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The Florida Senate

CS/SB 60 — Children Obtaining Driver Licenses

by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee; and Senators Bean, Rodriguez, and Stargel

This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.

Prepared by: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee (CF)

CS/SB 60 (Chapter 2017-8, L.O.F.) addresses children in foster care obtaining driver licenses. Such children in the foster care system often face barriers to participating in everyday life experiences common to other young people their age. These life experiences are a part of how all children are prepared for the responsibilities they will assume as adults. Florida law supports the participation of children in out-of-home care in age-appropriate activities.

The bill removes the pilot status of the program that provides funding to pay the cost for driver education, licensure, and motor vehicle insurance for children in out-of-home care and expands eligibility for the program to children who are in relative and non-relative placements. In addition, it allows children to continue receiving benefits for up to six months after having achieved permanency or turning 18 years of age.

The bill requires the child’s transition plan and the court to address the issue of a child in care being able to obtain a driver license.

The bill also provides that a guardian ad litem, when authorized by a minor’s caregiver, may sign for the minor’s learner’s driver license and not assume any obligation or liability for damages caused by the minor.

The current program is funded with a recurring appropriation of $800,000 and should require no additional resources for the proposed expansion.

These provisions were approved by the Governor on May 1, 2017 and take effect upon becoming a law.

Vote: Senate 37-0; House 116-0