The Florida Senate

¹39.4052  Affirmative duty of written notice to adult relatives.--

(1)  When a child is taken into care pursuant to this part, adult relatives made known to the department by a parent or custodian of a child shall be provided with written notice from the department which states:

(a)  The nature, time, and place of the pending proceeding.

(b)  The various possible outcomes both of the impending proceeding and of future proceedings including termination of parental rights, reunification, foster care placement, long-term foster care placement, and shelter care.

(c)  That the adult relatives may be evaluated for temporary custody of the child.

(d)  That the adult relatives may maintain or establish a relationship with a child in care through visitation or other contacts.

(e)  That the adult relatives may choose not to receive further notice regarding future proceedings.

(2)  Notice of future proceedings shall be provided to the adult relative, unless he or she requests in writing that such notice be discontinued or the court excuses further notice for good cause shown.

(3)  The department shall make a good faith attempt to provide the written notice required by this section as soon as possible after the identity of the adult relative is made known to the department.

History.--s. 7, ch. 97-276.

¹Note.--Effective July 1, 1998.