SENATE AMENDMENT
    Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454
    Amendment No. ___   Barcode 040462
                            CHAMBER ACTION
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11  Senator Lynn moved the following amendment:
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13         Senate Amendment (with title amendment) 
14         On page 5, between lines 28 and 29,
15  
16  insert:  
17         Section 2.  Subsection (2) of section 39.202, Florida
18  Statutes, is amended, a new subsection (4) is added to that
19  section and subsections (5) through (7) are redesignated as
20  subsections (6) through (8) to read:
21         39.202  Confidentiality of reports and records in cases
22  of child abuse or neglect.--
23         (2)  Except as provided in subsection (4), access to
24  such records, excluding the name of the reporter which shall
25  be released only as provided in subsection (5) (4), shall be
26  granted only to the following persons, officials, and
27  agencies:
28         (a)  Employees, authorized agents, or contract
29  providers of the department, the Department of Health, or
30  county agencies responsible for carrying out:
31         1.  Child or adult protective investigations;
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SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 2. Ongoing child or adult protective services; 2 3. Healthy Start services; or 3 4. Licensure or approval of adoptive homes, foster 4 homes, or child care facilities, or family day care homes or 5 informal child care providers who receive subsidized child 6 care funding, or other homes used to provide for the care and 7 welfare of children. 8 5. Services for victims of domestic violence when 9 provided by certified domestic violence centers working at the 10 department's request as case consultants or with shared 11 clients. 12 13 Also, employees or agents of the Department of Juvenile 14 Justice responsible for the provision of services to children, 15 pursuant to chapters 984 and 985. 16 (b) Criminal justice agencies of appropriate 17 jurisdiction. 18 (c) The state attorney of the judicial circuit in 19 which the child resides or in which the alleged abuse or 20 neglect occurred. 21 (d) The parent or legal custodian of any child who is 22 alleged to have been abused, abandoned, or neglected, and the 23 child, and their attorneys, including any attorney 24 representing a child in civil or criminal proceedings. This 25 access shall be made available no later than 30 days after the 26 department receives the initial report of abuse, neglect, or 27 abandonment. However, any information otherwise made 28 confidential or exempt by law shall not be released pursuant 29 to this paragraph. 30 (e) Any person alleged in the report as having caused 31 the abuse, abandonment, or neglect of a child. This access 2 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 shall be made available no later than 30 days after the 2 department receives the initial report of abuse, abandonment, 3 or neglect and, when the alleged perpetrator is not a parent, 4 shall be limited to information involving the protective 5 investigation only and shall not include any information 6 relating to subsequent dependency proceedings. However, any 7 information otherwise made confidential or exempt by law shall 8 not be released pursuant to this paragraph. 9 (f) A court upon its finding that access to such 10 records may be necessary for the determination of an issue 11 before the court; however, such access shall be limited to 12 inspection in camera, unless the court determines that public 13 disclosure of the information contained therein is necessary 14 for the resolution of an issue then pending before it. 15 (g) A grand jury, by subpoena, upon its determination 16 that access to such records is necessary in the conduct of its 17 official business. 18 (h) Any appropriate official of the department 19 responsible for: 20 1. Administration or supervision of the department's 21 program for the prevention, investigation, or treatment of 22 child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or abuse, neglect, or 23 exploitation of a vulnerable adult, when carrying out his or 24 her official function; 25 2. Taking appropriate administrative action concerning 26 an employee of the department alleged to have perpetrated 27 child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or abuse, neglect, or 28 exploitation of a vulnerable adult; or 29 3. Employing and continuing employment of personnel of 30 the department. 31 (i) Any person authorized by the department who is 3 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 engaged in the use of such records or information for bona 2 fide research, statistical, or audit purposes. Such individual 3 or entity shall enter into a privacy and security agreement 4 with the department and shall comply with all laws and rules 5 governing the use of such records and information for research 6 and statistical purposes. Information identifying the subjects 7 of such records or information shall be treated as 8 confidential by the researcher and shall not be released in 9 any form. 10 (j) The Division of Administrative Hearings for 11 purposes of any administrative challenge. 12 (k) Any appropriate official of a Florida advocacy 13 council investigating a report of known or suspected child 14 abuse, abandonment, or neglect; the Auditor General or the 15 Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government 16 Accountability for the purpose of conducting audits or 17 examinations pursuant to law; or the guardian ad litem for the 18 child. 19 (l) Employees or agents of an agency of another state 20 that has comparable jurisdiction to the jurisdiction described 21 in paragraph (a). 22 (m) The Public Employees Relations Commission for the 23 sole purpose of obtaining evidence for appeals filed pursuant 24 to s. 447.207. Records may be released only after deletion of 25 all information which specifically identifies persons other 26 than the employee. 27 (n) Employees or agents of the Department of Revenue 28 responsible for child support enforcement activities. 29 (o) Any person in the event of the death of a child 30 determined to be a result of abuse, abandonment, or neglect. 31 Information identifying the person reporting abuse, 4 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 abandonment, or neglect shall not be released. Any information 2 otherwise made confidential or exempt by law shall not be 3 released pursuant to this paragraph. 4 (p) The principal of a public school, private school, 5 or charter school where the child is a student. Information 6 contained in the records which the principal determines are 7 necessary for a school employee to effectively provide a 8 student with educational services may be released to that 9 employee. 10 (4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, when a 11 child under investigation or supervision of the department or 12 its contracted service providers is determined to be missing, 13 the following shall apply: 14 (a) The department may release the following 15 information to the public when it believes the release of the 16 information is likely to assist efforts in locating the child 17 or to promote the safety or well-being of the child: 18 1. The name of the child and the child's date of 19 birth; 20 2. A physical description of the child, including at a 21 minimum the height, weight, hair color, eye color, gender, and 22 any identifying physical characteristics of the child; and 23 3. A photograph of the child. 24 (b) With the concurrence of the law enforcement agency 25 primarily responsible for investigating the incident, the 26 department may release any additional information it believes 27 likely to assist efforts in locating the child or to promote 28 the safety or well-being of the child. 29 (c) The law enforcement agency primarily responsible 30 for investigating the incident may release any information 31 received from the department regarding the investigation, if 5 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 it believes the release of the information is likely to assist 2 efforts in locating the child or to promote the safety or 3 well-being of the child. 4 5 The good-faith publication or release of this information by 6 the department, a law enforcement agency, or any recipient of 7 the information as specifically authorized by this subsection 8 shall not subject the person, agency or entity releasing the 9 information to any civil or criminal penalty. This subsection 10 does not authorize the release of the name of the reporter, 11 which may be released only as provided in subsection (5). 12 Section 3. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 13 402.305, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 14 402.305 Licensing standards; child care facilities.-- 15 (1) LICENSING STANDARDS.--The department shall 16 establish licensing standards that each licensed child care 17 facility must meet regardless of the origin or source of the 18 fees used to operate the facility or the type of children 19 served by the facility. 20 (c) The minimum standards for child care facilities 21 shall be adopted in the rules of the department and shall 22 address the areas delineated in this section. The department, 23 in adopting rules to establish minimum standards for child 24 care facilities, shall recognize that different age groups of 25 children may require different standards. The department may 26 adopt different minimum standards for facilities that serve 27 children in different age groups, including school-age 28 children. The department shall also adopt by rule a definition 29 for child care which distinguishes between child care programs 30 that require child care licensure and after-school programs 31 that do not require licensure. Notwithstanding any other 6 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 provision of law to the contrary, minimum child care licensing 2 standards shall be developed to provide for reasonable, 3 affordable, and safe before-school and after-school care. 4 Standards, at a minimum, shall allow for a credentialed 5 director to supervise multiple before-school and after-school 6 sites. 7 Section 4. Section 402.40, Florida Statutes, is 8 amended to read: 9 402.40 Child welfare training.-- 10 (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--In order to enable the state 11 to provide a systematic approach to staff development and 12 training for persons providing child welfare services 13 dependency program staff that will meet the needs of such 14 staff in their discharge of duties, it is the intent of the 15 Legislature that the Department of Children and Family 16 Services establish, maintain, and oversee the operation of 17 child welfare training academies in the state. The 18 Legislature further intends that the staff development and 19 training programs that are established will aid in the 20 reduction of poor staff morale and of staff turnover, will 21 positively impact on the quality of decisions made regarding 22 children and families who require assistance from programs 23 providing child welfare services dependency programs, and will 24 afford better quality care of children who must be removed 25 from their families. 26 (2) DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term: 27 (a) "Child welfare services" "Dependency program" 28 means any intake, protective investigations, preprotective 29 services, protective services, foster care, shelter and group 30 care, and adoption and related services program, including 31 supportive services, supervision, and legal services, provided 7 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 to children who are alleged to have been abused, abandoned, or 2 neglected, or who are at risk of becoming, are alleged to be, 3 or have been found dependent pursuant to ch. 39 whether 4 operated by or contracted by the department, providing intake, 5 counseling, supervision, or custody and care of children who 6 are alleged to be or who have been found to be dependent 7 pursuant to chapter 39 or who have been identified as being at 8 risk of becoming dependent. 9 (b) "Person providing child welfare services" 10 "Dependency program staff" means person who has a 11 responsibility for supervisory, legal, and direct care or 12 support related work in the provision of child welfare 13 services pursuant to ch. 39 staff of a dependency program as 14 well as support staff who have direct contact with children in 15 a dependency program. 16 (3) CHILD WELFARE TRAINING PROGRAM.--The department 17 shall establish a program for training pursuant to the 18 provisions of this section, and all persons providing child 19 welfare services dependency program staff shall be required 20 to participate in and successfully complete the program of 21 training pertinent to their areas of responsibility. 22 (4) CHILD WELFARE TRAINING TRUST FUND.-- 23 (a) There is created within the State Treasury a Child 24 Welfare Training Trust Fund to be used by the Department of 25 Children and Family Services for the purpose of funding a 26 comprehensive system of child welfare training, including the 27 securing of consultants to develop the system and the 28 developing of child welfare training academies that include 29 the participation of persons providing child welfare services 30 dependency program staff. 31 (b) One dollar from every noncriminal traffic 8 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 infraction collected pursuant to s. 318.14(10)(b) or s. 318.18 2 shall be deposited into the Child Welfare Training Trust Fund. 3 (c) In addition to the funds generated by paragraph 4 (b), the trust fund shall receive funds generated from an 5 additional fee on birth certificates and dissolution of 6 marriage filings, as specified in ss. 382.0255 and 28.101, 7 respectively, and may receive funds from any other public or 8 private source. 9 (d) Funds that are not expended by the end of the 10 budget cycle or through a supplemental budget approved by the 11 department shall revert to the trust fund. 12 (5) CORE COMPETENCIES.-- 13 (a) The Department of Children and Family Services 14 shall establish the core competencies for a single integrated 15 preservice curriculum that ensures that each person delivering 16 child welfare services obtains the knowledge, skills and 17 abilities to competently carry out his or her work 18 responsibilities. This pre-service curriculum may be a 19 compilation of different development efforts based on specific 20 subsets of core competencies that are integrated for a 21 comprehensive pre-service curriculum required in the provision 22 of child welfare services in this state. 23 (b) The identification of these core competencies 24 shall be a collaborative effort to include professionals with 25 expertise in child welfare services and providers that will be 26 affected by the curriculum, to include, but not be limited to, 27 representatives from the community-based care lead agencies, 28 sheriffs' offices conducting child protection investigations, 29 and child welfare legal services providers. 30 (c) Notwithstanding s. 287.057(5) and (22), the 31 department shall competitively solicit and contract for the 9 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 development, validation, and periodic evaluation of the 2 training curricula for the established single integrated 3 preservice curriculum. No more than one training curriculum 4 may be developed for each specific subset of the core 5 competencies. 6 (6) ADVANCED TRAINING.--The Department of Children and 7 Family Services shall annually examine the advanced training 8 that is needed by persons who deliver child welfare services 9 in the state. This examination shall address whether the 10 current advanced training provided should be continued and 11 shall include the development of plans for incorporating any 12 revisions to the advanced training determined necessary. This 13 examination shall be conducted in collaboration with 14 professionals with expertise in child welfare services and 15 providers that will be affected by the curriculum, to include, 16 but not be limited to, representatives from the 17 community-based care lead agencies, sheriffs' offices 18 conducting child protection investigations, and child welfare 19 legal services' providers. 20 (7) CERTIFICATION AND TRAINER QUALIFICATIONS.--The 21 department shall, in collaboration with the professionals and 22 providers described in subsection (5), develop minimum 23 standards for a certification process that ensures that 24 participants have successfully attained the knowledge, skills, 25 and abilities necessary to competently carry out their work 26 responsibilities and shall develop minimum standards for 27 trainer qualifications which must be required of training 28 academies in the offering of the training curricula. Any 29 person providing child welfare services shall be required to 30 master the components of the preservice curriculum that are 31 particular to that person's work responsibilities. 10 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 (8)(5) ESTABLISHMENT OF TRAINING ACADEMIES.--The 2 department shall establish child welfare training academies as 3 part of a comprehensive system of child welfare training. In 4 establishing a program of training, the department may 5 contract for the operation of one or more training academies 6 with Tallahassee Community College to perform one or more of 7 the following: to offer one or more of the training curricula 8 developed under subsection (5); to administer the 9 certification process; to develop, validate, and periodically 10 evaluate additional training curricula determined to be 11 necessary, including advanced training that is specific to a 12 region or contractor, or that meets a particular training 13 need; or to offer the additional training curricula. The 14 number, location, and timeframe for establishment of 15 additional training academies shall be approved by the 16 Secretary of Children and Family Services who shall ensure 17 that the goals for the core competencies and the single 18 integrated preservice curriculum, the certification process, 19 the trainer qualifications, and the additional training needs 20 are addressed. Notwithstanding s. 287.057(5) and (22), the 21 department shall competitively solicit all training academy 22 contracts. 23 (9) MODIFICATION OF CHILD WELFARE TRAINING.--The core 24 competencies determined pursuant to subsection (5), the 25 minimum standards for the certification process and the 26 minimum standards for trainer qualifications established 27 pursuant to subsection (7), must be submitted to the 28 appropriate substantive committees of the Senate and the House 29 of Representatives before competitively soliciting either the 30 development,validation, or periodic evaluation of the training 31 curricula or the training academy contracts. 11 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 (10)(6) ADOPTION OF RULES.--The Department of Children 2 and Family Services shall adopt rules necessary to carry out 3 the provisions of this section. 4 Section 5. Section 402.401, Florida Statutes is 5 created to read: 6 402.401 Florida Child Welfare Student Loan Forgiveness 7 Program. 8 (1) There is created the Florida Child Welfare 9 Student Loan Forgiveness Program to be administered by the 10 Department of Education. The program shall provide loan 11 assistance to eligible students for upper-division 12 undergraduate and graduate study. The primary purpose of the 13 program is to attract capable and promising students to the 14 child welfare profession, increase employment and retention of 15 individuals who are working towards or who have received 16 either a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in social 17 work, or any human services subject area that qualifies the 18 individual for employment as a family services worker, and 19 provide opportunities for persons making midcareer decisions 20 to enter the child welfare profession. The State Board of 21 Education shall adopt rules necessary to administer the 22 program. 23 (2)(a) To be eligible for a program loan, a candidate 24 shall: 25 1. Be a full-time student at the upper-division 26 undergraduate or graduate level in a social work program 27 approved by the Council on Social Work leading to either a 28 bachelor's degree or a master's degree in social work or an 29 accredited human services degree program. 30 2. Have declared an intent to work in child welfare 31 for at least the number of years for which a forgivable loan 12 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 is received at the Department of Children and Family Services 2 or its successor, or with an eligible lead community-based 3 provider as defined in s. 409.1671. 4 3. If applying for an undergraduate forgivable loan, 5 have maintained a minimum cumulative grade point average of at 6 least a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate work. Renewal 7 applicants for undergraduate loans shall have maintained a 8 minimum cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.5 on a 9 4.0 scale for all undergraduate work and have earned at least 10 12 semester credits per term, or the equivalent. 11 4. If applying for a graduate forgivable loan, have 12 maintained an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 13 at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or have attained a Graduate 14 Record Examination score of at least 1,000. Renewal applicants 15 for graduate loans shall have maintained a minimum cumulative 16 grade point average of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all 17 graduate work and have earned at least 9 semester credits per 18 term, or the equivalent. 19 (b) An undergraduate forgivable loan may be awarded 20 for 2 undergraduate years, not to exceed $4,000 per year. 21 (c) A graduate forgivable loan may be awarded for 2 22 graduate years, not to exceed $8,000 per year. In addition to 23 meeting criteria specified in paragraph (a), a loan recipient 24 at the graduate level shall: 25 1. Hold a bachelor's degree from a school or 26 department of social work at any college or university 27 accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, or hold a 28 degree in a human services field from an accredited college or 29 university. 30 2. Not have received an undergraduate forgivable loan 31 as provided for in paragraph (b). 13 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 (d) The State Board of Education shall adopt by rule 2 repayment schedules and applicable interest rates under ss. 3 1009.82 and 1009.95. A forgivable loan must be repaid within 4 10 years after completion of a program of studies. 5 1. Credit for repayment of an undergraduate or 6 graduate forgivable loan shall be in an amount not to exceed 7 $4,000 in loan principal plus applicable accrued interest for 8 each full year of eligible service in the child welfare 9 profession. 10 2. Any forgivable loan recipient who fails to work at 11 the Department of Children and Family Services or its 12 successor, or with an eligible lead community-based provider 13 as defined in s. 409.1671, is responsible for repaying the 14 loan plus accrued interest at 8 percent annually. 15 3. Forgivable loan recipients may receive loan 16 repayment credit for child welfare service rendered at any 17 time during the scheduled repayment period. However, such 18 repayment credit shall be applicable only to the current 19 principal and accrued interest balance that remains at the 20 time the repayment credit is earned. No loan recipient shall 21 be reimbursed for previous cash payments of principal and 22 interest. 23 (3) This section shall be implemented only as 24 specifically funded. 25 Section 6. Subsection (7) of section 409.1451, Florida 26 Statutes, is amended, present subsection (8) of that section 27 is amended and redesignated as subsection (9) and a new 28 subsection (8) is added to that section, to read: 29 409.1451 Independent living transition services.-- 30 (7) INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES INTEGRATION 31 WORKGROUP.--The Secretary of Children and Family Services 14 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 shall establish the independent living services integration 2 workgroup, which, at a minimum, shall include representatives 3 from the Department of Children and Family Services, the 4 Agency for Workforce Innovation, the Department of Ed ucation, 5 the Agency for Health Care Administration, the State Youth 6 Advisory Board, Workforce Florida, Inc., and foster parents. 7 The workgroup shall assess the implementation and operation of 8 the system of independent living transition services and 9 advise the department on actions that would improve the 10 ability of the independent living transition services to meet 11 the established goals. The workgroup shall keep the department 12 informed of problems being experienced with the services, 13 barriers to the effective and efficient integration of 14 services and support across systems, for the transition of 15 older children in foster care to independent living. and 16 successes that the system of independent living transition 17 services has achieved. The department shall consider, but is 18 not required to implement the recommendations of the 19 workgroup. For the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 fiscal years, the 20 workgroup shall report to the appropriate substantive 21 committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on the 22 status of the implementation of the system of independent 23 living transition services; efforts to publicize the 24 availability of aftercare support services, the 25 Road-to-Independence Scholarship Program, and transitional 26 support services; specific barriers to financial aid created 27 by the scholarship and possible solutions; the success of the 28 services; problems identified; recommendations for department 29 or legislative action; and the department's implementation of 30 the recommendations contained in the Independent Living 31 Services Integration Workgroup Report submitted to the Senate 15 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 and the House substantive committees December 31, 2002. This 2 workgroup report is to be submitted by December 31, 2003, and 3 December 31, 2004, and shall be accompanied by a report from 4 the department which identifies the recommendations of the 5 workgroup and either describes the department's actions to 6 implement these recommendations or provides the department's 7 rationale for not implementing the recommendations. The 8 workgroup shall recommend methods to overcome these barriers 9 and shall ensure that the state plan for federal funding for 10 the independent living transition services includes these 11 recommendations. The workgroup shall report to appropriate 12 legislative committees of the Senate and the House of 13 Representatives by December 31, 2002. Specific issues and 14 recommendations to be addressed by the workgroup include: 15 (a) Enacting the Medicaid provision of the federal 16 Foster Care Independence Act of 1999, Pub. L. No. 106-169, 17 which allows young adults formerly in foster care to receive 18 medical coverage up to 21 years of age. 19 (b) Extending the age of Medicaid coverage from 21 to 20 23 years of age for young adults formerly in foster care in 21 order to enable such youth to complete a postsecondary 22 education degree. 23 (c) Encouraging the regional workforce boards to 24 provide priority employment and support for eligible foster 25 care participants receiving independent living transition 26 services. 27 (d) Facilitating transfers between schools when 28 changes in foster care placements occur. 29 (e) Identifying mechanisms to increase the legal 30 authority of foster parents and staff of the department or its 31 agent to provide for the age-appropriate care of older 16 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 children in foster care, including enrolling a child in 2 school, signing for a practice driver's license for the child 3 under s. 322.09(4), cosigning loans and insurance for the 4 child, signing for the child's medical treatment, and 5 authorizing other similar activities as appropriate. 6 (f) Transferring the allowance of spending money that 7 is provided by the department each month directly to an older 8 child in the program through an electronic benefit transfer 9 program. The purpose of the transfer is to allow these 10 children to access and manage the allowance they receive in 11 order to learn responsibility and participate in 12 age-appropriate life skills activities. 13 (g) Identifying other barriers to normalcy for a child 14 in foster care. 15 (8) PERSONAL PROPERTY. - Property acquired on behalf 16 of clients of this program shall become the personal property 17 of the clients and is not subject to the requirements of 18 chapter 273 relating to state-owned tangible personal 19 property. Such property continues to be subject to applicable 20 federal laws. 21 (9)(8) RULEMAKING.--The department shall adopt by rule 22 procedures to administer this section, including provision for 23 the proportional reduction of scholarship a wards when 24 adequate funds are not available for all applicants. These 25 rules shall balance the goals of normalcy and safety for the 26 youth and provide the caregivers with as much flexibility as 27 possible to enable the youth to participate in normal life 28 experiences. The department shall engage in appropriate 29 planning to prevent, to the extent possible, a reduction in 30 scholarship awards after issuance. 31 Section 7. Paragraphs (a), (b), and (d) of subsection 17 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 (1) of section 409.1671, Florida Statutes, are amended, new 2 paragraphs (c) and (d) are added to subsection (1) and present 3 paragraphs (c) through (k) of subsection (1) are redesignated 4 as paragraphs (e) through (m), and subsections (3) and (4) of 5 that section are amended, to read: 6 409.1671 Foster care and related services; 7 privatization.-- 8 (1)(a) It is the intent of the Legislature that the 9 Department of Children and Family Services shall privatize the 10 provision of foster care and related services statewide. It is 11 further the Legislature's intent to encourage communities and 12 other stakeholders in the well-being of children to 13 participate in assuring that children are safe and 14 well-nurtured. However, while recognizing that some local 15 governments are presently funding portions of certain foster 16 care and related services programs and may choose to expand 17 such funding in the future, the Legislature does not intend by 18 its privatization of foster care and related services that any 19 county, municipality, or special district be required to 20 assist in funding programs that previously have been funded by 21 the state. Counties that provide children and family services 22 with at least forty licensed residential group care beds by 23 July 1, 2003, and provide at least $2.0 million annually in 24 county general revenue funds to supplement foster and family 25 care services shall continue to contract directly with the 26 state and shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. 27 Nothing in this paragraph prohibits any county, municipality, 28 or special district from future voluntary funding 29 participation in foster care and related services. As used in 30 this section, the term "privatize" means to contract with 31 competent, community-based agencies. The department shall 18 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 submit a plan to accomplish privatization statewide, through a 2 competitive process, phased in over a 3-year period beginning 3 January 1, 2000. This plan must be developed with local 4 community participation, including, but not limited to, input 5 from community-based providers that are currently under 6 contract with the department to furnish community-based foster 7 care and related services, and must include a methodology for 8 determining and transferring all available funds, including 9 federal funds that the provider is eligible for and agrees to 10 earn and that portion of general revenue funds which is 11 currently associated with the services that are being 12 furnished under contract. The methodology must provide for the 13 transfer of funds appropriated and budgeted for all services 14 and programs that have been incorporated into the project, 15 including all management, capital (including current furniture 16 and equipment), and administrative funds to accomplish the 17 transfer of these programs. This methodology must address 18 expected workload and at least the 3 previous years' 19 experience in expenses and workload. With respect to any 20 district or portion of a district in which privatization 21 cannot be accomplished within the 3-year timeframe, the 22 department must clearly state in its plan the reasons the 23 timeframe cannot be met and the efforts that should be made to 24 remediate the obstacles, which may include alternatives to 25 total privatization, such as public-private partnerships. As 26 used in this section, the term "related services" includes, 27 but is not limited to, family preservation, independent 28 living, emergency shelter, residential group care, foster 29 care, therapeutic foster care, intensive residential 30 treatment, foster care supervision, case management, 31 postplacement supervision, permanent foster care, and family 19 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 reunification. Unless otherwise provided for, beginning in 2 fiscal year 1999-2000, either the state attorney or the Office 3 of the Attorney General shall provide child welfare legal 4 services, pursuant to chapter 39 and other relevant 5 provisions, in Sarasota, Pinellas, and Pasco, Broward, and 6 Manatee Counties. Such legal services shall commence and be 7 effective, as soon as determined reasonably feasible by the 8 respective state attorney or the Office of the Attorney 9 General, after the privatization of associated programs and 10 child protective investigations has occurred. When a private 11 nonprofit agency has received case management 12 responsibilities, transferred from the state under this 13 section, for a child who is sheltered or found to be dependent 14 and who is assigned to the care of the privatization project, 15 the agency may act as the child's guardian for the purpose of 16 registering the child in school if a parent or guardian of the 17 child is unavailable and his or her whereabouts cannot 18 reasonably be ascertained. The private nonprofit agency may 19 also seek emergency medical attention for such a child, but 20 only if a parent or guardian of the child is unavailable, his 21 or her whereabouts cannot reasonably be ascertained, and a 22 court order for such emergency medical services cannot be 23 obtained because of the severity of the emergency or because 24 it is after normal working hours. However, the provider may 25 not consent to sterilization, abortion, or termination of life 26 support. If a child's parents' rights have been terminated, 27 the nonprofit agency shall act as guardian of the child in all 28 circumstances. 29 (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the 30 department will continue to work towards full privatization in 31 a manner that assures the viability of the community-based 20 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 system of care and best provides for the safety of children in 2 the child protection system. To this end, the department is 3 directed to continue the process of privatizing services in 4 those counties in which signed start-up contracts have been 5 executed. The department may also continue to enter into 6 start-up contracts with additional counties. However, no 7 services shall be transferred to a community-based care lead 8 agency until the department, in consultation with the local 9 community alliance, has determined and certified in writing to 10 the Governor and the Legislature that the district is prepared 11 to transition the provision of services to the lead agency and 12 that the lead agency is ready to deliver and be accountable 13 for such service provision. In making this determination the 14 Department shall conduct a readiness assessment of the 15 district and the lead agency. 16 1. The assessment shall evaluate the operational 17 readiness of the district and the lead agency based on: 18 a. A set of uniform criteria, developed in consultation 19 with currently operating community based care lead agencies 20 and reflecting national accreditation standards, that evaluate 21 programmatic, financial, technical assistance, training and 22 organizational competencies; and 23 b. Local criteria reflective of the local community 24 based care design and the community alliance priorities. 25 2. The readiness assessment shall be conducted by a 26 joint team of district and lead agency staff with direct 27 experience with the startup and operation of a community based 28 care service program and representatives from the appropriate 29 community alliance. Within resources available for this 30 purpose, the department may secure outside audit expertise 31 when necessary to assist a readiness assessment team. 21 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 3. Upon completion of a readiness assessment the 2 assessment team shall conduct an exit conference with the 3 district and lead agency staff responsible for the transition 4 4. Within 30 days following the exit conference with 5 staff of each district and lead agency, the Secretary shall 6 certify in writing to the Governor and Legislature that both 7 the district and the lead agency are prepared to begin the 8 transition of service provision based on the results of the 9 readiness assessment and the exit conference. The document of 10 certification must include specific evidence of readiness on 11 each element of the readiness instrument utilized by the 12 assessment team as well as a description of each element of 13 readiness needing improvement and strategies being implemented 14 to address each one. 15 (c) The Auditor General and the Office of Program 16 Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA), in 17 consultation with The Child Welfare League of America and the 18 Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, shall 19 jointly review and assess the department's process for 20 determining district and lead agency readiness. 21 1. The review must, at a minimum, address the 22 appropriateness of the readiness criteria and instruments 23 applied, the appropriateness of the qualifications of 24 participants on each readiness assessment team, the degree to 25 which the department accurately determined each district and 26 lead agency's compliance with the readiness criteria, the 27 quality of the technical assistance provided by the department 28 to a lead agency in correcting any weaknesses identified in 29 the readiness assessment, and the degree to which each lead 30 agency overcame any identified weaknesses. 31 2. Reports of these reviews must be submitted to the 22 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 appropriate substantive and appropriations committees in the 2 Senate and House of Representatives on March 1 and September 1 3 of each year until full transition to community-based care has 4 been accomplished statewide, except that the first report must 5 be submitted by February 1, 2004, and must address all 6 readiness activities undertaken through June 30,2003. The 7 perspectives of all participants in this review process must 8 be included in each report. 9 (d) In communities where economic or demographic 10 constraints make it impossible or not feasible to 11 competitively contract with a lead agency, the department 12 shall develop an alternative plan in collaboration with the 13 local community alliance, which may include establishing 14 innovative geographical configurations or consortiums of 15 agencies. The plan must detail how the community will continue 16 to implement community-based care through competitively 17 procuring either the specific components of foster care and 18 related services or comprehensive services for defined 19 eligible populations of children and families from qualified 20 licensed agencies as part of its efforts to develop the local 21 capacity for a community-based system of coordinated care. The 22 plan must ensure local control over the management and 23 administration of the service provision in accordance with the 24 intent of this section and may include recognized best 25 business practices, including some form of public or private 26 partnerships. by initiating the competitive procurement 27 process in each county by January 1, 2003. In order to provide 28 for an adequate transition period to develop the necessary 29 administrative and service delivery capacity in each 30 community, the full transfer of all foster care and related 31 services must be completed statewide by December 31, 2004. 23 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 (f)(d)1. If attempts to competitively procure services 2 through an eligible lead community-based provider as defined 3 in paragraph (c) do not produce a capable and willing agency, 4 the department shall develop a plan in collaboration with the 5 local community alliance. The plan must detail how the 6 community will continue to implement privatization, to be 7 accomplished by December 31, 2004, through competitively 8 procuring either the specific components of foster care and 9 related services or comprehensive services for defined 10 eligible populations of children and families from qualified 11 licensed agencies as part of its efforts to develop the local 12 capacity for a community-based system of coordinated care. The 13 plan must ensure local control over the management and 14 administration of the service provision in accordance with the 15 intent of this section and may include recognized best 16 business practices, including some form of public or private 17 partnerships. In the absence of a community alliance, the plan 18 must be submitted to the President of the Senate and the 19 Speaker of the House of Representatives for their comments. 20 1.2. The Legislature finds that the state has 21 traditionally provided foster care services to children who 22 have been the responsibility of the state. As such, foster 23 children have not had the right to recover for injuries beyond 24 the limitations specified in s. 768.28. The Legislature has 25 determined that foster care and related services need to be 26 privatized pursuant to this section and that the provision of 27 such services is of paramount importance to the state. The 28 purpose for such privatization is to increase the level of 29 safety, security, and stability of children who are or become 30 the responsibility of the state. One of the components 31 necessary to secure a safe and stable environment for such 24 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 children is that private providers maintain liability 2 insurance. As such, insurance needs to be available and remain 3 available to nongovernmental foster care and related services 4 providers without the resources of such providers being 5 significantly reduced by the cost of maintaining such 6 insurance. 7 2.3. The Legislature further finds that, by requiring 8 the following minimum levels of insurance, children in 9 privatized foster care and related services will gain 10 increased protection and rights of recovery in the event of 11 injury than provided for in s. 768.28. 12 (3)(a) In order to help ensure a seamless child 13 protection system, the department shall ensure that contracts 14 entered into with community-based agencies pursuant to this 15 section include provisions for a case-transfer process to 16 determine the date that the community-based agency will 17 initiate the appropriate services for a child and family. This 18 case-transfer process must clearly identify the closure of the 19 protective investigation and the initiation of service 20 provision. At the point of case transfer, and at the 21 conclusion of an investigation, the department must provide a 22 complete summary of the findings of the investigation to the 23 community-based agency. 24 (b) The contracts must also ensure that each 25 community-based agency shall furnish information on its 26 activities in all cases in client case records. A provider may 27 not discontinue services on any voluntary case without prior 28 written notification to the department 30 days before planned 29 case closure. If the department disagrees with the recommended 30 case closure date, written notification to the provider must 31 be provided before the case closure date. 25 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 (c) The contract between the department and 2 community-based agencies must include provisions that specify 3 the procedures to be used by the parties to resolve 4 differences in interpreting the contract or to resolve 5 disputes as to the adequacy of the parties' compliance with 6 their respective obligations under the contract. 7 (d) Each contract with an eligible lead 8 community-based provider shall provide for the payment by the 9 department to the provider of a reasonable administrative cost 10 in addition to funding for the provision of services. 11 (4)(a) The department shall establish a quality 12 assurance program for privatized services. The quality 13 assurance program shall be based on standards established by a 14 national accrediting organization such as the Council on 15 Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, Inc. 16 (COA) or CARF--the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission. 17 The department may develop a request for proposal for such 18 oversight. This program must be developed and administered at 19 a statewide level. The Legislature intends that the department 20 be permitted to have limited flexibility to use funds for 21 improving quality assurance. To this end, effective January 1, 22 2000, the department may transfer up to 0.125 percent of the 23 total funds from categories used to pay for these 24 contractually provided services, but the total amount of such 25 transferred funds may not exceed $300,000 in any fiscal year. 26 When necessary, the department may establish, in accordance 27 with s. 216.177, additional positions that will be exclusively 28 devoted to these functions. Any positions required under this 29 paragraph may be established, notwithstanding ss. 30 216.262(1)(a) and 216.351. The department, in consultation 31 with the community-based agencies that are undertaking the 26 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 privatized projects, shall establish minimum thresholds for 2 each component of service, consistent with standards 3 established by the Legislature and the Federal Government. 4 Each program operated under contract with a community-based 5 agency must be evaluated annually by the department. The 6 department shall, to the extent possible, use independent 7 financial audits provided by the community-based care agency 8 to eliminate or reduce the ongoing contract and administrative 9 reviews conducted by the department. The department may 10 suggest additional items to be included in such independent 11 financial audits to meet the department's needs. Should the 12 department determine that such independent financial audits 13 are inadequate, then other audits, as necessary, may be 14 conducted by the department. Nothing herein shall abrogate the 15 requirements of s. 215.97. The department shall submit an 16 annual report regarding quality performance, outcome measure 17 attainment, and cost efficiency to the President of the 18 Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the 19 minority leader of each house of the Legislature, and the 20 Governor no later than January 31 of each year for each 21 project in operation during the preceding fiscal year. 22 (b) The department shall use these findings in making 23 recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature for future 24 program and funding priorities in the child welfare system. 25 Section 8. Section 409.16745, Florida Statutes, is 26 amended to read: 27 409.16745 Community partnership matching grant 28 program.--It is the intent of the Legislature to improve 29 services and local participation in community-based care 30 initiatives by fostering community support and providing 31 enhanced prevention and in-home services, thereby reducing the 27 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 risk otherwise faced by lead agencies. There is established a 2 community partnership matching grant program to be operated by 3 the Department of Children and Family Services for the purpose 4 of encouraging local participation in community-based care for 5 child welfare. Any children's services council or other local 6 government entity that makes a financial commitment to a 7 community-based care lead agency is eligible for a grant upon 8 proof that the children's services council or local government 9 entity has provided the selected lead agency at least $250,000 10 $825,000 in start up funds, from any local resources otherwise 11 available to it. The total amount of local contribution may be 12 matched on a two-for-one basis up to a maximum amount of $2 13 million per council or local government entity. Awarded 14 matching grant funds may be used for any prevention or in-home 15 services provided by the children's services council or other 16 local government entity that meets 17 temporary-assistance-for-needy-families' eligibility 18 requirements and can be reasonably expected to reduce the 19 number of children entering the child welfare system. To 20 ensure necessary flexibility for the development, start up, 21 and ongoing operation of community-based care initiatives, the 22 notice period required for any budget action authorized by the 23 provisions of s. 20.19(5)(b), is waived for the family safety 24 program; however, the Department of Children and Family 25 Services must provide copies of all such actions to the 26 Executive Office of the Governor and Legislature within 72 27 hours of their occurrence. Funding available for the matching 28 grant program is subject to legislative appropriation of 29 nonrecurring temporary-assistance-for-needy-families funds 30 provided for the purpose. 31 Section 9. Subsection (3) of section 409.175, Florida 28 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 Statutes, is amended to read: 2 409.175 Licensure of family foster homes, residential 3 child-caring agencies, and child-placing agencies.-- 4 (3)(a) The total number of children placed in each 5 family foster home shall be based on the recommendation of the 6 department, or the community-based care lead agency where one 7 is providing foster care and related services, based on the 8 needs of each child in care, the ability of the foster family 9 to meet the individual needs of each child, including any 10 adoptive or biological children living in the home, the amount 11 of safe physical plant space, the ratio of active and 12 appropriate adult supervision, and the background, experience, 13 and skill of the family foster parents. 14 (b) If the total number of children in a family foster 15 home will exceed five, including the family's own children, an 16 a comprehensive behavioral health assessment of each child to 17 be placed in the home must be completed by a family services 18 counselor and approved in writing by the counselor's 19 supervisor prior to placement of any additional children in 20 the home, except that, if the placement involves a child whose 21 sibling is already in the home or a child who has been in 22 placement in the home previously, the assessment must be 23 completed within 72 hours after placement. The comprehensive 24 behavioral health assessment must comply with Medicaid rules 25 and regulations, assess and document the mental, physical, and 26 psychosocial needs of the child, and recommend the maximum 27 number of children in a family foster home that will allow the 28 child's needs to be met. 29 (c) For any licensed family foster home, the 30 appropriateness of the number of children in the home must be 31 reassessed annually as part of the relicensure process. For a 29 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 home with more than five children, if it is determined by the 2 licensure study at the time of relicensure that the total 3 number of children in the home is appropriate and that there 4 have been no substantive licensure violations and no 5 indications of child maltreatment or child-on-child sexual 6 abuse within the past 12 months, the relicensure of the home 7 shall not be denied based on the total number of children in 8 the home. 9 Section 10. Section 409.953, Florida Statutes, is 10 amended to read: 11 409.953 Rulemaking authority for refugee assistance 12 program.-- 13 (1) The Department of Children and Family Services has 14 the authority shall adopt rules to administer the eligibility 15 requirements for the refugee assistance program in accordance 16 with 45 C.F.R. Part 400 and 401. The Department of Children 17 and Family Services or a child-placing or child-caring agency 18 designated by the department may petition in circuit court to 19 establish custody. Upon making a finding that a child is an 20 Unaccompanied Refugee Minor as defined in 45 C.F.R. Sec. 21 400.111, the court may establish custody and placement of the 22 child in the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Program. 23 (2) The Department of Children and Family Services 24 shall adopt any rules necessary for the implementation and 25 administration of this section. 26 Section 11. Section 937.021, Florida Statutes, is 27 amended to read: 28 937.021 Missing child reports.-- 29 (1) Upon the filing of a police report that a child is 30 missing by the parent or guardian, the law enforcement agency 31 receiving the report written notification shall immediately 30 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 inform all on-duty law enforcement officers of the existence 2 of the missing child report, communicate the report to every 3 other law enforcement agency having jurisdiction in the 4 county, and transmit the report for inclusion within the 5 Florida Crime Information Center computer. 6 2) A police report that a child is missing may be 7 filed with the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction in 8 the county or municipality in which the child was last seen 9 prior to the filing of the report, without regard to whether 10 the child resides in or has any significant contacts with that 11 county or municipality. The filing of such a report shall 12 impose the duties specified in subsection (1) upon that law 13 enforcement agency. 14 Section 12. The Office of Program Policy Analysis and 15 Government Accountability shall prepare an evaluation of child 16 welfare legal services to be submitted to the President of the 17 Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the 18 Governor, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, by 19 December 31, 2003. The evaluation shall consider different 20 models of provision of legal services in dependency 21 proceedings on behalf of the state, including representation 22 by other government, for profit, or not for profit entities, 23 and include discussion of the organizational placement on the 24 cost and delivery of providing these services; the 25 organizational placement's effect on communication between 26 attorneys and caseworkers; the ability to attract, retain and 27 provide professional development opportunities for experienced 28 attorneys; and the implications of each model for the 29 attorney's professional responsibilities. Following receipt of 30 the report of this evaluation and until directed otherwise by 31 the Legislature, the department shall maintain its current 31 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 delivery system for the provision of child welfare legal 2 services. 3 4 (Redesignate subsequent sections.) 5 6 7 ================ T I T L E A M E N D M E N T =============== 8 And the title is amended as follows: 9 On page 1, lines 2 through 23, delete those lines 10 11 and insert: 12 An act relating to Social Services; creating 13 the "Local Funding Revenue Maximization Act"; 14 providing legislative intent; defining the term 15 "agency" for purposes of the act; providing 16 requirements for state agencies that provide 17 health services, social services, or human 18 services; providing requirements for the use of 19 certain public revenues as local matching funds 20 and for the uses of federal reimbursements 21 received as a result of the certification of 22 local matching funds; providing for agreements 23 between agencies and local political 24 subdivisions; requiring agencies and local 25 political subdivisions to cooperate in 26 modifying state plans and in seeking and 27 implementing any necessary federal waivers; 28 providing for administrative costs; providing 29 for interest on certain unpaid funds; requiring 30 agencies to submit annual reports to the 31 Governor and to legislative leaders; amending 32 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 S. 39.202, F.S.; clarifying a right to access 2 to records for certain attorneys and providing 3 a right to access for employees and agents of 4 educational institutions; authorizing the 5 Department of Children and Family Services and 6 specified law enforcement agencies to release 7 certain information when a child is under 8 investigation or supervision; providing an 9 exception; providing that persons releasing 10 such information are not subject to civil or 11 criminal penalty for the release; providing for 12 an additional circumstance for release of 13 otherwise confidential records; amending s. 14 402.305, F.S.; directing the Department of 15 Children and Family Services to adopt a rule 16 related to child care definition; amending s. 17 402.40, F.S.; removing Tallahassee Community 18 College as the sole contract provider for child 19 welfare training academies; providing for 20 development of core competencies; providing for 21 advanced training; modifying requirements for 22 the establishment of training academies; 23 providing for modification of child welfare 24 training; creating s. 402.401, F.S.; creating 25 the Child Welfare Student Loan Forgiveness 26 Program; providing for eligibility 27 requirements; providing terms of repayment; 28 amending s. 409.1451, F.S.; providing duties 29 for the Independent Living Services Workgroup; 30 making an exception for personal property of 31 independent living clients; amending s. 33 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 409.1671, F.S.; deleting the requirement for 2 contracts for legal services in certain 3 counties; providing for the continuation of 4 privatization of foster care and related 5 services; providing for a readiness assessment 6 and written certification; deleting certain 7 termination of services notice requirements; 8 requiring the payment of certain administrative 9 costs incurred by lead community-based 10 providers; deleting an obsolete effective date; 11 providing for independent financial audits; 12 amending s. 409.16745, F.S.; changing 13 eligibility requirements for participation in 14 the community partnership matching grant 15 program; amending s. 409.175, F.S.; providing 16 for an assessment by a family services 17 counselor and approval by a supervisor, rather 18 than a comprehensive behavioral health 19 assessment, of children in certain family 20 foster homes; amending s. 409.953, F.S.; 21 providing the Department of Children and 22 Families authority to administer the Refugee 23 Assistance Program; providing for custody 24 determination and placement of unaccompanied 25 refugee minors; amending s. 937.021, F.S.; 26 providing for the filing of police reports for 27 missing children in the county or municipality 28 where the child was last seen; providing for an 29 evaluation of child welfare legal services by 30 the Office of Program Policy Analysis and 31 Government Accountability; providing an 34 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab
SENATE AMENDMENT Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1454 Amendment No. ___ Barcode 040462 1 effective date. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 35 12:04 PM 04/25/03 s1454.cf07.ab