The Florida Senate

39.623  Long-term licensed custody.--The court may approve placement of the child in long-term licensed custody, as a permanency option, when all of the following conditions are met:

(1)  The child is 14 years of age or older.

(2)  The child is living in a licensed home and the foster parents desire to provide care for the child on a permanent basis and the foster parents and the child do not desire adoption.

(3)  The foster parents have made a commitment to provide for the child until he or she reaches the age of majority and to prepare the child for adulthood and independence.

(4)  The child has remained in the home for a continuous period of no less than 12 months.

(5)  The foster parents and the child view one another as family and consider living together as the best place for the child to be on a permanent basis.

(6)  The department's social services study recommends such placement and finds the child's well-being has been promoted through living with the foster parents.

Notwithstanding the retention of jurisdiction and supervision by the department, long-term licensed custody placements made pursuant to this section shall be considered a permanency option for the child. For purposes of this section, supervision by the department shall be defined as a minimum of semiannual visits. The order placing the child in long-term licensed custody as a permanency option shall set forth the powers of the foster parents of the child and shall include the powers ordinarily granted to a guardian of the person of a minor unless otherwise specified. The court may modify the permanency option of long-term licensed custody if it finds that the placement is no longer in the best interest of the child.

History.--s. 30, ch. 2000-139.