CS/HB 329 — Child Protection
by Health and Human Services Committee and Reps. Harrell and others (SB 762 by Senator Baxley)
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/HB 329 relates to child visitation where a parent resides in a recovery residence, or sober home, because of a drug or alcohol addiction. The bill provides that in such cases, a court-ordered time-sharing plan may not require a minor child to visit a parent between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. if that parent lives in a recovery residence. The bill provides as a condition of certification by the Department of Children and Families that a recovery residence may not allow a child to visit a resident parent during those hours. The bill also prohibits court-ordered visitation of a minor child to a recovery residence where a sexual predator or sexual offender resides.
The bill is intended to clarify that a minor child cannot be required by a court, through a time-sharing plan, to visit overnight with a parent that resides in a substance abuse recovery residence.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2017.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 117-0