Children & family law.

CS/CS/CS/SB 1476--Department of Children and Family Services/Contracts/Service Provider

The bill removes a provision of law exempting the Department of Children and Family Services from the requirements of ch. 287, F.S. In addition, the bill requires that, when DCF uses the exemption from competitive procurement set forth in [section]287.057(5)(f)13., F.S., to procure services from postsecondary institutions, DCF must provide an opportunity for all postsecondary institutions to bid on the procurement. The bill provides that when this exemption is used, it applies only to the contract between DCF and the postsecondary institution and not to any services or commodities provided by the postsecondary institution agency through a private vendor. The bill sets forth the requirements and processes for DCF contract managers and contract monitors. The bill authorizes DCF to enter into agreements, not to exceed 23 years, with a private contractor to finance, design, and construct a secure facility, as described in [section]394.917, F.S., of at least 600 beds and to operate all aspects of daily operation within the facility. It describes allowable financing structures for the facility and directs DCF to begin implementation of this initiative by July 1, 2005. This section of the bill is repealed July 1, 2006. The bill directs the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to conduct two reviews of the contract management and accountability structures of DCF and to report its findings to the Legislature by February 1, 2006 and February 1, 2007. The bill amends [section]409.1671, F.S., to conform definitions. If approved by the governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2005.

SB 904--Privatization of Foster Care

This bill relieves community-based care agencies and their subcontractors providing foster care and related services from the obligation of including references to the State of Florida or including the logo of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in their advertising and descriptions of their programs unless the agency or subcontractor receives more than 35 percent of their total funding from the state. Approved by the governor on June 1, 2005, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.

CS/CS/CS/SB 1314--Independent Living

This bill amends [section]39.013, F.S., authorizing a youth in foster care to petition the court for continued jurisdiction for up to one year after their 18th birthday for the purpose of determining whether appropriate services have been provided to the formerly dependent foster child. This bill further provides for continued court jurisdiction up to the 22nd birthday for those formerly in foster care with pending Special Immigrant Visa status solely for the purpose of allowing the continued consideration of the petition and application by federal authorities. The court is directed to encourage the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem office to provide greater representation to foster children aging out of foster care. This bill amends [section]39.701, F.S., requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to provide information in each judicial review report that the young adult was informed regarding the Medicaid program; of the young adult's right to petition the court for continued jurisdiction; that, if eligible for the Road-to-Independence Scholarship, of the young adult's ability to remain in a licensed foster home; and that the child has been encouraged to attend all judicial review hearings occurring after their 17th birthday. This bill also amends [section]409.1451, F.S., expanding the young adult's current right to remain with the licensed foster family or group care provider with whom the child was residing at the time of reaching their 18th birthday, to provide that the young adult may reside in another licensed foster home or group care provider arranged by the department. Additionally, this bill requires the department to enroll in the Florida KidCare program young adults who were formerly in foster care if they do not have health insurance or are not eligible for Medicaid and requires the Independent Living Advisory Council to study and report to the Legislature on the most effective way of providing health insurance for young adults formerly in foster care not eligible for the Florida KidCare program. A nonrecurring sum of $1,100,000 is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Children and Family Services to implement the provisions of this act. If approved by the governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2005.

CS/CS/SB 758--Child Protective Investigations

The bill prohibits the use of information contained in a report from a closed investigation of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment in any way which adversely affects the interests of a person when that person has not been identified as a caregiver responsible for the abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The prohibition extends to closed investigations of institutional abuse, neglect, or abandonment, as well, but the legislation provides that when the person is a licensee of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCF), the information may be considered if relevant in relicensing or revocation-of-license decisions when three or more instances have occurred over a five-year period. The bill also authorizes staff of a children's advocacy center to access DCF records generated as a result of reports of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the child abuse hotline. All records of such reports and all records resulting from those reports are currently made confidential and exempt by the provisions of [section]39.202, F.S., and are available only to entities listed in [section]39.202, F.S. This bill adds the staff of children's advocacy centers to the list of those who may have access to the reports. If approved by the governor, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.