         (d)(c)  The case plan must be subject to modification

  6  based on changing circumstances.

  7         (e)(d)  The case plan must be signed by all parties.

  8         (f)(e)  The case plan must be reasonable, accurate, and

  9  in compliance with the requirements of other court orders.

10         (2)(3)  When the child or family is receiving services

11  in the child's home, the case plan must be developed within 30

12  days from the date of the department's initial contact with

13  the child, or within 30 days of the date of a disposition

14  order placing the child under the protective supervision of

15  the department in the child's own home, and must include, in

16  addition to the requirements in subsection (1) (2), at a

17  minimum:

18         (a)  A description of the problem being addressed that

19  includes the behavior or act of a parent, legal custodian, or

20  caregiver resulting in risk to the child and the reason for

21  the department's intervention.

22         (b)  A description of the services to be provided to

23  the family and child specifically addressing the identified

24  problem, including:

25         1.  Type of services or treatment.

26         2.  Frequency of services or treatment.

27         3.  Location of the delivery of the services.

28         4.  The accountable department staff or service

29  provider.

30         5.  The need for a multidisciplinary case staffing

31  under s. 39.4032.


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  1         (c)  A description of the measurable objectives,

  2  including timeframes for achieving objectives, addressing the

  3  identified problem.

  4         (3)(4)  When the child is receiving services in a

  5  placement outside the child's home or in foster care, the case

  6  plan must be submitted to the court for approval at the

  7  disposition hearing prepared within 30 days after placement

  8  and also be approved by the court and must include, in

  9  addition to the requirements in subsections (1) and (2) and

10  (3), at a minimum:

11         (a)  A description of the permanency goal for the

12  child, including the type of placement. Reasonable efforts to

13  place a child for adoption or with a legal guardian may be

14  made concurrently with reasonable efforts to prevent removal

15  of the child from the home or make it possible for the child

16  to return safely home.

17         (b)  A description of the type of home or institution

18  in which the child is to be placed.

19         (c)  A description of the financial support obligation

20  to the child, including health insurance, of the child's

21  parent, parents, caregiver, or legal custodian or guardian.

22         (d)  A description of the visitation rights and

23  obligations of the parent or parents, caregiver, or legal

24  custodian during the period the child is in care.

25         (e)  A discussion of the safety and appropriateness of

26  the child's placement, which placement is intended to be safe,

27  in the least restrictive and most family-like setting

28  available consistent with the best interest and special needs

29  of the child, and in as close proximity as possible to the

30  child's home. The plan must also establish the role for the

31  foster parents or custodians in the development of the


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  1  services which are to be provided to the child, foster

  2  parents, or legal custodians. It must also address the child's

  3  need for services while under the jurisdiction of the court

  4  and implementation of these services in the case plan.

  5         (f)  A description of the efforts to be undertaken to

  6  maintain the stability of the child's educational placement.

  7         (g)(f)  A discussion of the department's plans to carry

  8  out the judicial determination made by the court, with respect

  9  to the child, in accordance with this chapter and applicable

10  federal regulations.

11         (h)(g)  A description of the plan for assuring that

12  services outlined in the case plan are provided to the child

13  and the child's parent or parents, legal custodians, or

14  caregivers, to improve the conditions in the family home and

15  facilitate either the safe return of the child to the home or

16  the permanent placement of the child.

17         (i)(h)  A description of the plan for assuring that

18  services as outlined in the case plan are provided to the

19  child and the child's parent or parents, legal custodians, or

20  caregivers, to address the needs of the child and a discussion

21  of the appropriateness of the services.

22         (j)(i)  A description of the plan for assuring that

23  services are provided to the child and foster parents to

24  address the needs of the child while in foster care, which

25  shall include an itemized list of costs to be borne by the

26  parent or caregiver associated with any services or treatment

27  that the parent and child are expected to receive.

28         (k)(j)  A written notice to the parent that failure of

29  the parent to substantially comply with the case plan may

30  result in the termination of parental rights, and that a

31  material failure to substantially comply may result in the


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  1  filing of a petition for termination of parental rights sooner

  2  than the compliance periods set forth in the case plan itself.

  3  The child protection team shall coordinate its effort with the

  4  case staffing committee.

  5         (l)  In the case of a child for whom the permanency

  6  plan is adoption or placement in another permanent home,

  7  documentation of the steps the agency is taking to find an

  8  adoptive family or other permanent living arrangement for the

  9  child, to place the child with an adoptive family, with a fit

10  and willing relative, with a legal guardian, or in another

11  planned permanent living arrangement, and to finalize the

12  adoption or legal guardianship. At a minimum, such

13  documentation shall include child-specific recruitment efforts

14  such as the use of state, regional, and national adoption

15  exchanges, including electronic exchange systems.

16         (4)(5)  In the event that the parents, legal

17  custodians, or caregivers are unwilling or unable to

18  participate in the development of a case plan, the department

19  shall document that unwillingness or inability to participate.

20  Such documentation must be provided and provide in writing to

21  the parent, legal custodians, or caregivers when available for

22  the court record, and then the department shall prepare a case

23  plan conforming as nearly as possible with the requirements

24  set forth in this section. The unwillingness or inability of

25  the parents, legal custodians, or caregivers to participate in

26  the development of a case plan shall not in itself bar the

27  filing of a petition for dependency or for termination of

28  parental rights. The parents, legal custodians, or caregivers,

29  if available, must be provided a copy of the case plan and be

30  advised that they may, at any time prior to the filing of a

31  petition for termination of parental rights, enter into a case


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  1  plan and that they may request judicial review of any

  2  provision of the case plan with which they disagree at any

  3  court review hearing set for the child.

  4         (5)(6)  The services delineated in the case plan must

  5  be designed to improve the conditions in the family home and

  6  aid in maintaining the child in the home, to facilitate the

  7  safe return of the child to the family home, or to facilitate

  8  the permanent placement of the child. The service intervention

  9  must be the least intrusive possible into the life of the

10  family, must focus on clearly defined objectives, and must

11  provide the most efficient path to quick reunification or

12  permanent placement, with the child's health and safety being

13  paramount. To the extent possible, the service intervention

14  must be grounded in outcome evaluation results that

15  demonstrate success in the reunification or permanent

16  placement process. In designing service interventions,

17  generally recognized standards of the professions involved in

18  the process must be taken into consideration.

19         (6)  After jurisdiction attaches, all case plans must

20  be filed with the court and a copy provided to the parents,

21  caregivers, or legal custodians of the child, to the

22  representative of the guardian ad litem program if the program

23  has been appointed, and to all other parties, not less than 72

24  hours before the disposition hearing. All such case plans must

25  be approved by the court. The department shall also file with

26  the court all case plans prepared before jurisdiction of the

27  court attached. If the court does not accept the case plan,

28  the court shall require the parties to make necessary

29  modifications to the plan. An amended plan must be submitted

30  to the court for review and approval within 30 days after the

31  hearing on the case plan.


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  1         39.451  Case planning for children in foster care.--

  2         (1)  In presenting the case plan to the court, the

  3  purpose of a case plan is to ensure permanency for children

  4  through recording the actions to be taken by the parties

  5  involved in order to quickly assure the safe return of the

  6  child to the parents or, if this is not possible, the

  7  termination of parental rights and the placement of the child

  8  with the department or a licensed child-placing agency for the

  9  purpose of finding a permanent adoptive home. Permanent

10  adoptive placement is the primary permanency goal when a child

11  is permanently placed with the department or a licensed

12  child-placing agency. If it is not possible to find a

13  permanent adoptive home, the case plan must record the actions

14  taken for preparing the child for alternative permanency goals

15  or placements such as long-term foster care or independent

16  living.

17         (7)(2)  The case plan must be limited to as short a

18  period as possible for the accomplishment of its provisions.

19  Unless extended under s. 39.453(8), the plan expires no later

20  than 12 18 months after the date the child was initially

21  removed from the home or the date the case plan was accepted

22  by the court, whichever comes first.

23         (8)(3)  The case plan must meet applicable federal and

24  state requirements as provided in s. 39.4031.

25         (9)(4)(a)  In each case in which the custody of a child

26  has been vested, either voluntarily or involuntarily, in the

27  department and the child has been placed in out-of-home foster

28  care, a case plan must be prepared within 60 30 days after the

29  department removes the child from the home, and shall be

30  submitted to the court before the disposition hearing, with a

31  hearing scheduled for the court to review and accept or modify


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  1  the plan within an additional 30 days. If the preparation of a

  2  case plan, in conference with the parents and other pertinent

  3  parties, cannot be completed before the disposition hearing

  4  accomplished within 30 days, for good cause shown, the court

  5  may grant an extension not to exceed 30 days and set a hearing

  6  to review and accept the case plan.

  7         (b)  The parent or parents, legal custodians, or

  8  caregivers may receive assistance from any person, or social

  9  service agency in the preparation of the case plan.

10         (c)  The social service agency, the department, and the

11  court, when applicable, shall inform the parent or parents,

12  legal custodians, or caregivers of the right to receive such

13  assistance, including the right to assistance of counsel.

14         (d)(c)  Before the signing of the case plan, the

15  authorized agent of the department shall explain it to all

16  persons involved in its implementation, including, when

17  appropriate, the child.

18         (e)(d)  After the case plan has been agreed upon and

19  signed by the parties involved, a copy of the plan must be

20  given immediately to the natural parents, the department or

21  agency, the foster parents or caregivers, the legal custodian,

22  the caregiver, the representative of the guardian ad litem

23  program if the program is appointed, and any other parties

24  identified by the court, including the child, if appropriate.

25         (f)(e)  The case plan may be amended at any time if all

26  parties are in agreement regarding the revisions to the plan

27  and the plan is submitted to the court with a memorandum of

28  explanation. The case plan may also be amended by the court or

29  upon motion of any party at a hearing, based on competent

30  evidence demonstrating the need for the amendment. A copy of

31


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  1  the amended plan must be immediately given to the parties

  2  specified in paragraph (e)(d).

  3         (5)  The case plan must be submitted to the court and

  4  all parties for review and acceptance or modification at least

  5  72 hours prior to a court hearing. If the court does not

  6  accept any of the requirements of the case plan, the court

  7  shall require the parties to make necessary modifications to

  8  the plan. An amended plan must be submitted to the court for

  9  review and approval within a time certain specified by the

10  court.

11         (10)(6)  A case plan must be prepared, but need not be

12  submitted to the court, for a child who will be in care no

13  longer than 30 days unless that child is placed in out-of-home

14  foster care a second time within a 12-month period.

15         Section 75.  Subsections (1), (2), (3), and (4) of

16  section 39.452, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as section

17  39.602, Florida Statutes, and amended to read:

18         39.602 39.452  Case planning when parents, legal

19  custodians, or caregivers do not participate and the child is

20  in out-of-home foster care.--

21         (1)(a)  In the event the parents, legal custodians, or

22  caregivers will not or cannot participate in preparation of a

23  case plan, the department shall submit a full explanation of

24  the circumstances and a plan for the permanent placement of

25  the child to the court within 30 days after the child has been

26  removed from the home and placed in temporary foster care and

27  schedule a court hearing within 30 days after submission of

28  the plan to the court to review and accept or modify the plan.

29  If preparation cannot be accomplished within 30 days, for good

30  cause shown, the court may grant extensions not to exceed 15

31


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  1  days each for the filing, the granting of which shall be for

  2  similar reason to that contained in s. 39.451(4)(a).

  3         (b)  In the full explanation of the circumstances

  4  submitted to the court, the department shall state the nature

  5  of its efforts to secure such persons' parental participation

  6  in the preparation of a case plan.

  7         (2)  In a case in which the physical, emotional, or

  8  mental condition or physical location of the parent is the

  9  basis for the parent's nonparticipation, it is the burden of

10  the department to provide substantial evidence to the court

11  that such condition or location has rendered the parent unable

12  or unwilling to participate in the preparation of a case plan,

13  either pro se or through counsel. The supporting documentation

14  must be submitted to the court at the time the plan is filed.

15         (3)  The plan must include, but need not be limited to,

16  the specific services to be provided by the department, the

17  goals and plans for the child, and the time for accomplishing

18  the provisions of the plan and for accomplishing permanence

19  for the child.

20         (4)(a)  At least 72 Seventy-two hours prior to the

21  filing of a plan, all parties each parent must be provided

22  with a copy of the plan developed by the department.  If the

23  location of one or both parents is unknown, this must be

24  documented in writing and included in the plan submitted to

25  the court.  After the filing of the plan, if the location of

26  an absent parent becomes known, that parent must be served

27  with a copy of the plan.

28         (b)  Before the filing of the plan, the department

29  shall advise each parent, both orally and in writing, that the

30  failure of the parents to substantially comply with a plan

31  which has reunification as its primary goal may result in the


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  1  termination of parental rights, but only after notice and

  2  hearing as provided in this chapter part VI. If, after the

  3  plan has been submitted to the court, an absent parent is

  4  located, the department shall advise the parent, both orally

  5  and in writing, that the failure of the parents to

  6  substantially comply with a plan which has reunification as

  7  its goal may result in termination of parental rights, but

  8  only after notice and hearing as provided in this chapter part

  9  VI. Proof of written notification must be filed with the

10  court.

11         Section 76.  Subsection (5) of section 39.452, Florida

12  Statutes, is renumbered as section 39.603, Florida Statutes,

13  and amended to read:

14         39.603 39.452  Court approvals of case planning when

15  parents do not participate and the child is in foster care.--

16         (5)(a)  The court shall set a hearing, with notice to

17  all parties, on the plan or any provisions of the plan, within

18  30 days after the plan has been received by the court. If the

19  location of a parent is unknown, the notice must be directed

20  to the last permanent address of record.

21         (1)(b)  At the hearing on the plan, which shall occur

22  in conjunction with the disposition hearing unless otherwise

23  directed by the court, the court shall determine:

24         (a)1.  All parties who were notified and are in

25  attendance at the hearing, either in person or through a legal

26  representative. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem

27  under Rule 1.210, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, to

28  represent the interests of any parent, if the location of the

29  parent is known but the parent is not present at the hearing

30  and the development of the plan is based upon the physical,

31


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  1  emotional, or mental condition or physical location of the

  2  parent.

  3         (b)2.  If the plan is consistent with previous orders

  4  of the court placing the child in care.

  5         (c)3.  If the plan is consistent with the requirements

  6  for the content of a plan as specified in this chapter

  7  subsection (3).

  8         (d)4.  In involuntary placements, whether each parent

  9  was notified of the right to counsel at each stage of the

10  dependency proceedings, in accordance with the Florida Rules

11  of Juvenile Procedure.

12         (e)5.  Whether each parent whose location was known was

13  notified of the right to participate in the preparation of a

14  case plan and of the right to receive assistance from any

15  other person in the preparation of the case plan.

16         (f)6.  Whether the plan is meaningful and designed to

17  address facts and circumstances upon which the court based the

18  finding of dependency in involuntary placements or the plan is

19  meaningful and designed to address facts and circumstances

20  upon which the child was placed in out-of-home foster care

21  voluntarily.

22         (2)(c)  When the court determines any of the elements

23  considered at the hearing related to the plan have not been

24  met, the court shall require the parties to make necessary

25  amendments to the plan. The amended plan must be submitted to

26  the court for review and approval within a time certain

27  specified by the court. A copy of the amended plan must also

28  be provided to each parent, if the location of the parent is

29  known.

30         (3)(d)  A parent who has not participated in the

31  development of a case plan must be served with a copy of the


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  1  plan developed by the department, if the parent can be

  2  located, at least 48 72 hours prior to the court hearing.  Any

  3  parent is entitled to, and may seek, a court review of the

  4  plan prior to the initial 6 months' review and must be

  5  informed of this right by the department at the time the

  6  department serves the parent with a copy of the plan.  If the

  7  location of an absent parent becomes known to the department,

  8  the department shall inform the parent of the right to a court

  9  review at the time the department serves the parent with a

10  copy of the case plan.

11         Section 77.  Part VIII of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

12  consisting of sections 39.701, 39.702, 39.703, and 39.704,

13  Florida Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

14                            PART VIII

15                         JUDICIAL REVIEWS

16         Section 78.  Section 39.453, Florida Statutes, is

17  renumbered as section 39.701, Florida Statutes, and amended to

18  read:

19         39.701 39.453  Judicial review.--

20         (1)(a)  The court shall have continuing jurisdiction in

21  accordance with this section and shall review the status of

22  the child as required by this subsection or more frequently if

23  the court deems it necessary or desirable.

24         (b)  The court shall retain jurisdiction over a child

25  returned to its parents, caregivers, or legal guardians for a

26  period of 6 months, but, at that time, based on a report of

27  the social service agency and the guardian ad litem, if one

28  has been appointed, and any other relevant factors, the court

29  shall make a determination as to whether its jurisdiction

30  shall continue or be terminated.

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  1         (c)  After termination of parental rights, the court

  2  shall retain jurisdiction over any child for whom custody is

  3  given to a social service agency until the child is adopted.

  4  The jurisdiction of the court after termination of parental

  5  rights and custody is given to the agency is for the purpose

  6  of reviewing the status of the child and the progress being

  7  made toward permanent adoptive placement. As part of this

  8  continuing jurisdiction, for good cause shown by the guardian

  9  ad litem for the child, the court may review the

10  appropriateness of the adoptive placement of the child.

11         (2)(a)  The court shall review the status of the child

12  and shall hold a hearing as provided in this part subsection

13  (7). The court may dispense with the attendance of the child

14  at the hearing, but may not dispense with the hearing or the

15  presence of other parties to the review unless before the

16  review a hearing is held before a citizen review panel.

17         (b)  Citizen review panels may be established under s.

18  39.4531 to conduct hearings to a review of the status of a

19  child. The court shall select the cases appropriate for

20  referral to the citizen review panels and may order the

21  attendance of the parties at the review panel hearings.

22  However, any party may object to the referral of a case to a

23  citizen review panel. Whenever such an objection has been

24  filed with the court, the court shall review the substance of

25  the objection and may conduct the review itself or refer the

26  review to a citizen review panel. All parties retain the right

27  to take exception to the findings or recommended orders of a

28  citizen review panel in accordance with Rule 1.490(h), Florida

29  Rules of Civil Procedure.

30         (c)  Notice of a hearing by a citizen review panel must

31  be provided as set forth in subsection (5). At the conclusion


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  1  of a citizen review panel hearing, each party may propose a

  2  recommended order to the chairperson of the panel. Thereafter,

  3  the citizen review panel shall submit its report, copies of

  4  the proposed recommended orders, and a copy of the panel's

  5  recommended order to the court. The citizen review panel's

  6  recommended order must be limited to the dispositional options

  7  available to the court in subsection (8). Each party may file

  8  exceptions to the report and recommended order of the citizen

  9  review panel in accordance with Rule 1.490, Florida Rules of

10  Civil Procedure.

11         (3)(a)  The initial judicial review must be held no

12  later than 90 days after the date of the disposition hearing

13  or after the date of the hearing at which the court approves

14  the case plan, but in no event shall the review be held later

15  than 6 months after the date the child was removed from the

16  home. Citizen review panels shall not conduct more than two

17  consecutive reviews without the child and the parties coming

18  before the court for a judicial review. If the child remains

19  in shelter or foster care, subsequent judicial reviews must be

20  held at least every 6 months after the date of the most recent

21  judicial review until the child is 13 years old and has been

22  in foster care at least 18 months.

23         (b)  If the court extends any the case plan beyond 12

24  18 months, judicial reviews must be held at least every 6

25  months for children under the age of 13 and at least annually

26  for children age 13 and older.

27         (c)  If the child is placed in the custody of the

28  department or a licensed child-placing agency for the purpose

29  of adoptive placement, judicial reviews must be held at least

30  every 6 months until adoptive placement, to determine the

31


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  1  appropriateness of the current placement and the progress made

  2  toward adoptive placement.

  3         (d)  If the department and the court have established a

  4  formal agreement that includes specific authorization for

  5  particular cases, the department may conduct administrative

  6  reviews instead of the judicial reviews for children in

  7  out-of-home foster care. Notices of such administrative

  8  reviews must be provided to all parties. However, an

  9  administrative review may not be substituted for the first

10  judicial review, and in every case the court must conduct a

11  judicial review at least every 6 12 months. Any party

12  dissatisfied with the results of an administrative review may

13  petition for a judicial review.

14         (e)  The clerk of the circuit court shall schedule

15  judicial review hearings in order to comply with the mandated

16  times cited in this section paragraphs (a)-(d).

17         (f)  In each case in which a child has been voluntarily

18  placed with the licensed child-placing agency, the agency

19  shall notify the clerk of the court in the circuit where the

20  child resides of such placement within 5 working days.

21  Notification of the court is not required for any child who

22  will be in out-of-home foster care no longer than 30 days

23  unless that child is placed in out-of-home foster care a

24  second time within a 12-month period. If the child is returned

25  to the custody of the parents, caregiver, or legal custodian

26  or guardian before the scheduled review hearing or if the

27  child is placed for adoption, the child-placing agency shall

28  notify the court of the child's return or placement within 5

29  working days, and the clerk of the court shall cancel the

30  review hearing.

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  1         (4)  The court shall schedule the date, time, and

  2  location of the next judicial review in the judicial review

  3  order. The social service agency shall file a petition for

  4  review with the court within 10 calendar days after the

  5  judicial review hearing. The petition must include a statement

  6  of the dispositional alternatives available to the court. The

  7  petition must accompany the notice of the hearing served upon

  8  persons specified in subsection (5).

  9         (5)  Notice of a judicial review hearing or a citizen

10  review panel the hearing, and a copy of the motion for

11  judicial review petition, including a statement of the

12  dispositional alternatives available to the court, must be

13  served by the court upon:

14         (a)  The social service agency charged with the

15  supervision of care, custody, or guardianship of the child, if

16  that agency is not the movant petitioner.

17         (b)  The foster parent or parents or caregivers

18  caretakers in whose home the child resides.

19         (c)  The parent, caregiver, or legal custodian

20  guardian, or relative from whom the care and custody of the

21  child have been transferred.

22         (d)  The guardian ad litem for the child, or the

23  representative of the guardian ad litem program if the program

24  one has been appointed.

25         (e)  Any preadoptive parent.

26         (f)(e)  Such other persons as the court may in its

27  discretion direct.

28         (6)(a)  Prior to every judicial review hearing or

29  citizen review panel hearing, the social service agency shall

30  make an investigation and social study concerning all

31  pertinent details relating to the child and shall furnish to


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  1  the court or citizen review panel a written report that

  2  includes, but is not limited to:

  3         1.  A description of the type of placement the child is

  4  in at the time of the hearing, including the safety of the

  5  child and the continuing necessity for and appropriateness of

  6  the placement.

  7         2.  Documentation of the diligent efforts made by all

  8  parties to the case plan to comply with each applicable

  9  provision of the plan.

10         3.  The amount of fees assessed and collected during

11  the period of time being reported.

12         4.  The services provided to the foster family or

13  caregivers caretakers in an effort to address the needs of the

14  child as indicated in the case plan.

15         5.  A statement that concerning whether the parent or

16  legal custodian guardian, though able to do so, did not comply

17  substantially with the provisions of the case plan and the

18  agency recommendations or a statement that the parent or legal

19  custodian guardian did substantially comply with such

20  provisions.

21         6.  A statement from the foster parent or parents or

22  caregivers caretakers providing any material evidence

23  concerning the return of the child to the parent or parents or

24  legal custodians.

25         7.  A statement concerning the frequency, duration, and

26  results of the parent-child visitation, if any, and the agency

27  recommendations for an expansion or restriction of future

28  visitation.

29         8.  The number of times a child has been removed from

30  his or her home and placed elsewhere, the number and types of

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  1  placements that have occurred, and the reason for the changes

  2  in placement.

  3         9.  The number of times a child's educational placement

  4  has been changed, the number and types of educational

  5  placements which have occurred, and the reason for any change

  6  in placement.

  7         (b)  A copy of the social service agency's written

  8  report must be provided to the attorney of record of the

  9  parent, parents, or legal custodians guardian; to the parent,

10  parents, or legal custodians guardian; to the foster parents

11  or caregivers caretakers; to each citizen review panel

12  established under s. 39.4531; and to the guardian ad litem for

13  the child, or the representative of the guardian ad litem

14  program if the program one has been appointed by the court, at

15  least 48 hours before the judicial review hearing, or citizen

16  review panel hearing if such a panel has been established

17  under s. 39.4531. The requirement for providing parents or

18  legal custodians guardians with a copy of the written report

19  does not apply to those parents or legal custodians guardians

20  who have voluntarily surrendered their child for adoption.

21         (c)  In a case in which the child has been permanently

22  placed with the social service agency, the agency shall

23  furnish to the court a written report concerning the progress

24  being made to place the child for adoption. If, as stated in

25  s. 39.451(1), the child cannot be placed for adoption, a

26  report on the progress made by the child in alternative

27  permanency goals or placements, including, but not limited to,

28  long-term foster care, independent living, custody to a

29  relative or caregiver adult nonrelative approved by the court

30  on a permanent basis with or without legal guardianship, or

31  custody to a foster parent or caregiver on a permanent basis


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  1  with or without legal guardianship, must be submitted to the

  2  court. The report must be submitted to the court at least 48

  3  hours before each scheduled judicial review.

  4         (d)  In addition to or in lieu of any written statement

  5  provided to the court, the foster parent or caregivers, or any

  6  preadoptive parent, caretakers shall be given the opportunity

  7  to address the court with any information relevant to the best

  8  interests of the child at any judicial review hearing.

  9         (7)  The court, and any citizen review panel

10  established under s. 39.4531, shall take into consideration

11  the information contained in the social services study and

12  investigation and all medical, psychological, and educational

13  records that support the terms of the case plan; testimony by

14  the social services agency, the parent or legal custodian

15  guardian, the foster parent or caregivers caretakers, the

16  guardian ad litem if one has been appointed for the child, and

17  any other person deemed appropriate; and any relevant and

18  material evidence submitted to the court, including written

19  and oral reports to the extent of their probative value. In

20  its deliberations, the court, and any citizen review panel

21  established under s. 39.4531, shall seek to determine:

22         (a)  If the parent or legal custodian guardian was

23  advised of the right to receive assistance from any person or

24  social service agency in the preparation of the case plan.

25         (b)  If the parent or legal custodian guardian has been

26  advised of the right to have counsel present at the judicial

27  review or citizen review hearings. If not so advised, the

28  court or citizen review panel shall advise the parent or legal

29  custodian guardian of such right.

30         (c)  If a guardian ad litem needs to be appointed for

31  the child in a case in which a guardian ad litem has not


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  1  previously been appointed or if there is a need to continue a

  2  guardian ad litem in a case in which a guardian ad litem has

  3  been appointed.

  4         (d)  The compliance or lack of compliance of all

  5  parties with applicable items of the case plan, including the

  6  parents' compliance with child support orders.

  7         (e)  The compliance or lack of compliance with a

  8  visitation contract between the parent, caregiver, or legal

  9  custodian or guardian and the social service agency for

10  contact with the child, including the frequency, duration, and

11  results of the parent-child visitation and the reason for any

12  noncompliance.

13         (f)  The compliance or lack of compliance of the

14  parent, caregiver, or legal custodian or guardian in meeting

15  specified financial obligations pertaining to the care of the

16  child, including the reason for failure to comply if such is

17  the case.

18         (g)  The appropriateness of the child's current

19  placement, including whether the child is in a setting which

20  is as family-like and as close to the parent's home as

21  possible, consistent with the child's best interests and

22  special needs, and including maintaining stability in the

23  child's educational placement.

24         (h)  A projected date likely for the child's return

25  home or other permanent placement.

26         (i)  When appropriate, the basis for the unwillingness

27  or inability of the parent, caregiver, or legal custodian or

28  guardian to become a party to a case plan. The court and the

29  citizen review panel shall determine if the nature of the

30  location or the condition of the parent and the efforts of the

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  1  social service agency to secure party parental participation

  2  in a case plan were sufficient.

  3         (8)(a)  Based upon the criteria set forth in subsection

  4  (7) and the recommended order of the citizen review panel, if

  5  any established under s. 39.4531, the court shall determine

  6  whether or not the social service agency shall initiate

  7  proceedings to have a child declared a dependent child, return

  8  the child to the parent, legal custodian, or caregiver,

  9  continue the child in out-of-home foster care for a specified

10  period of time, or initiate termination of parental rights

11  proceedings for subsequent placement in an adoptive home.

12  Modifications to the plan must be handled as prescribed in s.

13  39.601 39.451. If the court finds that the prevention or

14  reunification efforts of the department will allow the child

15  to remain safely at home or be safely returned to the home,

16  the court shall allow the child to remain in or return to the

17  home after making a specific finding of fact that the reasons

18  for removal have been remedied to the extent that the child's

19  safety, and well-being, and physical, mental, and emotional

20  health will not be endangered.

21         (b)  The court shall return the child to the custody of

22  the parents, legal custodians, or caregivers at any time it

23  determines that they have substantially complied with the

24  plan, if the court is satisfied that reunification will not be

25  detrimental to the child's safety, and well-being, and

26  physical, mental, and emotional health.

27         (c)  If, in the opinion of the court, the social

28  service agency has not complied with its obligations as

29  specified in the written case plan, the court may find the

30  social service agency in contempt, shall order the social

31  service agency to submit its plans for compliance with the


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  1  agreement, and shall require the social service agency to show

  2  why the child could should not safely be returned immediately

  3  to the home of the parents, legal custodians, or caregivers or

  4  legal guardian.

  5         (d)  The court may extend the time limitation of the

  6  case plan, or may modify the terms of the plan, based upon

  7  information provided by the social service agency, and the

  8  guardian ad litem, if one has been appointed, the natural

  9  parent or parents, and the foster parents, and any other

10  competent information on record demonstrating the need for the

11  amendment. If the court extends the time limitation of the

12  case plan, the court must make specific findings concerning

13  the frequency of past parent-child visitation, if any, and the

14  court may authorize the expansion or restriction of future

15  visitation. Modifications to the plan must be handled as

16  prescribed in s. 39.601 39.451. Any extension of a case plan

17  must comply with the time requirements and other requirements

18  specified by this chapter part.

19         (e)  If, at any judicial review, the court finds that

20  the parents have failed to substantially comply with the case

21  plan to the degree that further reunification efforts are

22  without merit and not in the best interest of the child, it

23  may authorize the filing of a petition for termination of

24  parental rights, whether or not the time period as contained

25  in the case plan for substantial compliance has elapsed.

26         (f)  No later than 12 months after the date that the

27  child was placed in shelter care, the court shall conduct a

28  judicial review. At this hearing, if the child is not returned

29  to the physical custody of the parents, caregivers, or legal

30  custodians, the case plan may be extended with the same goals

31  only if the court finds that the situation of the child is so


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  1  extraordinary that the plan should be extended. The case plan

  2  must document steps the department is taking to find an

  3  adoptive parent or other permanent living arrangement for the

  4  child. If, at the time of the 18-month judicial review or

  5  citizen review, the child is not returned to the physical

  6  custody of the natural parents, the case plan may be extended

  7  only if, at the time of the judicial review or citizen review,

  8  the court finds that the situation of the child is so

  9  extraordinary that the plan should be extended. The extension

10  must be in accordance with subsection (3).

11         (g)  The court may issue a protective order in

12  assistance, or as a condition, of any other order made under

13  this part. In addition to the requirements included in the

14  case plan, the protective order may set forth requirements

15  relating to reasonable conditions of behavior to be observed

16  for a specified period of time by a person or agency who is

17  before the court; and such order may require any such person

18  or agency to make periodic reports to the court containing

19  such information as the court in its discretion may prescribe.

20         Section 79.  Section 39.4531, Florida Statutes, is

21  renumbered as section 39.702, Florida Statutes, and amended to

22  read:

23         39.702 39.4531  Citizen review panels.--

24         (1)  Citizen review panels may be established in each

25  judicial circuit and shall be authorized by an administrative

26  order executed by the chief judge of each circuit. The court

27  shall administer an oath of office to each citizen review

28  panel member which shall authorize the panel member to

29  participate in citizen review panels and make recommendations

30  to the court pursuant to the provisions of this section.

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  1         (2)  Citizen review panels shall be administered by an

  2  independent not-for-profit agency.  For the purpose of this

  3  section, an organization that has filed for nonprofit status

  4  under the provisions of s. 501(c)(3) of the United States

  5  Internal Revenue Code is an independent not-for-profit agency

  6  for a period of 1 year after the date of filing.  At the end

  7  of that 1-year period, in order to continue conducting citizen

  8  reviews, the organization must have qualified for nonprofit

  9  status under s. 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal

10  Revenue Code and must submit to the chief judge of the circuit

11  court a consumer's certificate of exemption that was issued to

12  the organization by the Florida Department of Revenue and a

13  report of the organization's progress. If the agency has not

14  qualified for nonprofit status, the court must rescind its

15  administrative order that authorizes the agency to conduct

16  citizen reviews.  All independent not-for-profit agencies

17  conducting citizen reviews must submit citizen review annual

18  reports to the court.

19         (3)  For the purpose of this section, a citizen review

20  panel shall be composed of five volunteer members and shall

21  conform with the requirements of this chapter section.  The

22  presence of three members at a panel hearing shall constitute

23  a quorum.  Panel members shall serve without compensation.

24         (4)(3)  Based on the information provided to each

25  citizen review panel pursuant to s. 39.701 39.453, each

26  citizen review panel shall provide the court with a report and

27  recommendations regarding the placement and dispositional

28  alternatives the court shall consider before issuing a

29  judicial review order.

30         (5)(4)  The An independent not-for-profit agency

31  authorized to administer each citizen review panel shall:


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  1         (a)  In collaboration with the department, develop

  2  policies to assure that citizen review panels comply with all

  3  applicable state and federal laws.

  4         (b)  Establish policies for the recruitment, selection,

  5  retention, and terms of volunteer panel members.  Final

  6  selection of citizen review panel members shall, to the extent

  7  possible, reflect the multicultural composition of the

  8  community which they serve.  A criminal background check and

  9  personal reference check shall be conducted on each citizen

10  review panel member prior to the member serving on a citizen

11  review panel.

12         (c)  In collaboration with the department, develop,

13  implement, and maintain a training program for citizen review

14  volunteers and provide training for each panel member prior to

15  that member serving on a review panel.  Such training may

16  include, but shall not be limited to, instruction on

17  dependency laws, departmental policies, and judicial

18  procedures.

19         (d)  Ensure that all citizen review panel members have

20  read, understood, and signed an oath of confidentiality

21  relating to the citizen review hearings and written or verbal

22  information provided to the panel members for review hearings.

23         (e)  Establish policies to avoid actual or perceived

24  conflicts of interest by panel members during the review

25  process and to ensure accurate, fair reviews of each child

26  dependency case.

27         (f)  Establish policies to ensure ongoing communication

28  with the department and the court.

29         (g)  Establish policies to ensure adequate

30  communication with the parent, caregiver, or legal custodian

31


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  1  or guardian, the foster parent or caregiver, the guardian ad

  2  litem, and any other person deemed appropriate.

  3         (h)  Establish procedures that encourage attendance and

  4  participation of interested persons and parties, including the

  5  biological parents, foster parents or caregivers, or a

  6  relative or nonrelative with whom the child is placed, at

  7  citizen review hearings.

  8         (i)  Coordinate with existing citizen review panels to

  9  ensure consistency of operating procedures, data collection,

10  and analysis, and report generation.

11         (j)  Make recommendations as necessary to the court

12  concerning attendance of essential persons at the review and

13  other issues pertinent to an effective review process.

14         (k)  Ensure consistent methods of identifying barriers

15  to the permanent placement of the child and delineation of

16  findings and recommendations to the court.

17         (6)(5)  The department and agents of the department

18  shall submit information to the citizen review panel when

19  requested and shall address questions asked by the citizen

20  review panel to identify barriers to the permanent placement

21  of each child.

22         Section 80.  Section 39.454, Florida Statutes, is

23  renumbered as section 39.703, Florida Statutes, and amended to

24  read:

25         39.703 39.454  Initiation of termination of parental

26  rights proceedings.--

27         (1)  If, in preparation for any judicial review hearing

28  under this chapter part, it is the opinion of the social

29  service agency that the parents or legal guardian of the child

30  have not complied with their responsibilities as specified in

31  the written case plan although able to do so, the social


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  1  service agency shall state its intent to initiate proceedings

  2  to terminate parental rights, unless the social service agency

  3  can demonstrate to the court that such a recommendation would

  4  not be in the child's best interests. If it is the intent of

  5  the department or licensed child-placing agency to initiate

  6  proceedings to terminate parental rights, the department or

  7  licensed child-placing agency shall file a petition for

  8  termination of parental rights no later than 3 months after

  9  the date of the previous judicial review hearing. If the

10  petition cannot be filed within 3 months, the department or

11  licensed child-placing agency shall provide a written report

12  to the court outlining the reasons for delay, the progress

13  made in the termination of parental rights process, and the

14  anticipated date of completion of the process.

15         (2)  If, at the time of the 12-month 18-month judicial

16  review hearing, a child is not returned to the physical

17  custody of the natural parents, caregivers, or legal

18  custodians, the social service agency shall initiate

19  termination of parental rights proceedings under part VI of

20  this chapter within 30 days. Only if the court finds that the

21  situation of the child is so extraordinary and that the best

22  interests of the child will be met by such action at the time

23  of the judicial review may the case plan be extended. If the

24  court decides to extend the plan, the court shall enter

25  detailed findings justifying the decision to extend, as well

26  as the length of the extension. A termination of parental

27  rights petition need not be filed if:  the child is being

28  cared for by a relative who chooses not to adopt the child;

29  the court determines that filing such a petition would not be

30  in the best interests of the child; or the state has not

31  provided the child's family, when reasonable efforts to return


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  1  a child are required, consistent with the time period in the

  2  state's case plan, such services as the state deems necessary

  3  for the safe return of the child to his or her home. Failure

  4  to initiate termination of parental rights proceedings at the

  5  time of the 12-month 18-month judicial review or within 30

  6  days after such review does not prohibit initiating

  7  termination of parental rights proceedings at any other time.

  8         Section 81.  Section 39.456, Florida Statutes, is

  9  renumbered as section 39.704, Florida Statutes, and amended to

10  read:

11         39.704 39.456  Exemptions from judicial

12  review.--Judicial review This part does not apply to:

13         (1)  Minors who have been placed in adoptive homes by

14  the department or by a licensed child-placing agency; or

15         (2)  Minors who are refugees or entrants to whom

16  federal regulations apply and who are in the care of a social

17  service agency.; or

18         (3)  Minors who are the subjects of termination of

19  parental rights cases pursuant to s. 39.464.

20         Section 82.  Part IX of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

21  consisting of sections 39.801, 39.802, 39.803, 39.804, 39.805,

22  39.806, 39.807, 39.808, 39.809, 39.810, 39.811, 39.812,

23  39.813, 39.814, 39.815, 39.816, and 39.817, Florida Statutes,

24  shall be entitled to read:

25                             PART IX

26                  TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS

27         Section 83.  Sections 39.46 and 39.462, Florida

28  Statutes, are renumbered as section 39.801, Florida Statutes,

29  and amended to read:

30         39.801 39.46  Procedures and jurisdiction; notice;

31  service of process.--


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  1         (1)  All procedures, including petitions, pleadings,

  2  subpoenas, summonses, and hearings, in termination of parental

  3  rights proceedings shall be according to the Florida Rules of

  4  Juvenile Procedure unless otherwise provided by law.

  5         (2)  The circuit court shall have exclusive original

  6  jurisdiction of a proceeding involving termination of parental

  7  rights.

  8         39.462  Process and services.--

  9         (3)(1)  Before the court may terminate parental rights,

10  in addition to the other requirements set forth in this part,

11  the following requirements must be met:

12         (a)  Notice of the date, time, and place of the

13  advisory hearing for the petition to terminate parental rights

14  and a copy of the petition must be personally served upon the

15  following persons, specifically notifying them that a petition

16  has been filed:

17         1.  The parents of the child.

18         2.  The caregivers or legal custodians or guardian of

19  the child.

20         3.  If the parents who would be entitled to notice are

21  dead or unknown, a living relative of the child, unless upon

22  diligent search and inquiry no such relative can be found.

23         4.  Any person who has physical custody of the child.

24         5.  Any grandparent entitled to priority for adoption

25  under s. 63.0425.

26         6.  Any prospective parent who has been identified

27  under s. 39.503 or s. 39.803 s. 39.4051 or s. 39.4625.

28         7.  The guardian ad litem for the child or the

29  representative of the guardian ad litem program, if the

30  program one has been appointed.

31


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  1  The document containing the notice to respond or appear must

  2  contain, in type at least as large as the type in the balance

  3  of the document, the following or substantially similar

  4  language:  "FAILURE TO PERSONALLY RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE OR TO

  5  APPEAR AT THIS ADVISORY HEARING CONSTITUTES CONSENT TO THE

  6  TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS OF THIS CHILD (OR THESE

  7  CHILDREN)."

  8         (b)  If a person required to be served with notice as

  9  prescribed in paragraph (a) cannot be served, notice of

10  hearings must be given as prescribed by the rules of civil

11  procedure, and service of process must be made as specified by

12  law or civil actions.

13         (c)  Notice as prescribed by this section may be

14  waived, in the discretion of the judge, with regard to any

15  person to whom notice must be given under this subsection if

16  the person executes, before two witnesses and a notary public

17  or other officer authorized to take acknowledgments, a written

18  surrender of the child to a licensed child-placing agency or

19  the department.

20         (d)  If the person served with notice under this

21  section fails to respond or appear at the advisory hearing,

22  the failure to respond or appear shall constitute consent for

23  termination of parental rights by the person given notice.

24         (4)(2)  Upon the application of any party, the clerk or

25  deputy clerk shall issue, and the court on its own motion may

26  issue, subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of

27  witnesses and the production of records, documents, or other

28  tangible objects at any hearing.

29         (5)(3)  All process and orders issued by the court must

30  be served or executed as other process and orders of the

31


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  1  circuit court and, in addition, may be served or executed by

  2  authorized agents of the department or the guardian ad litem.

  3         (6)(4)  Subpoenas may be served within the state by any

  4  person over 18 years of age who is not a party to the

  5  proceeding.

  6         (7)(5)  A fee may not be paid for service of any

  7  process or other papers by an agent of the department or the

  8  guardian ad litem. If any process, orders, or other papers are

  9  served or executed by any sheriff, the sheriff's fees must be

10  paid by the county.

11         Section 84.  Sections 39.461 and 39.4611, Florida

12  Statutes, are renumbered as section 39.802, Florida Statutes,

13  and amended to read:

14         39.802 39.461  Petition for termination of parental

15  rights; filing; elements.--

16         (1)  All proceedings seeking an adjudication to

17  terminate parental rights pursuant to this chapter must be

18  initiated by the filing of an original petition by the

19  department, the guardian ad litem, or a licensed child-placing

20  agency or by any other person who has knowledge of the facts

21  alleged or is informed of them and believes that they are

22  true.

23         (2)  The form of the petition is governed by the

24  Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. The petition must be in

25  writing and signed by the petitioner under oath stating the

26  petitioner's good faith in filing the petition.

27         (3)  When a petition for termination of parental rights

28  has been filed, the clerk of the court shall set the case

29  before the court for an advisory hearing.

30         39.4611  Elements of petition for termination of

31  parental rights.--


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  1         (4)(1)  A petition for termination of parental rights

  2  filed under this chapter must contain facts supporting the

  3  following allegations:

  4         (a)  That at least one of the grounds listed in s.

  5  39.806 39.464 has been met.

  6         (b)  That the parents of the child were informed of

  7  their right to counsel at all hearings that they attend and

  8  that a dispositional order adjudicating the child dependent

  9  was entered in any prior dependency proceeding relied upon in

10  offering a parent a case plan as described in s. 39.806

11  39.464.

12         (c)  That the manifest best interests of the child, in

13  accordance with s. 39.810 39.4612, would be served by the

14  granting of the petition.

15         (5)(2)  When a petition for termination of parental

16  rights is filed under s. 39.806(1) 39.464(1), a separate

17  petition for dependency need not be filed and the department

18  need not offer the parents a case plan with a goal of

19  reunification, but may instead file with the court a case plan

20  with a goal of termination of parental rights to allow

21  continuation of services until the termination is granted or

22  until further orders of the court are issued.

23         (6)(3)  The fact that a child has been previously

24  adjudicated dependent as alleged in a petition for termination

25  of parental rights may be proved by the introduction of a

26  certified copy of the order of adjudication or the order of

27  disposition of dependency.

28         (7)(4)  The fact that the parent of a child was

29  informed of the right to counsel in any prior dependency

30  proceeding as alleged in a petition for termination of

31  parental rights may be proved by the introduction of a


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  1  certified copy of the order of adjudication or the order of

  2  disposition of dependency containing a finding of fact that

  3  the parent was so advised.

  4         (8)(5)  Whenever the department has entered into a case

  5  plan with a parent with the goal of reunification, and a

  6  petition for termination of parental rights based on the same

  7  facts as are covered in the case plan is filed prior to the

  8  time agreed upon in the case plan for the performance of the

  9  case plan, the petitioner must allege and prove by clear and

10  convincing evidence that the parent has materially breached

11  the provisions of the case plan.

12         Section 85.  Section 39.803, Florida Statutes, is

13  created to read:

14         39.803  Identity or location of parent unknown after

15  filing of termination of parental rights petition; special

16  procedures.--

17         (1)  If the identity or location of a parent is unknown

18  and a petition for termination of parental rights is filed,

19  the court shall conduct the following inquiry of the parent

20  who is available, or, if no parent is available, of any

21  relative, caregiver, or legal custodian of the child who is

22  present at the hearing and likely to have the information:

23         (a)  Whether the mother of the child was married at the

24  probable time of conception of the child or at the time of

25  birth of the child.

26         (b)  Whether the mother was cohabiting with a male at

27  the probable time of conception of the child.

28         (c)  Whether the mother has received payments or

29  promises of support with respect to the child or because of

30  her pregnancy from a man who claims to be the father.

31


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  1         (d)  Whether the mother has named any man as the father

  2  on the birth certificate of the child or in connection with

  3  applying for or receiving public assistance.

  4         (e)  Whether any man has acknowledged or claimed

  5  paternity of the child in a jurisdiction in which the mother

  6  resided at the time of or since conception of the child, or in

  7  which the child has resided or resides.

  8         (2)  The information required in subsection (1) may be

  9  supplied to the court or the department in the form of a sworn

10  affidavit by a person having personal knowledge of the facts.

11         (3)  If the inquiry under subsection (1) identifies any

12  person as a parent or prospective parent, the court shall

13  require notice of the hearing to be provided to that person.

14         (4)  If the inquiry under subsection (1) fails to

15  identify any person as a parent or prospective parent, the

16  court shall so find and may proceed without further notice.

17         (5)  If the inquiry under subsection (1) identifies a

18  parent or prospective parent, and that person's location is

19  unknown, the court shall direct the department to conduct a

20  diligent search for that person before scheduling an

21  adjudicatory hearing regarding the dependency of the child

22  unless the court finds that the best interest of the child

23  requires proceeding without actual notice to the person whose

24  location is unknown.

25         (6)  The diligent search required by subsection (5)

26  must include, at a minimum, inquiries of all known relatives

27  of the parent or prospective parent, inquiries of all offices

28  of program areas of the department likely to have information

29  about the parent or prospective parent, inquiries of other

30  state and federal agencies likely to have information about

31  the parent or prospective parent, inquiries of appropriate


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  1  utility and postal providers, and inquiries of appropriate law

  2  enforcement agencies.

  3         (7)  Any agency contacted by petitioner with a request

  4  for information pursuant to subsection (6) shall release the

  5  requested information to the petitioner without the necessity

  6  of a subpoena or court order.

  7         (8)  If the inquiry and diligent search identifies a

  8  prospective parent, that person must be given the opportunity

  9  to become a party to the proceedings by completing a sworn

10  affidavit of parenthood and filing it with the court or the

11  department. A prospective parent who files a sworn affidavit

12  of parenthood while the child is a dependent child but no

13  later than at the time of or prior to the adjudicatory hearing

14  in the termination of parental rights proceeding for the child

15  shall be considered a parent for all purposes under this

16  section.

17         Section 86.  Section 39.4627, Florida Statutes, is

18  renumbered as section 39.804, Florida Statutes.

19         Section 87.  Section 39.463, Florida Statutes, is

20  renumbered as section 39.805, Florida Statutes, and amended to

21  read:

22         39.805 39.463  No answer required.--No answer to the

23  petition or any other pleading need be filed by any child,

24  parent, caregiver, or legal custodian, but any matters which

25  might be set forth in an answer or other pleading may be

26  pleaded orally before the court or filed in writing as any

27  such person may choose. Notwithstanding the filing of any

28  answer or any pleading, the child or parent shall, prior to

29  the adjudicatory hearing, be advised by the court of the right

30  to counsel and shall be given an opportunity to deny the

31  allegations in the petition for termination of parental rights


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  1  or to enter a plea to allegations in the petition before the

  2  court.

  3         Section 88.  Section 39.464, Florida Statutes, as

  4  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is renumbered as

  5  section 39.806, Florida Statutes, and amended to read:

  6         39.806 39.464  Grounds for termination of parental

  7  rights.--

  8         (1)  The department, the guardian ad litem, a licensed

  9  child-placing agency, or any person who has knowledge of the

10  facts alleged or who is informed of said facts and believes

11  that they are true, may petition for the termination of

12  parental rights under any of the following circumstances:

13         (a)  When the parent or parents voluntarily executed a

14  written surrender of the child and consented to the entry of

15  an order giving custody of the child to the department or to a

16  licensed child-placing agency for subsequent adoption and the

17  department or licensed child-placing agency is willing to

18  accept custody of the child.

19         1.  The surrender document must be executed before two

20  witnesses and a notary public or other person authorized to

21  take acknowledgments.

22         2.  The surrender and consent may be withdrawn after

23  acceptance by the department or licensed child-placing agency

24  only after a finding by the court that the surrender and

25  consent were obtained by fraud or duress.

26         (b)  When the identity or location of the parent or

27  parents is unknown and, if the court requires a diligent

28  search pursuant to s. 39.4625, cannot be ascertained by

29  diligent search as provided in s. 39.4625 within 90 days.

30         (c)  When the parent or parents engaged in conduct

31  toward the child or toward other children that demonstrates


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  1  that the continuing involvement of the parent or parents in

  2  the parent-child relationship threatens the life, safety or

  3  well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the

  4  child irrespective of the provision of services. Provision of

  5  services may be is evidenced by proof that services were

  6  provided through a previous plan or offered as a case plan

  7  from a child welfare agency.

  8         (d)  When the parent of a child is incarcerated in a

  9  state or federal correctional institution and:

10         1.  The period of time for which the parent is expected

11  to be incarcerated will constitute a substantial portion of

12  the period of time before the child will attain the age of 18

13  years;

14         2.  The incarcerated parent has been determined by the

15  court to be a violent career criminal as defined in s.

16  775.084, a habitual violent felony offender as defined in s.

17  775.084, or a sexual predator as defined in s. 775.21; has

18  been convicted of first degree or second degree murder in

19  violation of s. 782.04 or a sexual battery that constitutes a

20  capital, life, or first degree felony violation of s. 794.011;

21  or has been convicted of an offense in another jurisdiction

22  which is substantially similar to one of the offenses listed

23  in this paragraph.  As used in this section, the term

24  "substantially similar offense" means any offense that is

25  substantially similar in elements and penalties to one of

26  those listed in this paragraph, and that is in violation of a

27  law of any other jurisdiction, whether that of another state,

28  the District of Columbia, the United States or any possession

29  or territory thereof, or any foreign jurisdiction; and

30         3.  The court determines by clear and convincing

31  evidence that continuing the parental relationship with the


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  1  incarcerated parent would be harmful to the child and, for

  2  this reason, that termination of the parental rights of the

  3  incarcerated parent is in the best interest of the child.

  4         (e)(f)  A petition for termination of parental rights

  5  may also be filed when a child has been adjudicated dependent,

  6  a case plan has been filed with the court, and the child

  7  continues to be abused, neglected, or abandoned by the

  8  parents. In this case, the failure of the parents to

  9  substantially comply for a period of 12 months after an

10  adjudication of the child as a dependent child constitutes

11  evidence of continuing abuse, neglect, or abandonment unless

12  the failure to substantially comply with the case plan was due

13  either to the lack of financial resources of the parents or to

14  the failure of the department to make reasonable efforts to

15  reunify the family. Such 12-month period may begin to run only

16  after the entry of a disposition order placing the custody of

17  the child with the department or a person other than the

18  parent and the approval by subsequent filing with the court of

19  a case plan with a goal of reunification with the parent.

20         (f)(e)  When the parent or parents engaged in egregious

21  conduct or had the opportunity and capability to prevent and

22  knowingly failed to prevent egregious conduct that threatens

23  the life, safety, or physical, mental, or emotional health

24  that endangers the life, health, or safety of the child or the

25  child's sibling or had the opportunity and capability to

26  prevent egregious conduct that threatened the life, health, or

27  safety of the child or the child's sibling and knowingly

28  failed to do so.

29         1.  As used in this subsection, the term "sibling"

30  means another child who resides with or is cared for by the

31


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  1  parent or parents regardless of whether the child is related

  2  legally or by consanguinity.

  3         2.  As used in this subsection, the term "egregious

  4  conduct abuse" means abuse, abandonment, neglect, or any other

  5  conduct of the parent or parents that is deplorable, flagrant,

  6  or outrageous by a normal standard of conduct. Egregious

  7  conduct abuse may include an act or omission that occurred

  8  only once but was of such intensity, magnitude, or severity as

  9  to endanger the life of the child.

10         (g)  When the parent or parents have subjected the

11  child to aggravated child abuse as defined in s. 827.03,

12  sexual battery or sexual abuse as defined in s. 39.01, or

13  chronic abuse.

14         (h)  When the parent or parents have committed murder

15  or voluntary manslaughter of another child of the parent, or a

16  felony assault that results in serious bodily injury to the

17  child or another child of the parent, or aided or abetted,

18  attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit such a murder or

19  voluntary manslaughter or felony assault.

20         (i)  When the parental rights of the parent to a

21  sibling have been terminated involuntarily.

22         (2)  Reasonable efforts to preserve and reunify

23  families shall not be required if a court of competent

24  jurisdiction has determined that any of the events described

25  in paragraphs (1)(e)-(i) have occurred.

26         (3)(2)  When a petition for termination of parental

27  rights is filed under subsection (1), a separate petition for

28  dependency need not be filed and the department need not offer

29  the parents a case plan with a goal of reunification, but may

30  instead file with the court a case plan with a goal of

31  termination of parental rights to allow continuation of


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  1  services until the termination is granted or until further

  2  orders of the court are issued.

  3         (4)  When an expedited termination of parental rights

  4  petition is filed, reasonable efforts shall be made to place

  5  the child in a timely manner in accordance with the permanency

  6  plan, and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize

  7  the permanent placement of the child.

  8         Section 89.  Section 39.465, Florida Statutes, is

  9  renumbered as section 39.807, Florida Statutes, and amended to

10  read:

11         39.807 39.465  Right to counsel; guardian ad litem.--

12         (1)(a)  At each stage of the proceeding under this

13  part, the court shall advise the parent, guardian, or

14  custodian of the right to have counsel present. The court

15  shall appoint counsel for indigent insolvent persons. The

16  court shall ascertain whether the right to counsel is

17  understood and, where appropriate, is knowingly and

18  intelligently waived. The court shall enter its findings in

19  writing with respect to the appointment or waiver of counsel

20  for indigent insolvent parties.

21         (b)  Once counsel has been retained or, in appropriate

22  circumstances, appointed to represent the parent of the child,

23  the attorney shall continue to represent the parent throughout

24  the proceedings or until the court has approved discontinuing

25  the attorney-client relationship. If the attorney-client

26  relationship is discontinued, the court shall advise the

27  parent of the right to have new counsel retained or appointed

28  for the remainder of the proceedings.

29         (c)(b)1.  No waiver of counsel may be accepted if it

30  appears that the parent, guardian, or custodian is unable to

31  make an intelligent and understanding choice because of mental


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  1  condition, age, education, experience, the nature or

  2  complexity of the case, or other factors.

  3         2.  A waiver of counsel made in court must be of

  4  record. A waiver made out of court must be in writing with not

  5  less than two attesting witnesses and must be filed with the

  6  court. The witnesses shall attest to the voluntary execution

  7  of the waiver.

  8         3.  If a waiver of counsel is accepted at any stage of

  9  the proceedings, the offer of assistance of counsel must be

10  renewed by the court at each subsequent stage of the

11  proceedings at which the parent, guardian, or custodian

12  appears without counsel.

13         (d)(c)  This subsection does not apply to any parent

14  who has voluntarily executed a written surrender of the child

15  and consent to the entry of a court order therefor and who

16  does not deny the allegations of the petition.

17         (2)(a)  The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to

18  represent the child in any termination of parental rights

19  proceedings and shall ascertain at each stage of the

20  proceedings whether a guardian ad litem has been appointed.

21         (b)  The guardian ad litem has the following

22  responsibilities:

23         1.  To investigate the allegations of the petition and

24  any subsequent matters arising in the case and, unless excused

25  by the court, to file a written report. This report must

26  include a statement of the wishes of the child and the

27  recommendations of the guardian ad litem and must be provided

28  to all parties and the court at least 48 hours before the

29  disposition hearing.

30         2.  To be present at all court hearings unless excused

31  by the court.


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  1         3.  To represent the interests of the child until the

  2  jurisdiction of the court over the child terminates or until

  3  excused by the court.

  4         4.  To perform such other duties and undertake such

  5  other responsibilities as the court may direct.

  6         (c)  A guardian ad litem is not required to post bond

  7  but shall file an acceptance of the office.

  8         (d)  A guardian ad litem is entitled to receive service

  9  of pleadings and papers as provided by the Florida Rules of

10  Juvenile Procedure.

11         (e)  This subsection does not apply to any voluntary

12  relinquishment of parental rights proceeding.

13         Section 90.  Section 39.466, Florida Statutes, is

14  renumbered as section 39.808, Florida Statutes, and amended to

15  read:

16         39.808 39.466  Advisory hearing; pretrial status

17  conference.--

18         (1)  An advisory hearing on the petition to terminate

19  parental rights must be held as soon as possible after all

20  parties have been served with a copy of the petition and a

21  notice of the date, time, and place of the advisory hearing

22  for the petition.

23         (2)  At the hearing the court shall inform the parties

24  of their rights under s. 39.807 39.465, shall appoint counsel

25  for the parties in accordance with legal requirements, and

26  shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interests

27  of the child if one has not already been appointed.

28         (3)  The court shall set a date for an adjudicatory

29  hearing to be held within 45 days after the advisory hearing,

30  unless all of the necessary parties agree to some other

31  hearing date.


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  1         (4)  An advisory hearing may not be held if a petition

  2  is filed seeking an adjudication voluntarily to terminate

  3  parental rights. Adjudicatory hearings for petitions for

  4  voluntary termination must be held within 21 days after the

  5  filing of the petition. Notice of the use of this subsection

  6  must be filed with the court at the same time as the filing of

  7  the petition to terminate parental rights.

  8         (5)  Not less than 10 days before the adjudicatory

  9  hearing, the court shall conduct a prehearing status

10  conference to determine the order in which each party may

11  present witnesses or evidence, the order in which

12  cross-examination and argument shall occur, and any other

13  matters that may aid in the conduct of the adjudicatory

14  hearing to prevent any undue delay in the conduct of the

15  adjudicatory hearing.

16         Section 91.  Section 39.467, Florida Statutes, is

17  renumbered as section 39.809, Florida Statutes, and

18  subsections (1) and (4) of said section are amended to read:

19         39.809 39.467  Adjudicatory hearing.--

20         (1)  In a hearing on a petition for termination of

21  parental rights, the court shall consider the elements

22  required for termination as set forth in s. 39.4611. Each of

23  these elements must be established by clear and convincing

24  evidence before the petition is granted.

25         (4)  All hearings involving termination of parental

26  rights are confidential and closed to the public. Hearings

27  involving more than one child may be held simultaneously when

28  the children involved are related to each other or were

29  involved in the same case. The child and the parents or legal

30  custodians may be examined separately and apart from each

31  other.


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  1         Section 92.  Section 39.4612, Florida Statutes, is

  2  renumbered as section 39.810, Florida Statutes, and subsection

  3  (3) of said section is amended to read:

  4         39.810 39.4612  Manifest best interests of the

  5  child.--In a hearing on a petition for termination of parental

  6  rights, the court shall consider the manifest best interests

  7  of the child. This consideration shall not include a

  8  comparison between the attributes of the parents and those of

  9  any persons providing a present or potential placement for the

10  child. For the purpose of determining the manifest best

11  interests of the child, the court shall consider and evaluate

12  all relevant factors, including, but not limited to:

13         (3)  The capacity of the parent or parents to care for

14  the child to the extent that the child's safety, well-being,

15  and physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being will

16  not be endangered upon the child's return home.

17         Section 93.  Section 39.469, Florida Statutes, is

18  renumbered as section 39.811, Florida Statutes, and amended to

19  read:

20         39.811 39.469  Powers of disposition; order of

21  disposition.--

22         (1)  If the court finds that the grounds for

23  termination of parental rights have not been established by

24  clear and convincing evidence, the court shall:

25         (a)  If grounds for dependency have been established,

26  adjudicate or readjudicate the child dependent and:

27         1.  Enter an order placing or continuing the child in

28  out-of-home foster care under a case plan; or

29         2.  Enter an order returning the child to the parent or

30  parents. The court shall retain jurisdiction over a child

31  returned to the parent or parents or legal guardians for a


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  1  period of 6 months, but, at that time, based on a report of

  2  the social service agency and any other relevant factors, the

  3  court shall make a determination as to whether its

  4  jurisdiction shall continue or be terminated.

  5         (b)  If grounds for dependency have not been

  6  established, dismiss the petition.

  7         (2)  If the child is in out-of-home foster care custody

  8  of the department and the court finds that the grounds for

  9  termination of parental rights have been established by clear

10  and convincing evidence, the court shall, by order, place the

11  child in the custody of the department for the purpose of

12  adoption or place the child in the custody of a licensed

13  child-placing agency for the purpose of adoption.

14         (3)  If the child is in the custody of one parent and

15  the court finds that the grounds for termination of parental

16  rights have been established for the remaining parent by clear

17  and convincing evidence, the court shall enter an order

18  terminating the rights of the parent for whom the grounds have

19  been established and placing the child in the custody of the

20  remaining parent, granting that parent sole parental

21  responsibility for the child.

22         (4)  If the child is neither in the custody of the

23  department of Children and Family Services nor in the custody

24  of a parent and the court finds that the grounds for

25  termination of parental rights have been established for

26  either or both parents, the court shall enter an order

27  terminating parental rights for the parent or parents for whom

28  the grounds for termination have been established and placing

29  the child with an appropriate custodian. If the parental

30  rights of both parents have been terminated, or if the

31  parental rights of only one parent have been terminated and


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  1  the court makes specific findings based on evidence presented

  2  that placement with the remaining parent is likely to be

  3  harmful to the child, the court may order that the child be

  4  placed with a custodian other than the department after

  5  hearing evidence of the suitability of such intended

  6  placement.  Suitability of the intended placement includes the

  7  fitness and capabilities of the proposed intended placement,

  8  with primary consideration being given to the welfare of the

  9  child; the fitness and capabilities of the proposed custodian

10  to function as the primary caregiver caretaker for a

11  particular child; and the compatibility of the child with the

12  home in which the child is intended to be placed.  If the

13  court orders that a child be placed with a custodian under

14  this subsection, the court shall appoint such custodian as the

15  guardian for the child as provided in s. 744.3021.  The court

16  may modify the order placing the child in the custody of the

17  custodian and revoke the guardianship established under s.

18  744.3021 if the court subsequently finds that a party to the

19  proceeding other than a parent whose rights have been

20  terminated has shown a material change in circumstances which

21  causes the placement to be no longer in the best interest of

22  the child.

23         (5)  If the court terminates parental rights, the court

24  shall enter a written order of disposition briefly stating the

25  facts upon which its decision to terminate the parental rights

26  is made. An order of termination of parental rights, whether

27  based on parental consent or after notice served as prescribed

28  in this part, permanently deprives the parents or legal

29  guardian of any right to the child.

30

31


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  1         (6)  The parental rights of one parent may be severed

  2  without severing the parental rights of the other parent only

  3  under the following circumstances:

  4         (a)  If the child has only one surviving parent;

  5         (b)  If the identity of a prospective parent has been

  6  established as unknown after sworn testimony;

  7         (c)  If the parent whose rights are being terminated

  8  became a parent through a single-parent adoption;

  9         (d)  If the protection of the child demands termination

10  of the rights of a single parent; or

11         (e)  If the parent whose rights are being terminated

12  meets the criteria specified in s. 39.806(1)(d) 39.464(1)(d).

13         (7)(a)  The termination of parental rights does not

14  affect the rights of grandparents unless the court finds that

15  continued visitation is not in the best interests of the child

16  or that such visitation would interfere with the goals of

17  permanency planning for the child.

18         (b)  If the court terminates parental rights, it may

19  order that the parents or relatives of the parent whose rights

20  are terminated be allowed to maintain some contact with the

21  child pending adoption if the best interests of the child

22  support this continued contact, except as provided in

23  paragraph (a). If the court orders such continued contact, the

24  nature and frequency of the contact must be set forth in

25  written order and may be reviewed upon motion of any party,

26  including a prospective adoptive parent if a child has been

27  placed for adoption. If a child is placed for adoption, the

28  nature and frequency of the contact must be reviewed by the

29  court at the time the child is adopted.

30         (8)  If the court terminates parental rights, it shall,

31  in its order of disposition, provide for a hearing, to be


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  1  scheduled no later than 30 days after the date of disposition,

  2  in which the department or the licensed child-placing agency

  3  shall provide to the court a plan for permanency for the

  4  child. Reasonable efforts must be made to place the child in a

  5  timely manner in accordance with the permanency plan, and to

  6  complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the

  7  permanent placement of the child. Thereafter, until the

  8  adoption of the child is finalized or the child reaches the

  9  age of 18 years, whichever occurs first, the court shall hold

10  hearings at 6-month intervals to review the progress being

11  made toward permanency for the child.

12         (9)  After termination of parental rights, the court

13  shall retain jurisdiction over any child for whom custody is

14  given to a social service agency until the child is adopted.

15  The court shall review the status of the child's placement and

16  the progress being made toward permanent adoptive placement.

17  As part of this continuing jurisdiction, for good cause shown

18  by the guardian ad litem for the child, the court may review

19  the appropriateness of the adoptive placement of the child.

20         Section 94.  Section 39.47, Florida Statutes, is

21  renumbered as section 39.812, Florida Statutes, and amended to

22  read:

23         39.812 39.47  Post disposition relief.--

24         (1)  A licensed child-placing agency or the department

25  which is given custody of a child for subsequent adoption in

26  accordance with this chapter may place the child in a family

27  home for prospective subsequent adoption and the licensed

28  child-placing agency or the department may thereafter become a

29  party to any proceeding for the legal adoption of the child

30  and appear in any court where the adoption proceeding is

31


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  1  pending and consent to the adoption; and that consent alone

  2  shall in all cases be sufficient.

  3         (2)  In any subsequent adoption proceeding, the parents

  4  and legal guardian shall not be entitled to any notice

  5  thereof, nor shall they be entitled to knowledge at any time

  6  after the order terminating parental rights is entered of the

  7  whereabouts of the child or of the identity or location of any

  8  person having the custody of or having adopted the child,

  9  except as provided by order of the court pursuant to this

10  chapter or chapter 63; and in any habeas corpus or other

11  proceeding involving the child brought by any parent or legal

12  guardian of the child, no agent or contract provider of the

13  licensed child-placing agency or department shall be compelled

14  to divulge that information, but may be compelled to produce

15  the child before a court of competent jurisdiction if the

16  child is still subject to the guardianship of the licensed

17  child-placing agency or department.

18         (3)  The entry of the custody order to the department

19  or licensed child-placing agency shall not entitle the

20  licensed child-placing agency or department to guardianship of

21  the estate or property of the child, but the licensed

22  child-placing agency or department shall be the guardian of

23  the person of the child.

24         (4)  The court shall retain jurisdiction over any child

25  for whom custody is given to a licensed child-placing agency

26  or to the department until the child is adopted. After custody

27  of a child for subsequent adoption has been given to an agency

28  or the department, the court has jurisdiction for the purpose

29  of reviewing the status of the child and the progress being

30  made toward permanent adoptive placement. As part of this

31  continuing jurisdiction, for good cause shown by the guardian


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  1  ad litem for the child, the court may review the

  2  appropriateness of the adoptive placement of the child.

  3         (5)  The Legislature finds that children are most

  4  likely to realize their potential when they have the ability

  5  provided by good permanent families rather than spending long

  6  periods of time in temporary placements or unnecessary

  7  institutions. It is the intent of the Legislature that

  8  decisions be consistent with the child's best interests and

  9  that the department make proper adoptive placements as

10  expeditiously as possible following a final judgment

11  terminating parental rights.

12         Section 95.  Section 39.813, Florida Statutes, is

13  created to read:

14         39.813  Continuing jurisdiction.--The court which

15  terminates the parental rights of a child who is the subject

16  of termination proceedings pursuant to this chapter shall

17  retain exclusive jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to the

18  child's adoption pursuant to chapter 63.

19         Section 96.  Section 39.471, Florida Statutes, is

20  renumbered as section 39.814, Florida Statutes.

21         Section 97.  Section 39.473, Florida Statutes, is

22  renumbered as section 39.815, Florida Statutes, and subsection

23  (1) of said section is amended to read:

24         39.815 39.473  Appeal.--

25         (1)  Any child, any parent or, guardian ad litem, or

26  legal custodian of any child, any other party to the

27  proceeding who is affected by an order of the court, or the

28  department may appeal to the appropriate district court of

29  appeal within the time and in the manner prescribed by the

30  Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. The district court of

31  appeal shall give an appeal from an order terminating parental


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  1  rights priority in docketing and shall render a decision on

  2  the appeal as expeditiously as possible. Appointed counsel

  3  shall be compensated as provided in s. 39.0134 39.474.

  4         Section 98.  Section 39.816, Florida Statutes, is

  5  created to read:

  6         39.816  Authorization for pilot and demonstration

  7  projects.--

  8         (1)  Contingent upon receipt of a federal grant or

  9  contract pursuant to s. 473A(i) of the Social Security Act, 42

10  U.S.C. 673A(i), enacted November 19, 1997, the department is

11  authorized to establish one or more pilot projects for the

12  following purposes:

13         (a)  The development of best practice guidelines for

14  expediting termination of parental rights.

15         (b)  The development of models to encourage the use of

16  concurrent planning.

17         (c)  The development of specialized units and expertise

18  in moving children toward adoption as a permanency goal.

19         (d)  The development of risk-assessment tools to

20  facilitate early identification of the children who will be at

21  risk of harm if returned home.

22         (e)  The development of models to encourage the

23  fast-tracking of children who have not attained 1 year of age,

24  into preadoptive placements.

25         (f)  The development of programs that place children

26  into preadoptive families without waiting for termination of

27  parental rights.

28         (2)  Contingent upon receipt of federal authorization

29  and funding pursuant to s. 1130(a) of the Social Security Act,

30  42 U.S.C. 1320a-9, enacted November 19, 1997, the department

31


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  1  is authorized to establish one or more demonstration projects

  2  for the following purposes:

  3         (a)  Identifying and addressing barriers that result in

  4  delays to adoptive placements for children in out-of-home

  5  care.

  6         (b)  Identifying and addressing parental substance

  7  abuse problems that endanger children and result in the

  8  placement of children in out-of-home care. This purpose may be

  9  accomplished through the placement of children with their

10  parents in residential treatment facilities, including

11  residential treatment facilities for post-partum depression,

12  that are specifically designed to serve parents and children

13  together, in order to promote family reunification, and that

14  can ensure the health and safety of the children.

15         (c)  Addressing kinship care.

16         Section 99.  Section 39.817, Florida Statutes, is

17  created to read:

18         39.817  Foster care privatization demonstration pilot

19  project.--A pilot project shall be established through The

20  Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida to contract with a private

21  entity for a foster care privatization demonstration project.

22  No more then 30 children with a goal of family reunification

23  shall be accepted into the program on a no-eject-or-reject

24  basis as identified by the department. Sibling groups shall be

25  kept together in one placement in their own communities.

26  Foster care parents shall be paid employees of the program.

27  The program shall provide for public/private partnerships,

28  community collaboration, counseling, and medical and legal

29  assistance, as needed. For purposes of identifying measurable

30  outcomes, the pilot project shall be located in a department

31  district with an integrated district management which was


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  1  selected as a family transition program site, has a population

  2  of less than 500,000, has a total caseload of no more than

  3  400, with and without board payment, and has a total foster

  4  care case load of no more than 250.

  5         Section 100.  Part X of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

  6  consisting of sections 39.820, 39.821, 39.822, 39.823, 39.824,

  7  39.825, 39.826, 39.827, 39.828, 39.829, and 39.8295, Florida

  8  Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

  9                              PART X

10            GUARDIANS AD LITEM AND GUARDIAN ADVOCATES

11         Section 101.  Section 39.820, Florida Statutes, is

12  created to read:

13         39.820  Definitions.--As used in this part, the term:

14         (1)  "Guardian ad litem" as referred to in any civil or

15  criminal proceeding includes the following: a certified

16  guardian ad litem program, a duly certified volunteer, a staff

17  attorney, contract attorney, or certified pro bono attorney

18  working on behalf of a guardian ad litem or the program; staff

19  members of a program office; a court-appointed attorney; or a

20  responsible adult who is appointed by the court to represent

21  the best interests of a child in a proceeding as provided for

22  by law, including, but not limited to, this chapter, who is a

23  party to any judicial proceeding as a representative of the

24  child, and who serves until discharged by the court.

25         (2)  "Guardian advocate" means a person appointed by

26  the court to act on behalf of a drug dependent newborn

27  pursuant to the provisions of this part.

28         Section 102.  Section 415.5077, Florida Statutes, is

29  renumbered as section 39.821, Florida Statutes.

30

31


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  1         Section 103.  Section 415.508, Florida Statutes, is

  2  renumbered as section 39.822, Florida Statutes, and amended to

  3  read:

  4         39.822 415.508  Appointment of guardian ad litem for

  5  abused, abandoned, or neglected child.--

  6         (1)  A guardian ad litem shall be appointed by the

  7  court at the earliest possible time to represent the child in

  8  any child abuse, abandonment, or neglect judicial proceeding,

  9  whether civil or criminal.  Any person participating in a

10  civil or criminal judicial proceeding resulting from such

11  appointment shall be presumed prima facie to be acting in good

12  faith and in so doing shall be immune from any liability,

13  civil or criminal, that otherwise might be incurred or

14  imposed.

15         (2)  In those cases in which the parents are

16  financially able, the parent or parents of the child shall

17  reimburse the court, in part or in whole, for the cost of

18  provision of guardian ad litem services.  Reimbursement to the

19  individual providing guardian ad litem services shall not be

20  contingent upon successful collection by the court from the

21  parent or parents.

22         (3)  The guardian ad litem or the program

23  representative shall review all disposition recommendations

24  and changes in placements, and must be present at all critical

25  stages of the dependency proceeding or submit a written report

26  of recommendations to the court.

27         Section 104.  Section 415.5082, Florida Statutes, is

28  renumbered as section 39.823, Florida Statutes, and amended to

29  read:

30         39.823 415.5082  Guardian advocates for drug dependent

31  newborns.--The Legislature finds that increasing numbers of


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  1  drug dependent children are born in this state.  Because of

  2  the parents' continued dependence upon drugs, the parents may

  3  temporarily leave their child with a relative or other adult

  4  or may have agreed to voluntary family services under s.

  5  39.301(8) 415.505(1)(e).  The relative or other adult may be

  6  left with a child who is likely to require medical treatment

  7  but for whom they are unable to obtain medical treatment.  The

  8  purpose of this section is to provide an expeditious method

  9  for such relatives or other responsible adults to obtain a

10  court order which allows them to provide consent for medical

11  treatment and otherwise advocate for the needs of the child

12  and to provide court review of such authorization.

13         Section 105.  Section 415.5083, Florida Statutes, is

14  renumbered as section 39.824, Florida Statutes, and amended to

15  read:

16         39.824 415.5083  Procedures and jurisdiction.--

17         (1)  The Supreme Court is requested to adopt rules of

18  juvenile procedure by October 1, 1989, to implement this part

19  ss. 415.5082-415.5089.  All procedures, including petitions,

20  pleadings, subpoenas, summonses, and hearings in cases for the

21  appointment of a guardian advocate shall be according to the

22  Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure unless otherwise provided

23  by law.

24         (2)  The circuit court shall have exclusive original

25  jurisdiction of a proceeding in which appointment of a

26  guardian advocate is sought.  The court shall retain

27  jurisdiction over a child for whom a guardian advocate is

28  appointed until specifically relinquished by court order.

29         Section 106.  Section 415.5084, Florida Statutes, is

30  renumbered as section 39.825, Florida Statutes.

31


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  1         Section 107.  Section 415.5085, Florida Statutes, is

  2  renumbered as section 39.826, Florida Statutes.

  3         Section 108.  Section 415.5086, Florida Statutes, is

  4  renumbered as section 39.827, Florida Statutes, and amended to

  5  read:

  6         39.827 415.5086  Hearing for appointment of a guardian

  7  advocate.--

  8         (1)  When a petition for appointment of a guardian

  9  advocate has been filed with the circuit court, the hearing

10  shall be held within 14 days unless all parties agree to a

11  continuance. If a child is in need of necessary medical

12  treatment as defined in s. 39.01, the court shall hold a

13  hearing within 24 hours.

14         (2)  At the hearing, the parents have the right to be

15  present, to present testimony, to call and cross-examine

16  witnesses, to be represented by counsel at their own expense,

17  and to object to the appointment of the guardian advocate.

18         (3)  The hearing shall be conducted by the judge

19  without a jury, applying the rules of evidence in use in civil

20  cases.  In a hearing on a petition for appointment of a

21  guardian advocate, the moving party shall prove all the

22  elements in s. 39.828 415.5087 by a preponderance of the

23  evidence.

24         (4)  The hearing under this section shall remain

25  confidential and closed to the public. The clerk shall keep

26  all court records required by this part ss. 415.5082-415.5089

27  separate from other records of the circuit court.  All court

28  records required by this part ss. 415.5082-415.5089 shall be

29  confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).

30  All records shall be inspected only upon order of the court by

31  persons deemed by the court to have a proper interest therein,


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  1  except that a child and the parents or custodians of the child

  2  and their attorneys and the department and its designees shall

  3  always have the right to inspect and copy any official record

  4  pertaining to the child.  The court may permit authorized

  5  representatives of recognized organizations compiling

  6  statistics for proper purposes to inspect and make abstracts

  7  from official records, under whatever conditions upon their

  8  use and disposition the court may deem proper, and may punish

  9  by contempt proceedings any violation of those conditions.

10  All information obtained pursuant to this part ss.

11  415.5082-415.5089 in the discharge of official duty by any

12  judge, employee of the court, or authorized agent of the

13  department, shall be confidential and exempt from the

14  provisions of s. 119.07(1) and shall not be disclosed to

15  anyone other than the authorized personnel of the court or the

16  department and its designees, except upon order of the court.

17         Section 109.  Section 415.5087, Florida Statutes, is

18  renumbered as section 39.828, Florida Statutes, and amended to

19  read:

20         39.828 415.5087  Grounds for appointment of a guardian

21  advocate.--

22         (1)  The court shall appoint the person named in the

23  petition as a guardian advocate with all the powers and duties

24  specified in s. 39.829 415.5088 for an initial term of 1 year

25  upon a finding that:

26         (a)  The child named in the petition is or was a drug

27  dependent newborn as described in s. 39.01(30)(g).

28  415.503(10)(a)2.;

29         (b)  The parent or parents of the child have

30  voluntarily relinquished temporary custody of the child to a

31  relative or other responsible adult;


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  1         (c)  The person named in the petition to be appointed

  2  the guardian advocate is capable of carrying out the duties as

  3  provided in s. 39.829 415.5088; and

  4         (d)  A petition to adjudicate the child dependent

  5  pursuant to this chapter 39 has not been filed.

  6         (2)  The appointment of a guardian advocate does not

  7  remove from the parents the right to consent to medical

  8  treatment for their child. The appointment of a guardian

  9  advocate does not prevent the filing of a subsequent petition

10  under this chapter 39 to have the child adjudicated dependent.

11         Section 110.  Section 415.5088, Florida Statutes, is

12  renumbered as section 39.829, Florida Statutes.

13         Section 111.  Section 415.5089, Florida Statutes, is

14  renumbered as section 39.8295, Florida Statutes, and amended

15  to read:

16         39.8295 415.5089  Review and removal of guardian

17  advocate.--

18         (1)  At the end of the initial 1-year appointment, the

19  court shall review the status of the child's care, health, and

20  medical condition for the purpose of determining whether to

21  reauthorize the appointment of the guardian advocate.  If the

22  court finds that all of the elements of s. 39.828 415.5087 are

23  still met the court shall reauthorize the guardian advocate

24  for another year.

25         (2)  At any time, the court may, upon its own motion,

26  or upon the motion of the department, a family member, or

27  other interested person remove a guardian advocate.  A

28  guardian advocate shall be removed if the court finds that the

29  guardian advocate is not properly discharging his or her

30  responsibilities or is acting in a manner inconsistent with

31  his or her appointment, that the parents have assumed parental


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  1  responsibility to provide for the child, or that the child has

  2  been adjudicated dependent pursuant to this chapter 39.

  3         Section 112.  Part XI of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

  4  consisting of sections 39.901, 39.902, 39.903, 39.904, 39.905,

  5  39.906, and 39.908, Florida Statutes, shall be entitled to

  6  read:

  7                             PART XI

  8                        DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

  9         Section 113.  Section 415.601, Florida Statutes, is

10  renumbered as section 39.901, Florida Statutes.

11         Section 114.  Section 415.602, Florida Statutes, is

12  renumbered as section 39.902, Florida Statutes, and amended to

13  read:

14         39.902 415.602  Definitions of terms used in ss.

15  415.601-415.608.--As used in this part ss. 415.601-415.608,

16  the term:

17         (1)  "Department" means the Department of Children and

18  Family Services.

19         (2)  "District" means a service district of the

20  department as created in s. 20.19.

21         (1)(3)  "Domestic violence" means any assault, battery,

22  sexual assault, sexual battery, or any criminal offense

23  resulting in physical injury or death of one family or

24  household member by another who is or was residing in the same

25  single dwelling unit.

26         (2)(4)  "Domestic violence center" means an agency that

27  provides services to victims of domestic violence, as its

28  primary mission.

29         (3)(5)  "Family or household member" means spouses,

30  former spouses, adults related by blood or marriage, persons

31  who are presently residing together as if a family or who have


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  1  resided together in the past as if a family, and persons who

  2  have a child in common regardless of whether they have been

  3  married or have resided together at any time.

  4         Section 115.  Section 415.603, Florida Statutes, is

  5  renumbered as section 39.903, Florida Statutes, and subsection

  6  (1) of said section is amended to read:

  7         39.903 415.603  Duties and functions of the department

  8  with respect to domestic violence.--

  9         (1)  The department shall:

10         (a)  Develop by rule criteria for the approval or

11  rejection of certification or funding of domestic violence

12  centers.

13         (b)  Develop by rule minimum standards for domestic

14  violence centers to ensure the health and safety of the

15  clients in the centers.

16         (c)  Receive and approve or reject applications for

17  certification of domestic violence centers, and receive and

18  approve or reject applications for funding of domestic

19  violence centers. When approving funding for a newly certified

20  domestic violence center, the department shall make every

21  effort to minimize any adverse economic impact on existing

22  certified centers or services provided within the same

23  district.  In order to minimize duplication of services, the

24  department shall make every effort to encourage subcontracting

25  relationships with existing centers within the district.  If

26  any of the required services are exempted by the department

27  under s. 39.905(1)(c) 415.605(1)(c), the center shall not

28  receive funding for those services.

29         (d)  Evaluate each certified domestic violence center

30  annually to ensure compliance with the minimum standards. The

31  department has the right to enter and inspect the premises of


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  1  certified domestic violence centers at any reasonable hour in

  2  order to effectively evaluate the state of compliance of these

  3  centers with this part ss. 415.601-415.608 and rules relating

  4  to this part those sections.

  5         (e)  Adopt rules to implement this part ss.

  6  415.601-415.608.

  7         (f)  Promote the involvement of certified domestic

  8  violence centers in the coordination, development, and

  9  planning of domestic violence programming in the districts and

10  the state.

11         Section 116.  Section 415.604, Florida Statutes, is

12  renumbered as section 39.904, Florida Statutes, and amended to

13  read:

14         39.904 415.604  Report to the Legislature on the status

15  of domestic violence cases.--On or before January 1 of each

16  year, the department of Children and Family Services shall

17  furnish to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the

18  House of Representatives a report on the status of domestic

19  violence in this state, which report shall include, but is not

20  limited to, the following:

21         (1)  The incidence of domestic violence in this state.

22         (2)  An identification of the areas of the state where

23  domestic violence is of significant proportions, indicating

24  the number of cases of domestic violence officially reported,

25  as well as an assessment of the degree of unreported cases of

26  domestic violence.

27         (3)  An identification and description of the types of

28  programs in the state that assist victims of domestic violence

29  or persons who commit domestic violence, including information

30  on funding for the programs.

31


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  1         (4)  The number of persons who are treated by or

  2  assisted by local domestic violence programs that receive

  3  funding through the department.

  4         (5)  A statement on the effectiveness of such programs

  5  in preventing future domestic violence.

  6         (6)  An inventory and evaluation of existing prevention

  7  programs.

  8         (7)  A listing of potential prevention efforts

  9  identified by the department; the estimated annual cost of

10  providing such prevention services, both for a single client

11  and for the anticipated target population as a whole; an

12  identification of potential sources of funding; and the

13  projected benefits of providing such services.

14         Section 117.  Section 415.605, Florida Statutes, is

15  renumbered as section 39.905, Florida Statutes, and

16  subsections (1) and (2) and paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of

17  said section are amended, to read:

18         39.905 415.605  Domestic violence centers.--

19         (1)  Domestic violence centers certified under this

20  part ss. 415.601-415.608 must:

21         (a)  Provide a facility which will serve as a center to

22  receive and house persons who are victims of domestic

23  violence. For the purpose of this part ss. 415.601-415.608,

24  minor children and other dependents of a victim, when such

25  dependents are partly or wholly dependent on the victim for

26  support or services, may be sheltered with the victim in a

27  domestic violence center.

28         (b)  Receive the annual written endorsement of local

29  law enforcement agencies.

30         (c)  Provide minimum services which include, but are

31  not limited to, information and referral services, counseling


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  1  and case management services, temporary emergency shelter for

  2  more than 24 hours, a 24-hour hotline, training for law

  3  enforcement personnel, assessment and appropriate referral of

  4  resident children, and educational services for community

  5  awareness relative to the incidence of domestic violence, the

  6  prevention of such violence, and the care, treatment, and

  7  rehabilitation for persons engaged in or subject to domestic

  8  violence.  If a 24-hour hotline, professional training, or

  9  community education is already provided by a certified

10  domestic violence center within a district, the department may

11  exempt such certification requirements for a new center

12  serving the same district in order to avoid duplication of

13  services.

14         (d)  Participate in the provision of orientation and

15  training programs developed for law enforcement officers,

16  social workers, and other professionals and paraprofessionals

17  who work with domestic violence victims to better enable such

18  persons to deal effectively with incidents of domestic

19  violence.

20         (e)  Establish and maintain a board of directors

21  composed of at least three citizens, one of whom must be a

22  member of a local, municipal, or county law enforcement

23  agency.

24         (f)  Comply with rules adopted pursuant to this part

25  ss. 415.601-415.608.

26         (g)  File with the department a list of the names of

27  the domestic violence advocates who are employed or who

28  volunteer at the domestic violence center who may claim a

29  privilege under s. 90.5036 to refuse to disclose a

30  confidential communication between a victim of domestic

31  violence and the advocate regarding the domestic violence


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  1  inflicted upon the victim.  The list must include the title of

  2  the position held by the advocate whose name is listed and a

  3  description of the duties of that position.  A domestic

  4  violence center must file amendments to this list as

  5  necessary.

  6         (h)  Demonstrate local need and ability to sustain

  7  operations through a history of 18 consecutive months'

  8  operation as a domestic violence center, including 12 months'

  9  operation of an emergency shelter as provided in paragraph (c)

10  defined in paragraph (1)(a), and a business plan which

11  addresses future operations and funding of future operations.

12         (i)  If its center is a new center applying for

13  certification, demonstrate that the services provided address

14  a need identified in the most current statewide needs

15  assessment approved by the department.

16         (2)  If the department finds that there is failure by a

17  center to comply with the requirements established under this

18  part ss. 415.601-415.608 or with the rules adopted pursuant

19  thereto, the department may deny, suspend, or revoke the

20  certification of the center.

21         (6)  In order to receive state funds, a center must:

22         (a)  Obtain certification pursuant to this part ss.

23  415.601-415.608. However, the issuance of a certificate will

24  not obligate the department to provide funding.

25         Section 118.  Section 415.606, Florida Statutes, is

26  renumbered as section 39.906, Florida Statutes.

27         Section 119.  Section 415.608, Florida Statutes, is

28  renumbered as section 39.908, Florida Statutes.

29         Section 120.  Subsections (4) through (20) of section

30  20.19, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (5)

31  through (21), respectively, paragraph (b) of present


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  1  subsection (4), paragraph (o) of present subsection (7), and

  2  paragraph (c) of present subsection (20) are amended, and a

  3  new subsection (4) is added to said section, to read:

  4         20.19  Department of Children and Family

  5  Services.--There is created a Department of Children and

  6  Family Services.

  7         (4)  CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES.--

  8  The department is authorized to create certification programs

  9  for family safety and preservation employees and agents to

10  ensure that only qualified employees and agents provide child

11  protection services.  The department is authorized to develop

12  rules that include qualifications for certification, including

13  training and testing requirements, continuing education

14  requirements for ongoing certification, and decertification

15  procedures to be used to determine when an individual no

16  longer meets the qualifications for certification and to

17  implement the decertification of an employee or agent.

18         (5)(4)  PROGRAM OFFICES.--

19         (b)  The following program offices are established and

20  may be consolidated, restructured, or rearranged by the

21  secretary; provided any such consolidation, restructuring, or

22  rearranging is for the purpose of encouraging service

23  integration through more effective and efficient performance

24  of the program offices or parts thereof:

25         1.  Economic Self-Sufficiency Program Office.--The

26  responsibilities of this office encompass income support

27  programs within the department, such as temporary assistance

28  to families with dependent children, food stamps, welfare

29  reform, and state supplementation of the supplemental security

30  income (SSI) program.

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  1         2.  Developmental Services Program Office.--The

  2  responsibilities of this office encompass programs operated by

  3  the department for developmentally disabled persons.

  4  Developmental disabilities include any disability defined in

  5  s. 393.063.

  6         3.  Children and Families Program Office.--The

  7  responsibilities of this program office encompass early

  8  intervention services for children and families at risk;

  9  intake services for protective investigation of abandoned,

10  abused, and neglected children; interstate compact on the

11  placement of children programs; adoption; child care;

12  out-of-home care programs and other specialized services to

13  families; and child protection and sexual abuse treatment

14  teams created under chapter 39 415, excluding medical

15  direction functions.

16         4.  Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Program

17  Office.--The responsibilities of this office encompass all

18  alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health programs operated by

19  the department.

20         (7)  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BOARDS.--

21         (o)  Health and human services boards have the

22  following responsibilities, with respect to those programs and

23  services assigned to the districts, as developed jointly with

24  the district administrator:

25         1.  Establish district outcome measures consistent with

26  statewide outcomes.

27         2.  Conduct district needs assessments using

28  methodologies consistent with those established by the

29  secretary.

30         3.  Negotiate with the secretary a district performance

31  agreement that:


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  1         a.  Identifies current resources and services

  2  available;

  3         b.  Identifies unmet needs and gaps in services;

  4         c.  Establishes service and funding priorities;

  5         d.  Establishes outcome measures for the district; and

  6         e.  Identifies expenditures and the number of clients

  7  to be served, by service.

  8         4.  Provide budget oversight, including development and

  9  approval of the district's legislative budget request.

10         5.  Provide policy oversight, including development and

11  approval of district policies and procedures.

12         6.  Act as a focal point for community participation in

13  department activities such as:

14         a.  Assisting in the integration of all health and

15  social services within the community;

16         b.  Assisting in the development of community

17  resources;

18         c.  Advocating for community programs and services;

19         d.  Receiving and addressing concerns of consumers and

20  others; and

21         e.  Advising the district administrator on the

22  administration of service programs throughout the district.

23         7.  Advise the district administrator on ways to

24  integrate the delivery of family and health care services at

25  the local level.

26         8.  Make recommendations which would enhance district

27  productivity and efficiency, ensure achievement of performance

28  standards, and assist the district in improving the

29  effectiveness of the services provided.

30         9.  Review contract provider performance reports.

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  1         10.  Immediately upon appointment of the membership,

  2  develop bylaws that clearly identify and describe operating

  3  procedures for the board. At a minimum, the bylaws must

  4  specify notice requirements for all regular and special

  5  meetings of the board, the number of members required to

  6  constitute a quorum, and the number of affirmative votes of

  7  members present and voting that are required to take official

  8  and final action on a matter before the board.

  9         11.a.  Determine the board's internal organizational

10  structure, including the designation of standing committees.

11  In order to foster the coordinated and integrated delivery of

12  family services in its community, a local board shall use a

13  committee structure that is based on issues, such as children,

14  housing, transportation, or health care. Each such committee

15  must include consumers, advocates, providers, and department

16  staff from every appropriate program area. In addition, each

17  board and district administrator shall jointly identify

18  community entities, including, but not limited to, the Area

19  Agency on Aging, and resources outside the department to be

20  represented on the committees of the board.

21         b.  The district juvenile justice boards established in

22  s. 985.413 39.025 constitute the standing committee on issues

23  relating to planning, funding, or evaluation of programs and

24  services relating to the juvenile justice continuum.

25         12.  Participate with the secretary in the selection of

26  a district administrator according to the provisions of

27  paragraph (10)(9)(b).

28         13.  Complete an annual evaluation of the district and

29  review the evaluation at a meeting of the board at which the

30  public has an opportunity to comment.

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  1         14.  Provide input to the secretary on the annual

  2  evaluation of the district administrator. The board may

  3  request that the secretary submit a written report on the

  4  actions to be taken to address negative aspects of the

  5  evaluation. At any time, the board may recommend to the

  6  secretary that the district administrator be discharged. Upon

  7  receipt of such a recommendation, the secretary shall make a

  8  formal reply to the board stating the action to be taken with

  9  respect to the board's recommendation.

10         15.  Elect a chair and other officers, as specified in

11  the bylaws, from among the members of the board.

12         (20)  INNOVATION ZONES.--The health and human services

13  board may propose designation of an innovation zone for any

14  experimental, pilot, or demonstration project that furthers

15  the legislatively established goals of the department. An

16  innovation zone is a defined geographic area such as a

17  district, county, municipality, service delivery area, school

18  campus, or neighborhood providing a laboratory for the

19  research, development, and testing of the applicability and

20  efficacy of model programs, policy options, and new

21  technologies for the department.

22         (c)  The Statewide Health and Human Services Board, in

23  conjunction with the secretary, shall develop a family

24  services innovation transfer network for the purpose of

25  providing information on innovation zone research and projects

26  or other effective initiatives in family services to the

27  health and human services boards established under subsection

28  (8) (7).

29         Section 121.  Paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of

30  section 20.43, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

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  1         20.43  Department of Health.--There is created a

  2  Department of Health.

  3         (1)  The purpose of the Department of Health is to

  4  promote and protect the health of all residents and visitors

  5  in the state through organized state and community efforts,

  6  including cooperative agreements with counties.  The

  7  department shall:

  8         (h)  Provide medical direction for child protection

  9  team and sexual abuse treatment functions created under

10  chapter 39 415.

11         Section 122.  Paragraph (b)2. of subsection (2) of

12  section 61.13, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

13         61.13  Custody and support of children; visitation

14  rights; power of court in making orders.--

15         (2)

16         (b)

17         2.  The court shall order that the parental

18  responsibility for a minor child be shared by both parents

19  unless the court finds that shared parental responsibility

20  would be detrimental to the child. Evidence that a parent has

21  been convicted of a felony of the third degree or higher

22  involving domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28 and

23  chapter 775, or meets the criteria of s. 39.806(1)(d)

24  39.464(1)(d), creates a rebuttable presumption of detriment to

25  the child. If the presumption is not rebutted, shared parental

26  responsibility, including visitation, residence of the child,

27  and decisions made regarding the child, may not be granted to

28  the convicted parent. However, the convicted parent is not

29  relieved of any obligation to provide financial support. If

30  the court determines that shared parental responsibility would

31  be detrimental to the child, it may order sole parental


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  1  responsibility and make such arrangements for visitation as

  2  will best protect the child or abused spouse from further

  3  harm. Whether or not there is a conviction of any offense of

  4  domestic violence or child abuse or the existence of an

  5  injunction for protection against domestic violence, the court

  6  shall consider evidence of domestic violence or child abuse as

  7  evidence of detriment to the child.

  8         a.  In ordering shared parental responsibility, the

  9  court may consider the expressed desires of the parents and

10  may grant to one party the ultimate responsibility over

11  specific aspects of the child's welfare or may divide those

12  responsibilities between the parties based on the best

13  interests of the child. Areas of responsibility may include

14  primary residence, education, medical and dental care, and any

15  other responsibilities that the court finds unique to a

16  particular family.

17         b.  The court shall order "sole parental

18  responsibility, with or without visitation rights, to the

19  other parent when it is in the best interests of" the minor

20  child.

21         c.  The court may award the grandparents visitation

22  rights with a minor child if it is in the child's best

23  interest. Grandparents have legal standing to seek judicial

24  enforcement of such an award. This section does not require

25  that grandparents be made parties or given notice of

26  dissolution pleadings or proceedings, nor do grandparents have

27  legal standing as "contestants" as defined in s. 61.1306. A

28  court may not order that a child be kept within the state or

29  jurisdiction of the court solely for the purpose of permitting

30  visitation by the grandparents.

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  1         Section 123.  Section 61.401, Florida Statutes, is

  2  amended to read:

  3         61.401  Appointment of guardian ad litem.--In an action

  4  for dissolution of marriage, modification, parental

  5  responsibility, custody, or visitation, if the court finds it

  6  is in the best interest of the child, the court may appoint a

  7  guardian ad litem to act as next friend of the child,

  8  investigator or evaluator, not as attorney or advocate. The

  9  court in its discretion may also appoint legal counsel for a

10  child to act as attorney or advocate; however, the guardian

11  and the legal counsel shall not be the same person. In such

12  actions which involve an allegation of child abuse,

13  abandonment, or neglect as defined in s. 39.01 415.503(3),

14  which allegation is verified and determined by the court to be

15  well-founded, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for

16  the child. The guardian ad litem shall be a party to any

17  judicial proceeding from the date of the appointment until the

18  date of discharge.

19         Section 124.  Section 61.402, Florida Statutes, is

20  amended to read:

21         61.402  Qualifications of guardians ad litem.--A

22  guardian ad litem must be either a citizen certified by the

23  Guardian Ad Litem Program to act in family law cases or an

24  attorney who is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar.

25  Prior to certifying a guardian ad litem to be appointed under

26  this chapter, the Guardian Ad Litem Program must conduct a

27  security background investigation as provided in s. 39.821

28  415.5077.

29         Section 125.  Subsection (4) of section 63.052, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

31         63.052  Guardians designated; proof of commitment.--


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  1         (4)  If a child is voluntarily surrendered to an

  2  intermediary for subsequent adoption and the adoption does not

  3  become final within 180 days, the intermediary must report to

  4  the court on the status of the child and the court may at that

  5  time proceed under s. 39.701 39.453 or take action reasonably

  6  necessary to protect the best interest of the child.

  7         Section 126.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of

  8  section 63.092, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  9         63.092  Report to the court of intended placement by an

10  intermediary; preliminary study.--

11         (2)  PRELIMINARY HOME STUDY.--Before placing the minor

12  in the intended adoptive home, a preliminary home study must

13  be performed by a licensed child-placing agency, a licensed

14  professional, or agency described in s. 61.20(2), unless the

15  petitioner is a stepparent, a spouse of the birth parent, or a

16  relative.  The preliminary study shall be completed within 30

17  days after the receipt by the court of the intermediary's

18  report, but in no event may the child be placed in the

19  prospective adoptive home prior to the completion of the

20  preliminary study unless ordered by the court.  If the

21  petitioner is a stepparent, a spouse of the birth parent, or a

22  relative, the preliminary home study may be required by the

23  court for good cause shown.  The department is required to

24  perform the preliminary home study only if there is no

25  licensed child-placing agency, licensed professional, or

26  agency described in s. 61.20(2), in the county where the

27  prospective adoptive parents reside.  The preliminary home

28  study must be made to determine the suitability of the

29  intended adoptive parents and may be completed prior to

30  identification of a prospective adoptive child.  A favorable

31  preliminary home study is valid for 1 year after the date of


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  1  its completion.  A child must not be placed in an intended

  2  adoptive home before a favorable preliminary home study is

  3  completed unless the adoptive home is also a licensed foster

  4  home under s. 409.175.  The preliminary home study must

  5  include, at a minimum:

  6         (b)  Records checks of the department's central abuse

  7  registry under chapter 415 and statewide criminal records

  8  correspondence checks pursuant to s. 435.045 through the

  9  Department of Law Enforcement on the intended adoptive

10  parents;

11

12  If the preliminary home study is favorable, a minor may be

13  placed in the home pending entry of the judgment of adoption.

14  A minor may not be placed in the home if the preliminary home

15  study is unfavorable.  If the preliminary home study is

16  unfavorable, the intermediary or petitioner may, within 20

17  days after receipt of a copy of the written recommendation,

18  petition the court to determine the suitability of the

19  intended adoptive home.  A determination as to suitability

20  under this subsection does not act as a presumption of

21  suitability at the final hearing.  In determining the

22  suitability of the intended adoptive home, the court must

23  consider the totality of the circumstances in the home.

24         Section 127.  Subsection (2) of section 90.5036,

25  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

26         90.5036  Domestic violence advocate-victim privilege.--

27         (2)  A victim has a privilege to refuse to disclose,

28  and to prevent any other person from disclosing, a

29  confidential communication made by the victim to a domestic

30  violence advocate or any record made in the course of

31  advising, counseling, or assisting the victim.  The privilege


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  1  applies to confidential communications made between the victim

  2  and the domestic violence advocate and to records of those

  3  communications only if the advocate is registered under s.

  4  39.905 415.605 at the time the communication is made.  This

  5  privilege includes any advice given by the domestic violence

  6  advocate in the course of that relationship.

  7         Section 128.  Paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d) of

  8  subsection (7) of section 119.07, Florida Statutes, are

  9  amended to read:

10         119.07  Inspection, examination, and duplication of

11  records; exemptions.--

12         (7)(a)  Any person or organization, including the

13  Department of Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative

14  Services, may petition the court for an order making public

15  the records of the Department of Children and Family Health

16  and Rehabilitative Services that pertain to investigations of

17  alleged abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation of a

18  child, a disabled adult, or an elderly person. The court shall

19  determine if good cause exists for public access to the

20  records sought or a portion thereof. In making this

21  determination, the court shall balance the best interest of

22  the disabled adult, elderly person, or child who is the focus

23  of the investigation, and in the case of the child, the

24  interest of that child's siblings, together with the privacy

25  right of other persons identified in the reports against the

26  public interest. The public interest in access to such records

27  is reflected in s. 119.01(1), and includes the need for

28  citizens to know of and adequately evaluate the actions of the

29  Department of Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative

30  Services and the court system in providing disabled adults,

31  elderly persons, and children of this state with the


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  1  protections enumerated in ss. 39.001 and 415.101 and 415.502.

  2  However, nothing in this subsection shall contravene the

  3  provisions of ss. 39.202 415.51 and 415.107, which protect the

  4  name of any person reporting the abuse, neglect, or

  5  exploitation of a child, a disabled adult, or an elderly

  6  person.

  7         (b)1.  In cases involving the death of a disabled adult

  8  or an elderly person as the result of abuse, neglect, or

  9  exploitation, there shall be a presumption that the best

10  interest of the disabled adult or elderly person and the

11  public interest will be served by full public disclosure of

12  the circumstances of the investigation of the death and any

13  other investigation concerning the disabled adult or elderly

14  person.

15         2.  In cases involving the death of a child as the

16  result of abuse, neglect, or abandonment, there shall be a

17  presumption that the best interest of the child and the

18  child's siblings and the public interest will be served by

19  full public disclosure of the circumstances of the

20  investigation of the death of the child and any other

21  investigation concerning the child and the child's siblings.

22         (c)  In cases involving serious bodily injury to a

23  child, a disabled adult or an elderly person, the Department

24  of Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative Services may

25  petition the court for an order for the immediate public

26  release of records of the department which pertain to the

27  investigation of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation

28  of the child, disabled adult, or elderly person who suffered

29  serious bodily injury. The petition must be personally served

30  upon the child, disabled adult, or elderly person, the child's

31  parents or guardian, the legal guardian of that person, if


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  1  any, and any person named as an alleged perpetrator in the

  2  report of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation. The

  3  court must determine if good cause exists for the public

  4  release of the records sought no later than 24 hours,

  5  excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, from the

  6  date the department filed the petition with the court. If the

  7  court has neither granted nor denied the petition within the

  8  24-hour time period, the department may release to the public

  9  summary information including:

10         1.  A confirmation that an investigation has been

11  conducted concerning the alleged victim.

12         2.  The dates and brief description of procedural

13  activities undertaken during the department's investigation.

14         3.  The date of each judicial proceeding, a summary of

15  each participant's recommendations made at the judicial

16  proceedings, and the rulings of the court.

17

18  The summary information may not include the name of, or other

19  identifying information with respect to, any person identified

20  in any investigation. In making a determination to release

21  confidential information, the court shall balance the best

22  interests of the disabled adult or elderly person or child who

23  is the focus of the investigation and, in the case of the

24  child, the interests of that child's siblings, together with

25  the privacy rights of other persons identified in the reports

26  against the public interest for access to public records.

27  However, nothing in this paragraph shall contravene the

28  provisions of ss. 39.202 415.51 and 415.107, which protect the

29  name of any person reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation

30  of a child, a disabled adult, or an elderly person.

31


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  1         (d)  In cases involving the death of a child or a

  2  disabled adult or an elderly person, the Department of

  3  Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative Services may

  4  petition the court for an order for the immediate public

  5  release of records of the department which pertain to the

  6  investigation of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation

  7  of the child, disabled adult, or elderly person who died.  The

  8  department must personally serve the petition upon the child's

  9  parents or guardian, the legal guardian of the disabled adult

10  or elderly person, if any, and any person named as an alleged

11  perpetrator in the report of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or

12  exploitation. The court must determine if good cause exists

13  for the public release of the records sought no later than 24

14  hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, from

15  the date the department filed the petition with the court. If

16  the court has neither granted nor denied the petition within

17  the 24-hour time period, the department may release to the

18  public summary information including:

19         1.  A confirmation that an investigation has been

20  conducted concerning the alleged victim.

21         2.  The dates and brief description of procedural

22  activities undertaken during the department's investigation.

23         3.  The date of each judicial proceeding, a summary of

24  each participant's recommendations made at the judicial

25  proceedings, and the ruling of the court.

26

27  In making a determination to release confidential information,

28  the court shall balance the best interests of the disabled

29  adult or elderly person or child who is the focus of the

30  investigation and, in the case of the child, the interest of

31  that child's siblings, together with the privacy right of


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  1  other persons identified in the reports against the public

  2  interest.  However, nothing in this paragraph shall contravene

  3  the provisions of ss. 39.202 415.51 and 415.107, which protect

  4  the name of any person reporting abuse, neglect, or

  5  exploitation of a child, a disabled adult, or an elderly

  6  person.

  7         Section 129.  Section 154.067, Florida Statutes, is

  8  amended to read:

  9         154.067  Child abuse and neglect cases; duties.--The

10  Department of Health shall adopt a rule requiring every county

11  health department, as described in s. 154.01, to adopt a

12  protocol that, at a minimum, requires the county health

13  department to:

14         (1)  Incorporate in its health department policy a

15  policy that every staff member has an affirmative duty to

16  report, pursuant to chapter 39 415, any actual or suspected

17  case of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect; and

18         (2)  In any case involving suspected child abuse,

19  abandonment, or neglect, designate, at the request of the

20  department, a staff physician to act as a liaison between the

21  county health department and the Department of Children and

22  Family Services office that is investigating the suspected

23  abuse, abandonment, or neglect, and the child protection team,

24  as defined in s. 39.01 415.503, when the case is referred to

25  such a team.

26         Section 130.  Subsection (15) of section 213.053,

27  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

28         213.053  Confidentiality and information sharing.--

29         (15)  The department may disclose confidential taxpayer

30  information contained in returns, reports, accounts, or

31  declarations filed with the department by persons subject to


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  1  any state or local tax to the child support enforcement

  2  program, to assist in the location of parents who owe or

  3  potentially owe a duty of support pursuant to Title IV-D of

  4  the Social Security Act, their assets, their income, and their

  5  employer, and to the Department of Children and Family

  6  Services for the purpose of diligent search activities

  7  pursuant to chapter 39. Nothing in this subsection authorizes

  8  the disclosure of information if such disclosure is prohibited

  9  by federal law. Employees of the child support enforcement

10  program and of the Department of Children and Family Services

11  are bound by the same requirements of confidentiality and the

12  same penalties for violation of the requirements as the

13  department.

14         Section 131.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (8) of

15  section 216.136, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

16         216.136  Consensus estimating conferences; duties and

17  principals.--

18         (8)  CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM ESTIMATING CONFERENCE.--

19         (a)  Duties.--The Child Welfare System Estimating

20  Conference shall develop the following information relating to

21  the child welfare system:

22         1.  Estimates and projections of the number of initial

23  and additional reports of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect

24  made to the central abuse hotline registry and tracking system

25  maintained by the Department of Children and Family Health and

26  Rehabilitative Services as established in s. 39.201(4)

27  415.504(4)(a).

28         2.  Estimates and projections of the number of children

29  who are alleged to be victims of child abuse, abandonment, or

30  neglect and are in need of placement in a an emergency

31  shelter.


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  1

  2  In addition, the conference shall develop other official

  3  information relating to the child welfare system of the state

  4  which the conference determines is needed for the state

  5  planning and budgeting system.  The Department of Children and

  6  Family Health and Rehabilitative Services shall provide

  7  information on the child welfare system requested by the Child

  8  Welfare System Estimating Conference, or individual conference

  9  principals, in a timely manner.

10         Section 132.  Section 232.50, Florida Statutes, is

11  amended to read:

12         232.50  Child abuse, abandonment, and neglect

13  policy.--Every school board shall by March 1, 1985:

14         (1)  Post in a prominent place in each school a notice

15  that, pursuant to chapter 39 415, all employees or agents of

16  the district school board have an affirmative duty to report

17  all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or

18  neglect, have immunity from liability if they report such

19  cases in good faith, and have a duty to comply with child

20  protective investigations and all other provisions of law

21  relating to child abuse, abandonment, and neglect.  The notice

22  shall also include the statewide toll-free telephone number of

23  the state abuse registry.

24         (2)  Provide that the superintendent, or the

25  superintendent's designee, at the request of the Department of

26  Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative Services, will

27  act as a liaison to the Department of Children and Family

28  Health and Rehabilitative Services and the child protection

29  team, as defined in s. 39.01 415.503, when in a case of

30  suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect or an unlawful

31  sexual offense involving a child the case is referred to such


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  1  a team; except that this subsection may in no instance be

  2  construed as relieving or restricting the Department of

  3  Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative Services from

  4  discharging its duty and responsibility under the law to

  5  investigate and report every suspected or actual case of child

  6  abuse, abandonment, or neglect or unlawful sexual offense

  7  involving a child.

  8

  9  Each district school board shall comply with the provisions of

10  this section, and such board shall notify the Department of

11  Education and the Department of Children and Family Health and

12  Rehabilitative Services of its compliance by March 1, 1985.

13         Section 133.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of

14  section 318.21, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 2(1)

15  of chapter 97-235, Laws of Florida, is amended to read:

16         318.21  Disposition of civil penalties by county

17  courts.--All civil penalties received by a county court

18  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be

19  distributed and paid monthly as follows:

20         (2)  Of the remainder:

21         (a)  Fifteen and six-tenths percent shall be paid to

22  the General Revenue Fund of the state, except that the first

23  $300,000 shall be deposited into the Grants and Donations

24  Trust Fund in the Department of Children and Family Services

25  for administrative costs, training costs, and costs associated

26  with the implementation and maintenance of Florida foster care

27  citizen review panels as provided for in s. 39.702 39.4531.

28         Section 134.  Effective July 1, 1999, paragraph (a) of

29  subsection (2) of section 318.21, as amended by section 3(1)

30  of chapter 97-235, Laws of Florida, is amended to read:

31


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  1         318.21  Disposition of civil penalties by county

  2  courts.--All civil penalties received by a county court

  3  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be

  4  distributed and paid monthly as follows:

  5         (2)  Of the remainder:

  6         (a)  Ten and six-tenths percent shall be paid to the

  7  General Revenue Fund of the state, except that the first

  8  $300,000 shall be deposited into the Grants and Donations

  9  Trust Fund in the Department of Children and Family Services

10  for administrative costs, training costs, and costs associated

11  with the implementation and maintenance of Florida foster care

12  citizen review panels as provided for in s. 39.702 39.4531.

13         Section 135.  Effective July 1, 2000, paragraph (a) of

14  subsection (2) of section 318.21, Florida Statutes, as amended

15  by section 4(1) of chapter 97-235, Laws of Florida, is amended

16  to read:

17         318.21  Disposition of civil penalties by county

18  courts.--All civil penalties received by a county court

19  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be

20  distributed and paid monthly as follows:

21         (2)  Of the remainder:

22         (a)  Five and six-tenths percent shall be paid to the

23  General Revenue Fund of the state, except that the first

24  $300,000 shall be deposited into the Grants and Donations

25  Trust Fund in the Department of Children and Family Services

26  for administrative costs, training costs, and costs associated

27  with the implementation and maintenance of Florida foster care

28  citizen review panels as provided for in s. 39.702 39.4531.

29         Section 136.  Effective July 1, 2001, paragraph (a) of

30  subsection (2) of section 318.21, Florida Statutes, as amended

31


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  1  by section 5(1) of chapter 97-235, Laws of Florida, is amended

  2  to read:

  3         318.21  Disposition of civil penalties by county

  4  courts.--All civil penalties received by a county court

  5  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be

  6  distributed and paid monthly as follows:

  7         (2)  Of the remainder:

  8         (a)  Twenty and six-tenths percent shall be paid to the

  9  County Article V Trust Fund, except that the first $300,000

10  shall be deposited into the Grants and Donations Trust Fund in

11  the Department of Children and Family Services for

12  administrative costs, training costs, and costs associated

13  with the implementation and maintenance of Florida foster care

14  citizen review panels as provided for in s. 39.702 39.4531.

15         Section 137.  Effective July 1, 2002, paragraph (a) of

16  subsection (2) of section 318.21, Florida Statutes, as amended

17  by section 6 of chapter 97-235, Laws of Florida, is amended to

18  read:

19         318.21  Disposition of civil penalties by county

20  courts.--All civil penalties received by a county court

21  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be

22  distributed and paid monthly as follows:

23         (2)  Of the remainder:

24         (a)  Twenty and six-tenths percent shall be paid to the

25  General Revenue Fund of the state, except that the first

26  $300,000 shall be deposited into the Grants and Donations

27  Trust Fund in the Department of Children and Family Services

28  for administrative costs, training costs, and costs associated

29  with the implementation and maintenance of Florida foster care

30  citizen review panels as provided for in s. 39.702 39.4531.

31


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  1         Section 138.  Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of

  2  section 384.29, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         384.29  Confidentiality.--

  4         (1)  All information and records held by the department

  5  or its authorized representatives relating to known or

  6  suspected cases of sexually transmissible diseases are

  7  strictly confidential and exempt from the provisions of s.

  8  119.07(1).  Such information shall not be released or made

  9  public by the department or its authorized representatives, or

10  by a court or parties to a lawsuit upon revelation by

11  subpoena, except under the following circumstances:

12         (e)  When made to the proper authorities as required by

13  chapter 39 or chapter 415.

14         Section 139.  Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of

15  section 392.65, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

16         392.65  Confidentiality.--

17         (1)  All information and records held by the department

18  or its authorized representatives relating to known or

19  suspected cases of tuberculosis or exposure to tuberculosis

20  shall be strictly confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1).

21  Such information shall not be released or made public by the

22  department or its authorized representatives or by a court or

23  parties to a lawsuit, except that release may be made under

24  the following circumstances:

25         (e)  When made to the proper authorities as required by

26  chapter 39 or chapter 415.

27         Section 140.  The introductory paragraph of subsection

28  (14) of section 393.063, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

29         393.063  Definitions.--For the purposes of this

30  chapter:

31


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  1         (14)  "Direct service provider," also known as

  2  "caregiver" in chapters 39 and chapter 415 or "caretaker" in

  3  provisions relating to employment security checks, means a

  4  person 18 years of age or older who has direct contact with

  5  individuals with developmental disabilities and is unrelated

  6  to the individuals with developmental disabilities.

  7         Section 141.  Section 395.1023, Florida Statutes, is

  8  amended to read:

  9         395.1023  Child abuse and neglect cases; duties.--Each

10  licensed facility shall adopt a protocol that, at a minimum,

11  requires the facility to:

12         (1)  Incorporate a facility policy that every staff

13  member has an affirmative duty to report, pursuant to chapter

14  39 415, any actual or suspected case of child abuse,

15  abandonment, or neglect; and

16         (2)  In any case involving suspected child abuse,

17  abandonment, or neglect, designate, at the request of the

18  department, a staff physician to act as a liaison between the

19  hospital and the Department of Children and Family Services

20  office which is investigating the suspected abuse,

21  abandonment, or neglect, and the child protection team, as

22  defined in s. 39.01 415.503, when the case is referred to such

23  a team.

24

25  Each general hospital and appropriate specialty hospital shall

26  comply with the provisions of this section and shall notify

27  the agency and the department of its compliance by sending a

28  copy of its policy to the agency and the department as

29  required by rule. The failure by a general hospital or

30  appropriate specialty hospital to comply shall be punished by

31  a fine not exceeding $1,000, to be fixed, imposed, and


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  1  collected by the agency.  Each day in violation is considered

  2  a separate offense.

  3         Section 142.  Section 400.4174, Florida Statutes, is

  4  amended to read:

  5         400.4174  Reports of abuse in facilities.--When an

  6  employee, volunteer, administrator, or owner of a facility has

  7  a confirmed report of adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation,

  8  as defined in s. 415.102, or a judicially determined report of

  9  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, as defined in s. 39.01

10  415.503, and the protective investigator knows that the

11  individual is an employee, volunteer, administrator, or owner

12  of a facility, the agency shall be notified of the confirmed

13  report.

14         Section 143.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of

15  section 400.556, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

16         400.556  Denial, suspension, revocation of license;

17  administrative fines; investigations and inspections.--

18         (2)  Each of the following actions by the owner of an

19  adult day care center or by its operator or employee is a

20  ground for action by the agency against the owner of the

21  center or its operator or employee:

22         (c)  A confirmed report of adult abuse, neglect, or

23  exploitation, as defined in s. 415.102, or a report of child

24  abuse, abandonment, or neglect, as defined in s. 39.01

25  415.503, which report has been upheld following a hearing held

26  pursuant to chapter 120 or a waiver of such hearing.

27         Section 144.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (8) of

28  section 402.165, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

29         402.165  Statewide Human Rights Advocacy Committee;

30  confidential records and meetings.--

31


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  1         (8)(a)  In the performance of its duties, the Statewide

  2  Human Rights Advocacy Committee shall have:

  3         1.  Authority to receive, investigate, seek to

  4  conciliate, hold hearings on, and act on complaints which

  5  allege any abuse or deprivation of constitutional or human

  6  rights of clients.

  7         2.  Access to all client records, files, and reports

  8  from any program, service, or facility that is operated,

  9  funded, licensed, or regulated by the Department of Children

10  and Family Health and Rehabilitative Services and any records

11  which are material to its investigation and which are in the

12  custody of any other agency or department of government.  The

13  committee's investigation or monitoring shall not impede or

14  obstruct matters under investigation by law enforcement or

15  judicial authorities.  Access shall not be granted if a

16  specific procedure or prohibition for reviewing records is

17  required by federal law and regulation which supersedes state

18  law. Access shall not be granted to the records of a private

19  licensed practitioner who is providing services outside

20  agencies and facilities and whose client is competent and

21  refuses disclosure.

22         3.  Standing to petition the circuit court for access

23  to client records which are confidential as specified by law.

24  The petition shall state the specific reasons for which the

25  committee is seeking access and the intended use of such

26  information.  The court may authorize committee access to such

27  records upon a finding that such access is directly related to

28  an investigation regarding the possible deprivation of

29  constitutional or human rights or the abuse of a client.

30  Original client files, records, and reports shall not be

31  removed from the Department of Children and Family Health and


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  1  Rehabilitative Services or agency facilities.  Under no

  2  circumstance shall the committee have access to confidential

  3  adoption records in accordance with the provisions of ss.

  4  39.0132 39.411, 63.022, and 63.162.  Upon completion of a

  5  general investigation of practices and procedures of the

  6  Department of Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative

  7  Services, the committee shall report its findings to that

  8  department.

  9         Section 145.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (8) of

10  section 402.166, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

11         402.166  District human rights advocacy committees;

12  confidential records and meetings.--

13         (8)(a)  In the performance of its duties, a district

14  human rights advocacy committee shall have:

15         1.  Access to all client records, files, and reports

16  from any program, service, or facility that is operated,

17  funded, licensed, or regulated by the Department of Children

18  and Family Health and Rehabilitative Services and any records

19  which are material to its investigation and which are in the

20  custody of any other agency or department of government.  The

21  committee's investigation or monitoring shall not impede or

22  obstruct matters under investigation by law enforcement or

23  judicial authorities. Access shall not be granted if a

24  specific procedure or prohibition for reviewing records is

25  required by federal law and regulation which supersedes state

26  law.  Access shall not be granted to the records of a private

27  licensed practitioner who is providing services outside

28  agencies and facilities and whose client is competent and

29  refuses disclosure.

30         2.  Standing to petition the circuit court for access

31  to client records which are confidential as specified by law.


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  1  The petition shall state the specific reasons for which the

  2  committee is seeking access and the intended use of such

  3  information.  The court may authorize committee access to such

  4  records upon a finding that such access is directly related to

  5  an investigation regarding the possible deprivation of

  6  constitutional or human rights or the abuse of a client.

  7  Original client files, records, and reports shall not be

  8  removed from Department of Children and Family Health and

  9  Rehabilitative Services or agency facilities.  Upon no

10  circumstances shall the committee have access to confidential

11  adoption records in accordance with the provisions of ss.

12  39.0132 39.411, 63.022, and 63.162. Upon completion of a

13  general investigation of practices and procedures of the

14  Department of Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative

15  Services, the committee shall report its findings to that

16  department.

17         Section 146.  Section 409.1672, Florida Statutes, is

18  amended to read:

19         409.1672  Incentives for department employees.--In

20  order to promote accomplishing the goal of family

21  preservation, family reunification, or permanent placement of

22  a child in an adoptive home, the department may, pursuant to

23  s. 110, chapter 92-142, Laws of Florida, or subsequent

24  legislative authority and within existing resources, develop

25  monetary performance incentives such as bonuses, salary

26  increases, and educational enhancements for department

27  employees engaged in positions and activities related to the

28  child welfare system under chapter 39, chapter 415, or this

29  chapter who demonstrate outstanding work in these areas.

30

31


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  1         Section 147.  Subsection (8) and paragraph (c) of

  2  subsection (9) of section 409.176, Florida Statutes, are

  3  amended to read:

  4         409.176  Registration of residential child-caring

  5  agencies and family foster homes.--

  6         (8)  The provisions of chapters 39 415 and 827

  7  regarding child abuse, abandonment, and neglect and the

  8  provisions of s. 409.175 and chapter 435 regarding screening

  9  apply to any facility registered under this section.

10         (9)  The qualified association may deny, suspend, or

11  revoke the registration of a Type II facility which:

12         (c)  Violates the provisions of chapter 39 415 or

13  chapter 827 regarding child abuse, abandonment, and neglect or

14  the provisions of s. 409.175 or chapter 435 regarding

15  screening.

16

17  The qualified association shall notify the department within

18  10 days of the suspension or revocation of the registration of

19  any Type II facility registered under this section.

20         Section 148.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (10) of

21  section 409.2554, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

22         409.2554  Definitions.--As used in ss.

23  409.2551-409.2598, the term:

24         (10)  "Support" means:

25         (b)  Support for a child who is placed under the

26  custody of someone other than the custodial parent pursuant to

27  s. 39.508 39.41.

28         Section 149.  Section 409.2577, Florida Statutes, is

29  amended to read:

30         409.2577  Parent locator service.--The department shall

31  establish a parent locator service to assist in locating


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  1  parents who have deserted their children and other persons

  2  liable for support of dependent children.  The department

  3  shall use all sources of information available, including the

  4  Federal Parent Locator Service, and may request and shall

  5  receive information from the records of any person or the

  6  state or any of its political subdivisions or any officer

  7  thereof. Any agency as defined in s. 120.52, any political

  8  subdivision, and any other person shall, upon request, provide

  9  the department any information relating to location, salary,

10  insurance, social security, income tax, and employment history

11  necessary to locate parents who owe or potentially owe a duty

12  of support pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.

13  This provision shall expressly take precedence over any other

14  statutory nondisclosure provision which limits the ability of

15  an agency to disclose such information, except that law

16  enforcement information as provided in s. 119.07(3)(i) is not

17  required to be disclosed, and except that confidential

18  taxpayer information possessed by the Department of Revenue

19  shall be disclosed only to the extent authorized in s.

20  213.053(15).  Nothing in this section requires the disclosure

21  of information if such disclosure is prohibited by federal

22  law. Information gathered or used by the parent locator

23  service is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s.

24  119.07(1). Additionally, the department is authorized to

25  collect any additional information directly bearing on the

26  identity and whereabouts of a person owing or asserted to be

27  owing an obligation of support for a dependent child.

28  Information gathered or used by the parent locator service is

29  confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).

30  The department may make such information available only to

31  public officials and agencies of this state; political


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  1  subdivisions of this state; the custodial parent, legal

  2  guardian, attorney, or agent of the child; and other states

  3  seeking to locate parents who have deserted their children and

  4  other persons liable for support of dependents, for the sole

  5  purpose of establishing, modifying, or enforcing their

  6  liability for support, and shall make such information

  7  available to the Department of Children and Family Services

  8  for the purpose of diligent search activities pursuant to

  9  chapter 39. If the department has reasonable evidence of

10  domestic violence or child abuse and the disclosure of

11  information could be harmful to the custodial parent or the

12  child of such parent, the child support program director or

13  designee shall notify the Department of Children and Family

14  Services and the Secretary of the United States Department of

15  Health and Human Services of this evidence. Such evidence is

16  sufficient grounds for the department to disapprove an

17  application for location services.

18         Section 150.  Subsection (29) of section 409.912,

19  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

20         409.912  Cost-effective purchasing of health care.--The

21  agency shall purchase goods and services for Medicaid

22  recipients in the most cost-effective manner consistent with

23  the delivery of quality medical care.  The agency shall

24  maximize the use of prepaid per capita and prepaid aggregate

25  fixed-sum basis services when appropriate and other

26  alternative service delivery and reimbursement methodologies,

27  including competitive bidding pursuant to s. 287.057, designed

28  to facilitate the cost-effective purchase of a case-managed

29  continuum of care. The agency shall also require providers to

30  minimize the exposure of recipients to the need for acute

31


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  1  inpatient, custodial, and other institutional care and the

  2  inappropriate or unnecessary use of high-cost services.

  3         (29)  Each managed care plan that is under contract

  4  with the agency to provide health care services to Medicaid

  5  recipients shall annually conduct a background check with the

  6  Florida Department of Law Enforcement of all persons with

  7  ownership interest of 5 percent or more or executive

  8  management responsibility for the managed care plan and shall

  9  submit to the agency information concerning any such person

10  who has been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or

11  has entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, any of the

12  offenses listed in s. 435.03 or has a confirmed report of

13  abuse, neglect, or exploitation pursuant to part I of chapter

14  415.

15         Section 151.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of

16  section 409.9126, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

17         409.9126  Children with special health care needs.--

18         (1)  As used in this section:

19         (a)  "Children's Medical Services network" means an

20  alternative service network that includes health care

21  providers and health care facilities specified in chapter 391

22  and ss. 39.303, 383.15-383.21, and 383.216, and 415.5055.

23         Section 152.  Paragraph (f) of subsection (5) of

24  section 414.065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

25         414.065  Work requirements.--

26         (5)  CONTINUATION OF TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE FOR

27  CHILDREN; PROTECTIVE PAYEES.--

28         (f)  If the department is unable to designate a

29  qualified protective payee or authorized representative, a

30  referral shall be made under the provisions of chapter 39 415

31  for protective intervention.


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  1         Section 153.  Section 435.045, Florida Statutes, is

  2  created to read:

  3         435.045  Requirements for prospective foster or

  4  adoptive parents.--

  5         (1)  Unless an election provided for in subsection (2)

  6  is made with respect to the state, the department shall

  7  conduct criminal records checks equivalent to the level 2

  8  screening required in s. 435.04(1) for any prospective foster

  9  or adoptive parent before the foster or adoptive parent may be

10  finally approved for placement of a child on whose behalf

11  foster care maintenance payments or adoption assistance

12  payments under s. 471 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.

13  671, are to be made. Approval shall not be granted:

14         (a)  In any case in which a record check reveals a

15  felony conviction for child abuse, abandonment, or neglect;

16  for spousal abuse; for a crime against children, including

17  child pornography, or for a crime involving violence,

18  including rape, sexual assault, or homicide but not including

19  other physical assault or battery, if the department finds

20  that a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that the

21  felony was committed at any time; and

22         (b)  In any case in which a record check reveals a

23  felony conviction for physical assault, battery, or a

24  drug-related offense, if the department finds that a court of

25  competent jurisdiction has determined that the felony was

26  committed within the past 5 years.

27         (2)  For purposes of this section, and ss. 39.401(3)

28  and 39.508(9)(b) and (10)(a), the department and its

29  authorized agents or contract providers are hereby designated

30  a criminal justice agency for the purposes of accessing

31  criminal justice information, including National Crime


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  1  Information Center information, to be used for enforcing

  2  Florida's laws concerning the crimes of child abuse,

  3  abandonment, and neglect. This information shall be used

  4  solely for purposes supporting the detection, apprehension,

  5  prosecution, pretrial release, posttrial release, or

  6  rehabilitation of criminal offenders or persons accused of the

  7  crimes of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect and shall not

  8  be further disseminated or used for any other purposes.

  9         (3)  Subsection (2) shall not apply if the Governor has

10  notified the Secretary of the United States Department of

11  Health and Human Services in writing that the state has

12  elected to make subsection (2) inapplicable to the state, or

13  if the Legislature, by law, has elected to make subsection (2)

14  inapplicable to the state.

15         Section 154.  Section 447.401, Florida Statutes, is

16  amended to read:

17         447.401  Grievance procedures.--Each public employer

18  and bargaining agent shall negotiate a grievance procedure to

19  be used for the settlement of disputes between employer and

20  employee, or group of employees, involving the interpretation

21  or application of a collective bargaining agreement.  Such

22  grievance procedure shall have as its terminal step a final

23  and binding disposition by an impartial neutral, mutually

24  selected by the parties; however, when the issue under appeal

25  is an allegation of abuse, abandonment, or neglect by an

26  employee under s. 39.201 or s. 415.1075 or s. 415.504, the

27  grievance may not be decided until the abuse, abandonment, or

28  neglect of a child has been judicially determined or until a

29  confirmed report of abuse or neglect of a disabled adult or

30  elderly person has been upheld pursuant to the procedures for

31  appeal in s. ss. 415.1075 and 415.504.  However, an arbiter or


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  1  other neutral shall not have the power to add to, subtract

  2  from, modify, or alter the terms of a collective bargaining

  3  agreement.  If an employee organization is certified as the

  4  bargaining agent of a unit, the grievance procedure then in

  5  existence may be the subject of collective bargaining, and any

  6  agreement which is reached shall supersede the previously

  7  existing procedure.  All public employees shall have the right

  8  to a fair and equitable grievance procedure administered

  9  without regard to membership or nonmembership in any

10  organization, except that certified employee organizations

11  shall not be required to process grievances for employees who

12  are not members of the organization.  A career service

13  employee shall have the option of utilizing the civil service

14  appeal procedure, an unfair labor practice procedure, or a

15  grievance procedure established under this section, but such

16  employee is precluded from availing himself or herself to more

17  than one of these procedures.

18         Section 155.  Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of

19  section 464.018, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

20         464.018  Disciplinary actions.--

21         (1)  The following acts shall be grounds for

22  disciplinary action set forth in this section:

23         (d)  Being found guilty, regardless of adjudication, of

24  any of the following offenses:

25         1.  A forcible felony as defined in chapter 776.

26         2.  A violation of chapter 812, relating to theft,

27  robbery, and related crimes.

28         3.  A violation of chapter 817, relating to fraudulent

29  practices.

30         4.  A violation of chapter 800, relating to lewdness

31  and indecent exposure.


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  1         5.  A violation of chapter 784, relating to assault,

  2  battery, and culpable negligence.

  3         6.  A violation of chapter 827, relating to child

  4  abuse.

  5         7.  A violation of chapter 415, relating to protection

  6  from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

  7         8.  A violation of chapter 39, relating to child abuse,

  8  abandonment, and neglect.

  9         Section 156.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of

10  section 490.014, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

11         490.014  Exemptions.--

12         (2)  No person shall be required to be licensed or

13  provisionally licensed under this chapter who:

14         (a)  Is a salaried employee of a government agency;

15  developmental services program, mental health, alcohol, or

16  drug abuse facility operating pursuant to chapter 393, chapter

17  394, or chapter 397; subsidized child care program, subsidized

18  child care case management program, or child care resource and

19  referral program operating pursuant to chapter 402;

20  child-placing or child-caring agency licensed pursuant to

21  chapter 409; domestic violence center certified pursuant to

22  chapter 39 415; accredited academic institution; or research

23  institution, if such employee is performing duties for which

24  he or she was trained and hired solely within the confines of

25  such agency, facility, or institution.

26         Section 157.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of

27  section 491.014, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

28         491.014  Exemptions.--

29         (4)  No person shall be required to be licensed,

30  provisionally licensed, registered, or certified under this

31  chapter who:


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  1         (a)  Is a salaried employee of a government agency;

  2  developmental services program, mental health, alcohol, or

  3  drug abuse facility operating pursuant to chapter 393, chapter

  4  394, or chapter 397; subsidized child care program, subsidized

  5  child care case management program, or child care resource and

  6  referral program operating pursuant to chapter 402;

  7  child-placing or child-caring agency licensed pursuant to

  8  chapter 409; domestic violence center certified pursuant to

  9  chapter 39 415; accredited academic institution; or research

10  institution, if such employee is performing duties for which

11  he or she was trained and hired solely within the confines of

12  such agency, facility, or institution.

13         Section 158.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of

14  section 741.30, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

15         741.30  Domestic violence; injunction; powers and

16  duties of court and clerk; petition; notice and hearing;

17  temporary injunction; issuance of injunction; statewide

18  verification system; enforcement.--

19         (3)

20         (b)  The sworn petition shall be in substantially the

21  following form:

22

23                           PETITION FOR

24                    INJUNCTION FOR PROTECTION

25                    AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

26

27  Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared

28  Petitioner ...(Name)..., who has been sworn and says that the

29  following statements are true:

30         (a)  Petitioner resides at: ...(address)...

31


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  1         (Petitioner may furnish address to the court in a

  2  separate confidential filing if, for safety reasons, the

  3  petitioner requires the location of the current residence to

  4  be confidential.)

  5         (b)  Respondent resides at: ...(last known address)...

  6         (c)  Respondent's last known place of employment:

  7  ...(name of business and address)...

  8         (d)  Physical description of respondent: ....

  9         Race....

10         Sex....

11         Date of birth....

12         Height....

13         Weight....

14         Eye color....

15         Hair color....

16         Distinguishing marks or scars....

17         (e)  Aliases of respondent: ....

18         (f)  Respondent is the spouse or former spouse of the

19  petitioner or is any other person related by blood or marriage

20  to the petitioner or is any other person who is or was

21  residing within a single dwelling unit with the petitioner, as

22  if a family, or is a person with whom the petitioner has a

23  child in common, regardless of whether the petitioner and

24  respondent are or were married or residing together, as if a

25  family.

26         (g)  The following describes any other cause of action

27  currently pending between the petitioner and respondent: .....

28  ..............................................................

29         The petitioner should also describe any previous or

30  pending attempts by the petitioner to obtain an injunction for

31


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  1  protection against domestic violence in this or any other

  2  circuit, and the results of that attempt......................

  3  ..............................................................

  4  Case numbers should be included if available.

  5         (h)  Petitioner has suffered or has reasonable cause to

  6  fear imminent domestic violence because respondent has: ......

  7         (i)  Petitioner alleges the following additional

  8  specific facts: (mark appropriate sections)

  9         ....Petitioner is the custodian of a minor child or

10  children whose names and ages are as follows: ................

11         ....Petitioner needs the exclusive use and possession

12  of the dwelling that the parties share.

13         ....Petitioner is unable to obtain safe alternative

14  housing because: .............................................

15         ....Petitioner genuinely fears that respondent

16  imminently will abuse, remove, or hide the minor child or

17  children from petitioner because: ............................

18  ..............................................................

19         (j)  Petitioner genuinely fears imminent domestic

20  violence by respondent.

21         (k)  Petitioner seeks an injunction: (mark appropriate

22  section or sections)

23         ....Immediately restraining the respondent from

24  committing any acts of domestic violence.

25         ....Restraining the respondent from committing any acts

26  of domestic violence.

27         ....Awarding to the petitioner the temporary exclusive

28  use and possession of the dwelling that the parties share or

29  excluding the respondent from the residence of the petitioner.

30         ....Awarding temporary custody of, or temporary

31  visitation rights with regard to, the minor child or children


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  1  of the parties, or prohibiting or limiting visitation to that

  2  which is supervised by a third party.

  3         ....Establishing temporary support for the minor child

  4  or children or the petitioner.

  5         ....Directing the respondent to participate in a

  6  batterers' intervention program or other treatment pursuant to

  7  s. 39.901 415.601.

  8         ....Providing any terms the court deems necessary for

  9  the protection of a victim of domestic violence, or any minor

10  children of the victim, including any injunctions or

11  directives to law enforcement agencies.

12         Section 159.  Subsection (3) of section 744.309,

13  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

14         744.309  Who may be appointed guardian of a resident

15  ward.--

16         (3)  DISQUALIFIED PERSONS.--No person who has been

17  convicted of a felony or who, from any incapacity or illness,

18  is incapable of discharging the duties of a guardian, or who

19  is otherwise unsuitable to perform the duties of a guardian,

20  shall be appointed to act as guardian.  Further, no person who

21  has been judicially determined to have committed abuse,

22  abandonment, or neglect against a child as defined in s.

23  39.01(2) and (47), or who has a confirmed report of abuse,

24  neglect, or exploitation which has been uncontested or upheld

25  pursuant to the provisions of ss. 415.104 and 415.1075 shall

26  be appointed to act as a guardian.  Except as provided in

27  subsection (5) or subsection (6), a person who provides

28  substantial services to the proposed ward in a professional or

29  business capacity, or a creditor of the proposed ward, may not

30  be appointed guardian and retain that previous professional or

31  business relationship.  A person may not be appointed a


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  1  guardian if he or she is in the employ of any person, agency,

  2  government, or corporation that provides service to the

  3  proposed ward in a professional or business capacity, except

  4  that a person so employed may be appointed if he or she is the

  5  spouse, adult child, parent, or sibling of the proposed ward

  6  or the court determines that the potential conflict of

  7  interest is insubstantial and that the appointment would

  8  clearly be in the proposed ward's best interest.  The court

  9  may not appoint a guardian in any other circumstance in which

10  a conflict of interest may occur.

11         Section 160.  Section 784.075, Florida Statutes, is

12  amended to read:

13         784.075  Battery on detention or commitment facility

14  staff.--A person who commits a battery on an intake counselor

15  or case manager, as defined in s. 984.03(31) 39.01(34), on

16  other staff of a detention center or facility as defined in s.

17  984.03(19) 39.01(23), or on a staff member of a commitment

18  facility as defined in s. 985.03(45) 39.01(59)(c), (d), or

19  (e), commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as

20  provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. For

21  purposes of this section, a staff member of the facilities

22  listed includes persons employed by the Department of Juvenile

23  Justice, persons employed at facilities licensed by the

24  Department of Juvenile Justice, and persons employed at

25  facilities operated under a contract with the Department of

26  Juvenile Justice.

27         Section 161.  Section 933.18, Florida Statutes, is

28  amended to read:

29         933.18  When warrant may be issued for search of

30  private dwelling.--No search warrant shall issue under this

31


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  1  chapter or under any other law of this state to search any

  2  private dwelling occupied as such unless:

  3         (1)  It is being used for the unlawful sale,

  4  possession, or manufacture of intoxicating liquor;

  5         (2)  Stolen or embezzled property is contained therein;

  6         (3)  It is being used to carry on gambling;

  7         (4)  It is being used to perpetrate frauds and

  8  swindles;

  9         (5)  The law relating to narcotics or drug abuse is

10  being violated therein;

11         (6)  A weapon, instrumentality, or means by which a

12  felony has been committed, or evidence relevant to proving

13  said felony has been committed, is contained therein;

14         (7)  One or more of the following misdemeanor child

15  abuse offenses is being committed there:

16         (a)  Interference with custody, in violation of s.

17  787.03.

18         (b)  Commission of an unnatural and lascivious act with

19  a child, in violation of s. 800.02.

20         (c)  Exposure of sexual organs to a child, in violation

21  of s. 800.03.

22         (8)  It is in part used for some business purpose such

23  as a store, shop, saloon, restaurant, hotel, or boardinghouse,

24  or lodginghouse;

25         (9)  It is being used for the unlawful sale,

26  possession, or purchase of wildlife, saltwater products, or

27  freshwater fish being unlawfully kept therein; or

28         (10)  The laws in relation to cruelty to animals have

29  been or are being violated therein, except that no search

30  pursuant to such a warrant shall be made in any private

31  dwelling after sunset and before sunrise unless specially


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  1  authorized by the judge issuing the warrant, upon a showing of

  2  probable cause.  Property relating to the violation of such

  3  laws may be taken on a warrant so issued from any private

  4  dwelling in which it is concealed or from the possession of

  5  any person therein by whom it shall have been used in the

  6  commission of such offense or from any person therein in whose

  7  possession it may be.

  8

  9  If, during a search pursuant to a warrant issued under this

10  section, a child is discovered and appears to be in imminent

11  danger, the law enforcement officer conducting such search may

12  remove the child from the private dwelling and take the child

13  into protective custody pursuant to chapter 39 s. 415.506.

14  The term "private dwelling" shall be construed to include the

15  room or rooms used and occupied, not transiently but solely as

16  a residence, in an apartment house, hotel, boardinghouse, or

17  lodginghouse.  No warrant shall be issued for the search of

18  any private dwelling under any of the conditions hereinabove

19  mentioned except on sworn proof by affidavit of some

20  creditable witness that he or she has reason to believe that

21  one of said conditions exists, which affidavit shall set forth

22  the facts on which such reason for belief is based.

23         Section 162.  Subsection (10) of section 943.045,

24  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

25         943.045  Definitions; ss. 943.045-943.08.--The

26  following words and phrases as used in ss. 943.045-943.08

27  shall have the following meanings:

28         (10)  "Criminal justice agency" means:

29         (a)  A court.

30         (b)  The department.

31         (c)  The Department of Juvenile Justice.


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  1         (d)  The protective investigations component of the

  2  Department of Children and Family Services, which investigates

  3  the crimes of abuse and neglect.

  4         (e)(d)  Any other governmental agency or subunit

  5  thereof which performs the administration of criminal justice

  6  pursuant to a statute or rule of court and which allocates a

  7  substantial part of its annual budget to the administration of

  8  criminal justice.

  9         Section 163.  Section 944.401, Florida Statutes, is

10  amended to read:

11         944.401  Escapes from secure detention or residential

12  commitment facility.--An escape from any secure detention

13  facility maintained for the temporary detention of children,

14  pending adjudication, disposition, or placement; an escape

15  from any residential commitment facility defined in s.

16  985.03(45) 39.01(59), maintained for the custody, treatment,

17  punishment, or rehabilitation of children found to have

18  committed delinquent acts or violations of law; or an escape

19  from lawful transportation thereto or therefrom constitutes

20  escape within the intent and meaning of s. 944.40 and is a

21  felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.

22  775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

23         Section 164.  Subsection (3) of section 944.705,

24  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

25         944.705  Release orientation program.--

26         (3)  Any inmate who claims to be a victim of domestic

27  violence as defined in s. 741.28 shall receive, as part of the

28  release orientation program, referral to the nearest domestic

29  violence center certified under chapter 39 ss.

30  415.601-415.608.

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  1         Section 165.  Subsections (2) and (41) of section

  2  984.03, Florida Statutes, as amended by chapter 97-276, Laws

  3  of Florida, are amended to read:

  4         984.03  Definitions.--When used in this chapter, the

  5  term:

  6         (2)  "Abuse" means any willful act that results in any

  7  physical, mental, or sexual injury that causes or is likely to

  8  cause the child's physical, mental, or emotional health to be

  9  significantly impaired. Corporal discipline of a child by a

10  parent or guardian for disciplinary purposes does not in

11  itself constitute abuse when it does not result in harm to the

12  child as defined in s. 39.01 415.503.

13         (41)  "Parent" means a woman who gives birth to a child

14  and a man whose consent to the adoption of the child would be

15  required under s. 63.062(1)(b). If a child has been legally

16  adopted, the term "parent" means the adoptive mother or father

17  of the child. The term does not include an individual whose

18  parental relationship to the child has been legally

19  terminated, or an alleged or prospective parent, unless the

20  parental status falls within the terms of either s. 39.503

21  39.4051(7) or s. 63.062(1)(b).

22         Section 166.  Subsection (4) of section 984.10, Florida

23  Statutes, is amended to read:

24         984.10  Intake.--

25         (4)  If the department has reasonable grounds to

26  believe that the child has been abandoned, abused, or

27  neglected, it shall proceed pursuant to the provisions of s.

28  415.505 and chapter 39.

29         Section 167.  Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (3)

30  of section 984.15, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

31         984.15  Petition for a child in need of services.--


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  1         (3)(a)  The parent, guardian, or legal custodian may

  2  file a petition alleging that a child is a child in need of

  3  services if:

  4         1.  The department waives the requirement for a case

  5  staffing committee.

  6         2.  The department fails to convene a meeting of the

  7  case staffing committee within 7 days, excluding weekends and

  8  legal holidays, after receiving a written request for such a

  9  meeting from the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian.

10         3.  The parent, guardian, or legal custodian does not

11  agree with the plan for services offered by the case staffing

12  committee.

13         4.  The department fails to provide a written report

14  within 7 days after the case staffing committee meets, as

15  required under s. 984.12(8) 39.426(8).

16         (c)  The petition must be in writing and must set forth

17  specific facts alleging that the child is a child in need of

18  services as defined in s. 984.03(9) 39.01. The petition must

19  also demonstrate that the parent, guardian, or legal custodian

20  has in good faith, but unsuccessfully, participated in the

21  services and processes described in ss. 984.11 and 984.12

22  39.424 and 39.426.

23         Section 168.  Section 984.24, Florida Statutes, is

24  amended to read:

25         984.24  Appeal.--The state, any child, or the family,

26  guardian ad litem, or legal custodian of any child who is

27  affected by an order of the court pursuant to this chapter

28  part may appeal to the appropriate district court of appeal

29  within the time and in the manner prescribed by the Florida

30  Rules of Appellate Procedure and pursuant to s. 39.413.

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  1         Section 169.  Subsection (42) of section 985.03,

  2  Florida Statutes, as amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of

  3  Florida, is amended to read:

  4         985.03  Definitions.--When used in this chapter, the

  5  term:

  6         (42)  "Parent" means a woman who gives birth to a child

  7  and a man whose consent to the adoption of the child would be

  8  required under s. 63.062(1)(b). If a child has been legally

  9  adopted, the term "parent" means the adoptive mother or father

10  of the child. The term does not include an individual whose

11  parental relationship to the child has been legally

12  terminated, or an alleged or prospective parent, unless the

13  parental status falls within the terms of either s. 39.503

14  39.4051(7) or s. 63.062(1)(b).

15         Section 170.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of

16  section 985.303, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

17         985.303  Neighborhood restorative justice.--

18         (4)  DEFERRED PROSECUTION PROGRAM; PROCEDURES.--

19         (c)  The board shall require the parent or legal

20  guardian of the juvenile who is referred to a Neighborhood

21  Restorative Justice Center to appear with the juvenile before

22  the board at the time set by the board.  In scheduling board

23  meetings, the board shall be cognizant of a parent's or legal

24  guardian's other obligations.  The failure of a parent or

25  legal guardian to appear at the scheduled board meeting with

26  his or her child or ward may be considered by the juvenile

27  court as an act of child neglect as defined by s. 39.01

28  415.503(3), and the board may refer the matter to the

29  Department of Children and Family Services for investigation

30  under the provisions of chapter 39 415.

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  1         Section 171.  There is hereby appropriated to the

  2  Department of Children and Family Services, in a lump sum,

  3  $11,000,000 from the Federal Grants Trust Fund to implement

  4  the Relative Caregiver Program.  The source of funding shall

  5  be the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Block

  6  Grant.  Any expenditures from the Temporary Assistance for

  7  Needy Families block grant shall be expended in accordance

  8  with the requirements and limitations of part A of Title IV of

  9  the Social Security Act, as amended, or any other applicable

10  federal requirement or limitation. 

11         Section 172.  There is hereby appropriated to the

12  Justice Administration Commission $3,500,000 from the General

13  Revenue Fund for the purpose of implementing sections 24, 57,

14  and 88 of this act, relating to right to and appointment of

15  counsel for certain persons.

16         Section 173.  Sections 39.0195, 39.0196, 39.39, 39.403,

17  39.4032, 39.4052, 39.4053, 39.449, 39.45, 39.457, 39.459,

18  39.4625, 39.472, 39.475, 415.5016, 415.50165, 415.5017,

19  415.50175, 415.5018, 415.50185, 415.5019, 415.502, 415.503,

20  415.505, 415.506, 415.5075, 415.509, and 415.514, Florida

21  Statutes, are repealed.

22         Section 174.  Except as otherwise provided herein, this

23  act shall take effect October 1 of the year in which enacted.

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

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