The Florida Senate

984.11  Services to families in need of services.--

(1)  Services and treatment to families in need of services shall be by voluntary agreement of the parent or legal guardian and the child or as directed by a court order pursuant to s. 984.22.

(2)  These services may include, but need not be limited to:

(a)  Homemaker or parent aide services.

(b)  Intensive crisis counseling.

(c)  Parent training.

(d)  Individual, group, or family counseling.

(e)  Community mental health services.

(f)  Prevention and diversion services.

(g)  Services provided by voluntary or community agencies.

(h)  Runaway center services.

(i)  Housekeeper services.

(j)  Special educational, tutorial, or remedial services.

(k)  Vocational, job training, or employment services.

(l)  Recreational services.

(m)  Assessment.

(3)  The department shall advise the parents or legal guardian that they are responsible for contributing to the cost of the child or family services and treatment to the extent of their ability to pay. The department shall set and charge fees for services and treatment provided to clients. The department may employ a collection agency for the purpose of receiving, collecting, and managing the payment of unpaid and delinquent fees. The collection agency must be registered and in good standing under chapter 559. The department may pay to the collection agency a fee from the amount collected under the claim or may authorize the agency to deduct the fee from the amount collected.

(4)  The department may file a petition with the circuit court to enforce the collection of fees for services and treatment rendered to the child or the parent and other legal custodians.

History.--s. 8, ch. 87-133; s. 4, ch. 90-53; s. 23, ch. 96-398; s. 97, ch. 97-238; s. 6, ch. 97-281.

Note.--Former s. 39.424.