CS/CS/HB 1055 — Child Protection
by Health and Human Services Committee; Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee; and Rep. Harrell and others (CS/CS/SB 760 by Fiscal Policy Committee; Health Policy Committee; and Senators Bradley and Sobel)
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)
The bill requires the Statewide Medical Director for Child Protection to be a physician licensed under chs. 458 or 459, F.S., who is board certified in pediatrics with a subspecialty certification in child abuse from the American Board of Pediatrics.
The bill requires each district medical director to be a physician licensed under chs. 458 or 459, F.S. The bill also requires a district medical director to be either board certified in pediatrics with a subspecialty certification in child abuse from the American Board of Pediatrics or hold a credential from a third-party entity within 4 years from the date of employment or, if currently employed, within 4 years of July 1, 2015.
The bill requires all medical personnel participating on a child protection team to successfully complete the required child protection team training curriculum.
The bill also provides that a critical incident rapid response team (CIRRT) must include a child protection team medical director. A CIRRT is a multiagency team required to conduct an immediate investigation of child deaths or other serious incidents involving children in the child welfare system. The purpose of the investigation is to identify root causes of the death or other incident and rapidly determine the need to change policies and practices related to child protection and child welfare.
The bill allows physicians with expert witness certificates under ss. 458.3175(2) and 459.0066, F.S., to provide expert testimony in criminal child abuse and neglect cases
Subject to a specific appropriation, the Department of Health must approve one or more third-party credentialing entities for the purpose of developing and administering a professional credentialing program for medical directors.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2015.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 113-1