CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.


H

Senator Dudley moved the following amendment:



                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    

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11  Senator Dudley moved the following amendment:

12

13         Senate Amendment (with title amendment) 

14         Delete everything after the enacting clause

15

16  and insert:

17         Section 1.  Part I of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

18  consisting of sections 39.001, 39.01, 39.011, 39.012, 39.0121,

19  39.013, 39.0131, 39.0132, 39.0133, 39.0134, and 39.0135,

20  Florida Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

21                              PART I

22                        GENERAL PROVISIONS

23         Section 2.  Section 39.001, Florida Statutes, is

24  amended to read:

25         39.001  Purposes and intent; personnel standards and

26  screening.--

27         (1)  PURPOSES OF CHAPTER.--The purposes of this chapter

28  are:

29         (a)(b)  To provide for the care, safety, and protection

30  of children in an environment that fosters healthy social,

31  emotional, intellectual, and physical development; to ensure

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  secure and safe custody; and to promote the health and

 2  well-being of all children under the state's care.

 3         (b)  To recognize that most families desire to be

 4  competent caregivers and providers for their children and that

 5  children achieve their greatest potential when families are

 6  able to support and nurture the growth and development of

 7  their children. Therefore, the Legislature finds that policies

 8  and procedures that provide for intervention through the

 9  department's child protection system should be based on the

10  following principles:

11         1.  The health and safety of the children served shall

12  be of paramount concern.

13         2.  The intervention should engage families in

14  constructive, supportive, and nonadversarial relationships.

15         3.  The intervention should intrude as little as

16  possible into the life of the family, be focused on clearly

17  defined objectives, and take the most parsimonious path to

18  remedy a family's problems.

19         4.  The intervention should be based upon outcome

20  evaluation results that demonstrate success in protecting

21  children and supporting families.

22         (c)  To provide a child protection system that reflects

23  a partnership between the department, other agencies, and

24  local communities.

25         (d)  To provide a child protection system that is

26  sensitive to the social and cultural diversity of the state.

27         (e)  To provide procedures that allow the department to

28  respond to reports of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect in

29  the most efficient and effective manner and that ensure the

30  health and safety of children and the integrity of families.

31         (c)  To ensure the protection of society, by providing

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  for a comprehensive standardized assessment of the child's

 2  needs so that the most appropriate control, discipline,

 3  punishment, and treatment can be administered consistent with

 4  the seriousness of the act committed, the community's

 5  long-term need for public safety, the prior record of the

 6  child and the specific rehabilitation needs of the child,

 7  while also providing whenever possible restitution to the

 8  victim of the offense.

 9         (f)(d)  To preserve and strengthen the child's family

10  ties whenever possible, removing the child from parental

11  custody only when his or her welfare or the safety and

12  protection of the public cannot be adequately safeguarded

13  without such removal.; and, when the child is removed from his

14  or her own family, to secure for the child custody, care, and

15  discipline as nearly as possible equivalent to that which

16  should have been given by the parents; and to assure, in all

17  cases in which a child must be permanently removed from

18  parental custody, that the child be placed in an approved

19  family home, adoptive home, independent living program, or

20  other placement that provides the most stable and permanent

21  living arrangement for the child, as determined by the court.

22         (g)  To ensure that the parent or guardian from whose

23  custody the child has been taken assists the department to the

24  fullest extent possible in locating relatives suitable to

25  serve as caregivers for the child.

26         (h)  To ensure that permanent placement with the

27  biological or adoptive family is achieved as soon as possible

28  for every child in foster care and that no child remains in

29  foster care longer than 1 year.

30         (i)  To secure for the child, when removal of the child

31  from his or her own family is necessary, custody, care, and

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  discipline as nearly as possible equivalent to that which

 2  should have been given by the parents; and to ensure, in all

 3  cases in which a child must be removed from parental custody,

 4  that the child is placed in an approved relative home,

 5  licensed foster home, adoptive home, or independent living

 6  program that provides the most stable and potentially

 7  permanent living arrangement for the child, as determined by

 8  the court. All placements shall be in a safe environment where

 9  drugs and alcohol are not abused.

10         (j)  To ensure that, when reunification or adoption is

11  not possible, the child will be prepared for alternative

12  permanency goals or placements, to include, but not be limited

13  to, long-term foster care, independent living, custody with a

14  relative on a permanent basis with or without legal

15  guardianship, or custody with a foster parent or caregiver on

16  a permanent basis with or without legal guardianship.

17         (k)  To make every possible effort, when two or more

18  children who are in the care or under the supervision of the

19  department are siblings, to place the siblings in the same

20  home; and in the event of permanent placement of the siblings,

21  to place them in the same adoptive home or, if the siblings

22  are separated, to keep them in contact with each other.

23         (l)(a)  To provide judicial and other procedures to

24  assure due process through which children, parents, and

25  guardians and other interested parties are assured fair

26  hearings by a respectful and respected court or other tribunal

27  and the recognition, protection, and enforcement of their

28  constitutional and other legal rights, while ensuring that

29  public safety interests and the authority and dignity of the

30  courts are adequately protected.

31         (m)  To ensure that children under the jurisdiction of

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the courts are provided equal treatment with respect to goals,

 2  objectives, services, and case plans, without regard to the

 3  location of their placement. It is the further intent of the

 4  Legislature that, when children are removed from their homes,

 5  disruption to their education be minimized to the extent

 6  possible.

 7         (e)1.  To assure that the adjudication and disposition

 8  of a child alleged or found to have committed a violation of

 9  Florida law be exercised with appropriate discretion and in

10  keeping with the seriousness of the offense and the need for

11  treatment services, and that all findings made under this

12  chapter be based upon facts presented at a hearing that meets

13  the constitutional standards of fundamental fairness and due

14  process.

15         2.  To assure that the sentencing and placement of a

16  child tried as an adult be appropriate and in keeping with the

17  seriousness of the offense and the child's need for

18  rehabilitative services, and that the proceedings and

19  procedures applicable to such sentencing and placement be

20  applied within the full framework of constitutional standards

21  of fundamental fairness and due process.

22         (f)  To provide children committed to the Department of

23  Juvenile Justice with training in life skills, including

24  career education.

25         (2)  DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS.--The department of Juvenile

26  Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services, as

27  appropriate, may contract with the Federal Government, other

28  state departments and agencies, county and municipal

29  governments and agencies, public and private agencies, and

30  private individuals and corporations in carrying out the

31  purposes of, and the responsibilities established in, this

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  chapter.

 2         (a)  When the department of Juvenile Justice or the

 3  Department of Children and Family Services contracts with a

 4  provider for any program for children, all personnel,

 5  including owners, operators, employees, and volunteers, in the

 6  facility must be of good moral character. A volunteer who

 7  assists on an intermittent basis for less than 40 hours per

 8  month need not be screened if the volunteer is under direct

 9  and constant supervision by persons who meet the screening

10  requirements.

11         (b)  The department of Juvenile Justice and the

12  Department of Children and Family Services shall require

13  employment screening, and rescreening no less frequently than

14  once every 5 years, pursuant to chapter 435, using the level 2

15  standards set forth in that chapter for personnel in programs

16  for children or youths.

17         (c)  The department of Juvenile Justice or the

18  Department of Children and Family Services may grant

19  exemptions from disqualification from working with children as

20  provided in s. 435.07.

21         (d)  The department shall require all job applicants,

22  current employees, volunteers, and contract personnel who

23  currently perform or are seeking to perform child protective

24  investigations to be drug-tested pursuant to the procedures

25  and requirements of s. 112.0455, the Drug-Free Workplace Act.

26  The department is authorized to adopt rules, policies, and

27  procedures necessary to implement this paragraph.

28         (e)  The department shall develop and implement a

29  written and performance-based testing and evaluation program,

30  pursuant to s. 20.19(4), to ensure measurable competencies of

31  all employees assigned to manage or supervise cases of child

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  abuse, abandonment, and neglect.

 2         (3)  GENERAL PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN.--It is a purpose

 3  of the Legislature that the children of this state be provided

 4  with the following protections:

 5         (a)  Protection from abuse, abandonment, neglect, and

 6  exploitation.

 7         (b)  A permanent and stable home.

 8         (c)  A safe and nurturing environment which will

 9  preserve a sense of personal dignity and integrity.

10         (d)  Adequate nutrition, shelter, and clothing.

11         (e)  Effective treatment to address physical, social,

12  and emotional needs, regardless of geographical location.

13         (f)  Equal opportunity and access to quality and

14  effective education, which will meet the individual needs of

15  each child, and to recreation and other community resources to

16  develop individual abilities.

17         (g)  Access to preventive services.

18         (h)  An independent, trained advocate, when

19  intervention is necessary and a skilled guardian or caregiver

20  in a safe environment when alternative placement is necessary.

21         (4)  SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES.--The Legislature finds

22  that children in the care of the state's dependency system

23  need appropriate health care services, that the impact of

24  substance abuse on health indicates the need for health care

25  services to include substance abuse services to children and

26  parents where appropriate, and that it is in the state's best

27  interest that such children be provided the services they need

28  to enable them to become and remain independent of state care.

29  In order to provide these services, the state's dependency

30  system must have the ability to identify and provide

31  appropriate intervention and treatment for children with

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  personal or family-related substance abuse problems.  It is

 2  therefore the purpose of the Legislature to provide authority

 3  for the state to contract with community substance abuse

 4  treatment providers for the development and operation of

 5  specialized support and overlay services for the dependency

 6  system, which will be fully implemented and utilized as

 7  resources permit.

 8         (5)  PARENTAL, CUSTODIAL, AND GUARDIAN

 9  RESPONSIBILITIES.--Parents, custodians, and guardians are

10  deemed by the state to be responsible for providing their

11  children with sufficient support, guidance, and supervision.

12  The state further recognizes that the ability of parents,

13  custodians, and guardians to fulfill those responsibilities

14  can be greatly impaired by economic, social, behavioral,

15  emotional, and related problems. It is therefore the policy of

16  the Legislature that it is the state's responsibility to

17  ensure that factors impeding the ability of caregivers to

18  fulfill their responsibilities are identified through the

19  dependency process and that appropriate recommendations and

20  services to address those problems are considered in any

21  judicial or nonjudicial proceeding.

22         (6)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT FOR THE PREVENTION OF ABUSE,

23  ABANDONMENT, AND NEGLECT OF CHILDREN.--The incidence of known

24  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect has increased rapidly

25  over the past 5 years.  The impact that abuse, abandonment, or

26  neglect has on the victimized child, siblings, family

27  structure, and inevitably on all citizens of the state has

28  caused the Legislature to determine that the prevention of

29  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect shall be a priority of

30  this state.  To further this end, it is the intent of the

31  Legislature that a comprehensive approach for the prevention

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  of abuse, abandonment, and neglect of children be developed

 2  for the state and that this planned, comprehensive approach be

 3  used as a basis for funding.

 4         (7)  PLAN FOR COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.--

 5         (a)  The department shall develop a state plan for the

 6  prevention of abuse, abandonment, and neglect of children and

 7  shall submit the plan to the Speaker of the House of

 8  Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the Governor

 9  no later than January 1, 1983. The Department of Education and

10  the Division of Children's Medical Services of the Department

11  of Health shall participate and fully cooperate in the

12  development of the state plan at both the state and local

13  levels. Furthermore, appropriate local agencies and

14  organizations shall be provided an opportunity to participate

15  in the development of the state plan at the local level.

16  Appropriate local groups and organizations shall include, but

17  not be limited to, community mental health centers; guardian

18  ad litem programs for children under the circuit court; the

19  school boards of the local school districts; the district

20  human rights advocacy committees; private or public

21  organizations or programs with recognized expertise in working

22  with children who are sexually abused, physically abused,

23  emotionally abused, abandoned, or neglected and with expertise

24  in working with the families of such children; private or

25  public programs or organizations with expertise in maternal

26  and infant health care; multidisciplinary child protection

27  teams; child day care centers; law enforcement agencies, and

28  the circuit courts, when guardian ad litem programs are not

29  available in the local area.  The state plan to be provided to

30  the Legislature and the Governor shall include, as a minimum,

31  the information required of the various groups in paragraph

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  (b).

 2         (b)  The development of the comprehensive state plan

 3  shall be accomplished in the following manner:

 4         1.  The department shall establish an interprogram task

 5  force comprised of the Assistant Secretary for Children and

 6  Family Services, or a designee, a representative from the

 7  Children and Families Program Office, a representative from

 8  the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Program Office, a

 9  representative from the Developmental Services Program Office,

10  a representative from the Office of Standards and Evaluation,

11  and a representative from the Division of Children's Medical

12  Services of the Department of Health.  Representatives of the

13  Department of Law Enforcement and of the Department of

14  Education shall serve as ex officio members of the

15  interprogram task force. The interprogram task force shall be

16  responsible for:

17         a.  Developing a plan of action for better coordination

18  and integration of the goals, activities, and funding

19  pertaining to the prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and

20  neglect conducted by the department in order to maximize staff

21  and resources at the state level.  The plan of action shall be

22  included in the state plan.

23         b.  Providing a basic format to be utilized by the

24  districts in the preparation of local plans of action in order

25  to provide for uniformity in the district plans and to provide

26  for greater ease in compiling information for the state plan.

27         c.  Providing the districts with technical assistance

28  in the development of local plans of action, if requested.

29         d.  Examining the local plans to determine if all the

30  requirements of the local plans have been met and, if they

31  have not, informing the districts of the deficiencies and

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  requesting the additional information needed.

 2         e.  Preparing the state plan for submission to the

 3  Legislature and the Governor.  Such preparation shall include

 4  the collapsing of information obtained from the local plans,

 5  the cooperative plans with the Department of Education, and

 6  the plan of action for coordination and integration of

 7  departmental activities into one comprehensive plan.  The

 8  comprehensive plan shall include a section reflecting general

 9  conditions and needs, an analysis of variations based on

10  population or geographic areas, identified problems, and

11  recommendations for change.  In essence, the plan shall

12  provide an analysis and summary of each element of the local

13  plans to provide a statewide perspective.  The plan shall also

14  include each separate local plan of action.

15         f.  Working with the specified state agency in

16  fulfilling the requirements of subparagraphs 2., 3., 4., and

17  5.

18         2.  The department, the Department of Education, and

19  the Department of Health shall work together in developing

20  ways to inform and instruct parents of school children and

21  appropriate district school personnel in all school districts

22  in the detection of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect and

23  in the proper action that should be taken in a suspected case

24  of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, and in caring for a

25  child's needs after a report is made. The plan for

26  accomplishing this end shall be included in the state plan.

27         3.  The department, the Department of Law Enforcement,

28  and the Department of Health shall work together in developing

29  ways to inform and instruct appropriate local law enforcement

30  personnel in the detection of child abuse, abandonment, and

31  neglect and in the proper action that should be taken in a

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  suspected case of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

 2         4.  Within existing appropriations, the department

 3  shall work with other appropriate public and private agencies

 4  to emphasize efforts to educate the general public about the

 5  problem of and ways to detect child abuse, abandonment, and

 6  neglect and in the proper action that should be taken in a

 7  suspected case of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.  The

 8  plan for accomplishing this end shall be included in the state

 9  plan.

10         5.  The department, the Department of Education, and

11  the Department of Health shall work together on the

12  enhancement or adaptation of curriculum materials to assist

13  instructional personnel in providing instruction through a

14  multidisciplinary approach on the identification,

15  intervention, and prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and

16  neglect.  The curriculum materials shall be geared toward a

17  sequential program of instruction at the four progressional

18  levels, K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Strategies for encouraging

19  all school districts to utilize the curriculum are to be

20  included in the comprehensive state plan for the prevention of

21  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect.

22         6.  Each district of the department shall develop a

23  plan for its specific geographical area.  The plan developed

24  at the district level shall be submitted to the interprogram

25  task force for utilization in preparing the state plan.  The

26  district local plan of action shall be prepared with the

27  involvement and assistance of the local agencies and

28  organizations listed in paragraph (a), as well as

29  representatives from those departmental district offices

30  participating in the treatment and prevention of child abuse,

31  abandonment, and neglect.  In order to accomplish this, the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  district administrator in each district shall establish a task

 2  force on the prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and

 3  neglect.  The district administrator shall appoint the members

 4  of the task force in accordance with the membership

 5  requirements of this section.  In addition, the district

 6  administrator shall ensure that each subdistrict is

 7  represented on the task force; and, if the district does not

 8  have subdistricts, the district administrator shall ensure

 9  that both urban and rural areas are represented on the task

10  force.  The task force shall develop a written statement

11  clearly identifying its operating procedures, purpose, overall

12  responsibilities, and method of meeting responsibilities.  The

13  district plan of action to be prepared by the task force shall

14  include, but shall not be limited to:

15         a.  Documentation of the magnitude of the problems of

16  child abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, and

17  emotional abuse, and child abandonment and neglect in its

18  geographical area.

19         b.  A description of programs currently serving abused,

20  abandoned, and neglected children and their families and a

21  description of programs for the prevention of child abuse,

22  abandonment, and neglect, including information on the impact,

23  cost-effectiveness, and sources of funding of such programs.

24         c.  A continuum of programs and services necessary for

25  a comprehensive approach to the prevention of all types of

26  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect as well as a brief

27  description of such programs and services.

28         d.  A description, documentation, and priority ranking

29  of local needs related to child abuse, abandonment, and

30  neglect prevention based upon the continuum of programs and

31  services.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         e.  A plan for steps to be taken in meeting identified

 2  needs, including the coordination and integration of services

 3  to avoid unnecessary duplication and cost, and for alternative

 4  funding strategies for meeting needs through the reallocation

 5  of existing resources, utilization of volunteers, contracting

 6  with local universities for services, and local government or

 7  private agency funding.

 8         f.  A description of barriers to the accomplishment of

 9  a comprehensive approach to the prevention of child abuse,

10  abandonment, and neglect.

11         g.  Recommendations for changes that can be

12  accomplished only at the state program level or by legislative

13  action.

14         (8)  FUNDING AND SUBSEQUENT PLANS.--

15         (a)  All budget requests submitted by the department,

16  the Department of Education, or any other agency to the

17  Legislature for funding of efforts for the prevention of child

18  abuse, abandonment, and neglect shall be based on the state

19  plan developed pursuant to this section.

20         (b)  The department at the state and district levels

21  and the other agencies listed in paragraph (7)(a) shall

22  readdress the plan and make necessary revisions every 5 years,

23  at a minimum. Such revisions shall be submitted to the Speaker

24  of the House of Representatives and the President of the

25  Senate no later than June 30 of each year divisible by 5.  An

26  annual progress report shall be submitted to update the plan

27  in the years between the 5-year intervals.  In order to avoid

28  duplication of effort, these required plans may be made a part

29  of or merged with other plans required by either the state or

30  Federal Government, so long as the portions of the other state

31  or Federal Government plan that constitute the state plan for

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect are

 2  clearly identified as such and are provided to the Speaker of

 3  the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate

 4  as required above.

 5         (9)(3)  LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION.--It is the intent of the

 6  Legislature that this chapter be liberally interpreted and

 7  construed in conformity with its declared purposes.

 8         Section 3.  Section 415.5015, Florida Statutes, is

 9  renumbered as section 39.0015, Florida Statutes, and amended

10  to read:

11         39.0015 415.5015  Child abuse prevention training in

12  the district school system.--

13         (1)  SHORT TITLE.--This section may be cited as the

14  "Child Abuse Prevention Training Act of 1985."

15         (2)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--It is the intent of the

16  Legislature that primary prevention training for all children

17  in kindergarten through grade 12 be encouraged in the district

18  school system through the training of school teachers,

19  guidance counselors, parents, and children.

20         (3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section:

21         (a)  "Department" means the Department of Education.

22         (b)  "Child abuse" means those acts as defined in ss.

23  39.01, 415.503, and 827.04.

24         (c)  "Primary prevention and training program" means a

25  training and educational program for children, parents, and

26  teachers which is directed toward preventing the occurrence of

27  child abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, child

28  abandonment, child neglect, and drug and alcohol abuse, and

29  toward reducing the vulnerability of children through training

30  of children and through including coordination with, and

31  training for, parents and school personnel.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (d)  "Prevention training center" means a center as

 2  described in subsection (5).

 3         (4)  PRIMARY PREVENTION AND TRAINING PROGRAM.--A

 4  primary prevention and training program shall include all of

 5  the following, as appropriate for the persons being trained:

 6         (a)  Information provided in a clear and nonthreatening

 7  manner, describing the problem of sexual abuse, physical

 8  abuse, abandonment, neglect, and alcohol and drug abuse, and

 9  the possible solutions.

10         (b)  Information and training designed to counteract

11  common stereotypes about victims and offenders.

12         (c)  Crisis counseling techniques.

13         (d)  Available community resources and ways to access

14  those resources.

15         (e)  Physical and behavioral indicators of abuse.

16         (f)  Rights and responsibilities regarding reporting.

17         (g)  School district procedures to facilitate

18  reporting.

19         (h)  Caring for a child's needs after a report is made.

20         (i)  How to disclose incidents of abuse.

21         (j)  Child safety training and age-appropriate

22  self-defense techniques.

23         (k)  The right of every child to live free of abuse.

24         (l)  The relationship of child abuse to handicaps in

25  young children.

26         (m)  Parenting, including communication skills.

27         (n)  Normal and abnormal child development.

28         (o)  Information on recognizing and alleviating family

29  stress caused by the demands required in caring for a

30  high-risk or handicapped child.

31         (p)  Supports needed by school-age parents in caring

                                  16
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  for a young child.

 2         (5)  PREVENTION TRAINING CENTERS; FUNCTIONS; SELECTION

 3  PROCESS; MONITORING AND EVALUATION.--

 4         (a)  Each training center shall perform the following

 5  functions:

 6         1.  Act as a clearinghouse to provide information on

 7  prevention curricula which meet the requirements of this

 8  section and the requirements of ss. 39.001, 231.17, and

 9  236.0811, and 415.501.

10         2.  Assist the local school district in selecting a

11  prevention program model which meets the needs of the local

12  community.

13         3.  At the request of the local school district, design

14  and administer training sessions to develop or expand local

15  primary prevention and training programs.

16         4.  Provide assistance to local school districts,

17  including, but not limited to, all of the following:

18  administration, management, program development, multicultural

19  staffing, and community education, in order to better meet the

20  requirements of this section and of ss. 39.001, 231.17, and

21  236.0811, and 415.501.

22         5.  At the request of the department of Education or

23  the local school district, provide ongoing program development

24  and training to achieve all of the following:

25         a.  Meet the special needs of children, including, but

26  not limited to, the needs of disabled and high-risk children.

27         b.  Conduct an outreach program to inform the

28  surrounding communities of the existence of primary prevention

29  and training programs and of funds to conduct such programs.

30         6.  Serve as a resource to the Department of Children

31  and Family Services and its districts.

                                  17
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (b)  The department, in consultation with the

 2  Department of Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative

 3  Services, shall select and award grants by January 1, 1986,

 4  for the establishment of three private, nonprofit prevention

 5  training centers:  one located in and serving South Florida,

 6  one located in and serving Central Florida, and one located in

 7  and serving North Florida. The department, in consultation

 8  with the Department of Children and Family Health and

 9  Rehabilitative Services, shall select an agency or agencies to

10  establish three training centers which can fulfill the

11  requirements of this section and meet the following

12  requirements:

13         1.  Have demonstrated experience in child abuse

14  prevention training.

15         2.  Have shown capacity for training primary prevention

16  and training programs as provided for in subsections (3) and

17  defined in subsection (4).

18         3.  Have provided training and organizing technical

19  assistance to the greatest number of private prevention and

20  training programs.

21         4.  Have employed the greatest number of trainers with

22  experience in private child abuse prevention and training

23  programs.

24         5.  Have employed trainers which represent the cultural

25  diversity of the area.

26         6.  Have established broad community support.

27         (c)  The department shall monitor and evaluate primary

28  prevention and training programs utilized in the local school

29  districts and shall monitor and evaluate the impact of the

30  prevention training centers on the implementation of primary

31  prevention programs and their ability to meet the required

                                  18
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  responsibilities of a center as described in this section.

 2         (6)  The department of Education shall administer this

 3  section act and in so doing is authorized to adopt rules and

 4  standards necessary to implement the specific provisions of

 5  this section act.

 6         Section 4.  Section 39.01, Florida Statutes, as amended

 7  by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is amended to read:

 8         39.01  Definitions.--When used in this chapter, unless

 9  the context otherwise requires:

10         (1)  "Abandoned" means a situation in which the parent

11  or legal custodian of a child or, in the absence of a parent

12  or legal custodian, the caregiver person responsible for the

13  child's welfare, while being able, makes no provision for the

14  child's support and makes no effort to communicate with the

15  child, which situation is sufficient to evince a willful

16  rejection of parental obligations. If the efforts of such

17  parent or legal custodian, or caregiver person primarily

18  responsible for the child's welfare, to support and

19  communicate with the child are, in the opinion of the court,

20  only marginal efforts that do not evince a settled purpose to

21  assume all parental duties, the court may declare the child to

22  be abandoned. The term "abandoned" does not include a "child

23  in need of services" as defined in chapter 984 or a "family in

24  need of services" as defined in chapter 984. The incarceration

25  of a parent, legal custodian, or caregiver person responsible

26  for a child's welfare may support does not constitute a bar to

27  a finding of abandonment.

28         (2)  "Abuse" means any willful act or threatened act

29  that results in any physical, mental, or sexual injury or harm

30  that causes or is likely to cause the child's physical,

31  mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired. For

                                  19
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the purpose of protective investigations, abuse of a child

 2  includes the acts or omissions of the parent, legal custodian,

 3  caregiver, or other person responsible for the child's

 4  welfare. Corporal discipline of a child by a parent, legal

 5  custodian, or caregiver guardian for disciplinary purposes

 6  does not in itself constitute abuse when it does not result in

 7  harm to the child as defined in s. 415.503.

 8         (3)  "Addictions receiving facility" means a substance

 9  abuse service provider as defined in chapter 397.

10         (4)  "Adjudicatory hearing" means a hearing for the

11  court to determine whether or not the facts support the

12  allegations stated in the petition as is provided for under s.

13  39.408(2), in dependency cases, or s. 39.467, in termination

14  of parental rights cases.

15         (5)  "Adult" means any natural person other than a

16  child.

17         (6)  "Adoption" means the act of creating the legal

18  relationship between parent and child where it did not exist,

19  thereby declaring the child to be legally the child of the

20  adoptive parents and their heir at law, and entitled to all

21  the rights and privileges and subject to all the obligations

22  of a child born to such adoptive parents in lawful wedlock.

23         (7)  "Alleged juvenile sexual offender" means:

24         (a)  A child 12 years of age or younger who is alleged

25  to have committed a violation of chapter 794, chapter 796,

26  chapter 800, s. 827.071, or s. 847.0133; or

27         (b)  A child who is alleged to have committed any

28  violation of law or delinquent act involving juvenile sexual

29  abuse. "Juvenile sexual abuse" means any sexual behavior that

30  occurs without consent, without equality, or as a result of

31  coercion.  For purposes of this paragraph, the following

                                  20
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  definitions apply:

 2         1.  "Coercion" means the exploitation of authority or

 3  the use of bribes, threats of force, or intimidation to gain

 4  cooperation or compliance.

 5         2.  "Equality" means two participants operating with

 6  the same level of power in a relationship, neither being

 7  controlled nor coerced by the other.

 8         3.  "Consent" means an agreement, including all of the

 9  following:

10         a.  Understanding what is proposed based on age,

11  maturity, developmental level, functioning, and experience.

12         b.  Knowledge of societal standards for what is being

13  proposed.

14         c.  Awareness of potential consequences and

15  alternatives.

16         d.  Assumption that agreement or disagreement will be

17  accepted equally.

18         e.  Voluntary decision.

19         f.  Mental competence.

20

21  Juvenile sexual offender behavior ranges from noncontact

22  sexual behavior such as making obscene phone calls,

23  exhibitionism, voyeurism, and the showing or taking of lewd

24  photographs to varying degrees of direct sexual contact, such

25  as frottage, fondling, digital penetration, rape, fellatio,

26  sodomy, and various other sexually aggressive acts.

27         (8)(6)  "Arbitration" means a process whereby a neutral

28  third person or panel, called an arbitrator or an arbitration

29  panel, considers the facts and arguments presented by the

30  parties and renders a decision which may be binding or

31  nonbinding.

                                  21
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (9)(7)  "Authorized agent" or "designee" of the

 2  department means an employee, volunteer, or other person or

 3  agency determined by the state to be eligible for state-funded

 4  risk management coverage, which is a person or agency assigned

 5  or designated by the department of Juvenile Justice or the

 6  Department of Children and Family Services, as appropriate, to

 7  perform duties or exercise powers pursuant to this chapter and

 8  includes contract providers and their employees for purposes

 9  of providing services to and managing cases of children in

10  need of services and families in need of services.

11         (10)  "Caregiver" means the parent, legal custodian,

12  adult household member, or other person responsible for a

13  child's welfare as defined in subsection (47).

14         (8)  "Caretaker/homemaker" means an authorized agent of

15  the Department of Children and Family Services who shall

16  remain in the child's home with the child until a parent,

17  legal guardian, or relative of the child enters the home and

18  is capable of assuming and agrees to assume charge of the

19  child.

20         (11)(9)  "Case plan" or "plan" means a document, as

21  described in s. 39.601 39.4031, prepared by the department

22  with input from all parties, including parents, guardians ad

23  litem, legal custodians, caregivers, and the child. The case

24  plan, that follows the child from the provision of voluntary

25  services through any dependency, foster care, or termination

26  of parental rights proceeding or related activity or process.

27         (12)(10)  "Child" or "juvenile" or "youth" means any

28  unmarried person under the age of 18 years who has not been

29  emancipated by order of the court and who has been alleged or

30  found or alleged to be dependent, in need of services, or from

31  a family in need of services; or any married or unmarried

                                  22
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  person who is charged with a violation of law occurring prior

 2  to the time that person reached the age of 18 years.

 3         (13)  "Child protection team" means a team of

 4  professionals established by the department to receive

 5  referrals from the protective investigators and protective

 6  supervision staff of the department and to provide specialized

 7  and supportive services to the program in processing child

 8  abuse, abandonment, or neglect cases. A child protection team

 9  shall provide consultation to other programs of the department

10  and other persons regarding child abuse, abandonment, or

11  neglect cases.

12         (14)(11)  "Child who is found to be dependent" means a

13  child who, pursuant to this chapter, is found by the court:

14         (a)  To have been abandoned, abused, or neglected by

15  the child's parent or parents, legal custodians, or

16  caregivers; or other custodians.

17         (b)  To have been surrendered to the department of

18  Children and Family Services, the former Department of Health

19  and Rehabilitative Services, or a licensed child-placing

20  agency for purpose of adoption;.

21         (c)  To have been voluntarily placed with a licensed

22  child-caring agency, a licensed child-placing agency, an adult

23  relative, the department of Children and Family Services, or

24  the former Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services,

25  after which placement, under the requirements of part II of

26  this chapter, a case plan has expired and the parent or

27  parents, legal custodians, or caregivers have failed to

28  substantially comply with the requirements of the plan;.

29         (d)  To have been voluntarily placed with a licensed

30  child-placing agency for the purposes of subsequent adoption,

31  and a natural parent or parents has signed a consent pursuant

                                  23
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure;.

 2         (e)  To have no parent, legal custodian, or caregiver

 3  responsible adult relative to provide supervision and care;

 4  or.

 5         (f)  To be at substantial risk of imminent abuse,

 6  abandonment, or neglect by the parent or parents, legal

 7  custodians, or caregivers or the custodian.

 8         (15)(12)  "Child support" means a court-ordered

 9  obligation, enforced under chapter 61 and ss.

10  409.2551-409.2597, for monetary support for the care,

11  maintenance, training, and education of a child.

12         (16)(13)  "Circuit" means any of the 20 judicial

13  circuits as set forth in s. 26.021.

14         (17)(14)  "Comprehensive assessment" or "assessment"

15  means the gathering of information for the evaluation of a

16  juvenile offender's or a child's and caregiver's physical,

17  psychiatric, psychological or mental health, educational,

18  vocational, and social condition and family environment as

19  they relate to the child's and caregiver's need for

20  rehabilitative and treatment services, including substance

21  abuse treatment services, mental health services,

22  developmental services, literacy services, medical services,

23  family services, and other specialized services, as

24  appropriate.

25         (18)(15)  "Court," unless otherwise expressly stated,

26  means the circuit court assigned to exercise jurisdiction

27  under this chapter.

28         (19)(16)  "Department," as used in this chapter, means

29  the Department of Children and Family Services.

30         (20)(17)  "Diligent efforts by a parent, legal

31  custodian, or caregiver" means a course of conduct which

                                  24
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  results in a reduction in risk to the child in the child's

 2  home that would allow the child to be safely placed

 3  permanently back in the home as set forth in the case plan.

 4         (21)(18)  "Diligent efforts of social service agency"

 5  means reasonable efforts to provide social services or

 6  reunification services made by any social service agency as

 7  defined in this section that is a party to a case plan.

 8         (22)(19)  "Diligent search" means the efforts of a

 9  social service agency to locate a parent or prospective parent

10  whose identity or location is unknown, or a relative made

11  known to the social services agency by the parent or custodian

12  of a child. When the search is for a parent, prospective

13  parent, or relative of a child in the custody of the

14  department, this search must be initiated as soon as the

15  social service agency is made aware of the existence of such

16  parent, with the search progress reported at each court

17  hearing until the parent is either identified and located or

18  the court excuses further search. prospective parent, or

19  relative. A diligent search shall include interviews with

20  persons who are likely to have information about the identity

21  or location of the person being sought, comprehensive database

22  searches, and records searches, including searches of

23  employment, residence, utilities, Armed Forces, vehicle

24  registration, child support enforcement, law enforcement, and

25  corrections records, and any other records likely to result in

26  identifying and locating the person being sought. The initial

27  diligent search must be completed within 90 days after a child

28  is taken into custody. After the completion of the initial

29  diligent search, the department, unless excused by the court,

30  shall have a continuing duty to search for relatives with whom

31  it may be appropriate to place the child, until such relatives

                                  25
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  are found or until the child is placed for adoption.

 2         (23)(20)  "Disposition hearing" means a hearing in

 3  which the court determines the most appropriate family support

 4  dispositional services in the least restrictive available

 5  setting provided for under s. 39.408(3), in dependency cases,

 6  or s. 39.469, in termination of parental rights cases.

 7         (24)  "District" means any one of the 15 service

 8  districts of the department established pursuant to s. 20.19.

 9         (25)(21)  "District administrator" means the chief

10  operating officer of each service district of the department

11  of Children and Family Services as defined in s. 20.19(7)(6)

12  and, where appropriate, includes any each district

13  administrator whose service district falls within the

14  boundaries of a judicial circuit.

15         (26)  "Expedited termination of parental rights" means

16  proceedings wherein a case plan with the goal of reunification

17  is not being offered.

18         (27)  "False report" means a report of abuse, neglect,

19  or abandonment of a child to the central abuse hotline, which

20  report is maliciously made for the purpose of:

21         (a)  Harassing, embarrassing, or harming another

22  person;

23         (b)  Personal financial gain for the reporting person;

24         (c)  Acquiring custody of a child; or

25         (d)  Personal benefit for the reporting person in any

26  other private dispute involving a child.

27

28  The term "false report" does not include a report of abuse,

29  neglect, or abandonment of a child made in good faith to the

30  central abuse hotline.

31         (28)(22)  "Family" means a collective body of persons,

                                  26
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  consisting of a child and a parent, legal guardian, adult

 2  custodian, caregiver, or adult relative, in which:

 3         (a)  The persons reside in the same house or living

 4  unit; or

 5         (b)  The parent, legal guardian, adult custodian,

 6  caregiver, or adult relative has a legal responsibility by

 7  blood, marriage, or court order to support or care for the

 8  child.

 9         (29)(23)  "Foster care" means care provided a child in

10  a foster family or boarding home, group home, agency boarding

11  home, child care institution, or any combination thereof.

12         (30)  "Harm" to a child's health or welfare can occur

13  when the parent, legal custodian, or caregiver responsible for

14  the child's welfare:

15         (a)  Inflicts or allows to be inflicted upon the child

16  physical, mental, or emotional injury. In determining whether

17  harm has occurred, the following factors must be considered in

18  evaluating any physical, mental, or emotional injury to a

19  child: the age of the child; any prior history of injuries to

20  the child; the location of the injury on the body of the

21  child; the multiplicity of the injury; and the type of trauma

22  inflicted. Such injury includes, but is not limited to:

23         1.  Willful acts that produce the following specific

24  injuries:

25         a.  Sprains, dislocations, or cartilage damage.

26         b.  Bone or skull fractures.

27         c.  Brain or spinal cord damage.

28         d.  Intracranial hemorrhage or injury to other internal

29  organs.

30         e.  Asphyxiation, suffocation, or drowning.

31         f.  Injury resulting from the use of a deadly weapon.

                                  27
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         g.  Burns or scalding.

 2         h.  Cuts, lacerations, punctures, or bites.

 3         i.  Permanent or temporary disfigurement.

 4         j.  Permanent or temporary loss or impairment of a body

 5  part or function.

 6

 7  As used in this subparagraph, the term "willful" refers to the

 8  intent to perform an action, not to the intent to achieve a

 9  result or to cause an injury.

10         2.  Purposely giving a child poison, alcohol, drugs, or

11  other substances that substantially affect the child's

12  behavior, motor coordination, or judgment or that result in

13  sickness or internal injury.  For the purposes of this

14  subparagraph, the term "drugs" means prescription drugs not

15  prescribed for the child or not administered as prescribed,

16  and controlled substances as outlined in Schedule I or

17  Schedule II of s. 893.03.

18         3.  Leaving a child without adult supervision or

19  arrangement appropriate for the child's age or mental or

20  physical condition, so that the child is unable to care for

21  the child's own needs or another's basic needs or is unable to

22  exercise good judgment in responding to any kind of physical

23  or emotional crisis.

24         4.  Inappropriate or excessively harsh disciplinary

25  action that is likely to result in physical injury, mental

26  injury as defined in this section, or emotional injury.  The

27  significance of any injury must be evaluated in light of the

28  following factors:  the age of the child; any prior history of

29  injuries to the child; the location of the injury on the body

30  of the child; the multiplicity of the injury; and the type of

31  trauma inflicted.  Corporal discipline may be considered

                                  28
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  excessive or abusive when it results in any of the following

 2  or other similar injuries:

 3         a.  Sprains, dislocations, or cartilage damage.

 4         b.  Bone or skull fractures.

 5         c.  Brain or spinal cord damage.

 6         d.  Intracranial hemorrhage or injury to other internal

 7  organs.

 8         e.  Asphyxiation, suffocation, or drowning.

 9         f.  Injury resulting from the use of a deadly weapon.

10         g.  Burns or scalding.

11         h.  Cuts, lacerations, punctures, or bites.

12         i.  Permanent or temporary disfigurement.

13         j.  Permanent or temporary loss or impairment of a body

14  part or function.

15         k.  Significant bruises or welts.

16         (b)  Commits, or allows to be committed, sexual

17  battery, as defined in chapter 794, or lewd or lascivious

18  acts, as defined in chapter 800, against the child.

19         (c)  Allows, encourages, or forces the sexual

20  exploitation of a child, which includes allowing, encouraging,

21  or forcing a child to:

22         1.  Solicit for or engage in prostitution; or

23         2.  Engage in a sexual performance, as defined by

24  chapter 827.

25         (d)  Exploits a child, or allows a child to be

26  exploited, as provided in s. 450.151.

27         (e)  Abandons the child. Within the context of the

28  definition of "harm," the term "abandons the child" means that

29  the parent or legal custodian of a child or, in the absence of

30  a parent or legal custodian, the person responsible for the

31  child's welfare, while being able, makes no provision for the

                                  29
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  child's support and makes no effort to communicate with the

 2  child, which situation is sufficient to evince a willful

 3  rejection of parental obligation.  If the efforts of such a

 4  parent or legal custodian or person primarily responsible for

 5  the child's welfare to support and communicate with the child

 6  are only marginal efforts that do not evince a settled purpose

 7  to assume all parental duties, the child may be determined to

 8  have been abandoned.

 9         (f)  Neglects the child. Within the context of the

10  definition of "harm," the term "neglects the child" means that

11  the parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare

12  fails to supply the child with adequate food, clothing,

13  shelter, or health care, although financially able to do so or

14  although offered financial or other means to do so.  However,

15  a parent, legal custodian, or caregiver who, by reason of the

16  legitimate practice of religious beliefs, does not provide

17  specified medical treatment for a child may not be considered

18  abusive or neglectful for that reason alone, but such an

19  exception does not:

20         1.  Eliminate the requirement that such a case be

21  reported to the department;

22         2.  Prevent the department from investigating such a

23  case; or

24         3.  Preclude a court from ordering, when the health of

25  the child requires it, the provision of medical services by a

26  physician, as defined in this section, or treatment by a duly

27  accredited practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means

28  for healing in accordance with the tenets and practices of a

29  well-recognized church or religious organization.

30         (g)  Exposes a child to a controlled substance or

31  alcohol. Exposure to a controlled substance or alcohol is

                                  30
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  established by:

 2         1.  Use by the mother of a controlled substance or

 3  alcohol during pregnancy when the child, at birth, is

 4  demonstrably adversely affected by such usage; or

 5         2.  Continued chronic and severe use of a controlled

 6  substance or alcohol by a parent when the child is

 7  demonstrably adversely affected by such usage.

 8

 9  As used in this paragraph, the term "controlled substance"

10  means prescription drugs not prescribed for the parent or not

11  administered as prescribed and controlled substances as

12  outlined in Schedule I or Schedule II of s. 893.03.

13         (h)  Uses mechanical devices, unreasonable restraints,

14  or extended periods of isolation to control a child.

15         (i)  Engages in violent behavior that demonstrates a

16  wanton disregard for the presence of a child and could

17  reasonably result in serious injury to the child.

18         (j)  Negligently fails to protect a child in his or her

19  care from inflicted physical, mental, or sexual injury caused

20  by the acts of another.

21         (k)  Has allowed a child's sibling to die as a result

22  of abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

23         (31)(24)  "Health and human services board" means the

24  body created in each service district of the department of

25  Children and Family Services pursuant to the provisions of s.

26  20.19(8)(7).

27         (32)  "Institutional child abuse or neglect" means

28  situations of known or suspected child abuse or neglect in

29  which the person allegedly perpetrating the child abuse or

30  neglect is an employee of a private school, public or private

31  day care center, residential home, institution, facility, or

                                  31
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  agency or any other person at such institution responsible for

 2  the child's care.

 3         (33)(25)  "Judge" means the circuit judge exercising

 4  jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter.

 5         (34)(26)  "Legal custody" means a legal status created

 6  by court order or letter of guardianship which vests in a

 7  custodian of the person or guardian, whether an agency or an

 8  individual, the right to have physical custody of the child

 9  and the right and duty to protect, train, and discipline the

10  child and to provide him or her with food, shelter, education,

11  and ordinary medical, dental, psychiatric, and psychological

12  care. The legal custodian is the person or entity in whom the

13  legal right to custody is vested.

14         (35)  "Legal guardianship" means a judicially created

15  relationship between the child and caregiver which is intended

16  to be permanent and self-sustaining and is provided pursuant

17  to the procedures in chapter 744.

18         (36)(27)  "Licensed child-caring agency" means a

19  person, society, association, or agency licensed by the

20  department of Children and Family Services to care for,

21  receive, and board children.

22         (37)(28)  "Licensed child-placing agency" means a

23  person, society, association, or institution licensed by the

24  department of Children and Family Services to care for,

25  receive, or board children and to place children in a licensed

26  child-caring institution or a foster or adoptive home.

27         (38)(29)  "Licensed health care professional" means a

28  physician licensed under chapter 458, an osteopathic physician

29  licensed under chapter 459, a nurse licensed under chapter

30  464, a physician assistant certified under chapter 458 or

31  chapter 459, or a dentist licensed under chapter 466.

                                  32
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (39)(30)  "Likely to injure oneself" means that, as

 2  evidenced by violent or other actively self-destructive

 3  behavior, it is more likely than not that within a 24-hour

 4  period the child will attempt to commit suicide or inflict

 5  serious bodily harm on himself or herself.

 6         (40)(31)  "Likely to injure others" means that it is

 7  more likely than not that within a 24-hour period the child

 8  will inflict serious and unjustified bodily harm on another

 9  person.

10         (41)(32)  "Long-term relative custodian" means an adult

11  relative who is a party to a long-term custodial relationship

12  created by a court order pursuant to this chapter s.

13  39.41(2)(a)5.

14         (42)(33)  "Long-term relative custody" or "long-term

15  custodial relationship" means the relationship that a juvenile

16  court order creates between a child and an adult relative of

17  the child or other caregiver an adult nonrelative approved by

18  the court when the child cannot be placed in the custody of a

19  natural parent and termination of parental rights is not

20  deemed to be in the best interest of the child. Long-term

21  relative custody confers upon the long-term relative or other

22  caregiver nonrelative custodian the right to physical custody

23  of the child, a right which will not be disturbed by the court

24  except upon request of the caregiver custodian or upon a

25  showing that a material change in circumstances necessitates a

26  change of custody for the best interest of the child. A

27  long-term relative or other caregiver nonrelative custodian

28  shall have all of the rights and duties of a natural parent,

29  including, but not limited to, the right and duty to protect,

30  train, and discipline the child and to provide the child with

31  food, shelter, and education, and ordinary medical, dental,

                                  33
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  psychiatric, and psychological care, unless these rights and

 2  duties are otherwise enlarged or limited by the court order

 3  establishing the long-term custodial relationship.

 4         (43)(34)  "Mediation" means a process whereby a neutral

 5  third person called a mediator acts to encourage and

 6  facilitate the resolution of a dispute between two or more

 7  parties.  It is an informal and nonadversarial process with

 8  the objective of helping the disputing parties reach a

 9  mutually acceptable and voluntary agreement.  In mediation,

10  decisionmaking authority rests with the parties.  The role of

11  the mediator includes, but is not limited to, assisting the

12  parties in identifying issues, fostering joint problem

13  solving, and exploring settlement alternatives.

14         (44)  "Mental injury" means an injury to the

15  intellectual or psychological capacity of a child as evidenced

16  by a discernible and substantial impairment in the ability to

17  function within the normal range of performance and behavior.

18         (45)(35)  "Necessary medical treatment" means care

19  which is necessary within a reasonable degree of medical

20  certainty to prevent the deterioration of a child's condition

21  or to alleviate immediate pain of a child.

22         (46)(36)  "Neglect" occurs when the parent or legal

23  custodian of a child or, in the absence of a parent or legal

24  custodian, the caregiver person primarily responsible for the

25  child's welfare deprives a child of, or allows a child to be

26  deprived of, necessary food, clothing, shelter, or medical

27  treatment or permits a child to live in an environment when

28  such deprivation or environment causes the child's physical,

29  mental, or emotional health to be significantly impaired or to

30  be in danger of being significantly impaired. The foregoing

31  circumstances shall not be considered neglect if caused

                                  34
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  primarily by financial inability unless actual services for

 2  relief have been offered to and rejected by such person. A

 3  parent, legal custodian, or caregiver guardian legitimately

 4  practicing religious beliefs in accordance with a recognized

 5  church or religious organization who thereby does not provide

 6  specific medical treatment for a child shall not, for that

 7  reason alone, be considered a negligent parent, legal

 8  custodian, or caregiver guardian; however, such an exception

 9  does not preclude a court from ordering the following services

10  to be provided, when the health of the child so requires:

11         (a)  Medical services from a licensed physician,

12  dentist, optometrist, podiatrist, or other qualified health

13  care provider; or

14         (b)  Treatment by a duly accredited practitioner who

15  relies solely on spiritual means for healing in accordance

16  with the tenets and practices of a well-recognized church or

17  religious organization.

18

19  For the purpose of protective investigations, neglect of a

20  child includes the acts or omissions of the parent, legal

21  custodian, or caregiver.

22         (47)  "Other person responsible for a child's welfare"

23  includes the child's legal guardian, legal custodian, or

24  foster parent; an employee of a private school, public or

25  private child day care center, residential home, institution,

26  facility, or agency; or any other person legally responsible

27  for the child's welfare in a residential setting; and also

28  includes an adult sitter or relative entrusted with a child's

29  care. For the purpose of departmental investigative

30  jurisdiction, this definition does not include law enforcement

31  officers, or employees of municipal or county detention

                                  35
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  facilities or the Department of Corrections, while acting in

 2  an official capacity.

 3         (48)(37)  "Next of kin" means an adult relative of a

 4  child who is the child's brother, sister, grandparent, aunt,

 5  uncle, or first cousin.

 6         (49)(38)  "Parent" means a woman who gives birth to a

 7  child and a man whose consent to the adoption of the child

 8  would be required under s. 63.062(1)(b). If a child has been

 9  legally adopted, the term "parent" means the adoptive mother

10  or father of the child. The term does not include an

11  individual whose parental relationship to the child has been

12  legally terminated, or an alleged or prospective parent,

13  unless the parental status falls within the terms of either s.

14  39.4051(7) or s. 63.062(1)(b).

15         (50)(39)  "Participant," for purposes of a shelter

16  proceeding, dependency proceeding, or termination of parental

17  rights proceeding, means any person who is not a party but who

18  should receive notice of hearings involving the child,

19  including foster parents or caregivers, identified prospective

20  parents, grandparents entitled to priority for adoption

21  consideration under s. 63.0425, actual custodians of the

22  child, and any other person whose participation may be in the

23  best interest of the child. Participants may be granted leave

24  by the court to be heard without the necessity of filing a

25  motion to intervene.

26         (51)(40)  "Party," for purposes of a shelter

27  proceeding, dependency proceeding, or termination of parental

28  rights proceeding, means the parent or legal custodian of the

29  child, the petitioner, the department, the guardian ad litem

30  or the representative of the guardian ad litem program when

31  the program one has been appointed, and the child. The

                                  36
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  presence of the child may be excused by order of the court

 2  when presence would not be in the child's best interest.

 3  Notice to the child may be excused by order of the court when

 4  the age, capacity, or other condition of the child is such

 5  that the notice would be meaningless or detrimental to the

 6  child.

 7         (52)  "Physical injury" means death, permanent or

 8  temporary disfigurement, or impairment of any bodily part.

 9         (53)  "Physician" means any licensed physician,

10  dentist, podiatrist, or optometrist and includes any intern or

11  resident.

12         (54)(41)  "Preliminary screening" means the gathering

13  of preliminary information to be used in determining a child's

14  need for further evaluation or assessment or for referral for

15  other substance abuse services through means such as

16  psychosocial interviews; urine and breathalyzer screenings;

17  and reviews of available educational, delinquency, and

18  dependency records of the child.

19         (55)(42)  "Preventive services" means social services

20  and other supportive and rehabilitative services provided to

21  the parent of the child, the legal custodian guardian of the

22  child, or the caregiver custodian of the child and to the

23  child for the purpose of averting the removal of the child

24  from the home or disruption of a family which will or could

25  result in the placement of a child in foster care.  Social

26  services and other supportive and rehabilitative services

27  shall promote the child's need for physical, mental, and

28  emotional health and a safe, continuous, stable, living

29  environment, and shall promote family autonomy, and shall

30  strengthen family life, as the first priority whenever

31  possible.

                                  37
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (56)(43)  "Prospective parent" means a person who

 2  claims to be, or has been identified as, a person who may be a

 3  mother or a father of a child.

 4         (57)(44)  "Protective investigation" means the

 5  acceptance of a report alleging child abuse, abandonment, or

 6  neglect, as defined in this chapter s. 415.503, by the central

 7  abuse hotline or the acceptance of a report of other

 8  dependency by the department local children, youth, and

 9  families office of the Department of Children and Family

10  Services; the investigation and classification of each report;

11  the determination of whether action by the court is warranted;

12  the determination of the disposition of each report without

13  court or public agency action when appropriate; and the

14  referral of a child to another public or private agency when

15  appropriate; and the recommendation by the protective

16  investigator of court action when appropriate.

17         (58)(45)  "Protective investigator" means an authorized

18  agent of the department of Children and Family Services who

19  receives and, investigates, and classifies reports of child

20  abuse, abandonment, or neglect as defined in s. 415.503; who,

21  as a result of the investigation, may recommend that a

22  dependency petition be filed for the child under the criteria

23  of paragraph (11)(a); and who performs other duties necessary

24  to carry out the required actions of the protective

25  investigation function.

26         (59)(46)  "Protective supervision" means a legal status

27  in dependency cases, child-in-need-of-services cases, or

28  family-in-need-of-services cases which permits the child to

29  remain safely in his or her own home or other placement under

30  the supervision of an agent of the department and which must

31  be reviewed by Department of Juvenile Justice or the

                                  38
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  Department of Children and Family Services, subject to being

 2  returned to the court during the period of supervision.

 3         (47)  "Protective supervision case plan" means a

 4  document that is prepared by the protective supervision

 5  counselor of the Department of Children and Family Services,

 6  is based upon the voluntary protective supervision of a case

 7  pursuant to s. 39.403(2)(b), or a disposition order entered

 8  pursuant to s. 39.41(2)(a)3., and that:

 9         (a)  Is developed in conference with the parent,

10  guardian, or custodian of the child and, if appropriate, the

11  child and any court-appointed guardian ad litem.

12         (b)  Is written simply and clearly in the principal

13  language, to the extent possible, of the parent, guardian, or

14  custodian of the child and in English.

15         (c)  Is subject to modification based on changing

16  circumstances and negotiations among the parties to the plan

17  and includes, at a minimum:

18         1.  All services and activities ordered by the court.

19         2.  Goals and specific activities to be achieved by all

20  parties to the plan.

21         3.  Anticipated dates for achieving each goal and

22  activity.

23         4.  Signatures of all parties to the plan.

24         (d)  Is submitted to the court in cases where a

25  dispositional order has been entered pursuant to s.

26  39.41(2)(a)3.

27         (60)(48)  "Relative" means a grandparent,

28  great-grandparent, sibling, first cousin, aunt, uncle,

29  great-aunt, great-uncle, niece, or nephew, whether related by

30  the whole or half blood, by affinity, or by adoption. The term

31  does not include a stepparent.

                                  39
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (61)(49)  "Reunification services" means social

 2  services and other supportive and rehabilitative services

 3  provided to the parent of the child, the legal custodian

 4  guardian of the child, or the caregiver custodian of the

 5  child, whichever is applicable, to the child, and where

 6  appropriate to the foster parents of the child, for the

 7  purpose of enabling a child who has been placed in out-of-home

 8  foster care to safely return to his or her family at the

 9  earliest possible time.  The health and safety of the child

10  shall be the paramount goal of social services and other

11  supportive and rehabilitative services. Such services shall

12  promote the child's need for physical, mental, and emotional

13  health and a safe, continuous, stable, living environment, and

14  shall promote family autonomy, and shall strengthen family

15  life, as a first priority whenever possible.

16         (62)  "Secretary" means the Secretary of Children and

17  Family Services.

18         (63)  "Sexual abuse of a child" means one or more of

19  the following acts:

20         (a)  Any penetration, however slight, of the vagina or

21  anal opening of one person by the penis of another person,

22  whether or not there is the emission of semen.

23         (b)  Any sexual contact between the genitals or anal

24  opening of one person and the mouth or tongue of another

25  person.

26         (c)  Any intrusion by one person into the genitals or

27  anal opening of another person, including the use of any

28  object for this purpose, except that this does not include any

29  act intended for a valid medical purpose.

30         (d)  The intentional touching of the genitals or

31  intimate parts, including the breasts, genital area, groin,

                                  40
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  inner thighs, and buttocks, or the clothing covering them, of

 2  either the child or the perpetrator, except that this does not

 3  include:

 4         1.  Any act which may reasonably be construed to be a

 5  normal caregiver responsibility, any interaction with, or

 6  affection for a child; or

 7         2.  Any act intended for a valid medical purpose.

 8         (e)  The intentional masturbation of the perpetrator's

 9  genitals in the presence of a child.

10         (f)  The intentional exposure of the perpetrator's

11  genitals in the presence of a child, or any other sexual act

12  intentionally perpetrated in the presence of a child, if such

13  exposure or sexual act is for the purpose of sexual arousal or

14  gratification, aggression, degradation, or other similar

15  purpose.

16         (g)  The sexual exploitation of a child, which includes

17  allowing, encouraging, or forcing a child to:

18         1.  Solicit for or engage in prostitution; or

19         2.  Engage in a sexual performance, as defined by

20  chapter 827.

21         (64)(50)  "Shelter" means a place for the temporary

22  care of a child who is alleged to be or who has been found to

23  be dependent, a child from a family in need of services, or a

24  child in need of services, pending court disposition before or

25  after adjudication. or after execution of a court order.

26  "Shelter" may include a facility which provides 24-hour

27  continual supervision for the temporary care of a child who is

28  placed pursuant to s. 984.14.

29         (65)(51)  "Shelter hearing" means a hearing in which

30  the court determines whether probable cause exists to keep a

31  child in shelter status pending further investigation of the

                                  41
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  case provided for under s. 984.14 in

 2  family-in-need-of-services cases or child-in-need-of-services

 3  cases.

 4         (66)(52)  "Social service agency" means the department

 5  of Children and Family Services, a licensed child-caring

 6  agency, or a licensed child-placing agency.

 7         (53)  "Staff-secure shelter" means a facility in which

 8  a child is supervised 24 hours a day by staff members who are

 9  awake while on duty. The facility is for the temporary care

10  and assessment of a child who has been found to be dependent,

11  who has violated a court order and been found in contempt of

12  court, or whom the Department of Children and Family Services

13  is unable to properly assess or place for assistance within

14  the continuum of services provided for dependent children.

15         (67)(54)  "Substance abuse" means using, without

16  medical reason, any psychoactive or mood-altering drug,

17  including alcohol, in such a manner as to induce impairment

18  resulting in dysfunctional social behavior.

19         (68)(55)  "Substantial compliance" means that the

20  circumstances which caused the creation of the case plan

21  placement in foster care have been significantly remedied to

22  the extent that the well-being and safety of the child will

23  not be endangered upon the child's remaining with or being

24  returned to the child's parent, legal custodian, or caregiver

25  or guardian.

26         (69)(56)  "Taken into custody" means the status of a

27  child immediately when temporary physical control over the

28  child is attained by a person authorized by law, pending the

29  child's release or placement, detention, placement, or other

30  disposition as authorized by law.

31         (70)(57)  "Temporary legal custody" means the

                                  42
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  relationship that a juvenile court creates between a child and

 2  an adult relative of the child, legal custodian, or caregiver

 3  adult nonrelative approved by the court, or other person until

 4  a more permanent arrangement is ordered. Temporary legal

 5  custody confers upon the custodian the right to have temporary

 6  physical custody of the child and the right and duty to

 7  protect, train, and discipline the child and to provide the

 8  child with food, shelter, and education, and ordinary medical,

 9  dental, psychiatric, and psychological care, unless these

10  rights and duties are otherwise enlarged or limited by the

11  court order establishing the temporary legal custody

12  relationship.

13         (71)  "Victim" means any child who has sustained or is

14  threatened with physical, mental, or emotional injury

15  identified in a report involving child abuse, neglect, or

16  abandonment, or child-on-child sexual abuse.

17         Section 5.  Section 39.455, Florida Statutes, is

18  renumbered as section 39.011, Florida Statutes, and amended to

19  read:

20         39.011 39.455  Immunity from liability.--

21         (1)  In no case shall employees or agents of the

22  department or a social service agency acting in good faith be

23  liable for damages as a result of failing to provide services

24  agreed to under the case plan or permanent placement plan

25  unless the failure to provide such services occurs as a result

26  of bad faith or malicious purpose or occurs in a manner

27  exhibiting wanton and willful disregard of human rights,

28  safety, or property.

29         (2)  The inability or failure of the department or of a

30  social service agency or the employees or agents of the social

31  service agency to provide the services agreed to under the

                                  43
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  case plan or permanent placement plan shall not render the

 2  state or the social service agency liable for damages unless

 3  such failure to provide services occurs in a manner exhibiting

 4  wanton or willful disregard of human rights, safety, or

 5  property.

 6         (3)  A member or agent of a citizen review panel acting

 7  in good faith is not liable for damages as a result of any

 8  review or recommendation with regard to a foster care or

 9  shelter care matter unless such member or agent exhibits

10  wanton and willful disregard of human rights or safety, or

11  property.

12         Section 6.  Section 39.012, Florida Statutes, is

13  amended to read:

14         39.012  Rules for implementation.--The department of

15  Children and Family Services shall adopt rules for the

16  efficient and effective management of all programs, services,

17  facilities, and functions necessary for implementing this

18  chapter. Such rules may not conflict with the Florida Rules of

19  Juvenile Procedure. All rules and policies must conform to

20  accepted standards of care and treatment.

21         Section 7.  Section 39.0121, Florida Statutes, is

22  created to read:

23         39.0121  Specific rulemaking authority.--Pursuant to

24  the requirements of s. 120.536, the department is specifically

25  authorized to adopt, amend, and repeal administrative rules

26  that implement or interpret law or policy, or describe the

27  procedure and practice requirements necessary to implement

28  this chapter, including, but not limited to, the following:

29         (1)  Background screening of department employees and

30  applicants; criminal records checks of prospective foster and

31  adoptive parents; and drug testing of protective

                                  44
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  investigators.

 2         (2)  Reporting of child abuse, neglect, and

 3  abandonment; reporting of child-on-child sexual abuse; false

 4  reporting; child protective investigations; taking a child

 5  into protective custody; and shelter procedures.

 6         (3)  Confidentiality and retention of department

 7  records; access to records; and record requests.

 8         (4)  Department and client trust funds.

 9         (5)  Child protection teams and services, and eligible

10  cases.

11         (6)  Consent to and provision of medical care and

12  treatment for children in the care of the department.

13         (7)  Federal funding requirements and procedures;

14  foster care and adoption subsidies; subsidized independent

15  living; and subsidized child care.

16         (8)  Agreements with law enforcement and other state

17  agencies; access to the National Crime Information Center

18  (NCIC); and access to the parent locator service.

19         (9)  Licensing, registration, and certification of

20  child day care providers, shelter and foster homes, and

21  residential child-caring and child-placing agencies.

22         (10)  The Family Builders Program, the Intensive Crisis

23  Counseling Program, and any other early-intervention programs

24  and kinship care assistance programs.

25         (11)  Department contracts, pilot programs, and

26  demonstration projects.

27         (12)  Legal and casework procedures, including, but not

28  limited to, mediation, diligent search, stipulations,

29  consents, surrenders, and default, with respect to dependency,

30  termination of parental rights, adoption, guardianship, and

31  kinship care proceedings.

                                  45
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (13)  Legal and casework management of cases involving

 2  in-home supervision and out-of-home care, including judicial

 3  reviews, administrative reviews, case plans, and any other

 4  documentation or procedures required by federal or state law.

 5         (14)  Injunctions and other protective orders,

 6  domestic-violence-related cases, and certification of domestic

 7  violence centers.

 8         Section 8.  Section 39.40, Florida Statutes, is

 9  renumbered as section 39.013, Florida Statutes, and amended to

10  read:

11         39.013 39.40  Procedures and jurisdiction; right to

12  counsel.--

13         (1)  All procedures, including petitions, pleadings,

14  subpoenas, summonses, and hearings, in this chapter dependency

15  cases shall be according to the Florida Rules of Juvenile

16  Procedure unless otherwise provided by law. Parents must be

17  informed by the court of their right to counsel in dependency

18  proceedings at each stage of the dependency proceedings.

19  Parents who are unable to afford counsel and who are

20  threatened with criminal charges based on the facts underlying

21  the dependency petition or a permanent loss of custody of

22  their children must be appointed counsel.

23         (2)  The circuit court shall have exclusive original

24  jurisdiction of all proceedings under parts III, IV, V, and VI

25  of this chapter, of a child voluntarily placed with a licensed

26  child-caring agency, a licensed child-placing agency, or the

27  department, and of the adoption of children whose parental

28  rights have been terminated pursuant to this chapter.

29  Jurisdiction attaches when the initial shelter petition,

30  dependency petition, or termination of parental rights

31  petition is filed or when a child is taken into the custody of

                                  46
    12:12 PM   04/30/98                              h3883.ju25.0b




                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the department. The circuit court may assume jurisdiction over

 2  any such proceeding regardless of whether the child was in the

 3  physical custody of both parents, was in the sole legal or

 4  physical custody of only one parent, caregiver, or of some

 5  other person, or was in the physical or legal custody of no

 6  person when the event or condition occurred that brought the

 7  child to the attention of the court. When the court obtains

 8  jurisdiction of any child who has been found to be dependent

 9  is obtained, the court shall retain jurisdiction, unless

10  relinquished by its order, until the child reaches 18 years of

11  age.

12         (3)  When a child is under the jurisdiction of the

13  circuit court pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the

14  juvenile court, as a division of the circuit court, may

15  exercise the general and equitable jurisdiction over

16  guardianship proceedings pursuant to the provisions of chapter

17  744, and proceedings for temporary custody of minor children

18  by extended family pursuant to the provisions of chapter 751.

19         (4)(3)  The court shall expedite the resolution of the

20  placement issue in cases involving a child who under 4 years

21  of age when the child has been removed from the family and

22  placed in a shelter.

23         (5)(4)  The court shall expedite the judicial handling

24  of all cases when the child has been removed from the family

25  and placed in a shelter, and of all cases involving a child

26  under 4 years of age.

27         (6)(5)  It is the intent of the Legislature that

28  Children removed from their homes shall be provided equal

29  treatment with respect to goals, objectives, services, and

30  case plans, without regard to the location of their

31  placement., and that placement shall be in a safe environment

                                  47
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  where drugs and alcohol are not abused. It is the further

 2  intent of the Legislature that, when children are removed from

 3  their homes, disruption to their education be minimized to the

 4  extent possible.

 5         (7)  For any child who remains in the custody or under

 6  the supervision of the department, the court shall, within the

 7  6-month period before the child's 18th birthday, hold a

 8  hearing to review the progress of the child while in the

 9  custody or under the supervision of the department.

10         (8)(a)  At each stage of the proceedings under this

11  chapter, the court shall advise the parent, legal custodian,

12  or caregiver of the right to counsel. The court shall appoint

13  counsel for indigent persons. The court shall ascertain

14  whether the right to counsel is understood. When right to

15  counsel is waived, the court shall determine whether the

16  waiver is knowing and intelligent. The court shall enter its

17  findings in writing with respect to the appointment or waiver

18  of counsel for indigent parties or the waiver of counsel by

19  nonindigent parties.

20         (b)  Once counsel has entered an appearance or been

21  appointed by the court to represent the parent of the child,

22  the attorney shall continue to represent the parent throughout

23  the proceedings. If the attorney-client relationship is

24  discontinued, the court shall advise the parent of the right

25  to have new counsel retained or appointed for the remainder of

26  the proceedings.

27         (c)1.  No waiver of counsel may be accepted if it

28  appears that the parent, legal custodian, or caregiver is

29  unable to make an intelligent and understanding choice because

30  of mental condition, age, education, experience, the nature or

31  complexity of the case, or other factors.

                                  48
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         2.  A waiver of counsel made in court must be of

 2  record.

 3         3.  If a waiver of counsel is accepted at any hearing

 4  or proceeding, the offer of assistance of counsel must be

 5  renewed by the court at each subsequent stage of the

 6  proceedings at which the parent, legal custodian, or caregiver

 7  appears without counsel.

 8         (d)  This subsection does not apply to any parent who

 9  has voluntarily executed a written surrender of the child and

10  consents to the entry of a court order terminating parental

11  rights.

12         (9)  The time limitations in this chapter do not

13  include:

14         (a)  Periods of delay resulting from a continuance

15  granted at the request or with the consent of the child's

16  counsel or the child's guardian ad litem, if one has been

17  appointed by the court, or, if the child is of sufficient

18  capacity to express reasonable consent, at the request or with

19  the consent of the child.

20         (b)  Periods of delay resulting from a continuance

21  granted at the request of the attorney for the department, if

22  the continuance is granted:

23         1.  Because of an unavailability of evidence material

24  to the case when the attorney for the department has exercised

25  due diligence to obtain such evidence and there are

26  substantial grounds for believing that such evidence will be

27  available within 30 days.  However, if the department is not

28  prepared to present its case within 30 days, the parent or

29  guardian may move for issuance of an order to show cause or

30  the court on its own motion may impose appropriate sanctions,

31  which may include dismissal of the petition.

                                  49
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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         2.  To allow the attorney for the department additional

 2  time to prepare the case and additional time is justified

 3  because of an exceptional circumstance.

 4         (c)  Reasonable periods of delay necessary to

 5  accomplish notice of the hearing to the child's parents;

 6  however, the petitioner shall continue regular efforts to

 7  provide notice to the parents during such periods of delay.

 8         (d)  Reasonable periods of delay resulting from a

 9  continuance granted at the request of the parent or legal

10  custodian of a subject child.

11         (10)  Court-appointed counsel representing indigent

12  parents or legal guardians at shelter hearings shall be paid

13  from state funds appropriated by general law.

14         Section 9.  Section 39.4057, Florida Statutes, is

15  renumbered as section 39.0131, Florida Statutes.

16         Section 10.  Section 39.411, Florida Statutes, is

17  renumbered as section 39.0132, Florida Statutes, and amended

18  to read:

19         39.0132 39.411  Oaths, records, and confidential

20  information.--

21         (1)  The judge, clerks or deputy clerks, or authorized

22  agents of the department shall each have the power to

23  administer oaths and affirmations.

24         (2)  The court shall make and keep records of all cases

25  brought before it pursuant to this chapter and shall preserve

26  the records pertaining to a dependent child until 10 years

27  after the last entry was made, or until the child is 18 years

28  of age, whichever date is first reached, and may then destroy

29  them, except that records of cases where orders were entered

30  permanently depriving a parent of the custody of a juvenile

31  shall be preserved permanently.  The court shall make official

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  records, consisting of all petitions and orders filed in a

 2  case arising pursuant to this part and any other pleadings,

 3  certificates, proofs of publication, summonses, warrants, and

 4  other writs which may be filed therein.

 5         (3)  The clerk shall keep all court records required by

 6  this part separate from other records of the circuit court.

 7  All court records required by this part shall not be open to

 8  inspection by the public.  All records shall be inspected only

 9  upon order of the court by persons deemed by the court to have

10  a proper interest therein, except that, subject to the

11  provisions of s. 63.162, a child and the parents, or legal

12  custodians, or caregivers of the child and their attorneys,

13  guardian ad litem, law enforcement agencies, and the

14  department and its designees shall always have the right to

15  inspect and copy any official record pertaining to the child.

16  The court may permit authorized representatives of recognized

17  organizations compiling statistics for proper purposes to

18  inspect and make abstracts from official records, under

19  whatever conditions upon their use and disposition the court

20  may deem proper, and may punish by contempt proceedings any

21  violation of those conditions.

22         (4)  All information obtained pursuant to this part in

23  the discharge of official duty by any judge, employee of the

24  court, authorized agent of the department, correctional

25  probation officer, or law enforcement agent shall be

26  confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1)

27  and shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the authorized

28  personnel of the court, the department and its designees,

29  correctional probation officers, law enforcement agents,

30  guardian ad litem, and others entitled under this chapter to

31  receive that information, except upon order of the court.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (5)  All orders of the court entered pursuant to this

 2  chapter shall be in writing and signed by the judge, except

 3  that the clerk or deputy clerk may sign a summons or notice to

 4  appear.

 5         (6)  No court record of proceedings under this chapter

 6  shall be admissible in evidence in any other civil or criminal

 7  proceeding, except that:

 8         (a)  Orders permanently terminating the rights of a

 9  parent and committing the child to a licensed child-placing

10  agency or the department for adoption shall be admissible in

11  evidence in subsequent adoption proceedings relating to the

12  child.

13         (b)  Records of proceedings under this part forming a

14  part of the record on appeal shall be used in the appellate

15  court in the manner hereinafter provided.

16         (c)  Records necessary therefor shall be admissible in

17  evidence in any case in which a person is being tried upon a

18  charge of having committed perjury.

19         (d)  Records of proceedings under this part may be used

20  to prove disqualification pursuant to s. 435.06 and for proof

21  regarding such disqualification in a chapter 120 proceeding.

22         Section 11.  Section 39.414, Florida Statutes, is

23  renumbered as section 39.0133, Florida Statutes.

24         Section 12.  Section 39.415, Florida Statutes, is

25  renumbered as section 39.0134, Florida Statutes, and amended

26  to read:

27         39.0134 39.415  Appointed counsel; compensation.--

28         (1)  If counsel is entitled to receive compensation for

29  representation pursuant to a court appointment in a dependency

30  proceeding pursuant to this chapter, such compensation shall

31  be established by each county not exceed $1,000 at the trial

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  level and $2,500 at the appellate level.

 2         (2)  If counsel is entitled to receive compensation for

 3  representation pursuant to court appointment in a termination

 4  of parental rights proceeding, such compensation shall not

 5  exceed $1,000 at the trial level and $2,500 at the appellate

 6  level.

 7         Section 13.  Section 39.418, Florida Statutes, is

 8  renumbered as section 39.0135, Florida Statutes, and amended

 9  to read:

10         39.0135 39.418  Operations and Maintenance Trust

11  Fund.--Effective July 1, 1996, The department of Children and

12  Family Services shall deposit all child support payments made

13  to the department pursuant to this chapter s. 39.41(2) into

14  the Operations and Maintenance Trust Fund.  The purpose of

15  this funding is to care for children who are committed to the

16  temporary legal custody of the department pursuant to s.

17  39.41(2)(a)8.

18         Section 14.  Part II of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

19  consisting of sections 39.201, 39.202, 39.203, 39.204, 39.205,

20  and 39.206, Florida Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

21                             PART II

22                      REPORTING CHILD ABUSE

23         Section 15.  Section 415.504, Florida Statutes, is

24  renumbered as section 39.201, Florida Statutes, and amended to

25  read:

26         39.201 415.504  Mandatory reports of child abuse,

27  abandonment, or neglect; mandatory reports of death; central

28  abuse hotline.--

29         (1)  Any person, including, but not limited to, any:

30         (a)  Physician, osteopathic physician, medical

31  examiner, chiropractor, nurse, or hospital personnel engaged

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons;

 2         (b)  Health or mental health professional other than

 3  one listed in paragraph (a);

 4         (c)  Practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means

 5  for healing;

 6         (d)  School teacher or other school official or

 7  personnel;

 8         (e)  Social worker, day care center worker, or other

 9  professional child care, foster care, residential, or

10  institutional worker; or

11         (f)  Law enforcement officer,

12

13  who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is

14  an abused, abandoned, or neglected child shall report such

15  knowledge or suspicion to the department in the manner

16  prescribed in subsection (2).

17         (2)(a)  Each report of known or suspected child abuse,

18  abandonment, or neglect pursuant to this section, except those

19  solely under s. 827.04(3)(4), shall be made immediately to the

20  department's central abuse hotline on the single statewide

21  toll-free telephone number, and, if the report is of an

22  instance of known or suspected child abuse by a noncaretaker,

23  the call shall be immediately electronically transferred to

24  the appropriate county sheriff's office by the central abuse

25  hotline.  If the report is of an instance of known or

26  suspected child abuse involving impregnation of a child under

27  16 years of age by a person 21 years of age or older solely

28  under s. 827.04(3)(4), the report shall be made immediately to

29  the appropriate county sheriff's office or other appropriate

30  law enforcement agency. If the report is of an instance of

31  known or suspected child abuse solely under s. 827.04(3)(4),

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the reporting provisions of this subsection do not apply to

 2  health care professionals or other persons who provide medical

 3  or counseling services to pregnant children when such

 4  reporting would interfere with the provision of medical

 5  services.

 6         (b)  Reporters in occupation categories designated in

 7  subsection (1) are required to provide their names to the

 8  hotline staff.  The names of reporters shall be entered into

 9  the record of the report, but shall be held confidential as

10  provided in s. 39.202 415.51.

11         (c)  Reports involving known or suspected institutional

12  child abuse or neglect shall be made and received in the same

13  manner as all other reports made pursuant to this section.

14         (d)  Reports involving a known or suspected juvenile

15  sexual offender shall be made and received by the department.

16         1.  The department shall determine the age of the

17  alleged juvenile sexual offender if known.

18         2.  When the alleged juvenile sexual offender is 12

19  years of age or younger, the department shall proceed with an

20  investigation of the report pursuant to this part III,

21  immediately electronically transfer the call to the

22  appropriate law enforcement agency office by the central abuse

23  hotline, and send a written report of the allegation to the

24  appropriate county sheriff's office within 48 hours after the

25  initial report is made to the central abuse hotline.

26         3.  When the alleged juvenile sexual offender is 13

27  years of age or older, the department shall immediately

28  electronically transfer the call to the appropriate county

29  sheriff's office by the central abuse hotline, and send a

30  written report to the appropriate county sheriff's office

31  within 48 hours after the initial report to the central abuse

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  hotline.

 2         (e)  Hotline counselors shall receive periodic training

 3  in encouraging reporters to provide their names when reporting

 4  abuse, abandonment, or neglect.  Callers shall be advised of

 5  the confidentiality provisions of s. 39.202 415.51. The

 6  department shall secure and install electronic equipment that

 7  automatically provides to the hotline the number from which

 8  the call is placed.  This number shall be entered into the

 9  report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect and become a part of

10  the record of the report, but shall enjoy the same

11  confidentiality as provided to the identity of the caller

12  pursuant to s. 39.202 415.51.

13         (3)  Any person required to report or investigate cases

14  of suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect who has

15  reasonable cause to suspect that a child died as a result of

16  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect shall report his or her

17  suspicion to the appropriate medical examiner. The medical

18  examiner shall accept the report for investigation pursuant to

19  s. 406.11 and shall report his or her findings, in writing, to

20  the local law enforcement agency, the appropriate state

21  attorney, and the department.  Autopsy reports maintained by

22  the medical examiner are not subject to the confidentiality

23  requirements provided for in s. 39.202 415.51.

24         (4)(a)  The department shall establish and maintain a

25  central abuse hotline to receive all reports made pursuant to

26  this section in writing or through a single statewide

27  toll-free telephone number, which any person may use to report

28  known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect at any

29  hour of the day or night, any day of the week. The central

30  abuse hotline shall be operated in such a manner as to enable

31  the department to:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (a)1.  Immediately identify and locate prior reports or

 2  cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect through

 3  utilization of the department's automated tracking system.

 4         (b)2.  Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the

 5  department's program for reporting and investigating suspected

 6  abuse, abandonment, or neglect of children through the

 7  development and analysis of statistical and other information.

 8         (c)3.  Track critical steps in the investigative

 9  process to ensure compliance with all requirements for any

10  report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

11         (d)4.  Maintain and produce aggregate statistical

12  reports monitoring patterns of both child abuse, child

13  abandonment, and child neglect. The department shall collect

14  and analyze child-on-child sexual abuse reports and include

15  the information in aggregate statistical reports.

16         (e)5.  Serve as a resource for the evaluation,

17  management, and planning of preventive and remedial services

18  for children who have been subject to abuse, abandonment, or

19  neglect.

20         (f)6.  Initiate and enter into agreements with other

21  states for the purpose of gathering and sharing information

22  contained in reports on child maltreatment to further enhance

23  programs for the protection of children.

24         (b)  Upon receiving an oral or written report of known

25  or suspected child abuse or neglect, the central abuse hotline

26  shall determine if the report requires an immediate onsite

27  protective investigation.  For reports requiring an immediate

28  onsite protective investigation, the central abuse hotline

29  shall immediately notify the department's designated children

30  and families district staff responsible for protective

31  investigations to ensure that an onsite investigation is

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  promptly initiated.  For reports not requiring an immediate

 2  onsite protective investigation, the central abuse hotline

 3  shall notify the department's designated children and families

 4  district staff responsible for protective investigations in

 5  sufficient time to allow for an investigation, or if the

 6  district determines appropriate, a family services response

 7  system approach to be commenced within 24 hours. When a

 8  district decides to respond to a report of child abuse or

 9  neglect with a family services response system approach, the

10  provisions of part III apply.  If, in the course of assessing

11  risk and services or at any other appropriate time,

12  responsible district staff determines that the risk to the

13  child requires a child protective investigation, then the

14  department shall suspend its family services response system

15  activities and shall proceed with an investigation as

16  delineated in this part.  At the time of notification of

17  district staff with respect to the report, the central abuse

18  hotline shall also provide information on any previous report

19  concerning a subject of the present report or any pertinent

20  information relative to the present report or any noted

21  earlier reports.

22         (c)  Upon commencing an investigation under this part,

23  the child protective investigator shall inform any subject of

24  the investigation of the following:

25         1.  The names of the investigators and identifying

26  credentials from the department.

27         2.  The purpose of the investigation.

28         3.  The right to obtain his or her own attorney and

29  ways that the information provided by the subject may be used.

30         (d)  The department shall make and keep records of all

31  cases brought before it pursuant to this part and shall

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  preserve the records pertaining to a child and family until 7

 2  years after the last entry was made or until the child is 18

 3  years of age.  The department shall then destroy the records,

 4  except where the child has been placed under the protective

 5  supervision of the department, the court has made a finding of

 6  dependency, or a criminal conviction has resulted from the

 7  facts associated with the report and there is a likelihood

 8  that future services of the department may be required.

 9         (5)  The department shall be capable of receiving and

10  investigating reports of known or suspected child abuse,

11  abandonment, or neglect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  If it

12  appears that the immediate safety or well-being of a child is

13  endangered, that the family may flee or the child will be

14  unavailable for purposes of conducting a child protective

15  investigation, or that the facts otherwise so warrant, the

16  department shall commence an investigation immediately,

17  regardless of the time of day or night. In all other child

18  abuse, abandonment, or neglect cases, a child protective

19  investigation shall be commenced within 24 hours after receipt

20  of the report. In an institutional investigation, the alleged

21  perpetrator may be represented by an attorney, at his or her

22  own expense, or accompanied by another person, if the person

23  or the attorney executes an affidavit of understanding with

24  the department and agrees to comply with the confidentiality

25  provisions of s. 39.202. The absence of an attorney or other

26  person does not prevent the department from proceeding with

27  other aspects of the investigation, including interviews with

28  other persons. In institutional child abuse cases when the

29  institution is not operating and the child cannot otherwise be

30  located, the investigation shall commence immediately upon the

31  resumption of operation. If requested by a state attorney or

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  local law enforcement agency, the department shall furnish all

 2  investigative reports to that agency.

 3         (6)(e)  Information in the central abuse hotline may

 4  not be used for employment screening except as provided in s.

 5  39.202(2)(a) and (h). Information in the central abuse hotline

 6  and the department's automated abuse information system may be

 7  used by the department, its authorized agents or contract

 8  providers, the Department of Health, or county agencies as

 9  part of the licensure or registration process pursuant to ss.

10  402.301-402.319 and ss. 409.175-409.176. Access to the

11  information shall only be granted as set forth in s. 415.51.

12         (7)(5)  This section does not require a professional

13  who is hired by or enters into a contract with the department

14  for the purpose of treating or counseling any person, as a

15  result of a report of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, to

16  again report to the central abuse hotline the abuse,

17  abandonment, or neglect that was the subject of the referral

18  for treatment.

19         Section 16.  Section 415.511, Florida Statutes, is

20  renumbered as section 39.203, Florida Statutes, and amended to

21  read:

22         39.203 415.511  Immunity from liability in cases of

23  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.--

24         (1)(a)  Any person, official, or institution

25  participating in good faith in any act authorized or required

26  by this chapter ss. 415.502-415.514, or reporting in good

27  faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to

28  any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or

29  criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of

30  such action.

31         (b)  Except as provided in this chapter s.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  415.503(10)(f), nothing contained in this section shall be

 2  deemed to grant immunity, civil or criminal, to any person

 3  suspected of having abused, abandoned, or neglected a child,

 4  or committed any illegal act upon or against a child.

 5         (2)(a)  No resident or employee of a facility serving

 6  children may be subjected to reprisal or discharge because of

 7  his or her actions in reporting abuse, abandonment, or neglect

 8  pursuant to the requirements of this section.

 9         (b)  Any person making a report under this section

10  shall have a civil cause of action for appropriate

11  compensatory and punitive damages against any person who

12  causes detrimental changes in the employment status of such

13  reporting party by reason of his or her making such report.

14  Any detrimental change made in the residency or employment

15  status of such person, including, but not limited to,

16  discharge, termination, demotion, transfer, or reduction in

17  pay or benefits or work privileges, or negative evaluations

18  within a prescribed period of time shall establish a

19  rebuttable presumption that such action was retaliatory.

20         Section 17.  Section 415.512, Florida Statutes, is

21  renumbered as section 39.204, Florida Statutes, and amended to

22  read:

23         39.204 415.512  Abrogation of privileged communications

24  in cases involving child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.--The

25  privileged quality of communication between husband and wife

26  and between any professional person and his or her patient or

27  client, and any other privileged communication except that

28  between attorney and client or the privilege provided in s.

29  90.505, as such communication relates both to the competency

30  of the witness and to the exclusion of confidential

31  communications, shall not apply to any communication involving

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the perpetrator or alleged perpetrator in any situation

 2  involving known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or

 3  neglect and shall not constitute grounds for failure to report

 4  as required by s. 39.201 415.504 regardless of the source of

 5  the information requiring the report, failure to cooperate

 6  with the department in its activities pursuant to this chapter

 7  ss. 415.502-415.514, or failure to give evidence in any

 8  judicial proceeding relating to child abuse, abandonment, or

 9  neglect.

10         Section 18.  Section 415.513, Florida Statutes, is

11  renumbered as section 39.205, Florida Statutes, and amended to

12  read:

13         39.205 415.513  Penalties relating to abuse reporting

14  of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.--

15         (1)  A person who is required by s. 415.504 to report

16  known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect and

17  who knowingly and willfully fails to do so, or who knowingly

18  and willfully prevents another person from doing so, is guilty

19  of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided

20  in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

21         (2)  A person who knowingly and willfully makes public

22  or discloses any confidential information contained in the

23  central abuse hotline registry and tracking system or in the

24  records of any child abuse, abandonment, or neglect case,

25  except as provided in this chapter ss. 415.502-415.514, is

26  guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as

27  provided in  s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

28         (3)  The department shall establish procedures for

29  determining whether a false report of child abuse,

30  abandonment, or neglect has been made and for submitting all

31  identifying information relating to such a report to the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  appropriate law enforcement agency and the state attorney for

 2  prosecution.

 3         (4)  A person who knowingly and willfully makes a false

 4  report of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or who advises

 5  another to make a false report, is guilty of a misdemeanor of

 6  the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.

 7  775.083. Anyone making a report who is acting in good faith is

 8  immune from any liability under this subsection.

 9         (5)  Each state attorney shall establish procedures to

10  facilitate the prosecution of persons under this section.

11         Section 19.  Section 415.5131, Florida Statutes, is

12  renumbered as section 39.206, Florida Statutes, and amended to

13  read:

14         39.206 415.5131  Administrative fines for false report

15  of abuse, abandonment, or neglect of a child.--

16         (1)  In addition to any other penalty authorized by

17  this section, chapter 120, or other law, the department may

18  impose a fine, not to exceed $10,000 $1,000 for each

19  violation, upon a person who knowingly and willfully makes a

20  false report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect of a child, or

21  a person who counsels another to make a false report.

22         (2)  If the department alleges that a person has filed

23  a false report with the central abuse hotline registry and

24  tracking system, the department must file a Notice of Intent

25  which alleges the name, age, and address of the individual,

26  the facts constituting the allegation that the individual made

27  a false report, and the administrative fine the department

28  proposes to impose on the person. Each time that a false

29  report is made constitutes a separate violation.

30         (3)  The Notice of Intent to impose the administrative

31  fine must be served upon the person alleged to have filed the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  false report and the person's legal counsel, if any. Such

 2  Notice of Intent must be given by certified mail, return

 3  receipt requested.

 4         (4)  Any person alleged to have filed the false report

 5  is entitled to an administrative hearing, pursuant to chapter

 6  120, before the imposition of the fine becomes final. The

 7  person must request an administrative hearing within 60 days

 8  after receipt of the Notice of Intent by filing a request with

 9  the department. Failure to request an administrative hearing

10  within 60 days after receipt of the Notice of Intent

11  constitutes a waiver of the right to a hearing, making the

12  administrative fine final.

13         (5)  At the hearing, the department must prove by clear

14  and convincing evidence that the person filed a false report

15  with the central abuse hotline registry and tracking system.

16  The court shall advise any person against whom a fine may be

17  imposed of that person's right to be represented by counsel at

18  the hearing.

19         (6)  In determining the amount of fine to be imposed,

20  if any, the following factors shall be considered:

21         (a)  The gravity of the violation, including the

22  probability that serious physical or emotional harm to any

23  person will result or has resulted, the severity of the actual

24  or potential harm, and the nature of the false allegation.

25         (b)  Actions taken by the false reporter to retract the

26  false report as an element of mitigation, or, in contrast, to

27  encourage an investigation on the basis of false information.

28         (c)  Any previous false reports filed by the same

29  individual.

30         (7)  A decision by the department, following the

31  administrative hearing, to impose an administrative fine for

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  filing a false report constitutes final agency action within

 2  the meaning of chapter 120. Notice of the imposition of the

 3  administrative fine must be served upon the person and the

 4  person's legal counsel, by certified mail, return receipt

 5  requested, and must state that the person may seek judicial

 6  review of the administrative fine pursuant to s. 120.68.

 7         (8)  All amounts collected under this section shall be

 8  deposited into an appropriate trust fund of the department.

 9         (9)  A person who is determined to have filed a false

10  report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect is not entitled to

11  confidentiality. Subsequent to the conclusion of all

12  administrative or other judicial proceedings concerning the

13  filing of a false report, the name of the false reporter and

14  the nature of the false report shall be made public, pursuant

15  to s. 119.01(1). Such information shall be admissible in any

16  civil or criminal proceeding.

17         (10)  Any person making a report who is acting in good

18  faith is immune from any liability under this section and

19  shall continue to be entitled to have the confidentiality of

20  their identity maintained.

21         Section 20.  Part III of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

22  consisting of sections 39.301, 39.302, 39.303, 39.3035,

23  39.304, 39.305, 39.306, and 39.307, Florida Statutes, shall be

24  entitled to read:

25                             PART III

26                    PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS

27         Section 21.  Section 39.301, Florida Statutes, is

28  created to read:

29         39.301  Initiation of protective investigations.--

30         (1)  Upon receiving an oral or written report of known

31  or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, the central

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  abuse hotline shall determine if the report requires an

 2  immediate onsite protective investigation.  For reports

 3  requiring an immediate onsite protective investigation, the

 4  central abuse hotline shall immediately notify the

 5  department's designated children and families district staff

 6  responsible for protective investigations to ensure that an

 7  onsite investigation is promptly initiated.  For reports not

 8  requiring an immediate onsite protective investigation, the

 9  central abuse hotline shall notify the department's designated

10  children and families district staff responsible for

11  protective investigations in sufficient time to allow for an

12  investigation. At the time of notification of district staff

13  with respect to the report, the central abuse hotline shall

14  also provide information on any previous report concerning a

15  subject of the present report or any pertinent information

16  relative to the present report or any noted earlier reports.

17         (2)(a)  Upon commencing an investigation under this

18  part, the child protective investigator shall inform any

19  subject of the investigation of the following:

20         1.  The names of the investigators and identifying

21  credentials from the department.

22         2.  The purpose of the investigation.

23         3.  The right to obtain his or her own attorney and

24  ways that the information provided by the subject may be used.

25         4.  The possible outcomes and services of the

26  department's response shall be explained to the caregiver.

27         5.  The right of the parent, legal custodian, or

28  caregiver to be involved to the fullest extent possible in

29  determining the nature of the allegation and the nature of any

30  identified problem.

31         (b)  The department's training program shall ensure

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  that protective investigators know how to fully inform

 2  parents, guardians, and caregivers of their rights and

 3  options, including opportunities for audio or video recording

 4  of investigators' interviews with parents, guardians,

 5  caretakers, or children.

 6         (3)  An assessment of risk and the perceived needs of

 7  the child and family shall be conducted in a manner that is

 8  sensitive to the social, economic, and cultural environment of

 9  the family.

10         (4)  Protective investigations shall be performed by

11  the department or its agent.

12         (5)  The person responsible for the investigation shall

13  make a preliminary determination as to whether the report or

14  complaint is complete, consulting with the attorney for the

15  department when necessary.  In any case in which the person

16  responsible for the investigation finds that the report or

17  complaint is incomplete, he or she shall return it without

18  delay to the person or agency originating the report or

19  complaint or having knowledge of the facts, or to the

20  appropriate law enforcement agency having investigative

21  jurisdiction, and request additional information in order to

22  complete the report or complaint; however, the confidentiality

23  of any report filed in accordance with this chapter shall not

24  be violated.

25         (a)  If it is determined that the report or complaint

26  is complete, after determining that such action would be in

27  the best interests of the child, the attorney for the

28  department shall file a petition for dependency.

29         (b)  If it is determined that the report or complaint

30  is complete, but the interests of the child and the public

31  will be best served by providing the child care or other

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  treatment voluntarily accepted by the child and the parents,

 2  caregivers, or legal custodians, the protective investigator

 3  may refer the child for such care or other treatment.

 4         (c)  If the person conducting the investigation refuses

 5  to request that the attorney for the department file a

 6  petition for dependency, the complainant shall be advised of

 7  the right to file a petition pursuant to this part.

 8         (6)  For each report it receives, the department shall

 9  perform an onsite child protective investigation to:

10         (a)  Determine the composition of the family or

11  household, including the name, address, date of birth, social

12  security number, sex, and race of each child named in the

13  report; any siblings or other children in the same household

14  or in the care of the same adults; the parents, legal

15  custodians, or caregivers; and any other adults in the same

16  household.

17         (b)  Determine whether there is indication that any

18  child in the family or household has been abused, abandoned,

19  or neglected; the nature and extent of present or prior

20  injuries, abuse, or neglect, and any evidence thereof; and a

21  determination as to the person or persons apparently

22  responsible for the abuse, abandonment, or neglect, including

23  the name, address, date of birth, social security number, sex,

24  and race of each such person.

25         (c)  Determine the immediate and long-term risk to each

26  child by conducting state and federal records checks on the

27  parents, legal custodians, or caregivers, and any other

28  persons in the same household. This information shall be used

29  solely for purposes supporting the detection, apprehension,

30  prosecution, pretrial release, post-trial release, or

31  rehabilitation of criminal offenders or persons accused of the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  crimes of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect and shall not

 2  be further disseminated or used for any other purpose. The

 3  department's child protection investigators are hereby

 4  designated a criminal justice agency for the purpose of

 5  accessing criminal justice information to be used for

 6  enforcing this state's laws concerning the crimes of child

 7  abuse, abandonment, and neglect.

 8         (d)  Determine the immediate and long-term risk to each

 9  child through utilization of standardized risk-assessment

10  instruments.

11         (e)  Based on the information obtained from the

12  caregiver, complete the risk-assessment instrument within 48

13  hours after the initial contact and, if needed, develop a case

14  plan.

15         (f)  Determine the protective, treatment, and

16  ameliorative services necessary to safeguard and ensure the

17  child's safety and well-being and development, and cause the

18  delivery of those services through the early intervention of

19  the department or its agent.

20         (7)  If the department or its agent is denied

21  reasonable access to a child by the parents, legal custodians,

22  or caregivers and the department deems that the best interests

23  of the child so require, it shall seek an appropriate court

24  order or other legal authority prior to examining and

25  interviewing the child. The department must show cause to the

26  court that it is necessary to examine and interview the child.

27  If the department interviews a child, the interview must be

28  audio recorded or videotaped, unless the court orders

29  otherwise for good cause. The court shall consider the best

30  interests and safety of the child in making such a

31  determination. If the department interviews a child, the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  interview must be audio recorded or videotaped.

 2         (8)  If the department or its agent determines that a

 3  child requires immediate or long-term protection through:

 4         (a)  Medical or other health care;

 5         (b)  Homemaker care, day care, protective supervision,

 6  or other services to stabilize the home environment, including

 7  intensive family preservation services through the Family

 8  Builders Program, the Intensive Crisis Counseling Program, or

 9  both; or

10         (c)  Foster care, shelter care, or other substitute

11  care to remove the child from the custody of the parents,

12  legal guardians, or caregivers,

13

14  such services shall first be offered for voluntary acceptance

15  unless there are high-risk factors that may impact the ability

16  of the parents, legal guardians, or caregivers to exercise

17  judgment. Such factors may include the parents', legal

18  guardians', or caregivers' young age or history of substance

19  abuse or domestic violence. The parents, legal custodians, or

20  caregivers shall be informed of the right to refuse services,

21  as well as the responsibility of the department to protect the

22  child regardless of the acceptance or refusal of services. If

23  the services are refused and the department deems that the

24  child's need for protection so requires, the department shall

25  take the child into protective custody or petition the court

26  as provided in this chapter.

27         (9)  When a child is taken into custody pursuant to

28  this section, the authorized agent of the department shall

29  request that the child's parent, caregiver, or legal custodian

30  disclose the names, relationships, and addresses of all

31  parents and prospective parents and all next of kin, so far as

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  are known.

 2         (10)  No later than 30 days after receiving the initial

 3  report, the local office of the department shall complete its

 4  investigation.

 5         (11)  Immediately upon receipt of a report alleging, or

 6  immediately upon learning during the course of an

 7  investigation, that:

 8         (a)  The immediate safety or well-being of a child is

 9  endangered;

10         (b)  The family is likely to flee;

11         (c)  A child has died as a result of abuse,

12  abandonment, or neglect;

13         (d)  A child is a victim of aggravated child abuse as

14  defined in s. 827.03; or

15         (e)  A child is a victim of sexual battery or of sexual

16  abuse,

17

18  the department shall orally notify the jurisdictionally

19  responsible state attorney and county sheriff's office or

20  local police department and, as soon as practicable, transmit

21  the report to those agencies.  The law enforcement agency

22  shall review the report and determine whether a criminal

23  investigation needs to be conducted and shall assume lead

24  responsibility for all criminal fact-finding activities.  A

25  criminal investigation shall be coordinated, whenever

26  possible, with the child protective investigation of the

27  department.  Any interested person who has information

28  regarding an offense described in this subsection may forward

29  a statement to the state attorney as to whether prosecution is

30  warranted and appropriate.

31         (12)  In a child protective investigation or a criminal

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  investigation, when the initial interview with the child is

 2  conducted at school, the department or the law enforcement

 3  agency may allow, notwithstanding the provisions of s.

 4  39.0132(4), a school instructional staff member who is known

 5  by the child to be present during the initial interview if:

 6         (a)  The department or law enforcement agency believes

 7  that the school instructional staff member could enhance the

 8  success of the interview by his or her presence; and

 9         (b)  The child requests or consents to the presence of

10  the school instructional staff member at the interview.

11

12  School instructional staff may be present only when authorized

13  by this subsection.  Information received during the interview

14  or from any other source regarding the alleged abuse or

15  neglect of the child shall be confidential and exempt from the

16  provisions of s. 119.07(1), except as otherwise provided by

17  court order.  A separate record of the investigation of the

18  abuse, abandonment, or neglect shall not be maintained by the

19  school or school instructional staff member. Violation of this

20  subsection constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree,

21  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

22         (13)  Within 15 days after the completion of the

23  investigation of cases reported to him or her pursuant to this

24  section, the state attorney shall report his or her findings

25  to the department and shall include in such report a

26  determination of whether or not prosecution is justified and

27  appropriate in view of the circumstances of the specific case.

28         Section 22.  Section 39.302, Florida Statutes, is

29  created to read:

30         39.302  Protective investigations of institutional

31  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.--

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (1)  The department shall conduct a child protective

 2  investigation of each report of institutional child abuse,

 3  abandonment, or neglect.  Upon receipt of a report that

 4  alleges that an employee or agent of the department, or any

 5  other entity or person covered by s. 39.01(32) or (47), acting

 6  in an official capacity, has committed an act of child abuse,

 7  abandonment, or neglect, the department shall immediately

 8  initiate a child protective investigation and orally notify

 9  the appropriate state attorney, law enforcement agency, and

10  licensing agency.  These agencies shall immediately conduct a

11  joint investigation, unless independent investigations are

12  more feasible.  When a facility is exempt from licensing, the

13  department shall inform the owner or operator of the facility

14  of the report.  Each agency conducting a joint investigation

15  shall be entitled to full access to the information gathered

16  by the department in the course of the investigation. In all

17  cases, the department shall make a full written report to the

18  state attorney within 3 days after making the oral report. A

19  criminal investigation shall be coordinated, whenever

20  possible, with the child protective investigation of the

21  department. Any interested person who has information

22  regarding the offenses described in this subsection may

23  forward a statement to the state attorney as to whether

24  prosecution is warranted and appropriate. Within 15 days after

25  the completion of the investigation, the state attorney shall

26  report the findings to the department and shall include in

27  such report a determination of whether or not prosecution is

28  justified and appropriate in view of the circumstances of the

29  specific case.

30         (2)(a)  If in the course of the child protective

31  investigation, the department finds that a subject of a

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  report, by continued contact with children in care,

 2  constitutes a threatened harm to the physical health, mental

 3  health, or welfare of the children, the department may

 4  restrict the subject's access to the children pending the

 5  outcome of the investigation.  The department or its agent

 6  shall employ the least restrictive means necessary to

 7  safeguard the physical health, mental health, and welfare of

 8  the children in care.  This authority shall apply only to

 9  child protective investigations in which there is some

10  evidence that child abuse, abandonment, or neglect has

11  occurred.  A subject of a report whose access to children in

12  care has been restricted is entitled to petition the circuit

13  court for judicial review. The court shall enter written

14  findings of fact based upon the preponderance of evidence that

15  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect did occur and that the

16  department's restrictive action against a subject of the

17  report was justified in order to safeguard the physical

18  health, mental health, and welfare of the children in care.

19  The restrictive action of the department shall be effective

20  for no more than 90 days without a judicial finding supporting

21  the actions of the department.

22         (b)  Upon completion of the department's child

23  protective investigation, the department may make application

24  to the circuit court for continued restrictive action against

25  any person necessary to safeguard the physical health, mental

26  health, and welfare of the children in care.

27         (3)  Pursuant to the restrictive actions described in

28  subsection (2), in cases of institutional abuse, abandonment,

29  or neglect in which the removal of a subject of a report will

30  result in the closure of the facility, and when requested by

31  the owner of the facility, the department may provide

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  appropriate personnel to assist in maintaining the operation

 2  of the facility.  The department may provide assistance when

 3  it can be demonstrated by the owner that there are no

 4  reasonable alternatives to such action. The length of the

 5  assistance shall be agreed upon by the owner and the

 6  department; however, the assistance shall not be for longer

 7  than the course of the restrictive action imposed pursuant to

 8  subsection (2).  The owner shall reimburse the department for

 9  the assistance of personnel provided.

10         (4)  The department shall notify the human rights

11  advocacy committee in the appropriate district of the

12  department as to every report of institutional child abuse,

13  abandonment, or neglect in the district in which a client of

14  the department is alleged or shown to have been abused,

15  abandoned, or neglected, which notification shall be made

16  within 48 hours after the department commences its

17  investigation.

18         (5)  The department shall notify the state attorney and

19  the appropriate law enforcement agency of any other child

20  abuse, abandonment, or neglect case in which a criminal

21  investigation is deemed appropriate by the department.

22         (6)  In cases of institutional child abuse,

23  abandonment, or neglect in which the multiplicity of reports

24  of abuse, abandonment, or neglect or the severity of the

25  allegations indicates the need for specialized investigation

26  by the department in order to afford greater safeguards for

27  the physical health, mental health, and welfare of the

28  children in care, the department shall provide a team of

29  persons specially trained in the areas of child abuse,

30  abandonment, and neglect investigations, diagnosis, and

31  treatment to assist the local office of the department in

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  expediting its investigation and in making recommendations for

 2  restrictive actions and to assist in other ways deemed

 3  necessary by the department in order to carry out the

 4  provisions of this section. The specially trained team shall

 5  also provide assistance to any investigation of the

 6  allegations by local law enforcement and the Department of Law

 7  Enforcement.

 8         Section 23.  Section 415.5055, Florida Statutes, is

 9  renumbered as section 39.303, Florida Statutes, and amended to

10  read:

11         39.303 415.5055  Child protection teams; services;

12  eligible cases.--The department shall develop, maintain, and

13  coordinate the services of one or more multidisciplinary child

14  protection teams in each of the service districts of the

15  department.  Such teams may be composed of representatives of

16  appropriate health, mental health, social service, legal

17  service, and law enforcement agencies. The Legislature finds

18  that optimal coordination of child protection teams and sexual

19  abuse treatment programs requires collaboration between the

20  Department of Health and the Department of Children and Family

21  Services. The two departments shall maintain an interagency

22  agreement that establishes protocols for oversight and

23  operations of child protection teams and sexual abuse

24  treatment programs. The Secretary of Health and the Director

25  of the Division of Children's Medical Services, in

26  consultation with the Secretary of Children and Family

27  Services, shall maintain the responsibility for the screening,

28  employment, and, if necessary, the termination of child

29  protection team medical directors, at headquarters and in the

30  15 districts. Child protection team medical directors shall be

31  responsible for oversight of the teams in the districts.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (1)  The department shall utilize and convene the teams

 2  to supplement the assessment and protective supervision

 3  activities of the children, youth, and families program of the

 4  department.  Nothing in this section shall be construed to

 5  remove or reduce the duty and responsibility of any person to

 6  report pursuant to this chapter s. 415.504 all suspected or

 7  actual cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect or sexual

 8  abuse of a child.  The role of the teams shall be to support

 9  activities of the program and to provide services deemed by

10  the teams to be necessary and appropriate to abused,

11  abandoned, and neglected children upon referral.  The

12  specialized diagnostic assessment, evaluation, coordination,

13  consultation, and other supportive services that a child

14  protection team shall be capable of providing include, but are

15  not limited to, the following:

16         (a)  Medical diagnosis and evaluation services,

17  including provision or interpretation of X rays and laboratory

18  tests, and related services, as needed, and documentation of

19  findings relative thereto.

20         (b)  Telephone consultation services in emergencies and

21  in other situations.

22         (c)  Medical evaluation related to abuse, abandonment,

23  or neglect, as defined by department policy or rule.

24         (d)  Such psychological and psychiatric diagnosis and

25  evaluation services for the child or the child's parent or

26  parents, legal custodian or custodians guardian or guardians,

27  or other caregivers, or any other individual involved in a

28  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect case, as the team may

29  determine to be needed.

30         (e)  Short-term psychological treatment.  It is the

31  intent of the Legislature that short-term psychological

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  treatment be limited to no more than 6 months' duration after

 2  treatment is initiated, except that the appropriate district

 3  administrator may authorize such treatment for individual

 4  children beyond this limitation if the administrator deems it

 5  appropriate.

 6         (f)  Expert medical, psychological, and related

 7  professional testimony in court cases.

 8         (g)  Case staffings to develop, implement, and monitor

 9  treatment plans for children whose cases have been referred to

10  the team.  A child protection team may provide consultation

11  with respect to a child who has not been referred to the team,

12  but who is alleged or is shown to be abused, abandoned, or

13  neglected, which consultation shall be provided at the request

14  of a representative of the children, youth, and families

15  program or at the request of any other professional involved

16  with a child or the child's parent or parents, legal custodian

17  or custodians guardian or guardians, or other caregivers.  In

18  every such child protection team case staffing, consultation,

19  or staff activity involving a child, a children, youth, and

20  families program representative shall attend and participate.

21         (h)  Case service coordination and assistance,

22  including the location of services available from other public

23  and private agencies in the community.

24         (i)  Such training services for program and other

25  department employees as is deemed appropriate to enable them

26  to develop and maintain their professional skills and

27  abilities in handling child abuse, abandonment, and neglect

28  cases.

29         (j)  Educational and community awareness campaigns on

30  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect in an effort to enable

31  citizens more successfully to prevent, identify, and treat

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  child abuse, abandonment, and neglect in the community.

 2         (2)  The child abuse, abandonment, and neglect cases

 3  that are appropriate for referral by the children, youth, and

 4  families program to child protection teams for support

 5  services as set forth in subsection (1) include, but are not

 6  limited to, cases involving:

 7         (a)  Bruises, burns, or fractures in a child under the

 8  age of 3 years or in a nonambulatory child of any age.

 9         (b)  Unexplained or implausibly explained bruises,

10  burns, fractures, or other injuries in a child of any age.

11         (c)  Sexual abuse of a child in which vaginal or anal

12  penetration is alleged or in which other unlawful sexual

13  conduct has been determined to have occurred.

14         (d)  Venereal disease, or any other sexually

15  transmitted disease, in a prepubescent child.

16         (e)  Reported malnutrition of a child and failure of a

17  child to thrive.

18         (f)  Reported medical, physical, or emotional neglect

19  of a child.

20         (g)  Any family in which one or more children have been

21  pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital or other health care

22  facility, or have been injured and later died, as a result of

23  suspected abuse, abandonment, or neglect, when any sibling or

24  other child remains in the home.

25         (h)  Symptoms of serious emotional problems in a child

26  when emotional or other abuse, abandonment, or neglect is

27  suspected.

28         (3)  All records and reports of the child protection

29  team are confidential and exempt from the provisions of ss.

30  119.07(1) and 455.241, and shall not be disclosed, except,

31  upon request, to the state attorney, law enforcement, the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  department, and necessary professionals, in furtherance of the

 2  treatment or additional evaluative needs of the child or by

 3  order of the court.

 4         (3)  In all instances in which a child protection team

 5  is providing certain services to abused, abandoned, or

 6  neglected children, other offices and units of the department

 7  shall avoid duplicating the provision of those services.

 8         Section 24.  Section 39.3035, Florida Statutes, is

 9  created to read:

10         39.3035  Child advocacy centers; standards; state

11  funding.--

12         (1)  In order to become eligible for a full membership

13  in the Florida Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, Inc., a

14  child advocacy center in this state shall:

15         (a)  Be a private, nonprofit incorporated agency or a

16  governmental entity.

17         (b)  Be a child protection team with established

18  community protocols that meet all of the requirements of the

19  National Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, Inc.

20         (c)  Have a neutral, child-focused facility where joint

21  department and law enforcement interviews take place with

22  children in appropriate cases of suspected child sexual abuse

23  or physical abuse.  All multidisciplinary agencies shall have

24  a place to interact with the child as investigative or

25  treatment needs require.

26         (d)  Have a minimum designated staff that is supervised

27  and approved by the local board of directors or governmental

28  entity.

29         (e)  Have a multidisciplinary case review team that

30  meets on a regularly scheduled basis or as the caseload of the

31  community requires.  The team shall consist of representatives

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  from the Office of the State Attorney, the department, the

 2  child protection team, mental health services, law

 3  enforcement, and the child advocacy center staff.  Medical

 4  personnel and a victim's advocate may be part of the team.

 5         (f)  Provide case tracking of child abuse cases seen

 6  through the center.  A center shall also collect data on the

 7  number of child abuse cases seen at the center, by sex, race,

 8  age, and other relevant data; the number of cases referred for

 9  prosecution; and the number of cases referred for mental

10  health therapy. Case records shall be subject to the

11  confidentiality provisions of s. 39.202.

12         (g)  Provide referrals for medical exams and mental

13  health therapy.  The center shall provide followup on cases

14  referred for mental health therapy.

15         (h)  Provide training for various disciplines in the

16  community that deal with child abuse.

17         (i)  Have an interagency commitment, in writing,

18  covering those aspects of agency participation in a

19  multidisciplinary approach to the handling of child sexual

20  abuse and serious physical abuse cases.

21         (2)  Provide assurance that child advocacy center

22  employees and volunteers at the center are trained and

23  screened in accordance with s. 39.001(2).

24         (3)  Any child advocacy center within this state that

25  meets the standards of subsection (1) and is certified by the

26  Florida Network of Children's Advocacy Centers, Inc., as being

27  a full member in the organization shall be eligible to receive

28  state funds that are appropriated by the Legislature.

29         Section 25.  Section 415.507, Florida Statutes, is

30  renumbered as section 39.304, Florida Statutes, and amended to

31  read:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         39.304 415.507  Photographs, medical examinations, X

 2  rays, and medical treatment of abused, abandoned, or neglected

 3  child.--

 4         (1)  Any person required to investigate cases of

 5  suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect may take or

 6  cause to be taken photographs of the areas of trauma visible

 7  on a child who is the subject of a report.  If the areas of

 8  trauma visible on a child indicate a need for a medical

 9  examination, or if the child verbally complains or otherwise

10  exhibits distress as a result of injury through suspected

11  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, or is alleged to have

12  been sexually abused, the person required to investigate may

13  cause the child to be referred for diagnosis to a licensed

14  physician or an emergency department in a hospital without the

15  consent of the child's parents, caregiver legal guardian, or

16  legal custodian.  Such examination may be performed by an

17  advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed pursuant to

18  chapter 464. Any licensed physician, or advanced registered

19  nurse practitioner licensed pursuant to chapter 464, who has

20  reasonable cause to suspect that an injury was the result of

21  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect may authorize a

22  radiological examination to be performed on the child without

23  the consent of the child's parent, caregiver legal guardian,

24  or legal custodian.

25         (2)  Consent for any medical treatment shall be

26  obtained in the following manner.

27         (a)1.  Consent to medical treatment shall be obtained

28  from a parent or legal custodian guardian of the child; or

29         2.  A court order for such treatment shall be obtained.

30         (b)  If a parent or legal custodian guardian of the

31  child is unavailable and his or her whereabouts cannot be

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  reasonably ascertained, and it is after normal working hours

 2  so that a court order cannot reasonably be obtained, an

 3  authorized agent of the department shall have the authority to

 4  consent to necessary medical treatment for the child. The

 5  authority of the department to consent to medical treatment in

 6  this circumstance shall be limited to the time reasonably

 7  necessary to obtain court authorization.

 8         (c)  If a parent or legal custodian guardian of the

 9  child is available but refuses to consent to the necessary

10  treatment, a court order shall be required unless the

11  situation meets the definition of an emergency in s. 743.064

12  or the treatment needed is related to suspected abuse,

13  abandonment, or neglect of the child by a parent or legal

14  custodian guardian. In such case, the department shall have

15  the authority to consent to necessary medical treatment.  This

16  authority is limited to the time reasonably necessary to

17  obtain court authorization.

18

19  In no case shall the department consent to sterilization,

20  abortion, or termination of life support.

21         (3)  Any facility licensed under chapter 395 shall

22  provide to the department, its agent, or a child protection

23  team that contracts with the department any photograph or

24  report on examinations made or X rays taken pursuant to this

25  section, or copies thereof, for the purpose of investigation

26  or assessment of cases of abuse, abandonment, neglect, or

27  exploitation of children.

28         (4)(3)  Any photograph or report on examinations made

29  or X rays taken pursuant to this section, or copies thereof,

30  shall be sent to the department as soon as possible.

31         (5)(4)  The county in which the child is a resident

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  shall bear the initial costs of the examination of the

 2  allegedly abused, abandoned, or neglected child; however, the

 3  parents, caregiver legal guardian, or legal custodian of the

 4  child shall be required to reimburse the county for the costs

 5  of such examination, other than an initial forensic physical

 6  examination as provided in s. 960.28, and to reimburse the

 7  department of Children and Family Services for the cost of the

 8  photographs taken pursuant to this section.  A medical

 9  provider may not bill a child victim, directly or indirectly,

10  for the cost of an initial forensic physical examination.

11         (5)  The court shall order a defendant or juvenile

12  offender who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or who is

13  convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for, a violation of

14  chapter 794 or chapter 800 to make restitution to the Crimes

15  Compensation Trust Fund or to the county, whichever paid for

16  the initial forensic physical examination, in an amount equal

17  to the compensation paid to the medical provider for the cost

18  of the initial forensic physical examination.  The order may

19  be enforced by the department in the same manner as a judgment

20  in a civil action.

21         Section 26.  Section 415.5095, Florida Statutes, is

22  renumbered as section 39.305, Florida Statutes, and amended to

23  read:

24         39.305 415.5095  Intervention and treatment in sexual

25  abuse cases; model plan.--

26         (1)  The impact of sexual abuse on the child and family

27  has caused the Legislature to determine that special

28  intervention and treatment must be offered in certain cases so

29  that the child can be protected from further abuse, the family

30  can be kept together, and the abuser can benefit from

31  treatment.  To further this end, it is the intent of the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  Legislature that special funding shall be available in those

 2  communities where agencies and professionals are able to work

 3  cooperatively to effectuate intervention and treatment in

 4  intrafamily sexual abuse cases.

 5         (2)  The department of Children and Family Services

 6  shall develop a model plan for community intervention and

 7  treatment of intrafamily sexual abuse in conjunction with the

 8  Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of Health, the

 9  Department of Education, the Attorney General, the state

10  Guardian Ad Litem Program, the Department of Corrections,

11  representatives of the judiciary, and professionals and

12  advocates from the mental health and child welfare community.

13         Section 27.  Section 39.306, Florida Statutes, is

14  created to read:

15         39.306  Child protective investigations; working

16  agreements with local law enforcement.--The department shall

17  enter into agreements with the jurisdictionally responsible

18  county sheriffs' offices and local police departments that

19  will assume the lead in conducting any potential criminal

20  investigations arising from allegations of child abuse,

21  abandonment, or neglect. The written agreement must specify

22  how the requirements of this chapter will be met. For the

23  purposes of such agreement, the jurisdictionally responsible

24  law enforcement entity is authorized to share Florida criminal

25  history information that is not otherwise exempt from s.

26  119.07(1) with the district personnel, authorized agent, or

27  contract provider directly responsible for the child

28  protective investigation and emergency child placement. The

29  agencies entering into such agreement must comply with s.

30  943.0525. Criminal justice information provided by such law

31  enforcement entity shall be used only for the purposes

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  specified in the agreement and shall be provided at no charge.

 2  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Department of

 3  Law Enforcement shall provide to the department electronic

 4  access to Florida criminal justice information that is

 5  lawfully available and not exempt from s. 119.07(1), only for

 6  the purpose of child protective investigations and emergency

 7  child placement.  As a condition of access to such

 8  information, the department shall be required to execute an

 9  appropriate user agreement addressing the access, use,

10  dissemination, and destruction of such information and to

11  comply with all applicable laws and regulations and with rules

12  of the Department of Law Enforcement.

13         Section 28.  Section 415.50171, Florida Statutes, is

14  renumbered as section 39.307, Florida Statutes, and amended to

15  read:

16         39.307 415.50171  Family services response system;

17  Reports of child-on-child sexual abuse.--

18         (1)  Subject to specific appropriation, Upon receiving

19  a report alleging juvenile sexual abuse as defined in s.

20  39.01(7)(b), the department shall assist the family in

21  receiving appropriate services 415.50165(7), district staff

22  shall, unless caregiver abuse or neglect is involved, use a

23  family services response system approach to address the

24  allegations of the report.

25         (2)  District staff, at a minimum, shall adhere to the

26  following procedures:

27         (a)  The purpose of the response to a report alleging

28  juvenile sexual abuse behavior shall be explained to the

29  caregiver.

30         1.  The purpose of the response shall be explained in a

31  manner consistent with legislative purpose and intent provided

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  in this chapter part.

 2         2.  The name and office telephone number of the person

 3  responding shall be provided to the caregiver of the alleged

 4  juvenile sexual offender and victim's caregiver.

 5         3.  The possible consequences of the department's

 6  response, including outcomes and services, shall be explained

 7  to the caregiver of the alleged juvenile sexual offender and

 8  the victim's family or caregiver.

 9         (b)  The caregiver of the alleged juvenile sexual

10  offender and the caregiver of the victim shall be involved to

11  the fullest extent possible in determining the nature of the

12  allegation and the nature of any problem or risk to other

13  children.

14         (c)  The assessment of risk and the perceived treatment

15  needs of the alleged juvenile sexual offender, the victim, and

16  respective caregivers shall be conducted by the district

17  staff, the child protection team, and other providers under

18  contract with the department to provide services to the

19  caregiver of the alleged offender, the victim, and the

20  victim's caregiver.

21         (d)  The assessment shall be conducted in a manner that

22  is sensitive to the social, economic, and cultural environment

23  of the family.

24         (e)  When necessary, the child protection team shall

25  conduct an evidence-gathering physical examination of the

26  victim.

27         (f)  Based on the information obtained from the alleged

28  juvenile sexual offender, the alleged juvenile sexual

29  offender's caregiver, the victim, and the victim's caregiver,

30  an assessment service and treatment needs report must be

31  completed within 7 days and, if needed, a case plan developed

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  within 30 days.

 2         (g)  The department shall classify the outcome of its

 3  initial assessment of the report as follows:

 4         1.  Report closed.  Services were not offered to the

 5  alleged juvenile sexual offender because the department

 6  determined that there was no basis for intervention.

 7         2.  Services accepted by alleged offender.  Services

 8  were offered to the alleged juvenile sexual offender and

 9  accepted by the caregiver.

10         3.  Report closed.  Services were offered to the

11  alleged juvenile sexual offender, but were rejected by the

12  caregiver.

13         4.  Notification to law enforcement.  Either the risk

14  to the victim's safety and well-being cannot be reduced by the

15  provision of services or the family rejected services, and

16  notification of the alleged delinquent act or violation of law

17  to the appropriate law enforcement agency was initiated.

18         5.  Services accepted by victim.  Services were offered

19  to the victim of the alleged juvenile sexual offender and

20  accepted by the caregiver.

21         6.  Report closed.  Services were offered to the victim

22  of the alleged juvenile sexual offender, but were rejected by

23  the caregiver.

24         (3)  When services have been accepted by the alleged

25  juvenile sexual offender, victim, and respective caregivers or

26  family, the department shall designate a case manager and

27  develop a specific case plan.

28         (a)  Upon receipt of the plan, the caregiver or family

29  shall indicate its acceptance of the plan in writing.

30         (b)  The case manager shall periodically review the

31  progress toward achieving the objectives of the plan in order

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  to:

 2         1.  Make adjustments to the plan or take additional

 3  action as provided in this part; or

 4         2.  Terminate the case when indicated by successful or

 5  substantial achievement of the objectives of the plan.

 6         (4)  In the event the family or caregiver of the

 7  alleged juvenile sexual offender fails to adequately

 8  participate or allow for the adequate participation of the

 9  juvenile sexual offender in the services or treatment

10  delineated in the case plan, the case manager may recommend

11  that the department:

12         (a)  Close the case;

13         (b)  Refer the case to mediation or arbitration, if

14  available; or

15         (c)  Notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of

16  failure to comply.

17         (5)  Services to the alleged juvenile sexual offender,

18  the victim, and respective caregivers or family under this

19  section shall be voluntary and of necessary duration.

20         (6)  At any time, as a result of additional

21  information, findings of facts, or changing conditions, the

22  department may pursue a child protective investigation as

23  provided in this chapter part IV.

24         (7)  The department is authorized to develop rules and

25  other policy directives necessary to implement the provisions

26  of this section.

27         Section 29.  Part IV of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

28  consisting of sections 39.311, 39.312, 39.313, 39.314, 39.315,

29  39.316, 39.317, and 39.318, Florida Statutes, shall be

30  entitled to read:

31                             PART IV

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1                     FAMILY BUILDERS PROGRAM

 2         Section 30.  Section 415.515, Florida Statutes, is

 3  renumbered as section 39.311, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 4  read:

 5         39.311 415.515  Establishment of Family Builders

 6  Program.--

 7         (1)  Any Family Builders Program that is established by

 8  the department of Children and Family Services or the

 9  Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide family

10  preservation services to families whose children are at risk

11  of imminent out-of-home placement because they are dependent

12  or delinquent or are children in need of services, to reunite

13  families whose children have been removed and placed in foster

14  care, and to maintain adoptive families intact who are at risk

15  of fragmentation. The Family Builders Program shall provide

16  programs to achieve long-term changes within families that

17  will allow children to remain with their families as an

18  alternative to the more expensive and potentially

19  psychologically damaging program of out-of-home placement.

20         (2)  The department of Children and Family Services and

21  the Department of Juvenile Justice may adopt rules to

22  implement the Family Builders Program.

23         Section 31.  Section 415.516, Florida Statutes, is

24  renumbered as section 39.312, Florida Statutes, and amended to

25  read:

26         39.312 415.516  Goals.--The goals of any Family

27  Builders Program shall be to:

28         (1)  Ensure child health and safety while working with

29  the family.

30         (2)(1)  Help parents to improve their relationships

31  with their children and to provide better care, nutrition,

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  hygiene, discipline, protection, instruction, and supervision.

 2         (3)(2)  Help parents to provide a better household

 3  environment for their children by improving household

 4  maintenance, budgeting, and purchasing.

 5         (4)(3)  Provide part-time child care when parents are

 6  unable to do so or need temporary relief.

 7         (5)(4)  Perform household maintenance, budgeting, and

 8  purchasing when parents are unable to do so on their own or

 9  need temporary relief.

10         (6)(5)  Assist parents and children to manage and

11  resolve conflicts.

12         (7)(6)  Assist parents to meet the special physical,

13  mental, or emotional needs of their children and help parents

14  to deal with their own special physical, mental, or emotional

15  needs that interfere with their ability to care for their

16  children and to manage their households.

17         (8)(7)  Help families to discover and gain access to

18  community resources to which the family or children might be

19  entitled and which would assist the family in meeting its

20  needs and the needs of the children, including the needs for

21  food, clothing, housing, utilities, transportation,

22  appropriate educational opportunities, employment, respite

23  care, and recreational and social activities.

24         (9)(8)  Help families by providing cash or in-kind

25  assistance to meet their needs for food, clothing, housing, or

26  transportation when such needs prevent or threaten to prevent

27  parents from caring for their children, and when such needs

28  are not met by other sources in the community in a timely

29  fashion.

30         (9)  Emphasize parental responsibility and facilitate

31  counseling for children at high risk of delinquent behavior

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  and their parents.

 2         (10)  Provide such additional reasonable services for

 3  the prevention of maltreatment and unnecessary foster care as

 4  may be needed in order to strengthen a family at risk.

 5         Section 32.  Section 415.517, Florida Statutes, is

 6  renumbered as section 39.313, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 7  read:

 8         39.313 415.517  Contracting of services.--The

 9  department may contract for the delivery of Family Builders

10  Program services by professionally qualified persons or local

11  governments when it determines that it is in the family's best

12  interest.  The service provider or program operator must

13  submit to the department monthly activity reports covering any

14  services rendered.  These activity reports must include

15  project evaluation in relation to individual families being

16  served, as well as statistical data concerning families

17  referred for services who are not served due to the

18  unavailability of resources.  The costs of program evaluation

19  are an allowable cost consideration in any service contract

20  negotiated in accordance with this section subsection.

21         Section 33.  Section 415.518, Florida Statutes, is

22  renumbered as section 39.314, Florida Statutes, and amended to

23  read:

24         39.314 415.518  Eligibility for Family Builders Program

25  services.--Family Builders Program services must be made

26  available to a family at risk on a voluntary basis, provided

27  the family meets the eligibility requirements as established

28  by rule and there is space available in the program.  All

29  members of the families who accept such services are

30  responsible for cooperating fully with the family preservation

31  plan developed for each family under s. 39.315 this section.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  Families in which children are at imminent risk of sexual

 2  abuse or physical endangerment perpetrated by a member of

 3  their immediate household are not eligible to receive family

 4  preservation services unless the perpetrator is in, or has

 5  agreed to enter, a program for treatment and the safety of the

 6  children may be enhanced through participation in the Family

 7  Builders Program.

 8         Section 34.  Section 415.519, Florida Statutes, is

 9  renumbered as section 39.315, Florida Statutes.

10         Section 35.  Section 415.520, Florida Statutes, is

11  renumbered as section 39.316, Florida Statutes, and amended to

12  read:

13         39.316 415.520  Qualifications of Family Builders

14  Program workers.--

15         (1)  A public or private agency staff member who

16  provides direct service to an eligible family must possess a

17  bachelor's degree in a human-service-related field and 2

18  years' experience providing direct services to children,

19  youth, or their families or possess a master's degree in a

20  human-service-related field with 1 year of experience.  A

21  person who supervises caseworkers who provide direct services

22  to eligible families must possess a master's degree in a

23  human-service-related field and have at least 2 years of

24  experience in social work or counseling or must possess a

25  bachelor's degree in a human-service-related field and have at

26  least 3 years' experience in social work or counseling.

27         (2)  A person who provides paraprofessional aide

28  services to families must possess a valid high school diploma

29  or a Graduate Equivalency Diploma and must have a minimum of 2

30  years' experience in working with families with children.

31  Experience in a volunteer capacity while working with families

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  may be included in the 2 years of required experience.

 2         (3)  Caseworkers must successfully complete at least 40

 3  hours of intensive training prior to providing direct services

 4  service under this program.  Paraprofessional aides and

 5  supervisors must, within 90 days after hiring, complete a

 6  training program prescribed by the department on child abuse,

 7  abandonment, and neglect and an overview of the children,

 8  youth, and families program components and service delivery

 9  system.  Program supervisors and caseworkers must thereafter

10  complete at least 40 hours of additional training each year in

11  accordance with standards established by the department.

12         Section 36.  Section 415.521, Florida Statutes, is

13  renumbered as section 39.317, Florida Statutes.

14         Section 37.  Section 415.522, Florida Statutes, is

15  renumbered as section 39.318, Florida Statutes, and amended to

16  read:

17         39.318 415.522  Funding.--The department is authorized

18  to use appropriate state, federal, and private funds within

19  its budget for operating the Family Builders Program.  For

20  each child served, the cost of providing home-based services

21  described in this part act must not exceed the costs of

22  out-of-home care which otherwise would be incurred.

23         Section 38.  Part V of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

24  consisting of sections 39.395, 39.401, 39.402, 39.407, and

25  39.4075, Florida Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

26                              PART V

27                   TAKING CHILDREN INTO CUSTODY

28                       AND SHELTER HEARINGS

29         Section 39.  Section 39.395, Florida Statutes, is

30  created to read:

31         39.395  Taking a child into protective custody; medical

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  or hospital personnel.--Any person in charge of a hospital or

 2  similar institution or any physician or licensed health care

 3  professional treating a child may keep that child in his or

 4  her custody without the consent of the parents, caregiver, or

 5  legal custodian, whether or not additional medical treatment

 6  is required, if the circumstances are such, or if the

 7  condition of the child is such, that continuing the child in

 8  the child's place of residence or in the care or custody of

 9  the parents, caregiver, or legal custodian presents an

10  imminent danger to the child's life or physical or mental

11  health. Any such person taking a child into protective custody

12  shall immediately notify the department, whereupon the

13  department shall immediately begin a child protective

14  investigation in accordance with the provisions of this

15  chapter and shall make every reasonable effort to immediately

16  notify the parents, caregiver, or legal custodian that such

17  child has been taken into protective custody. If the

18  department determines, according to the criteria set forth in

19  this chapter, that the child should remain in protective

20  custody longer than 24 hours, it shall petition the court for

21  an order authorizing such custody in the same manner as if the

22  child were placed in a shelter. The department shall attempt

23  to avoid the placement of a child in an institution whenever

24  possible.

25         Section 40.  Section 39.401, Florida Statutes, as

26  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is amended to

27  read:

28         39.401  Taking a child alleged to be dependent into

29  custody; law enforcement officers and authorized agents of the

30  department.--

31         (1)  A child may only be taken into custody:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (a)  Pursuant to an order of the circuit court issued

 2  pursuant to the provisions of this part, based upon sworn

 3  testimony, either before or after a petition is filed; or.

 4         (b)  By a law enforcement officer, or an authorized

 5  agent of the department, if the officer or authorized agent

 6  has probable cause to support a finding of reasonable grounds

 7  for removal and that removal is necessary to protect the

 8  child. Reasonable grounds for removal are as follows:

 9         1.  That the child has been abused, neglected, or

10  abandoned, or is suffering from or is in imminent danger of

11  illness or injury as a result of abuse, neglect, or

12  abandonment;

13         2.  That the parent, legal custodian, caregiver, or

14  responsible adult relative custodian of the child has

15  materially violated a condition of placement imposed by the

16  court; or

17         3.  That the child has no parent, legal custodian,

18  caregiver, or responsible adult relative immediately known and

19  available to provide supervision and care.

20         (2)  If the law enforcement officer takes person taking

21  the child into custody is not an authorized agent of the

22  department, that officer person shall:

23         (a)  Release the child to:

24         1.  The parent, caregiver, or guardian, legal custodian

25  of the child;,

26         2.  A responsible adult approved by the court when

27  limited to temporary emergency situations;,

28         3.  A responsible adult relative who shall be given

29  priority consideration over a nonrelative placement when this

30  is in the best interests of the child;, or

31         4.  A responsible adult approved by the department;

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  within 3 days following such release, the person taking the

 2  child into custody shall make a full written report to the

 3  department for cases involving allegations of abandonment,

 4  abuse, or neglect or other dependency cases; or

 5         (b)  Deliver the child to an authorized agent of the

 6  department, stating the facts by reason of which the child was

 7  taken into custody and sufficient information to establish

 8  probable cause that the child is abandoned, abused, or

 9  neglected, or otherwise dependent and make a full written

10  report to the department within 3 days.

11

12  For cases involving allegations of abandonment, abuse, or

13  neglect, or other dependency cases, within 3 days after such

14  release or within 3 days after delivering the child to an

15  authorized agent of the department, the law enforcement

16  officer who took the child into custody shall make a full

17  written report to the department.

18         (3)  If the child is taken into custody by, or is

19  delivered to, an authorized agent of the department, the

20  authorized agent shall review the facts supporting the removal

21  with an attorney representing the department legal staff prior

22  to the emergency shelter hearing.  The purpose of this review

23  shall be to determine whether probable cause exists for the

24  filing of a an emergency shelter petition pursuant to s.

25  39.402(1). If the facts are not sufficient to support the

26  filing of a shelter petition, the child shall immediately be

27  returned to the custody of the parent, caregiver, or legal

28  custodian.  If the facts are sufficient to support the filing

29  of the shelter petition, and the child has not been returned

30  to the custody of the parent, caregiver, or legal custodian,

31  the department shall file the shelter petition and schedule a

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  shelter hearing pursuant to s. 39.402(1), such hearing to be

 2  held within 24 hours after the removal of the child. While

 3  awaiting the emergency shelter hearing, the authorized agent

 4  of the department may place the child in licensed shelter care

 5  or may release the child to a parent, guardian, legal

 6  custodian, caregiver, or responsible adult relative who shall

 7  be given priority consideration over a licensed nonrelative

 8  placement, or responsible adult approved by the department

 9  when this is in the best interests of the child. Any placement

10  of a child which is not in a licensed shelter must be preceded

11  by a local and state criminal records check, as well as a

12  search of the department's automated abuse information system,

13  on all members of the household, to assess the child's safety

14  within the home.  In addition, the department may authorize

15  placement of a housekeeper/homemaker in the home of a child

16  alleged to be dependent until the parent or legal custodian

17  assumes care of the child.

18         (4)  When a child is taken into custody pursuant to

19  this section, the department of Children and Family Services

20  shall request that the child's parent, caregiver, or legal

21  custodian disclose the names, relationships, and addresses of

22  all parents and prospective parents and all next of kin of the

23  child, so far as are known.

24         Section 41.  Section 39.402, Florida Statutes, as

25  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is amended to

26  read:

27         39.402  Placement in a shelter.--

28         (1)  Unless ordered by the court under this chapter, a

29  child taken into custody shall not be placed in a shelter

30  prior to a court hearing unless there are reasonable grounds

31  for removal and removal is necessary to protect the child.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  Reasonable grounds for removal are as follows:

 2         (a)  The child has been abused, neglected, or

 3  abandoned, or is suffering from or is in imminent danger of

 4  illness or injury as a result of abuse, neglect, or

 5  abandonment;

 6         (b)  The custodian of the child has materially violated

 7  a condition of placement imposed by the court; or

 8         (c)  The child has no parent, legal custodian,

 9  caregiver, or responsible adult relative immediately known and

10  available to provide supervision and care.

11         (2)  A child taken into custody may be placed or

12  continued in a shelter only if one or more of the criteria in

13  subsection (1) applies and the court has made a specific

14  finding of fact regarding the necessity for removal of the

15  child from the home and has made a determination that the

16  provision of appropriate and available services will not

17  eliminate the need for placement.

18         (3)  Whenever a child is taken into custody, the

19  department shall immediately notify the parents or legal

20  custodians, shall provide the parents or legal custodians with

21  a statement setting forth a summary of procedures involved in

22  dependency cases, and shall notify them of their right to

23  obtain their own attorney.

24         (4)  If the department determines that placement in a

25  shelter is necessary under subsections (1) and (2), the

26  authorized agent of the department shall authorize placement

27  of the child in a shelter.

28         (5)(a)  The parents or legal custodians of the child

29  shall be given actual notice of the date, time, and location

30  of the emergency shelter hearing.  If the parents or legal

31  custodians are outside the jurisdiction of the court, are not

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  known, or cannot be located or refuse or evade service, they

 2  shall be given such notice as best ensures their actual

 3  knowledge of the date, time, and location of the emergency

 4  shelter hearing.  The person providing or attempting to

 5  provide notice to the parents or legal custodians shall, if

 6  the parents or legal custodians are not present at the

 7  hearing, advise the court either in person or by sworn

 8  affidavit, of the attempts made to provide notice and the

 9  results of those attempts.

10         (b)  The parents or legal custodians shall be given

11  written notice that:

12         (b)  At the emergency shelter hearing, the department

13  must establish probable cause that reasonable grounds for

14  removal exist and that the provision of appropriate and

15  available services will not eliminate the need for placement.

16         1.(c)  They will The parents or legal custodians shall

17  be given an opportunity to be heard and to present evidence at

18  the emergency shelter hearing; and.

19         2.  They have the right to be represented by counsel,

20  and, if indigent, the right to be represented by appointed

21  counsel, at the shelter hearing and at each subsequent hearing

22  or proceeding, pursuant to the procedures set forth in s.

23  39.013.

24         (6)(5)(a)  The circuit court, or the county court, if

25  previously designated by the chief judge of the circuit court

26  for such purpose, shall hold the shelter hearing.

27         (b)  The shelter petition filed with the court must

28  address each condition required to be determined by the court

29  in paragraphs (8)(a) and (b) subsection (7).

30         (7)(6)  A child may not be removed from the home or

31  continued out of the home pending disposition if, with the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  provision of appropriate and available early-intervention or

 2  preventive services, including services provided in the home,

 3  the child could safely remain at home.  If the child's safety

 4  and well-being are in danger, the child shall be removed from

 5  danger and continue to be removed until the danger has passed.

 6  If the child has been removed from the home and the reasons

 7  for his or her removal have been remedied, the child may be

 8  returned to the home. If the court finds that the prevention

 9  or reunification efforts of the department will allow the

10  child to remain safely at home, the court shall allow the

11  child to remain in the home.

12         (8)(7)(a)  A child may not be held in a shelter longer

13  than 24 hours unless an order so directing is entered by the

14  court after a an emergency shelter hearing. In the interval

15  until the shelter hearing is held, the decision to place the

16  child in a shelter or release the child from a shelter lies

17  with the protective investigator. At the emergency shelter

18  hearing, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to

19  represent the child unless the court finds that such

20  representation is unnecessary.

21         (b)  The parents or legal custodians of the child shall

22  be given such notice as best ensures their actual knowledge of

23  the time and place of the shelter hearing and shall be given

24  an opportunity to be heard and to present evidence at the

25  emergency shelter hearing. The failure to provide notice to a

26  party or participant does not invalidate an order placing a

27  child in a shelter if the court finds that the petitioner has

28  made a good-faith effort to provide such notice. The court

29  shall require the parents or legal custodians present at the

30  hearing to provide to the court on the record the names,

31  addresses, and relationships of all parents, prospective

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  parents, and next of kin of the child, so far as are known.

 2         (c)  At the shelter hearing, the court shall:

 3         1.  Appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the child,

 4  unless the court finds that such representation is

 5  unnecessary;

 6         2.  Inform the parents or legal custodians of their

 7  right to counsel to represent them at the shelter hearing and

 8  at each subsequent hearing or proceeding, and the right of the

 9  parents to appointed counsel, pursuant to the procedures set

10  forth in s. 39.013; and

11         3.  Give the parents or legal custodians an opportunity

12  to be heard and to present evidence.

13         (d)  At the shelter hearing, the department must

14  establish probable cause that reasonable grounds for removal

15  exist and that the provision of appropriate and available

16  services will not eliminate the need for placement.

17         (e)  At the shelter hearing, each party shall provide

18  to the court a permanent mailing address. The court shall

19  advise each party that this address will be used by the court

20  and the petitioner for notice purposes unless and until the

21  party notifies the court and the petitioner in writing of a

22  new mailing address.

23         (f)(b)  The order for placement of a child in shelter

24  care must identify the parties present at the hearing and must

25  contain written findings:

26         1.  That placement in shelter care is necessary based

27  on the criteria in subsections (1) and (2).

28         2.  That placement in shelter care is in the best

29  interest of the child.

30         3.  That continuation of the child in the home is

31  contrary to the welfare of the child because the home

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  situation presents a substantial and immediate danger to the

 2  child's physical, mental, or emotional health or safety child

 3  which cannot be mitigated by the provision of preventive

 4  services.

 5         4.  That based upon the allegations of the petition for

 6  placement in shelter care, there is probable cause to believe

 7  that the child is dependent.

 8         5.  That the department has made reasonable efforts to

 9  prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from

10  the home.  A finding of reasonable effort by the department to

11  prevent or eliminate the need for removal may be made and the

12  department is deemed to have made reasonable efforts to

13  prevent or eliminate the need for removal if:

14         a.  The first contact of the department with the family

15  occurs during an emergency.

16         b.  The appraisal of the home situation by the

17  department indicates that the home situation presents a

18  substantial and immediate danger to the child's physical,

19  mental, or emotional health or safety child which cannot be

20  mitigated by the provision of preventive services.

21         c.  The child cannot safely remain at home, either

22  because there are no preventive services that can ensure the

23  health and safety of the child or because, even with

24  appropriate and available services being provided, the health

25  and safety of the child cannot be ensured.

26         6.  That the court notified the parents or legal

27  custodians of the subsequent dependency proceedings, including

28  scheduled hearings, and of the importance of the active

29  participation of the parents or legal custodians in those

30  subsequent proceedings and hearings.

31         7.  That the court notified the parents or legal

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  custodians of their right to counsel to represent them at the

 2  shelter hearing and at each subsequent hearing or proceeding,

 3  and the right of the parents to appointed counsel, pursuant to

 4  the procedures set forth in s. 39.013.

 5         (c)  The failure to provide notice to a party or

 6  participant does not invalidate an order placing a child in a

 7  shelter if the court finds that the petitioner has made a good

 8  faith effort to provide such notice.

 9         (d)  In the interval until the shelter hearing is held

10  under paragraph (a), the decision to place the child in a

11  shelter or release the child from a shelter lies with the

12  protective investigator in accordance with subsection (3).

13         (9)  At any shelter hearing, the court shall determine

14  visitation rights absent a clear and convincing showing that

15  visitation is not in the best interest of the child.

16         (10)  The shelter hearing order shall contain a written

17  determination as to whether the department has made a

18  reasonable effort to prevent or eliminate the need for removal

19  or continued removal of the child from the home. If the

20  department has not made such an effort, the court shall order

21  the department to provide appropriate and available services

22  to ensure the protection of the child in the home when such

23  services are necessary for the child's health and safety.

24         (8)  A child may not be held in a shelter under an

25  order so directing for more than 21 days unless an order of

26  adjudication for the case has been entered by the court. The

27  parent, guardian, or custodian of the child must be notified

28  of any order directing placement of the child in an emergency

29  shelter and, upon request, must be afforded a hearing within

30  48 hours, excluding Sundays and legal holidays, to review the

31  necessity for continued placement in the shelter for any time

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  periods as provided in this section.  At any arraignment

 2  hearing or determination of emergency shelter care, the court

 3  shall determine visitation rights absent a clear and

 4  convincing showing that visitation is not in the best interest

 5  of the child, and the court shall make a written determination

 6  as to whether the department has made a reasonable effort to

 7  prevent or eliminate the need for removal or continued removal

 8  of the child from the home.  If the department has not made

 9  such an effort, the court shall order the department to

10  provide appropriate and available services to assure the

11  protection of the child in the home when such services are

12  necessary for the child's safety.  Within 7 days after the

13  child is taken into custody, a petition alleging dependency

14  must be filed and, within 14 days after the child is taken

15  into custody, an arraignment hearing must be held for the

16  child's parent, guardian, or custodian to admit, deny, or

17  consent to the findings of dependency alleged in the petition.

18         (11)(12)  If a When any child is placed in a shelter

19  pursuant to under a court order following a shelter hearing,

20  the court shall prepare a shelter hearing order requiring the

21  parents of the child, or the guardian of the child's estate,

22  if possessed of assets which under law may be disbursed for

23  the care, support, and maintenance of the child, to pay, to

24  the department or institution having custody of the child,

25  fees as established by the department.  When the order affects

26  the guardianship estate, a certified copy of the order shall

27  be delivered to the judge having jurisdiction of the

28  guardianship estate.

29         (12)  In the event the shelter hearing is conducted by

30  a judge other than the juvenile court judge, the juvenile

31  court judge shall hold a shelter review on the status of the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  child within 2 working days after the shelter hearing.

 2         (13)(9)  A child may not be held in a shelter under an

 3  order so directing for more than 60 days without an

 4  adjudication of dependency. A child may not be held in a

 5  shelter for more than 30 days after the entry of an order of

 6  adjudication unless an order of disposition under s. 39.41 has

 7  been entered by the court.

 8         (14)(10)  The time limitations in this section

 9  subsection (8) do not include:

10         (a)  Periods of delay resulting from a continuance

11  granted at the request or with the consent of the child's

12  counsel or the child's guardian ad litem, if one has been

13  appointed by the court, or, if the child is of sufficient

14  capacity to express reasonable consent, at the request or with

15  the consent of the child's attorney or the child's guardian ad

16  litem, if one has been appointed by the court, and the child.

17         (b)  Periods of delay resulting from a continuance

18  granted at the request of the attorney for the department, if

19  the continuance is granted:

20         1.  Because of an unavailability of evidence material

21  to the case when the attorney for the department has exercised

22  due diligence to obtain such evidence and there are

23  substantial grounds to believe that such evidence will be

24  available within 30 days.  However, if the department is not

25  prepared to present its case within 30 days, the parent or

26  legal custodian guardian may move for issuance of an order to

27  show cause or the court on its own motion may impose

28  appropriate sanctions, which may include dismissal of the

29  petition.

30         2.  To allow the attorney for the department additional

31  time to prepare the case and additional time is justified

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  because of an exceptional circumstance.

 2         (c)  Reasonable periods of delay necessary to

 3  accomplish notice of the hearing to the child's parents or

 4  legal custodians; however, the petitioner shall continue

 5  regular efforts to provide notice to the parents or legal

 6  custodians during such periods of delay.

 7         (d)  Reasonable periods of delay resulting from a

 8  continuance granted at the request of the parent or legal

 9  custodian of a subject child.

10         (15)  At the conclusion of a shelter hearing, the court

11  shall notify all parties in writing of the next scheduled

12  hearing to review the shelter placement. Such hearing shall be

13  held no later than 30 days after placement of the child in

14  shelter status, in conjunction with the arraignment hearing.

15         (11)  The court shall review the necessity for a

16  child's continued placement in a shelter in the same manner as

17  the initial placement decision was made and shall make a

18  determination regarding the continued placement:

19         (a)  Within 24 hours after any violation of the time

20  requirements for the filing of a petition or the holding of an

21  arraignment hearing as prescribed in subsection (8); or

22         (b)  Prior to the court's granting any delay as

23  specified in subsection (10).

24         Section 42.  Section 39.407, Florida Statutes, is

25  amended to read:

26         39.407  Medical, psychiatric, and psychological

27  examination and treatment of child; physical or mental

28  examination of parent, guardian, or person requesting custody

29  of child.--

30         (1)  When any child is taken into custody and is to be

31  detained in shelter care, the department is authorized to have

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  a medical screening performed on the child without

 2  authorization from the court and without consent from a parent

 3  or legal custodian guardian.  Such medical screening shall be

 4  performed by a licensed health care professional and shall be

 5  to examine the child for injury, illness, and communicable

 6  diseases and to determine the need for immunization.  The

 7  department shall by rule establish the invasiveness of the

 8  medical procedures authorized to be performed under this

 9  subsection.  In no case does this subsection authorize the

10  department to consent to medical treatment for such children.

11         (2)  When the department has performed the medical

12  screening authorized by subsection (1), or when it is

13  otherwise determined by a licensed health care professional

14  that a child who is in the custody of the department, but who

15  has not been committed to the department pursuant to s. 39.41,

16  is in need of medical treatment, including the need for

17  immunization, consent for medical treatment shall be obtained

18  in the following manner:

19         (a)1.  Consent to medical treatment shall be obtained

20  from a parent or legal custodian guardian of the child; or

21         2.  A court order for such treatment shall be obtained.

22         (b)  If a parent or legal custodian guardian of the

23  child is unavailable and his or her whereabouts cannot be

24  reasonably ascertained, and it is after normal working hours

25  so that a court order cannot reasonably be obtained, an

26  authorized agent of the department shall have the authority to

27  consent to necessary medical treatment, including

28  immunization, for the child. The authority of the department

29  to consent to medical treatment in this circumstance shall be

30  limited to the time reasonably necessary to obtain court

31  authorization.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (c)  If a parent or legal custodian guardian of the

 2  child is available but refuses to consent to the necessary

 3  treatment, including immunization, a court order shall be

 4  required unless the situation meets the definition of an

 5  emergency in s. 743.064 or the treatment needed is related to

 6  suspected abuse, abandonment, or neglect of the child by a

 7  parent, caregiver, or legal custodian or guardian.  In such

 8  case, the department shall have the authority to consent to

 9  necessary medical treatment.  This authority is limited to the

10  time reasonably necessary to obtain court authorization.

11

12  In no case shall the department consent to sterilization,

13  abortion, or termination of life support.

14         (3)  A judge may order a child in the physical custody

15  of the department to be examined by a licensed health care

16  professional.  The judge may also order such child to be

17  evaluated by a psychiatrist or a psychologist, by a district

18  school board educational needs assessment team, or, if a

19  developmental disability is suspected or alleged, by the

20  developmental disability diagnostic and evaluation team of the

21  department.  If it is necessary to place a child in a

22  residential facility for such evaluation, then the criteria

23  and procedure established in s. 394.463(2) or chapter 393

24  shall be used, whichever is applicable. The educational needs

25  assessment provided by the district school board educational

26  needs assessment team shall include, but not be limited to,

27  reports of intelligence and achievement tests, screening for

28  learning disabilities and other handicaps, and screening for

29  the need for alternative education as defined in s. 230.23

30  230.2315(2).

31         (4)  A judge may order a child in the physical custody

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  of the department to be treated by a licensed health care

 2  professional based on evidence that the child should receive

 3  treatment.  The judge may also order such child to receive

 4  mental health or retardation services from a psychiatrist,

 5  psychologist, or other appropriate service provider.  If it is

 6  necessary to place the child in a residential facility for

 7  such services, then the procedures and criteria established in

 8  s. 394.467 or chapter 393 shall be used, whichever is

 9  applicable. A child may be provided mental health or

10  retardation services in emergency situations, pursuant to the

11  procedures and criteria contained in s. 394.463(1) or chapter

12  393, whichever is applicable.

13         (5)  When a child is in the physical custody of the

14  department, a licensed health care professional shall be

15  immediately called if there are indications of physical injury

16  or illness, or the child shall be taken to the nearest

17  available hospital for emergency care.

18         (6)  Except as otherwise provided herein, nothing in

19  this section shall be deemed to eliminate the right of a

20  parent, legal custodian guardian, or the child to consent to

21  examination or treatment for the child.

22         (7)  Except as otherwise provided herein, nothing in

23  this section shall be deemed to alter the provisions of s.

24  743.064.

25         (8)  A court shall not be precluded from ordering

26  services or treatment to be provided to the child by a duly

27  accredited practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means

28  for healing in accordance with the tenets and practices of a

29  church or religious organization, when required by the child's

30  health and when requested by the child.

31         (9)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  authorize the permanent sterilization of the child unless such

 2  sterilization is the result of or incidental to medically

 3  necessary treatment to protect or preserve the life of the

 4  child.

 5         (10)  For the purpose of obtaining an evaluation or

 6  examination, or receiving treatment as authorized pursuant to

 7  this section subsection, no child alleged to be or found to be

 8  dependent shall be placed in a detention home or other program

 9  used primarily for the care and custody of children alleged or

10  found to have committed delinquent acts.

11         (11)  The parents or legal custodian guardian of a

12  child in the physical custody of the department remain

13  financially responsible for the cost of medical treatment

14  provided to the child even if either one or both of the

15  parents or if the legal custodian guardian did not consent to

16  the medical treatment.  After a hearing, the court may order

17  the parents or legal custodian guardian, if found able to do

18  so, to reimburse the department or other provider of medical

19  services for treatment provided.

20         (12)  Nothing in this section alters the authority of

21  the department to consent to medical treatment for a dependent

22  child when the child has been committed to the department

23  pursuant to s. 39.41, and the department has become the legal

24  custodian of the child.

25         (13)  At any time after the filing of a shelter

26  petition or petition for dependency, when the mental or

27  physical condition, including the blood group, of a parent,

28  caregiver, legal custodian guardian, or other person

29  requesting custody of a child is in controversy, the court may

30  order the person to submit to a physical or mental examination

31  by a qualified professional.  The order may be made only upon

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  good cause shown and pursuant to notice and procedures as set

 2  forth by the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure.

 3         Section 43.  Section 39.4033, Florida Statutes, is

 4  renumbered as section 39.4075, Florida Statutes, and amended

 5  to read:

 6         39.4075 39.4033  Referral of a dependency case to

 7  mediation.--

 8         (1)  At any stage in a dependency proceeding, the case

 9  staffing committee or any party may request the court to refer

10  the parties to mediation in accordance with chapter 44 and

11  rules and procedures developed by the Supreme Court.

12         (2)  A court may refer the parties to mediation. When

13  such services are available, the court must determine whether

14  it is in the best interests of the child to refer the parties

15  to mediation.

16         (3)  The department shall advise the parties parents or

17  legal guardians that they are responsible for contributing to

18  the cost of the dependency family mediation to the extent of

19  their ability to pay.

20         (4)  This section applies only to courts in counties in

21  which dependency mediation programs have been established and

22  does not require the establishment of such programs in any

23  county.

24         Section 44.  Part VI of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

25  consisting of sections 39.501, 39.502, 39.503, 39.504, 39.505,

26  39.506, 39.507, 39.508, 39.5085, 39.509, and 39.5101, Florida

27  Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

28                             PART VI

29               PETITION, ARRAIGNMENT, ADJUDICATION,

30                         AND DISPOSITION

31         Section 45.  Section 39.404, Florida Statutes, is

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  renumbered as section 39.501, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 2  read:

 3         39.501 39.404  Petition for dependency.--

 4         (1)  All proceedings seeking an adjudication that a

 5  child is dependent shall be initiated by the filing of a

 6  petition by an attorney for the department, or any other

 7  person who has knowledge of the facts alleged or is informed

 8  of them and believes that they are true.

 9         (2)  The purpose of a petition seeking the adjudication

10  of a child as a dependent child is the protection of the child

11  and not the punishment of the person creating the condition of

12  dependency.

13         (3)(a)  The petition shall be in writing, shall

14  identify and list all parents, if known, and all current

15  caregivers or legal custodians of the child, and shall be

16  signed by the petitioner under oath stating the petitioner's

17  good faith in filing the petition. When the petition is filed

18  by the department, it shall be signed by an attorney for the

19  department.

20         (b)  The form of the petition and its contents shall be

21  determined by rules of juvenile procedure adopted by the

22  Supreme Court.

23         (c)  The petition must specifically set forth the acts

24  or omissions upon which the petition is based and the identity

25  of the person or persons alleged to have committed the acts or

26  omissions, if known. The petition need not contain allegations

27  of acts or omissions by both parents.

28         (d)  The petitioner must state in the petition, if

29  known, whether:

30         1.  A parent, legal custodian, or caregiver person

31  responsible for the child's welfare named in the petition has

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  previously unsuccessfully participated in voluntary services

 2  offered by the department;

 3         2.  A parent or, legal custodian, or person responsible

 4  for the child's welfare named in the petition has participated

 5  in mediation and whether a mediation agreement exists;

 6         3.  A parent or, legal custodian, or person responsible

 7  for the child's welfare has rejected the voluntary services

 8  offered by the department; or

 9         4.  The department has determined that voluntary

10  services are not appropriate for this family and the reasons

11  for such determination.

12         (4)  When a child has been placed in shelter status by

13  order of the court the child has been taken into custody, a

14  petition alleging dependency must be filed within 7 days upon

15  demand of a party, but no later than 21 days after the shelter

16  hearing after the date the child is taken into custody. In all

17  other cases, the petition must be filed within a reasonable

18  time after the date the child was referred to protective

19  investigation under s. 39.403. The child's parent, guardian,

20  or custodian must be served with a copy of the petition at

21  least 72 hours before the arraignment hearing.

22         (5)  A petition for termination of parental rights

23  under s. 39.464 may be filed at any time.

24         Section 46.  Section 39.405, Florida Statutes, as

25  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is renumbered as

26  section 39.502, Florida Statutes, and amended to read:

27         39.502 39.405  Notice, process, and service.--

28         (1)  Unless parental rights have been terminated, all

29  parents and legal custodians must be notified of all

30  proceedings or hearings involving the child. Notice in cases

31  involving shelter hearings and hearings resulting from medical

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  emergencies must be that most likely to result in actual

 2  notice to the parents and legal custodians. In all other

 3  dependency proceedings, notice must be provided in accordance

 4  with subsections (4) through (9).

 5         (2)  Personal appearance of any person in a hearing

 6  before the court obviates the necessity of serving process on

 7  that person.

 8         (3)  Upon the filing of a petition containing

 9  allegations of facts which, if true, would establish that the

10  child is a dependent child, and upon the request of the

11  petitioner, the clerk or deputy clerk shall issue a summons.

12         (4)  The summons shall require the person on whom it is

13  served to appear for a hearing at a time and place specified,

14  not less than 24 hours after service of the summons.  A copy

15  of the petition shall be attached to the summons.

16         (5)  The summons shall be directed to, and shall be

17  served upon, all parties other than the petitioner.

18         (6)  It is the duty of the petitioner or moving party

19  to notify all participants and parties known to the petitioner

20  or moving party of all hearings subsequent to the initial

21  hearing unless notice is contained in prior court orders and

22  these orders were provided to the participant or party. Proof

23  of notice or provision of orders may be provided by certified

24  mail with a signed return receipt.

25         (7)  Service of the summons and service of pleadings,

26  papers, and notices subsequent to the summons on persons

27  outside this state must be made pursuant to s. 61.1312.

28         (8)  It is not necessary to the validity of a

29  proceeding covered by this part that the parents, caregivers,

30  or legal custodians be present if their identity or residence

31  is unknown after a diligent search has been made, but in this

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  event the petitioner shall file an affidavit of diligent

 2  search prepared by the person who made the search and inquiry,

 3  and the court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the child.

 4         (9)  When an affidavit of diligent search has been

 5  filed under subsection (8), the petitioner shall continue to

 6  search for and attempt to serve the person sought until

 7  excused from further search by the court. The petitioner shall

 8  report on the results of the search at each court hearing

 9  until the person is identified or located or further search is

10  excused by the court.

11         (10)(9)  Service by publication shall not be required

12  for dependency hearings and the failure to serve a party or

13  give notice to a participant shall not affect the validity of

14  an order of adjudication or disposition if the court finds

15  that the petitioner has completed a diligent search for that

16  party or participant.

17         (11)(10)  Upon the application of a party or the

18  petitioner, the clerk or deputy clerk shall issue, and the

19  court on its own motion may issue, subpoenas requiring

20  attendance and testimony of witnesses and production of

21  records, documents, and other tangible objects at any hearing.

22         (12)(11)  All process and orders issued by the court

23  shall be served or executed as other process and orders of the

24  circuit court and, in addition, may be served or executed by

25  authorized agents of the department or the guardian ad litem.

26         (13)(12)  Subpoenas may be served within the state by

27  any person over 18 years of age who is not a party to the

28  proceeding and, in addition, may be served by authorized

29  agents of the department.

30         (14)(13)  No fee shall be paid for service of any

31  process or other papers by an agent of the department or the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  guardian ad litem. If any process, orders, or any other papers

 2  are served or executed by any sheriff, the sheriff's fees

 3  shall be paid by the county.

 4         (14)  Failure of a person served with notice to respond

 5  or appear at the arraignment hearing constitutes the person's

 6  consent to a dependency adjudication. The document containing

 7  the notice to respond or appear must contain, in type at least

 8  as large as the balance of the document, the following or

 9  substantially similar language:  "FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THIS

10  NOTICE OR TO APPEAR AT THIS HEARING CONSTITUTES CONSENT TO THE

11  ADJUDICATION OF THIS CHILD (OR THESE CHILDREN) AS DEPENDENT

12  CHILDREN AND MAY ULTIMATELY RESULT IN LOSS OF CUSTODY OF THIS

13  CHILD."

14         (15)  A party who is identified as a person with mental

15  illness or with a developmental disability developmentally

16  disabled person must be informed by the court of the

17  availability of advocacy services through the department, the

18  Association for Retarded Citizens, or other appropriate mental

19  health or developmental disability advocacy groups and

20  encouraged to seek such services.

21         (16)  If the party to whom an order is directed is

22  present or represented at the final hearing, service of the

23  order is not required.

24         (17)  The parent or legal custodian of the child, the

25  attorney for the department, the guardian ad litem, and all

26  other parties and participants shall be given reasonable

27  notice of all hearings provided for under this part.

28         (18)  In all proceedings under this chapter, the court

29  shall provide to the parent or legal custodian of the child,

30  at the conclusion of any hearing, a written notice containing

31  the date of the next scheduled hearing. The court shall also

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  include the date of the next hearing in any order issued by

 2  the court.

 3         Section 47.  Section 39.4051, Florida Statutes, as

 4  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is renumbered as

 5  section 39.503, Florida Statutes, and amended to read:

 6         39.503 39.4051  Identity or location of parent or legal

 7  custodian unknown; special procedures.--

 8         (1)  If the identity or location of a parent or legal

 9  custodian is unknown and a petition for dependency or shelter

10  is filed, the court shall conduct the following inquiry of the

11  parent or legal custodian who is available, or, if no parent

12  or legal custodian is available, of any relative or custodian

13  of the child who is present at the hearing and likely to have

14  the information:

15         (a)  Whether the mother of the child was married at the

16  probable time of conception of the child or at the time of

17  birth of the child.

18         (b)  Whether the mother was cohabiting with a male at

19  the probable time of conception of the child.

20         (c)  Whether the mother has received payments or

21  promises of support with respect to the child or because of

22  her pregnancy from a man who claims to be the father.

23         (d)  Whether the mother has named any man as the father

24  on the birth certificate of the child or in connection with

25  applying for or receiving public assistance.

26         (e)  Whether any man has acknowledged or claimed

27  paternity of the child in a jurisdiction in which the mother

28  resided at the time of or since conception of the child, or in

29  which the child has resided or resides.

30         (2)  The information required in subsection (1) may be

31  supplied to the court or the department in the form of a sworn

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  affidavit by a person having personal knowledge of the facts.

 2         (3)  If the inquiry under subsection (1) identifies any

 3  person as a parent or prospective parent, the court shall

 4  require notice of the hearing to be provided to that person.

 5         (4)  If the inquiry under subsection (1) fails to

 6  identify any person as a parent or prospective parent, the

 7  court shall so find and may proceed without further notice.

 8         (5)  If the inquiry under subsection (1) identifies a

 9  parent or prospective parent, and that person's location is

10  unknown, the court shall direct the department to shall

11  conduct a diligent search for that person before the

12  scheduling of a disposition hearing regarding the dependency

13  of the child unless the court finds that the best interest of

14  the child requires proceeding without notice to the person

15  whose location is unknown.

16         (6)  The diligent search required by subsection (5)

17  must include, at a minimum, inquiries of all relatives of the

18  parent or prospective parent made known to the petitioner,

19  inquiries of all offices of program areas of the department

20  likely to have information about the parent or prospective

21  parent, inquiries of other state and federal agencies likely

22  to have information about the parent or prospective parent,

23  inquiries of appropriate utility and postal providers, and

24  inquiries of appropriate law enforcement agencies. Pursuant to

25  s. 453 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 653(c)(B)(4), the

26  department, as the state agency administering Titles IV-B and

27  IV-E of the act, shall be provided access to the federal and

28  state parent locator service for diligent search activities.

29         (7)  Any agency contacted by a petitioner with a

30  request for information pursuant to subsection (6) shall

31  release the requested information to the petitioner without

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the necessity of a subpoena or court order.

 2         (8)  If the inquiry and diligent search identifies a

 3  prospective parent, that person must be given the opportunity

 4  to become a party to the proceedings by completing a sworn

 5  affidavit of parenthood and filing it with the court or the

 6  department. A prospective parent who files a sworn affidavit

 7  of parenthood while the child is a dependent child but no

 8  later than at the time of or prior to the adjudicatory hearing

 9  in any termination of parental rights proceeding for the child

10  shall be considered a parent for all purposes under this

11  section unless the other parent contests the determination of

12  parenthood. If the known parent contests the recognition of

13  the prospective parent as a parent, the prospective parent

14  shall not be recognized as a parent until proceedings under

15  chapter 742 have been concluded. However, the prospective

16  parent shall continue to receive notice of hearings as a

17  participant pending results of the chapter 742 proceedings.

18         Section 48.  Section 39.4055, Florida Statutes, is

19  renumbered as section 39.504, Florida Statutes, and amended to

20  read:

21         39.504 39.4055  Injunction pending disposition of

22  petition for detention or dependency; penalty.--

23         (1)(a)  When a petition for detention or a petition for

24  dependency has been filed or when a child has been taken into

25  custody and reasonable cause, as defined in paragraph (b),

26  exists, the court, upon the request of the department, a law

27  enforcement officer, the state attorney, or other responsible

28  person, or upon its own motion, shall have the authority to

29  issue an injunction to prevent any act of child abuse or any

30  unlawful sexual offense involving a child.

31         (b)  Reasonable cause for the issuance of an injunction

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  exists if there is evidence of child abuse or an unlawful

 2  sexual offense involving a child or if there is a reasonable

 3  likelihood of such abuse or offense occurring based upon a

 4  recent overt act or failure to act.

 5         (2)(a)  Notice shall be provided to the parties as set

 6  forth in the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, unless the

 7  child is reported to be in imminent danger, in which case the

 8  court may issue an injunction immediately. A judge may issue

 9  an emergency injunction pursuant to this section without

10  notice at times when the court is closed for the transaction

11  of judicial business. When such an immediate injunction is

12  issued, the court shall hold a hearing on the next day of

13  judicial business either to dissolve the injunction or to

14  continue or modify it in accordance with the other provisions

15  of this section.

16         (b)  A judge may issue an emergency injunction pursuant

17  to this section at times when the court is closed for the

18  transaction of judicial business.  The court shall hold a

19  hearing on the next day of judicial business either to

20  dissolve the emergency injunction or to continue or modify it

21  in accordance with the other provisions of this section.

22         (3)(a)  In every instance in which an injunction is

23  issued under this section, the purpose of the injunction shall

24  be primarily to protect and promote the best interests of the

25  child, taking the preservation of the child's immediate family

26  into consideration.  The effective period of the injunction

27  shall be determined by the court, except that the injunction

28  will expire at the time of the disposition of the petition for

29  detention or dependency.

30         (b)  The injunction shall apply to the alleged or

31  actual offender in a case of child abuse or an unlawful sexual

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  offense involving a child.  The conditions of the injunction

 2  shall be determined by the court, which conditions may include

 3  ordering the alleged or actual offender to:

 4         1.  Refrain from further abuse or unlawful sexual

 5  activity involving a child.

 6         2.  Participate in a specialized treatment program.

 7         3.  Limit contact or communication with the child

 8  victim, other children in the home, or any other child.

 9         4.  Refrain from contacting the child at home, school,

10  work, or wherever the child may be found.

11         5.  Have limited or supervised visitation with the

12  child.

13         6.  Pay temporary support for the child or other family

14  members; the costs of medical, psychiatric, and psychological

15  treatment for the child victim incurred as a result of the

16  offenses; and similar costs for other family members.

17         7.  Vacate the home in which the child resides.

18         (c)  At any time prior to the disposition of the

19  petition, the alleged or actual offender may offer the court

20  evidence of changed circumstances as a ground to dissolve or

21  modify the injunction.

22         (4)  A copy of any injunction issued pursuant to this

23  section shall be delivered to the protected party, or a parent

24  or caregiver or an individual acting in the place of a parent

25  who is not the respondent, and to any law enforcement agency

26  having jurisdiction to enforce such injunction. Upon delivery

27  of the injunction to the appropriate law enforcement agency,

28  the agency shall have the duty and responsibility to enforce

29  the injunction.

30         (5)  Any person who fails to comply with an injunction

31  issued pursuant to this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.

 2  775.083.

 3         Section 49.  Section 39.406, Florida Statutes, is

 4  renumbered as section 39.505, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 5  read:

 6         39.505 39.406  No answer required.--No answer to the

 7  petition or any other pleading need be filed by any child,

 8  parent, or legal custodian, but any matters which might be set

 9  forth in an answer or other pleading may be pleaded orally

10  before the court or filed in writing as any such person may

11  choose. Notwithstanding the filing of an answer or any

12  pleading, the respondent child or parent shall, prior to an

13  adjudicatory hearing, be advised by the court of the right to

14  counsel and shall be given an opportunity to deny the

15  allegations in the petition for dependency or to enter a plea

16  to allegations in the petition before the court.

17         Section 50.  Section 39.408, Florida Statutes, is

18  renumbered as section 39.506, Florida Statutes, and amended to

19  read:

20         39.506 39.408  Arraignment hearings for dependency

21  cases.--

22         (1)  ARRAIGNMENT HEARING.--

23         (a)  When a child has been detained by order of the

24  court, an arraignment hearing must be held, within 7 days

25  after the date of filing of the dependency petition 14 days

26  from the date the child is taken into custody, for the parent,

27  guardian, or legal custodian to admit, deny, or consent to

28  findings of dependency alleged in the petition. If the parent,

29  guardian, or legal custodian admits or consents to the

30  findings in the petition, the court shall proceed as set forth

31  in the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. However, if the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  parent, guardian, or legal custodian denies any of the

 2  allegations of the petition, the court shall hold an

 3  adjudicatory hearing within 30 days after 7 days from the date

 4  of the arraignment hearing unless a continuance is granted

 5  pursuant to this chapter s. 39.402(11).

 6         (2)(b)  When a child is in the custody of the parent,

 7  guardian, or legal custodian, upon the filing of a petition

 8  the clerk shall set a date for an arraignment hearing within a

 9  reasonable time after the date of the filing. If the parent,

10  guardian, or legal custodian admits or consents to an

11  adjudication, the court shall proceed as set forth in the

12  Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. However, if the parent,

13  guardian, or legal custodian denies any of the allegations of

14  dependency, the court shall hold an adjudicatory hearing

15  within a reasonable time after the date of the arraignment

16  hearing.

17         (3)  Failure of a person served with notice to respond

18  or appear at the arraignment hearing constitutes the person's

19  consent to a dependency adjudication. The document containing

20  the notice to respond or appear must contain, in type at least

21  as large as the balance of the document, the following or

22  substantially similar language:  "FAILURE TO RESPOND TO THIS

23  NOTICE OR TO PERSONALLY APPEAR AT THE ARRAIGNMENT HEARING

24  CONSTITUTES CONSENT TO THE ADJUDICATION OF THIS CHILD (OR

25  CHILDREN) AS A DEPENDENT CHILD (OR CHILDREN) AND MAY

26  ULTIMATELY RESULT IN LOSS OF CUSTODY OF THIS CHILD (OR

27  CHILDREN)."

28         (4)  At the arraignment hearing, each party shall

29  provide to the court a permanent mailing address. The court

30  shall advise each party that this address will be used by the

31  court and the petitioner for notice purposes unless and until

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the party notifies the court and the petitioner in writing of

 2  a new mailing address.

 3         (5)(c)  If at the arraignment hearing the parent,

 4  guardian, or legal custodian consents or admits to the

 5  allegations in the petition, the court shall proceed to hold a

 6  dispositional hearing no more than 15 days after the date of

 7  the arraignment hearing unless a continuance is necessary at

 8  the earliest practicable time that will allow for the

 9  completion of a predisposition study.

10         (6)  At any arraignment hearing, the court shall order

11  visitation rights absent a clear and convincing showing that

12  visitation is not in the best interest of the child.

13         (7)  The court shall review whether the department has

14  made a reasonable effort to prevent or eliminate the need for

15  removal or continued removal of the child from the home. If

16  the court determines that the department has not made such an

17  effort, the court shall order the department to provide

18  appropriate and available services to assure the protection of

19  the child in the home when such services are necessary for the

20  child's physical, mental, or emotional health and safety.

21         (8)  At the arraignment hearing, and no more than 15

22  days thereafter, the court shall review the necessity for the

23  child's continued placement in the shelter. The court shall

24  also make a written determination regarding the child's

25  continued placement in the shelter within 24 hours after any

26  violation of the time requirements for the filing of a

27  petition or prior to the court's granting any continuance as

28  specified in subsection (5).

29         (9)  At the conclusion of the arraignment hearing, all

30  parties shall be notified in writing by the court of the date,

31  time, and location for the next scheduled hearing.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (2)  ADJUDICATORY HEARING.--

 2         (a)  The adjudicatory hearing shall be held as soon as

 3  practicable after the petition for dependency is filed and in

 4  accordance with the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, but

 5  reasonable delay for the purpose of investigation, discovery,

 6  or procuring counsel or witnesses shall, whenever practicable,

 7  be granted. If the child is in custody, the time limitations

 8  provided in s. 39.402 and subsection (1) of this section

 9  apply.

10         (b)  Adjudicatory hearings shall be conducted by the

11  judge without a jury, applying the rules of evidence in use in

12  civil cases and adjourning the hearings from time to time as

13  necessary. In a hearing on a petition in which it is alleged

14  that the child is dependent, a preponderance of evidence will

15  be required to establish the state of dependency. Any evidence

16  presented in the dependency hearing which was obtained as the

17  result of an anonymous call must be independently

18  corroborated.  In no instance shall allegations made in an

19  anonymous report of abuse be sufficient to support an

20  adjudication of dependency in the absence of corroborating

21  evidence.

22         (c)  All hearings, except as provided in this section,

23  shall be open to the public, and a person may not be excluded

24  except on special order of the judge, who may close any

25  hearing to the public upon determining that the public

26  interest or the welfare of the child is best served by so

27  doing. However, the parents shall be allowed to obtain

28  discovery pursuant to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure.

29  However, nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to

30  affect the provisions of s. 415.51(9). Hearings involving more

31  than one child may be held simultaneously when the children

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  involved are related to each other or were involved in the

 2  same case. The child and the parents or legal custodians of

 3  the child may be examined separately and apart from each

 4  other.

 5         (3)  DISPOSITION HEARING.--At the disposition hearing,

 6  if the court finds that the facts alleged in the petition for

 7  dependency were proven in the adjudicatory hearing, or if the

 8  parents have consented to the finding of dependency or

 9  admitted the allegations in the petition, have failed to

10  appear for the arraignment hearing after proper notice, or

11  have not been located despite a diligent search having been

12  conducted, the court shall receive and consider a

13  predisposition study, which must be in writing and presented

14  by an authorized agent of the department.

15         (a)  The predisposition study shall cover for any

16  dependent child all factors specified in s. 61.13(3), and must

17  also provide the court with the following documented

18  information:

19         1.  An assessment defining the dangers and risks of

20  returning the child home, including a description of the

21  changes in and resolutions to the initial risks.

22         2.  A description of what risks are still present and

23  what resources are available and will be provided for the

24  protection and safety of the child.

25         3.  A description of the benefits of returning the

26  child home.

27         4.  A description of all unresolved issues.

28         5.  An abuse registry history for all caretakers,

29  family members, and individuals residing within the household.

30         6.  The complete child protection team report and

31  recommendation or, if no report exists, a statement reflecting

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  that no report has been made.

 2         7.  All opinions or recommendations from other

 3  professionals or agencies that provide evaluative, social,

 4  reunification, or other services to the family.

 5         8.  The availability of appropriate prevention and

 6  reunification services for the family to prevent the removal

 7  of the child from the home or to reunify the child with the

 8  family after removal, including the availability of family

 9  preservation services through the Family Builders Program, the

10  Intensive Crisis Counseling Program, or both.

11         9.  The inappropriateness of other prevention and

12  reunification services that were available.

13         10.  The efforts by the department to prevent

14  out-of-home placement of the child or, when applicable, to

15  reunify the family if appropriate services were available,

16  including the application of intensive family preservation

17  services through the Family Builders Program, the Intensive

18  Crisis Counseling Program, or both.

19         11.  Whether the services were provided to the family

20  and child.

21         12.  If the services were provided, whether they were

22  sufficient to meet the needs of the child and the family and

23  to enable the child to remain at home or to be returned home.

24         13.  If the services were not provided, the reasons for

25  such lack of action.

26         14.  The need for, or appropriateness of, continuing

27  the services if the child remains in the custody of the family

28  or if the child is placed outside the home.

29         15.  Whether family mediation was provided.

30         16.  Whether a multidisciplinary case staffing was

31  conducted and, if so, the results.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         17.  If the child has been removed from the home and

 2  there is a parent who may be considered for custody pursuant

 3  to s. 39.41(1), a recommendation as to whether placement of

 4  the child with that parent would be detrimental to the child.

 5         (b)  If placement of the child with anyone other than

 6  the child's parent or custodian is being considered, the study

 7  shall include the designation of a specific length of time as

 8  to when custody by the parent or custodian will be

 9  reconsidered.

10         (c)  A copy of the predisposition study must be

11  furnished to all parties no later than 48 hours before the

12  disposition hearing.

13         (d)  The predisposition study may not be made before

14  the adjudication of dependency unless the parents or

15  custodians of the child consent.

16

17  Any other relevant and material evidence, including other

18  written or oral reports, may be received by the court in its

19  effort to determine the action to be taken with regard to the

20  child and may be relied upon to the extent of its probative

21  value, even though not competent in an adjudicatory hearing.

22  Except as provided in paragraph (2)(c), nothing in this

23  section prohibits the publication of proceedings in a hearing.

24         (4)  NOTICE OF HEARINGS.--The parent or legal custodian

25  of the child, the attorney for the department, the guardian ad

26  litem, and all other parties and participants shall be given

27  reasonable notice of all hearings provided for under this

28  section.

29         Section 51.  Section 39.409, Florida Statutes, is

30  renumbered as section 39.507, Florida Statutes, and amended to

31  read:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         39.507 39.409  Adjudicatory hearings; orders of

 2  adjudication.--

 3         (1)(a)  The adjudicatory hearing shall be held as soon

 4  as practicable after the petition for dependency is filed and

 5  in accordance with the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure,

 6  but no later than 30 days after the arraignment. 

 7         (b)  Adjudicatory hearings shall be conducted by the

 8  judge without a jury, applying the rules of evidence in use in

 9  civil cases and adjourning the hearings from time to time as

10  necessary. In a hearing on a petition in which it is alleged

11  that the child is dependent, a preponderance of evidence will

12  be required to establish the state of dependency. Any evidence

13  presented in the dependency hearing which was obtained as the

14  result of an anonymous call must be independently

15  corroborated.  In no instance shall allegations made in an

16  anonymous report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect be

17  sufficient to support an adjudication of dependency in the

18  absence of corroborating evidence.

19         (2)  All hearings, except as provided in this section,

20  shall be open to the public, and a person may not be excluded

21  except on special order of the judge, who may close any

22  hearing to the public upon determining that the public

23  interest or the welfare of the child is best served by so

24  doing. However, the parents shall be allowed to obtain

25  discovery pursuant to the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure.

26  However, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to

27  affect the provisions of s. 39.202. Hearings involving more

28  than one child may be held simultaneously when the children

29  involved are related to each other or were involved in the

30  same case. The child and the parents, caregivers, or legal

31  custodians of the child may be examined separately and apart

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  from each other.

 2         (3)  Except as otherwise specifically provided, nothing

 3  in this section prohibits the publication of the proceedings

 4  in a hearing.

 5         (4)(1)  If the court finds at the adjudicatory hearing

 6  that the child named in a petition is not dependent, it shall

 7  enter an order so finding and dismissing the case.

 8         (5)(2)  If the court finds that the child named in the

 9  petition is dependent, but finds that no action other than

10  supervision in the child's home is required, it may enter an

11  order briefly stating the facts upon which its finding is

12  based, but withholding an order of adjudication and placing

13  the child's home under the supervision of the department.  If

14  the court later finds that the parents, caregivers, or legal

15  custodians of the child have not complied with the conditions

16  of supervision imposed, the court may, after a hearing to

17  establish the noncompliance, but without further evidence of

18  the state of dependency, enter an order of adjudication and

19  shall thereafter have full authority under this chapter to

20  provide for the child as adjudicated.

21         (6)(3)  If the court finds that the child named in a

22  petition is dependent, but shall elect not to proceed under

23  subsection (5) (2), it shall incorporate that finding in an

24  order of adjudication entered in the case, briefly stating the

25  facts upon which the finding is made, and the court shall

26  thereafter have full authority under this chapter to provide

27  for the child as adjudicated.

28         (7)  At the conclusion of the adjudicatory hearing, if

29  the child named in the petition is found dependent, the court

30  shall schedule the disposition hearing within 30 days after

31  the filing of the adjudicatory order. All parties shall be

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  notified in writing by the court of the date, time, and

 2  location of the disposition hearing.

 3         (8)(4)  An order of adjudication by a court that a

 4  child is dependent shall not be deemed a conviction, nor shall

 5  the child be deemed to have been found guilty or to be a

 6  criminal by reason of that adjudication, nor shall that

 7  adjudication operate to impose upon the child any of the civil

 8  disabilities ordinarily imposed by or resulting from

 9  conviction or disqualify or prejudice the child in any civil

10  service application or appointment.

11         Section 52.  Section 39.41, Florida Statutes, as

12  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is renumbered as

13  section 39.508, Florida Statutes, and amended to read:

14         39.508 39.41  Powers of disposition.--

15         (1)  At the disposition hearing, if the court finds

16  that the facts alleged in the petition for dependency were

17  proven in the adjudicatory hearing, or if the parents,

18  caregivers, or legal custodians have consented to the finding

19  of dependency or admitted the allegations in the petition,

20  have failed to appear for the arraignment hearing after proper

21  notice, or have not been located despite a diligent search

22  having been conducted, the court shall receive and consider a

23  case plan and a predisposition study, which must be in writing

24  and presented by an authorized agent of the department.

25         (2)  The predisposition study shall cover for any

26  dependent child all factors specified in s. 61.13(3), and must

27  also provide the court with the following documented

28  information:

29         (a)  An assessment defining the dangers and risks of

30  returning the child home, including a description of the

31  changes in and resolutions to the initial risks.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (b)  A description of what risks are still present and

 2  what resources are available and will be provided for the

 3  protection and safety of the child.

 4         (c)  A description of the benefits of returning the

 5  child home.

 6         (d)  A description of all unresolved issues.

 7         (e)  An abuse registry history and criminal records

 8  check for all caregivers, family members, and individuals

 9  residing within the household.

10         (f)  The complete child protection team report and

11  recommendation or, if no report exists, a statement reflecting

12  that no report has been made.

13         (g)  All opinions or recommendations from other

14  professionals or agencies that provide evaluative, social,

15  reunification, or other services to the family.

16         (h)  The availability of appropriate prevention and

17  reunification services for the family to prevent the removal

18  of the child from the home or to reunify the child with the

19  family after removal, including the availability of family

20  preservation services through the Family Builders Program, the

21  Intensive Crisis Counseling Program, or both.

22         (i)  The inappropriateness of other prevention and

23  reunification services that were available.

24         (j)  The efforts by the department to prevent

25  out-of-home placement of the child or, when applicable, to

26  reunify the family if appropriate services were available,

27  including the application of intensive family preservation

28  services through the Family Builders Program, the Intensive

29  Crisis Counseling Program, or both.

30         (k)  Whether the services were provided to the family

31  and child.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (l)  If the services were provided, whether they were

 2  sufficient to meet the needs of the child and the family and

 3  to enable the child to remain safely at home or to be returned

 4  home.

 5         (m)  If the services were not provided, the reasons for

 6  such lack of action.

 7         (n)  The need for, or appropriateness of, continuing

 8  the services if the child remains in the custody of the family

 9  or if the child is placed outside the home.

10         (o)  Whether family mediation was provided.

11         (p)  If the child has been removed from the home and

12  there is a parent, caregiver, or legal custodian who may be

13  considered for custody pursuant to this section, a

14  recommendation as to whether placement of the child with that

15  parent, caregiver, or legal custodian would be detrimental to

16  the child.

17         (q)  If the child has been removed from the home and

18  will be remaining with a relative or caregiver, a home study

19  report shall be included in the predisposition report.

20

21  Any other relevant and material evidence, including other

22  written or oral reports, may be received by the court in its

23  effort to determine the action to be taken with regard to the

24  child and may be relied upon to the extent of its probative

25  value, even though not competent in an adjudicatory hearing.

26  Except as otherwise specifically provided, nothing in this

27  section prohibits the publication of proceedings in a hearing.

28         (3)(a)  Prior to recommending to the court any

29  out-of-home placement for a child other than placement in a

30  licensed shelter or foster home, the department shall conduct

31  a study of the home of the proposed caregivers, which must

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  include, at a minimum:

 2         1.  An interview with the proposed adult caregivers to

 3  assess their ongoing commitment and ability to care for the

 4  child.

 5         2.  Records checks through the department's automated

 6  abuse information system, and local and statewide criminal and

 7  juvenile records checks through the Department of Law

 8  Enforcement, on all household members 12 years of age or older

 9  and any other persons made known to the department who are

10  frequent visitors in the home.

11         3.  An assessment of the physical environment of the

12  home.

13         4.  A determination of the financial security of the

14  proposed caregivers.

15         5.  A determination of suitable child care arrangements

16  if the proposed caregivers are employed outside of the home.

17         6.  Documentation of counseling and information

18  provided to the proposed caregivers regarding the dependency

19  process and possible outcomes.

20         7.  Documentation that information regarding support

21  services available in the community has been provided to the

22  caregivers.

23         (b)  The department shall not place the child or

24  continue the placement of the child in the home of the

25  proposed caregivers if the results of the home study are

26  unfavorable.

27         (4)  If placement of the child with anyone other than

28  the child's parent, caregiver, or legal custodian is being

29  considered, the predisposition study shall include the

30  designation of a specific length of time as to when custody by

31  the parent, caregiver, or legal custodian will be

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  reconsidered.

 2         (5)  The predisposition study may not be made before

 3  the adjudication of dependency unless the parents, caregivers,

 4  or legal custodians of the child consent.

 5         (6)  A case plan and predisposition study must be filed

 6  with the court and served upon the parents, caregivers, or

 7  legal custodians of the child, provided to the representative

 8  of the guardian ad litem program, if the program has been

 9  appointed, and provided to all other parties not less than 72

10  hours before the disposition hearing. All such case plans must

11  be approved by the court. If the court does not approve the

12  case plan at the disposition hearing, the court must set a

13  hearing within 30 days after the disposition hearing to review

14  and approve the case plan.

15         (7)  The initial judicial review must be held no later

16  than 90 days after the date of the disposition hearing or

17  after the date of the hearing at which the court approves the

18  case plan, but in no event shall the review be held later than

19  6 months after the date of the child's removal from the home.

20         (8)(1)  When any child is adjudicated by a court to be

21  dependent, and the court finds that removal of the child from

22  the custody of a parent, legal custodian, or caregiver is

23  necessary, the court shall first determine whether there is a

24  parent with whom the child was not residing at the time the

25  events or conditions arose that brought the child within the

26  jurisdiction of the court who desires to assume custody of the

27  child and, if such parent requests custody, the court shall

28  place the child with the parent unless it finds that such

29  placement would endanger the safety, and well-being, or

30  physical, mental, or emotional health of the child. Any party

31  with knowledge of the facts may present to the court evidence

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  regarding whether the placement will endanger the safety, and

 2  well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the

 3  child. If the court places the child with such parent, it may

 4  do either of the following:

 5         (a)  Order that the parent become the legal and

 6  physical custodian of the child. The court may also provide

 7  for reasonable visitation by the noncustodial parent. The

 8  court shall then terminate its jurisdiction over the child.

 9  The custody order shall continue unless modified by a

10  subsequent order of the court. The order of the juvenile court

11  shall be filed in any dissolution or other custody action or

12  proceeding between the parents.

13         (b)  Order that the parent assume custody subject to

14  the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. The court may order

15  that reunification services be provided to the parent,

16  caregiver, or legal custodian or guardian from whom the child

17  has been removed, that services be provided solely to the

18  parent who is assuming physical custody in order to allow that

19  parent to retain later custody without court jurisdiction, or

20  that services be provided to both parents, in which case the

21  court shall determine at every review hearings held every 6

22  months which parent, if either, shall have custody of the

23  child. The standard for changing custody of the child from one

24  parent to another or to a relative or caregiver must meet the

25  home study criteria and court approval pursuant to this

26  chapter at the review hearings shall be the same standard as

27  applies to changing custody of the child in a custody hearing

28  following a decree of dissolution of marriage.

29         (9)(2)(a)  When any child is adjudicated by a court to

30  be dependent, the court having jurisdiction of the child has

31  the power, by order, to:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         1.  Require the parent, caregiver, or legal guardian,

 2  or custodian, and the child when appropriate, to participate

 3  in treatment and services identified as necessary.

 4         2.  Require the parent, caregiver, or legal guardian,

 5  or custodian, and the child when appropriate, to participate

 6  in mediation if the parent, caregiver, or legal guardian, or

 7  custodian refused to participate in mediation under s.

 8  39.4033.

 9         3.  Place the child under the protective supervision of

10  an authorized agent of the department, either in the child's

11  own home or, the prospective custodian being willing, in the

12  home of a relative of the child or of a caregiver an adult

13  nonrelative approved by the court, or in some other suitable

14  place under such reasonable conditions as the court may

15  direct. Whenever the child is placed under protective

16  supervision pursuant to this section, the department shall

17  prepare a case plan and shall file it with the court.

18  Protective supervision continues until the court terminates it

19  or until the child reaches the age of 18, whichever date is

20  first. Protective supervision shall may be terminated by the

21  court whenever the court determines that permanency has been

22  achieved for the child the child's placement, whether with a

23  parent, another relative, a legal custodian, or a caregiver,

24  or a nonrelative, is stable and that protective supervision is

25  no longer needed.  The termination of supervision may be with

26  or without retaining jurisdiction, at the court's discretion,

27  and shall in either case be considered a permanency option for

28  the child.  The order terminating supervision by the

29  department of Children and Family Services shall set forth the

30  powers of the custodian of the child and shall include the

31  powers ordinarily granted to a guardian of the person of a

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  minor unless otherwise specified.

 2         4.  Place the child in the temporary legal custody of

 3  an adult relative or caregiver an adult nonrelative approved

 4  by the court who is willing to care for the child.

 5         5.a.  When the parents have failed to comply with a

 6  case plan and the court determines at a judicial review

 7  hearing, or at an adjudication hearing held pursuant to s.

 8  39.453, or at a hearing held pursuant to subparagraph (1)(a)7.

 9  of this section, that neither reunification, termination of

10  parental rights, nor adoption is in the best interest of the

11  child, the court may place the child in the long-term custody

12  of an adult relative or caregiver adult nonrelative approved

13  by the court willing to care for the child, if the following

14  conditions are met:

15         (I)  A case plan describing the responsibilities of the

16  relative or caregiver nonrelative, the department, and any

17  other party must have been submitted to the court.

18         (II)  The case plan for the child does not include

19  reunification with the parents or adoption by the relative or

20  caregiver.

21         (III)  The child and the relative or caregiver

22  nonrelative custodian are determined not to need protective

23  supervision or preventive services to ensure the stability of

24  the long-term custodial relationship, or the department

25  assures the court that protective supervision or preventive

26  services will be provided in order to ensure the stability of

27  the long-term custodial relationship.

28         (IV)  Each party to the proceeding agrees that a

29  long-term custodial relationship does not preclude the

30  possibility of the child returning to the custody of the

31  parent at a later date.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (V)  The court has considered the reasonable preference

 2  of the child if the court has found the child to be of

 3  sufficient intelligence, understanding, and experience to

 4  express a preference.

 5         (VI)  The court has considered the recommendation of

 6  the guardian ad litem if one has been appointed.

 7         b.  The court shall retain jurisdiction over the case,

 8  and the child shall remain in the long-term custody of the

 9  relative or caregiver nonrelative approved by the court until

10  the order creating the long-term custodial relationship is

11  modified by the court. The court may relieve the department of

12  the responsibility for supervising the placement of the child

13  whenever the court determines that the placement is stable and

14  that such supervision is no longer needed.  Notwithstanding

15  the retention of jurisdiction, the placement shall be

16  considered a permanency option for the child when the court

17  relieves the department of the responsibility for supervising

18  the placement.  The order terminating supervision by the

19  department of Children and Family Services shall set forth the

20  powers of the custodian of the child and shall include the

21  powers ordinarily granted to a guardian of the person of a

22  minor unless otherwise specified.  The court may modify the

23  order terminating supervision of the long-term relative or

24  caregiver nonrelative placement if it finds that a party to

25  the proceeding has shown a material change in circumstances

26  which causes the long-term relative or caregiver nonrelative

27  placement to be no longer in the best interest of the child.

28         6.a.  Approve placement of the child in long-term

29  out-of-home foster care, when the following conditions are

30  met:

31         (I)  The foster child is 16 years of age or older,

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  unless the court determines that the history or condition of a

 2  younger child makes long-term out-of-home foster care the most

 3  appropriate placement.

 4         (II)  The child demonstrates no desire to be placed in

 5  an independent living arrangement pursuant to this subsection.

 6         (III)  The department's social services study pursuant

 7  to part VIII s. 39.453(6)(a) recommends long-term out-of-home

 8  foster care.

 9         b.  Long-term out-of-home foster care under the above

10  conditions shall not be considered a permanency option.

11         c.  The court may approve placement of the child in

12  long-term out-of-home foster care, as a permanency option,

13  when all of the following conditions are met:

14         (I)  The child is 14 years of age or older,

15         (II)  The child is living in a licensed home and the

16  foster parents desire to provide care for the child on a

17  permanent basis and the foster parents and the child do not

18  desire adoption,

19         (III)  The foster family has made a commitment to

20  provide for the child until he or she reaches the age of

21  majority and to prepare the child for adulthood and

22  independence, and

23         (IV)  The child has remained in the home for a

24  continuous period of no less than 12 months.

25         (V)  The foster parents and the child view one another

26  as family and consider living together as the best place for

27  the child to be on a permanent basis.

28         (VI)  The department's social services study recommends

29  such placement and finds the child's well-being has been

30  promoted through living with the foster parents.

31         d.  Notwithstanding the retention of jurisdiction and

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  supervision by the department, long-term out-of-home foster

 2  care placements made pursuant to sub-subparagraph (2)(a)6.c.

 3  of this section shall be considered a permanency option for

 4  the child.  For purposes of this subsection, supervision by

 5  the department shall be defined as a minimum of semiannual

 6  visits.  The order placing the child in long-term out-of-home

 7  foster care as a permanency option shall set forth the powers

 8  of the custodian of the child and shall include the powers

 9  ordinarily granted to a guardian of the person of a minor

10  unless otherwise specified.  The court may modify the

11  permanency option of long-term out-of-home foster care if it

12  finds that a party to the proceeding has shown a material

13  change in circumstances which causes the placement to be no

14  longer in the best interests of the child.

15         e.  Approve placement of the child in an independent

16  living arrangement for any foster child 16 years of age or

17  older, if it can be clearly established that this type of

18  alternate care arrangement is the most appropriate plan and

19  that the health, safety, and well-being of the child will not

20  be jeopardized by such an arrangement. While in independent

21  living situations, children whose legal custody has been

22  awarded to the department or a licensed child-caring or

23  child-placing agency, or who have been voluntarily placed with

24  such an agency by a parent, guardian, relative, or adult

25  nonrelative approved by the court, continue to be subject to

26  court review provisions.

27         7.  Commit the child to a licensed child-caring agency

28  willing to receive the child. Continued commitment to the

29  licensed child-caring agency, as well as all other proceedings

30  under this section pertaining to the child, are also governed

31  by part V of this chapter.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         7.8.  Commit the child to the temporary legal custody

 2  of the department. Such commitment invests in the department

 3  all rights and responsibilities of a legal custodian. The

 4  department shall not return any child to the physical care and

 5  custody of the person from whom the child was removed, except

 6  for short visitation periods, without the approval of the

 7  court. The term of such commitment continues until terminated

 8  by the court or until the child reaches the age of 18. After

 9  the child is committed to the temporary custody of the

10  department, all further proceedings under this section are

11  also governed by part V of this chapter.

12         8.9.a.  Change the temporary legal custody or the

13  conditions of protective supervision at a postdisposition

14  hearing subsequent to the initial detention hearing, without

15  the necessity of another adjudicatory hearing. A child who has

16  been placed in the child's own home under the protective

17  supervision of an authorized agent of the department, in the

18  home of a relative, in the home of a legal custodian or

19  caregiver nonrelative, or in some other place may be brought

20  before the court by the agent of the department who is

21  supervising the placement or by any other interested person,

22  upon the filing of a petition alleging a need for a change in

23  the conditions of protective supervision or the placement. If

24  the parents or other custodians deny the need for a change,

25  the court shall hear all parties in person or by counsel, or

26  both. Upon the admission of a need for a change or after such

27  hearing, the court shall enter an order changing the

28  placement, modifying the conditions of protective supervision,

29  or continuing the conditions of protective supervision as

30  ordered. The standard for changing custody of the child from

31  one parent to another or to a relative or caregiver must meet

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the home study criteria and court approval pursuant to this

 2  chapter.

 3         b.  In cases where the issue before the court is

 4  whether a child should be reunited with a parent, the court

 5  shall determine whether the parent has substantially complied

 6  with the terms of the case plan to the extent that the

 7  well-being and safety, well-being, and physical, mental, and

 8  emotional health of the child is not endangered by the return

 9  of the child to the home.

10         10.  Approve placement of the child in an independent

11  living arrangement for any foster child 16 years of age or

12  older, if it can be clearly established that this type of

13  alternate care arrangement is the most appropriate plan and

14  that the safety and welfare of the child will not be

15  jeopardized by such an arrangement. While in independent

16  living situations, children whose legal custody has been

17  awarded to the department or a licensed child-caring or

18  child-placing agency, or who have been voluntarily placed with

19  such an agency by a parent, guardian, relative, or adult

20  nonrelative approved by the court, continue to be subject to

21  the court review provisions of s. 39.453.

22         (b)  The court shall, in its written order of

23  disposition, include all of the following:

24         1.  The placement or custody of the child as provided

25  in paragraph (a).

26         2.  Special conditions of placement and visitation.

27         3.  Evaluation, counseling, treatment activities, and

28  other actions to be taken by the parties, if ordered.

29         4.  The persons or entities responsible for supervising

30  or monitoring services to the child and family.

31         5.  Continuation or discharge of the guardian ad litem,

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  as appropriate.

 2         6.  The date, time, and location of the next scheduled

 3  review hearing, which must occur within 90 days after the

 4  disposition hearing or within the earlier of:

 5         a.  Six months after the date of the last review

 6  hearing; or

 7         b.  Six months after the date of the child's removal

 8  from his or her home, if no review hearing has been held since

 9  the child's removal from the home. The period of time or date

10  for any subsequent case review required by law.

11         7.  Other requirements necessary to protect the health,

12  safety, and well-being of the child, to preserve the stability

13  of the child's educational placement, and to promote family

14  preservation or reunification whenever possible.

15         (c)  If the court finds that the prevention or

16  reunification efforts of the department will allow the child

17  to remain safely at home or be safely returned to the home,

18  the court shall allow the child to remain in or return to the

19  home after making a specific finding of fact that the reasons

20  for removal have been remedied to the extent that the child's

21  safety, and well-being, and physical, mental, and emotional

22  health will not be endangered.

23         (d)(5)(a)  If the court commits the child to the

24  temporary legal custody of the department, the disposition

25  order must include a written determination that the child

26  cannot safely remain at home with reunification or family

27  preservation services and that removal of the child is

28  necessary to protect the child. If the child has been removed

29  before the disposition hearing, the order must also include a

30  written determination as to whether, after removal, the

31  department has made a reasonable effort to reunify the family.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  The department has the burden of demonstrating that it has

 2  made reasonable efforts under this paragraph subsection.

 3         1.(b)  For the purposes of this paragraph subsection,

 4  the term "reasonable effort" means the exercise of reasonable

 5  diligence and care by the department to provide the services

 6  delineated in the case plan.

 7         2.(c)  In support of its determination as to whether

 8  reasonable efforts have been made, the court shall:

 9         a.1.  Enter written findings as to whether or not

10  prevention or reunification efforts were indicated.

11         b.2.  If prevention or reunification efforts were

12  indicated, include a brief written description of what

13  appropriate and available prevention and reunification efforts

14  were made.

15         c.3.  Indicate in writing why further efforts could or

16  could not have prevented or shortened the separation of the

17  family.

18         3.(d)  A court may find that the department has made a

19  reasonable effort to prevent or eliminate the need for removal

20  if:

21         a.1.  The first contact of the department with the

22  family occurs during an emergency.

23         b.2.  The appraisal by the department of the home

24  situation indicates that it presents a substantial and

25  immediate danger to the child's safety or physical, mental, or

26  emotional health child which cannot be mitigated by the

27  provision of preventive services.

28         c.3.  The child cannot safely remain at home, either

29  because there are no preventive services that can ensure the

30  health and safety of the child or, even with appropriate and

31  available services being provided, the health and safety of

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the child cannot be ensured.

 2         4.(e)  A reasonable effort by the department for

 3  reunification of the family has been made if the appraisal of

 4  the home situation by the department indicates that the

 5  severity of the conditions of dependency is such that

 6  reunification efforts are inappropriate. The department has

 7  the burden of demonstrating to the court that reunification

 8  efforts were inappropriate.

 9         5.(f)  If the court finds that the prevention or

10  reunification effort of the department would not have

11  permitted the child to remain safely at home, the court may

12  commit the child to the temporary legal custody of the

13  department or take any other action authorized by this chapter

14  part.

15         (10)(3)(a)  When any child is adjudicated by the court

16  to be dependent and temporary legal custody of the child has

17  been placed with an adult relative, legal custodian, or

18  caregiver or adult nonrelative approved by the court willing

19  to care for the child, a licensed child-caring agency, or the

20  department, the court shall, unless a parent has voluntarily

21  executed a written surrender for purposes of adoption, order

22  the parents, or the guardian of the child's estate if

23  possessed of assets which under law may be disbursed for the

24  care, support, and maintenance of the child, to pay child

25  support to the adult relative, legal custodian, or caregiver

26  or nonrelative caring for the child, the licensed child-caring

27  agency, or the department. The court may exercise jurisdiction

28  over all child support matters, shall adjudicate the financial

29  obligation, including health insurance, of the child's parents

30  or guardian, and shall enforce the financial obligation as

31  provided in chapter 61. The state's child support enforcement

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  agency shall enforce child support orders under this section

 2  in the same manner as child support orders under chapter 61.

 3         (b)  Placement of the child pursuant to subsection (8)

 4  (1) shall not be contingent upon issuance of a support order.

 5         (11)(4)(a)  If the court does not commit the child to

 6  the temporary legal custody of an adult relative, legal

 7  custodian, or caregiver or adult nonrelative approved by the

 8  court, the disposition order shall include the reasons for

 9  such a decision and shall include a determination as to

10  whether diligent efforts were made by the department to locate

11  an adult relative, legal custodian, or caregiver willing to

12  care for the child in order to present that placement option

13  to the court instead of placement with the department.

14         (b)  If diligent efforts are a diligent search is made

15  to locate an adult relative willing and able to care for the

16  child but, because no suitable relative is found, the child is

17  placed with the department or a legal custodian or caregiver

18  nonrelative custodian, both the department and the court shall

19  consider transferring temporary legal custody to an a willing

20  adult relative or adult nonrelative approved by the court at a

21  later date, but neither the department nor the court is

22  obligated to so place the child if it is in the child's best

23  interest to remain in the current placement. For the purposes

24  of this paragraph, "diligent efforts to locate an adult

25  relative" means a search similar to the diligent search for a

26  parent, but without the continuing obligation to search after

27  an initial adequate search is completed.

28         (12)(6)  An agency granted legal custody shall have the

29  right to determine where and with whom the child shall live,

30  but an individual granted legal custody shall exercise all

31  rights and duties personally unless otherwise ordered by the

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  court.

 2         (13)(7)  In carrying out the provisions of this

 3  chapter, the court may order the natural parents, caregivers,

 4  or legal custodians guardian of a child who is found to be

 5  dependent to participate in family counseling and other

 6  professional counseling activities deemed necessary for the

 7  rehabilitation of the child.

 8         (14)(8)  With respect to a child who is the subject in

 9  proceedings under part V of this chapter, the court shall

10  issue to the department an order to show cause why it should

11  not return the child to the custody of the natural parents,

12  legal custodians, or caregivers upon expiration of the case

13  plan, or sooner if the parents, legal custodians, or

14  caregivers have substantially complied with the case plan.

15         (15)(9)  The court may at any time enter an order

16  ending its jurisdiction over any child, except that, when a

17  child has been returned to the parents under subsection (14)

18  (8), the court shall not terminate its jurisdiction over the

19  child until 6 months after the child's return. Based on a

20  report of the department or agency or the child's guardian ad

21  litem, and any other relevant factors, the court shall then

22  determine whether its jurisdiction should be continued or

23  terminated in such a case; if its jurisdiction is to be

24  terminated, the court shall enter an order to that effect.

25         Section 53.  Section 39.5085, Florida Statutes, is

26  created to read:

27         39.5085  Relative-Caregiver Program.--

28         (1)  It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting

29  this section to:

30         (a)  Recognize family relationships in which a

31  grandparent or other relative is the head of a household that

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  includes a child otherwise at risk of foster care placement.

 2         (b)  Enhance family preservation and stability by

 3  recognizing that most children in such placements with

 4  grandparents and other relatives do not need intensive

 5  supervision of the placement by the courts or by the

 6  department.

 7         (c)  Provide additional placement options and

 8  incentives that will achieve permanency and stability for many

 9  children who are otherwise at risk of foster care placement

10  because of abuse, abandonment, or neglect, but who may

11  successfully be able to be placed by the dependency court in

12  the care of such relatives.

13         (d)  Reserve the limited casework and supervisory

14  resources of the courts and the department for those cases in

15  which children do not have the option for safe, stable care

16  within the family.

17         (2)(a)  The Department of Children and Family Services

18  shall establish and operate the Relative-Caregiver Program

19  pursuant to eligibility guidelines established in this section

20  as further implemented by rule of the department. The

21  Relative-Caregiver Program shall, within the limits of

22  available funding, provide financial assistance to relatives

23  who are within the fifth degree by blood or marriage to the

24  parent or stepparent of a child and who are caring full-time

25  for that child in the role of substitute parent as a result of

26  a departmental determination of child abuse, neglect, or

27  abandonment and subsequent placement with the relative

28  pursuant to chapter 39. Such placement may be either

29  court-ordered temporary legal custody to the relative pursuant

30  to s. 39.508(9) or court-ordered placement in the home of a

31  relative under protective supervision of the department

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  pursuant to s. 39.508(9). The Relative-Caregiver Program shall

 2  offer financial assistance to caregivers who are relatives and

 3  who would be unable to serve in that capacity without the

 4  relative-caregiver payment because of financial burden, thus

 5  exposing the child to the trauma of placement in a shelter or

 6  in foster care.

 7         (b)  Caregivers who are relatives and who receive

 8  assistance under this section must be capable, as determined

 9  by a home study, of providing a physically safe environment

10  and a stable, supportive home for the children under their

11  care, and must assure that the children's well-being is met,

12  including, but not limited to, the provision of immunizations,

13  education, and mental health services as needed.

14         (c)  Relatives who qualify for and participate in the

15  Relative-Caregiver Program are not required to meet foster

16  care licensing requirements under s. 409.175.

17         (d)  Relatives who are caring for children placed with

18  them by the child protection system shall receive a special

19  monthly relative-caregiver benefit established by rule of the

20  department. The amount of the special benefit payment shall be

21  based on the child's age within a payment schedule established

22  by rule of the department and subject to availability of

23  funding. The statewide average monthly rate for children

24  judicially placed with relatives who are not licensed as

25  foster homes may not exceed 82 percent of the statewide

26  average foster care rate, nor may the cost of providing the

27  assistance described in this section to any relative-caregiver

28  exceed the cost of providing out-of-home care in emergency

29  shelter or foster care.

30         (e)  Children receiving cash benefits under this

31  section are not eligible to simultaneously receive WAGES cash

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  benefits under chapter 414. 

 2         (f)  Within available funding, the Relative-Caregiver

 3  Program shall provide relative-caregivers with family support

 4  and preservation services, flexible funds in accordance with

 5  s. 409.165, subsidized child care, and other available

 6  services in order to support the child's safety, growth, and

 7  healthy development. Children living with relative-caregivers

 8  who are receiving assistance under this section shall be

 9  eligible for medicaid coverage.

10         (g)  The department may use appropriate available

11  state, federal, and private funds to operate the

12  Relative-Caregiver Program.

13         Section 54.  Section 39.4105, Florida Statutes, is

14  renumbered as section 39.509, Florida Statutes, and amended to

15  read:

16         39.509 39.4105  Grandparents rights.--Notwithstanding

17  any other provision of law, a maternal or paternal grandparent

18  as well as a stepgrandparent is entitled to reasonable

19  visitation with his or her grandchild who has been adjudicated

20  a dependent child and taken from the physical custody of the

21  his or her parent, custodian, legal guardian, or caregiver

22  unless the court finds that such visitation is not in the best

23  interest of the child or that such visitation would interfere

24  with the goals of the case plan pursuant to s. 39.451.

25  Reasonable visitation may be unsupervised and, where

26  appropriate and feasible, may be frequent and continuing.

27         (1)  Grandparent visitation may take place in the home

28  of the grandparent unless there is a compelling reason for

29  denying such a visitation. The department's caseworker shall

30  arrange the visitation to which a grandparent is entitled

31  pursuant to this section.  The state shall not charge a fee

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  for any costs associated with arranging the visitation.

 2  However, the grandparent shall pay for the child's cost of

 3  transportation when the visitation is to take place in the

 4  grandparent's home.  The caseworker shall document the reasons

 5  for any decision to restrict a grandparent's visitation.

 6         (2)  A grandparent entitled to visitation pursuant to

 7  this section shall not be restricted from appropriate displays

 8  of affection to the child, such as appropriately hugging or

 9  kissing his or her grandchild.  Gifts, cards, and letters from

10  the grandparent and other family members shall not be denied

11  to a child who has been adjudicated a dependent child.

12         (3)  Any attempt by a grandparent to facilitate a

13  meeting between the child who has been adjudicated a dependent

14  child and the child's parent, custodian, legal guardian, or

15  caregiver in violation of a court order shall automatically

16  terminate future visitation rights of the grandparent.

17         (4)  When the child has been returned to the physical

18  custody of his or her parent or permanent custodian, legal

19  guardian, or caregiver, the visitation rights granted pursuant

20  to this section shall terminate.

21         (5)  The termination of parental rights does not affect

22  the rights of grandparents unless the court finds that such

23  visitation is not in the best interest of the child or that

24  such visitation would interfere with the goals of permanency

25  planning for the child.

26         (6)(5)  In determining whether grandparental visitation

27  is not in the child's best interest, consideration may be

28  given to the finding of guilt, regardless of adjudication, or

29  entry or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to charges under

30  the following statutes, or similar statutes of other

31  jurisdictions:  s. 787.04, relating to removing minors from

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the state or concealing minors contrary to court order; s.

 2  794.011, relating to sexual battery; s. 798.02, relating to

 3  lewd and lascivious behavior; chapter 800, relating to

 4  lewdness and indecent exposure; or chapter 827, relating to

 5  the abuse of children.  Consideration may also be given to a

 6  finding of confirmed abuse, abandonment, or neglect under ss.

 7  415.101-415.113 or this chapter and ss. 415.502-415.514.

 8         Section 55.  Section 39.413, Florida Statutes, is

 9  renumbered as section 39.5101, Florida Statutes, and

10  subsection (1) of said section is amended to read:

11         39.5101 39.413  Appeal.--

12         (1)  Any child, any parent, guardian ad litem,

13  caregiver, or legal custodian of any child, any other party to

14  the proceeding who is affected by an order of the court, or

15  the department may appeal to the appropriate district court of

16  appeal within the time and in the manner prescribed by the

17  Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. Appointed counsel shall

18  be compensated as provided in this chapter s. 39.415.

19         Section 56.  Part VII of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

20  consisting of sections 39.601, 39.602, and 39.603, Florida

21  Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

22                             PART VII

23                            CASE PLANS

24         Section 57.  Section 39.4031, Florida Statutes, are

25  renumbered as section 39.601, Florida Statutes, and amended to

26  read:

27         39.601 39.4031  Case plan requirements.--

28         (1)  The department or agent of the department shall

29  develop a case plan for each child or child's family receiving

30  services pursuant to this chapter who is a party to any

31  dependency proceeding, activity, or process under this part.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  A parent, caregiver, or legal guardian, or custodian of a

 2  child may not be required or nor coerced through threat of

 3  loss of custody or parental rights to admit in the case plan

 4  to abusing, neglecting, or abandoning a child. Where

 5  dependency mediation services are available and appropriate to

 6  the best interests of the child, the court may refer the case

 7  to mediation for development of a case plan. This section does

 8  not change the provisions of s. 39.807 39.464.

 9         (2)  The case plan must be:

10         (a)  The case plan must be developed in conference with

11  the parent, caregiver, or legal guardian, or custodian of the

12  child and, if appropriate, the child and any court-appointed

13  guardian ad litem and, if appropriate, the child. Any parent

14  who believes that his or her perspective has not been

15  considered in the development of a case plan may request

16  referral to mediation pursuant to s. 39.4033 when such

17  services are available.

18         (b)  The case plan must be written simply and clearly

19  in English and, if English is not the principal language of

20  the child's parent, caregiver, or legal guardian, or

21  custodian, to the extent possible in such principal language.

22         (c)  The case plan must describe the minimum number of

23  face-to-face meetings to be held each month between the

24  parents, caregivers, or legal custodians and the department's

25  caseworkers to review progress of the plan, to eliminate

26  barriers to progress, and to resolve conflicts or

27  disagreements.

28         (d)(c)  The case plan must be subject to modification

29  based on changing circumstances.

30         (e)(d)  The case plan must be signed by all parties.

31         (f)(e)  The case plan must be reasonable, accurate, and

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  in compliance with the requirements of other court orders.

 2         (2)(3)  When the child or family is receiving services

 3  in the child's home, the case plan must be developed within 30

 4  days from the date of the department's initial contact with

 5  the child, or within 30 days of the date of a disposition

 6  order placing the child under the protective supervision of

 7  the department in the child's own home, and must include, in

 8  addition to the requirements in subsection (1) (2), at a

 9  minimum:

10         (a)  A description of the problem being addressed that

11  includes the behavior or act of a parent, legal custodian, or

12  caregiver resulting in risk to the child and the reason for

13  the department's intervention.

14         (b)  A description of the services to be provided to

15  the family and child specifically addressing the identified

16  problem, including:

17         1.  Type of services or treatment.

18         2.  Frequency of services or treatment.

19         3.  Location of the delivery of the services.

20         4.  The accountable department staff or service

21  provider.

22         5.  The need for a multidisciplinary case staffing

23  under s. 39.4032.

24         (c)  A description of the measurable objectives,

25  including timeframes for achieving objectives, addressing the

26  identified problem.

27         (3)(4)  When the child is receiving services in a

28  placement outside the child's home or in foster care, the case

29  plan must be submitted to the court for approval at the

30  disposition hearing prepared within 30 days after placement

31  and also be approved by the court and must include, in

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  addition to the requirements in subsections (1) and (2) and

 2  (3), at a minimum:

 3         (a)  A description of the permanency goal for the

 4  child, including the type of placement. Reasonable efforts to

 5  place a child for adoption or with a legal guardian may be

 6  made concurrently with reasonable efforts to prevent removal

 7  of the child from the home or make it possible for the child

 8  to return safely home.

 9         (b)  A description of the type of home or institution

10  in which the child is to be placed.

11         (c)  A description of the financial support obligation

12  to the child, including health insurance, of the child's

13  parent, parents, caregiver, or legal custodian or guardian.

14         (d)  A description of the visitation rights and

15  obligations of the parent or parents, caregiver, or legal

16  custodian during the period the child is in care.

17         (e)  A discussion of the safety and appropriateness of

18  the child's placement, which placement is intended to be safe,

19  in the least restrictive and most family-like setting

20  available consistent with the best interest and special needs

21  of the child, and in as close proximity as possible to the

22  child's home. The plan must also establish the role for the

23  foster parents or custodians in the development of the

24  services that are to be provided to the child, foster parents,

25  or legal custodians. It must also address the child's need for

26  services while under the jurisdiction of the court and

27  implementation of these services in the case plan.

28         (f)  A description of the efforts to be undertaken to

29  maintain the stability of the child's educational placement.

30         (g)(f)  A discussion of the department's plans to carry

31  out the judicial determination made by the court, with respect

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  to the child, in accordance with this chapter and applicable

 2  federal regulations.

 3         (h)(g)  A description of the plan for assuring that

 4  services outlined in the case plan are provided to the child

 5  and the child's parent or parents, legal custodians, or

 6  caregivers, to improve the conditions in the family home and

 7  facilitate either the safe return of the child to the home or

 8  the permanent placement of the child.

 9         (i)(h)  A description of the plan for assuring that

10  services as outlined in the case plan are provided to the

11  child and the child's parent or parents, legal custodians, or

12  caregivers, to address the needs of the child and a discussion

13  of the appropriateness of the services.

14         (j)(i)  A description of the plan for assuring that

15  services are provided to the child and foster parents to

16  address the needs of the child while in foster care, which

17  shall include an itemized list of costs to be borne by the

18  parent or caregiver associated with any services or treatment

19  that the parent and child are expected to receive.

20         (k)(j)  A written notice to the parent that failure of

21  the parent to substantially comply with the case plan may

22  result in the termination of parental rights, and that a

23  material failure to substantially comply may result in the

24  filing of a petition for termination of parental rights sooner

25  than the compliance periods set forth in the case plan itself.

26  The child protection team shall coordinate its effort with the

27  case staffing committee.

28         (l)  In the case of a child for whom the permanency

29  plan is adoption or placement in another permanent home,

30  documentation of the steps the agency is taking to find an

31  adoptive family or other permanent living arrangement for the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  child; to place the child with an adoptive family, with a fit

 2  and willing relative, with a legal guardian, or in another

 3  planned permanent living arrangement; and to finalize the

 4  adoption or legal guardianship. At a minimum, such

 5  documentation shall include child-specific recruitment efforts

 6  such as the use of state, regional, and national adoption

 7  exchanges, including electronic exchange systems.

 8         (4)(5)  In the event that the parents, legal

 9  custodians, or caregivers are unwilling or unable to

10  participate in the development of a case plan, the department

11  shall document that unwillingness or inability to participate.

12  Such documentation must be provided and provide in writing to

13  the parent, legal custodians, or caregivers when available for

14  the court record, and then the department shall prepare a case

15  plan conforming as nearly as possible with the requirements

16  set forth in this section. The unwillingness or inability of

17  the parents, legal custodians, or caregivers to participate in

18  the development of a case plan shall not in itself bar the

19  filing of a petition for dependency or for termination of

20  parental rights. The parents, legal custodians, or caregivers,

21  if available, must be provided a copy of the case plan and be

22  advised that they may, at any time prior to the filing of a

23  petition for termination of parental rights, enter into a case

24  plan and that they may request judicial review of any

25  provision of the case plan with which they disagree at any

26  court review hearing set for the child.

27         (5)(6)  The services delineated in the case plan must

28  be designed to improve the conditions in the family home and

29  aid in maintaining the child in the home, to facilitate the

30  safe return of the child to the family home, or to facilitate

31  the permanent placement of the child. The service intervention

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  must be the least intrusive possible into the life of the

 2  family, must focus on clearly defined objectives, and must

 3  provide the most efficient path to quick reunification or

 4  permanent placement, with the child's health and safety being

 5  paramount. To the extent possible, the service intervention

 6  must be grounded in outcome evaluation results that

 7  demonstrate success in the reunification or permanent

 8  placement process. In designing service interventions,

 9  generally recognized standards of the professions involved in

10  the process must be taken into consideration.

11         (6)  After jurisdiction attaches, all case plans must

12  be filed with the court and a copy provided to the parents,

13  caregivers, or legal custodians of the child, to the

14  representative of the guardian ad litem program if the program

15  has been appointed, and to all other parties, not less than 72

16  hours before the disposition hearing. All such case plans must

17  be approved by the court. The department shall also file with

18  the court all case plans prepared before jurisdiction of the

19  court attached. If the court does not accept the case plan,

20  the court shall require the parties to make necessary

21  modifications to the plan. An amended plan must be submitted

22  to the court for review and approval within 30 days after the

23  hearing on the case plan.

24         (7)  The case plan must be limited to as short a period

25  as possible for the accomplishment of its provisions. Unless

26  extended, the plan expires no later than 12 months after the

27  date the child was initially removed from the home or the date

28  the case plan was accepted by the court, whichever comes

29  first.

30         (8)  The case plan must meet applicable federal and

31  state requirements.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (9)(a)  In each case in which the custody of a child

 2  has been vested, either voluntarily or involuntarily, in the

 3  department and the child has been placed in out-of-home care,

 4  a case plan must be prepared within 60 days after the

 5  department removes the child from the home, and shall be

 6  submitted to the court before the disposition hearing, for the

 7  court to review and accept. If the preparation of a case plan,

 8  in conference with the parents and other pertinent parties,

 9  cannot be completed before the disposition hearing, for good

10  cause shown, the court may grant an extension not to exceed 30

11  days and set a hearing to review and accept the case plan.

12         (b)  The parent or parents, legal custodians, or

13  caregivers may receive assistance from any person, or social

14  service agency in the preparation of the case plan.

15         (c)  The social service agency, the department, and the

16  court, when applicable, shall inform the parent or parents,

17  legal custodians, or caregivers of the right to receive such

18  assistance, including the right to assistance of counsel.

19         (d)  Before the signing of the case plan, the

20  authorized agent of the department shall explain it to all

21  persons involved in its implementation, including, when

22  appropriate, the child.

23         (e)  After the case plan has been agreed upon and

24  signed by the parties involved, a copy of the plan must be

25  given immediately to the parents, the department or agency,

26  the foster parents or caregivers, the legal custodian, the

27  caregiver, the representative of the guardian ad litem program

28  if the program is appointed, and any other parties identified

29  by the court, including the child, if appropriate.

30         (f)  The case plan may be amended at any time if all

31  parties are in agreement regarding the revisions to the plan

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  and the plan is submitted to the court with a memorandum of

 2  explanation. The case plan may also be amended by the court or

 3  upon motion of any party at a hearing, based on competent

 4  evidence demonstrating the need for the amendment. A copy of

 5  the amended plan must be immediately given to the parties

 6  specified in paragraph (e).

 7         (10)  A case plan must be prepared, but need not be

 8  submitted to the court, for a child who will be in care no

 9  longer than 30 days unless that child is placed in out-of-home

10  care a second time within a 12-month period.

11         Section 58.  Section 39.452, Florida Statutes, is

12  renumbered as section 39.602, Florida Statutes, and amended to

13  read:

14         39.602 39.452  Case planning when parents, legal

15  custodians, or caregivers do not participate and the child is

16  in out-of-home foster care.--

17         (1)(a)  In the event the parents, legal custodians, or

18  caregivers will not or cannot participate in preparation of a

19  case plan, the department shall submit a full explanation of

20  the circumstances and a plan for the permanent placement of

21  the child to the court within 30 days after the child has been

22  removed from the home and placed in temporary foster care and

23  schedule a court hearing within 30 days after submission of

24  the plan to the court to review and accept or modify the plan.

25  If preparation cannot be accomplished within 30 days, for good

26  cause shown, the court may grant extensions not to exceed 15

27  days each for the filing, the granting of which shall be for

28  similar reason to that contained in s. 39.451(4)(a).

29         (b)  In the full explanation of the circumstances

30  submitted to the court, the department shall state the nature

31  of its efforts to secure such persons' parental participation

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  in the preparation of a case plan.

 2         (2)  In a case in which the physical, emotional, or

 3  mental condition or physical location of the parent is the

 4  basis for the parent's nonparticipation, it is the burden of

 5  the department to provide substantial evidence to the court

 6  that such condition or location has rendered the parent unable

 7  or unwilling to participate in the preparation of a case plan,

 8  either pro se or through counsel. The supporting documentation

 9  must be submitted to the court at the time the plan is filed.

10         (3)  The plan must include, but need not be limited to,

11  the specific services to be provided by the department, the

12  goals and plans for the child, and the time for accomplishing

13  the provisions of the plan and for accomplishing permanence

14  for the child.

15         (4)(a)  At least 72 Seventy-two hours prior to the

16  filing of a plan, all parties each parent must be provided

17  with a copy of the plan developed by the department.  If the

18  location of one or both parents is unknown, this must be

19  documented in writing and included in the plan submitted to

20  the court.  After the filing of the plan, if the location of

21  an absent parent becomes known, that parent must be served

22  with a copy of the plan.

23         (b)  Before the filing of the plan, the department

24  shall advise each parent, both orally and in writing, that the

25  failure of the parents to substantially comply with a plan

26  which has reunification as its primary goal may result in the

27  termination of parental rights, but only after notice and

28  hearing as provided in this chapter part VI. If, after the

29  plan has been submitted to the court, an absent parent is

30  located, the department shall advise the parent, both orally

31  and in writing, that the failure of the parents to

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  substantially comply with a plan which has reunification as

 2  its goal may result in termination of parental rights, but

 3  only after notice and hearing as provided in this chapter part

 4  VI. Proof of written notification must be filed with the

 5  court.

 6         (5)(a)  The court shall set a hearing, with notice to

 7  all parties, on the plan or any provisions of the plan, within

 8  30 days after the plan has been received by the court. If the

 9  location of a parent is unknown, the notice must be directed

10  to the last permanent address of record.

11         (b)  At the hearing on the plan, the court shall

12  determine:

13         1.  All parties who were notified and are in attendance

14  at the hearing, either in person or through a legal

15  representative. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem

16  under Rule 1.210, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, to

17  represent the interests of any parent, if the location of the

18  parent is known but the parent is not present at the hearing

19  and the development of the plan is based upon the physical,

20  emotional, or mental condition or physical location of the

21  parent.

22         2.  If the plan is consistent with previous orders of

23  the court placing the child in care.

24         3.  If the plan is consistent with the requirements for

25  the content of a plan as specified in subsection (3).

26         4.  In involuntary placements, whether each parent was

27  notified of the right to counsel at each stage of the

28  dependency proceedings, in accordance with the Florida Rules

29  of Juvenile Procedure.

30         5.  Whether each parent whose location was known was

31  notified of the right to participate in the preparation of a

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  case plan and of the right to receive assistance from any

 2  other person in the preparation of the case plan.

 3         6.  Whether the plan is meaningful and designed to

 4  address facts and circumstances upon which the court based the

 5  finding of dependency in involuntary placements or the plan is

 6  meaningful and designed to address facts and circumstances

 7  upon which the child was placed in foster care voluntarily.

 8         (c)  When the court determines any of the elements

 9  considered at the hearing related to the plan have not been

10  met, the court shall require the parties to make necessary

11  amendments to the plan. The amended plan must be submitted to

12  the court for review and approval within a time certain

13  specified by the court. A copy of the amended plan must also

14  be provided to each parent, if the location of the parent is

15  known.

16         (d)  A parent who has not participated in the

17  development of a case plan must be served with a copy of the

18  plan developed by the department if the parent can be located

19  at least 72 hours prior to the court hearing.  Any parent is

20  entitled to, and may seek, a court review of the plan prior to

21  the initial 6 months' review and must be informed of this

22  right by the department at the time the department serves the

23  parent with a copy of the plan.  If the location of an absent

24  parent becomes known to the department, the department shall

25  inform the parent of the right to a court review at the time

26  the department serves the parent with a copy of the case plan.

27         Section 59.  Section 39.603, Florida Statutes, is

28  created to read:

29         39.603  Court approvals of case planning.

30         (1)  At the hearing on the plan, which shall occur in

31  conjunction with the disposition hearing unless otherwise

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  directed by the court, the court shall determine:

 2         (a)  All parties who were notified and are in

 3  attendance at the hearing, either in person or through a legal

 4  representative. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem

 5  under Rule 1.210, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, to

 6  represent the interests of any parent, if the location of the

 7  parent is known but the parent is not present at the hearing

 8  and the development of the plan is based upon the physical,

 9  emotional, or mental condition or physical location of the

10  parent.

11         (b)  If the plan is consistent with previous orders of

12  the court placing the child in care.

13         (c)  If the plan is consistent with the requirements

14  for the content of a plan as specified in this chapter.

15         (d)  In involuntary placements, whether each parent was

16  notified of the right to counsel at each stage of the

17  dependency proceedings, in accordance with the Florida Rules

18  of Juvenile Procedure.

19         (e)  Whether each parent whose location was known was

20  notified of the right to participate in the preparation of a

21  case plan and of the right to receive assistance from any

22  other person in the preparation of the case plan.

23         (f)  Whether the plan is meaningful and designed to

24  address facts and circumstances upon which the court based the

25  finding of dependency in involuntary placements or the plan is

26  meaningful and designed to address facts and circumstances

27  upon which the child was placed in out-of-home care

28  voluntarily.

29         (2)  When the court determines any of the elements

30  considered at the hearing related to the plan have not been

31  met, the court shall require the parties to make necessary

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  amendments to the plan. The amended plan must be submitted to

 2  the court for review and approval within a time certain

 3  specified by the court. A copy of the amended plan must also

 4  be provided to each parent, if the location of the parent is

 5  known.

 6         (3)  A parent who has not participated in the

 7  development of a case plan must be served with a copy of the

 8  plan developed by the department, if the parent can be

 9  located, at least 48 hours prior to the court hearing.  Any

10  parent is entitled to, and may seek, a court review of the

11  plan prior to the initial review and must be informed of this

12  right by the department at the time the department serves the

13  parent with a copy of the plan.  If the location of an absent

14  parent becomes known to the department, the department shall

15  inform the parent of the right to a court review at the time

16  the department serves the parent with a copy of the case plan.

17         Section 60.  Part VIII of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

18  consisting of sections 39.701, 39.702, 39.703, and 39.704,

19  Florida Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

20                            PART VIII

21                         JUDICIAL REVIEWS

22         Section 61.  Section 39.453, Florida Statutes, is

23  renumbered as section 39.701, Florida Statutes, and amended to

24  read:

25         39.701 39.453  Judicial review.--

26         (1)(a)  The court shall have continuing jurisdiction in

27  accordance with this section and shall review the status of

28  the child as required by this subsection or more frequently if

29  the court deems it necessary or desirable.

30         (b)  The court shall retain jurisdiction over a child

31  returned to its parents, caregivers, or legal guardians for a

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  period of 6 months, but, at that time, based on a report of

 2  the social service agency and the guardian ad litem, if one

 3  has been appointed, and any other relevant factors, the court

 4  shall make a determination as to whether its jurisdiction

 5  shall continue or be terminated.

 6         (c)  After termination of parental rights, the court

 7  shall retain jurisdiction over any child for whom custody is

 8  given to a social service agency until the child is adopted.

 9  The jurisdiction of the court after termination of parental

10  rights and custody is given to the agency is for the purpose

11  of reviewing the status of the child and the progress being

12  made toward permanent adoptive placement. As part of this

13  continuing jurisdiction, for good cause shown by the guardian

14  ad litem for the child, the court may review the

15  appropriateness of the adoptive placement of the child.

16         (2)(a)  The court shall review the status of the child

17  and shall hold a hearing as provided in this part subsection

18  (7). The court may dispense with the attendance of the child

19  at the hearing, but may not dispense with the hearing or the

20  presence of other parties to the review unless before the

21  review a hearing is held before a citizen review panel.

22         (b)  Citizen review panels may be established under s.

23  39.4531 to conduct hearings to a review of the status of a

24  child. The court shall select the cases appropriate for

25  referral to the citizen review panels and may order the

26  attendance of the parties at the review panel hearings.

27  However, any party may object to the referral of a case to a

28  citizen review panel. Whenever such an objection has been

29  filed with the court, the court shall review the substance of

30  the objection and may conduct the review itself or refer the

31  review to a citizen review panel. All parties retain the right

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  to take exception to the findings or recommended orders of a

 2  citizen review panel in accordance with Rule 1.490(h), Florida

 3  Rules of Civil Procedure.

 4         (c)  Notice of a hearing by a citizen review panel must

 5  be provided as set forth in subsection (5). At the conclusion

 6  of a citizen review panel hearing, each party may propose a

 7  recommended order to the chairperson of the panel. Thereafter,

 8  the citizen review panel shall submit its report, copies of

 9  the proposed recommended orders, and a copy of the panel's

10  recommended order to the court. The citizen review panel's

11  recommended order must be limited to the dispositional options

12  available to the court in subsection (8). Each party may file

13  exceptions to the report and recommended order of the citizen

14  review panel in accordance with Rule 1.490, Florida Rules of

15  Civil Procedure.

16         (3)(a)  The initial judicial review must be held no

17  later than 90 days after the date of the disposition hearing

18  or after the date of the hearing at which the court approves

19  the case plan, but in no event shall the review be held later

20  than 6 months after the date the child was removed from the

21  home. Citizen review panels shall not conduct more than two

22  consecutive reviews without the child and the parties coming

23  before the court for a judicial review. If the child remains

24  in shelter or foster care, subsequent judicial reviews must be

25  held at least every 6 months after the date of the most recent

26  judicial review until the child is 13 years old and has been

27  in foster care at least 18 months.

28         (b)  If the court extends any the case plan beyond 12

29  18 months, judicial reviews must be held at least every 6

30  months for children under the age of 13 and at least annually

31  for children age 13 and older.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (c)  If the child is placed in the custody of the

 2  department or a licensed child-placing agency for the purpose

 3  of adoptive placement, judicial reviews must be held at least

 4  every 6 months until adoptive placement, to determine the

 5  appropriateness of the current placement and the progress made

 6  toward adoptive placement.

 7         (d)  If the department and the court have established a

 8  formal agreement that includes specific authorization for

 9  particular cases, the department may conduct administrative

10  reviews instead of the judicial reviews for children in

11  out-of-home foster care. Notices of such administrative

12  reviews must be provided to all parties. However, an

13  administrative review may not be substituted for the first

14  judicial review, and in every case the court must conduct a

15  judicial review at least every 6 12 months. Any party

16  dissatisfied with the results of an administrative review may

17  petition for a judicial review.

18         (e)  The clerk of the circuit court shall schedule

19  judicial review hearings in order to comply with the mandated

20  times cited in this section paragraphs (a)-(d).

21         (f)  In each case in which a child has been voluntarily

22  placed with the licensed child-placing agency, the agency

23  shall notify the clerk of the court in the circuit where the

24  child resides of such placement within 5 working days.

25  Notification of the court is not required for any child who

26  will be in out-of-home foster care no longer than 30 days

27  unless that child is placed in out-of-home foster care a

28  second time within a 12-month period. If the child is returned

29  to the custody of the parents, caregiver, or legal custodian

30  or guardian before the scheduled review hearing or if the

31  child is placed for adoption, the child-placing agency shall

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  notify the court of the child's return or placement within 5

 2  working days, and the clerk of the court shall cancel the

 3  review hearing.

 4         (4)  The court shall schedule the date, time, and

 5  location of the next judicial review in the judicial review

 6  order. The social service agency shall file a petition for

 7  review with the court within 10 calendar days after the

 8  judicial review hearing. The petition must include a statement

 9  of the dispositional alternatives available to the court. The

10  petition must accompany the notice of the hearing served upon

11  persons specified in subsection (5).

12         (5)  Notice of a judicial review hearing or a citizen

13  review panel the hearing, and a copy of the motion for

14  judicial review petition, including a statement of the

15  dispositional alternatives available to the court, must be

16  served by the court upon:

17         (a)  The social service agency charged with the

18  supervision of care, custody, or guardianship of the child, if

19  that agency is not the movant petitioner.

20         (b)  The foster parent or parents or caregivers

21  caretakers in whose home the child resides.

22         (c)  The parent, caregiver, or legal custodian

23  guardian, or relative from whom the care and custody of the

24  child have been transferred.

25         (d)  The guardian ad litem for the child, or the

26  representative of the guardian ad litem program if the program

27  one has been appointed.

28         (e)  Any preadoptive parent.

29         (f)(e)  Such other persons as the court may in its

30  discretion direct.

31         (6)(a)  Prior to every judicial review hearing or

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  citizen review panel hearing, the social service agency shall

 2  make an investigation and social study concerning all

 3  pertinent details relating to the child and shall furnish to

 4  the court or citizen review panel a written report that

 5  includes, but is not limited to:

 6         1.  A description of the type of placement the child is

 7  in at the time of the hearing, including the safety of the

 8  child and the continuing necessity for and appropriateness of

 9  the placement.

10         2.  Documentation of the diligent efforts made by all

11  parties to the case plan to comply with each applicable

12  provision of the plan.

13         3.  The amount of fees assessed and collected during

14  the period of time being reported.

15         4.  The services provided to the foster family or

16  caregivers caretakers in an effort to address the needs of the

17  child as indicated in the case plan.

18         5.  A statement that concerning whether the parent or

19  legal custodian guardian, though able to do so, did not comply

20  substantially with the provisions of the case plan and the

21  agency recommendations or a statement that the parent or legal

22  custodian guardian did substantially comply with such

23  provisions.

24         6.  A statement from the foster parent or parents or

25  caregivers caretakers providing any material evidence

26  concerning the return of the child to the parent or parents or

27  legal custodians.

28         7.  A statement concerning the frequency, duration, and

29  results of the parent-child visitation, if any, and the agency

30  recommendations for an expansion or restriction of future

31  visitation.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         8.  The number of times a child has been removed from

 2  his or her home and placed elsewhere, the number and types of

 3  placements that have occurred, and the reason for the changes

 4  in placement.

 5         9.  The number of times a child's educational placement

 6  has been changed, the number and types of educational

 7  placements that have occurred, and the reason for any change

 8  in placement.

 9         (b)  A copy of the social service agency's written

10  report must be provided to the attorney of record of the

11  parent, parents, or legal custodians guardian; to the parent,

12  parents, or legal custodians guardian; to the foster parents

13  or caregivers caretakers; to each citizen review panel

14  established under s. 39.4531; and to the guardian ad litem for

15  the child, or the representative of the guardian ad litem

16  program if the program one has been appointed by the court, at

17  least 48 hours before the judicial review hearing, or citizen

18  review panel hearing if such a panel has been established

19  under s. 39.4531. The requirement for providing parents or

20  legal custodians guardians with a copy of the written report

21  does not apply to those parents or legal custodians guardians

22  who have voluntarily surrendered their child for adoption.

23         (c)  In a case in which the child has been permanently

24  placed with the social service agency, the agency shall

25  furnish to the court a written report concerning the progress

26  being made to place the child for adoption. If, as stated in

27  s. 39.451(1), the child cannot be placed for adoption, a

28  report on the progress made by the child in alternative

29  permanency goals or placements, including, but not limited to,

30  long-term foster care, independent living, custody to a

31  relative or caregiver adult nonrelative approved by the court

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  on a permanent basis with or without legal guardianship, or

 2  custody to a foster parent or caregiver on a permanent basis

 3  with or without legal guardianship, must be submitted to the

 4  court. The report must be submitted to the court at least 48

 5  hours before each scheduled judicial review.

 6         (d)  In addition to or in lieu of any written statement

 7  provided to the court, the foster parent or caregivers, or any

 8  preadoptive parent, caretakers shall be given the opportunity

 9  to address the court with any information relevant to the best

10  interests of the child at any judicial review hearing.

11         (7)  The court, and any citizen review panel

12  established under s. 39.4531, shall take into consideration

13  the information contained in the social services study and

14  investigation and all medical, psychological, and educational

15  records that support the terms of the case plan; testimony by

16  the social services agency, the parent or legal custodian

17  guardian, the foster parent or caregivers caretakers, the

18  guardian ad litem if one has been appointed for the child, and

19  any other person deemed appropriate; and any relevant and

20  material evidence submitted to the court, including written

21  and oral reports to the extent of their probative value. In

22  its deliberations, the court, and any citizen review panel

23  established under s. 39.4531, shall seek to determine:

24         (a)  If the parent or legal custodian guardian was

25  advised of the right to receive assistance from any person or

26  social service agency in the preparation of the case plan.

27         (b)  If the parent or legal custodian guardian has been

28  advised of the right to have counsel present at the judicial

29  review or citizen review hearings. If not so advised, the

30  court or citizen review panel shall advise the parent or legal

31  custodian guardian of such right.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (c)  If a guardian ad litem needs to be appointed for

 2  the child in a case in which a guardian ad litem has not

 3  previously been appointed or if there is a need to continue a

 4  guardian ad litem in a case in which a guardian ad litem has

 5  been appointed.

 6         (d)  The compliance or lack of compliance of all

 7  parties with applicable items of the case plan, including the

 8  parents' compliance with child support orders.

 9         (e)  The compliance or lack of compliance with a

10  visitation contract between the parent, caregiver, or legal

11  custodian or guardian and the social service agency for

12  contact with the child, including the frequency, duration, and

13  results of the parent-child visitation and the reason for any

14  noncompliance.

15         (f)  The compliance or lack of compliance of the

16  parent, caregiver, or legal custodian or guardian in meeting

17  specified financial obligations pertaining to the care of the

18  child, including the reason for failure to comply if such is

19  the case.

20         (g)  The appropriateness of the child's current

21  placement, including whether the child is in a setting which

22  is as family-like and as close to the parent's home as

23  possible, consistent with the child's best interests and

24  special needs, and including maintaining stability in the

25  child's educational placement.

26         (h)  A projected date likely for the child's return

27  home or other permanent placement.

28         (i)  When appropriate, the basis for the unwillingness

29  or inability of the parent, caregiver, or legal custodian or

30  guardian to become a party to a case plan. The court and the

31  citizen review panel shall determine if the nature of the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  location or the condition of the parent and the efforts of the

 2  social service agency to secure party parental participation

 3  in a case plan were sufficient.

 4         (8)(a)  Based upon the criteria set forth in subsection

 5  (7) and the recommended order of the citizen review panel, if

 6  any established under s. 39.4531, the court shall determine

 7  whether or not the social service agency shall initiate

 8  proceedings to have a child declared a dependent child, return

 9  the child to the parent, legal custodian, or caregiver,

10  continue the child in out-of-home foster care for a specified

11  period of time, or initiate termination of parental rights

12  proceedings for subsequent placement in an adoptive home.

13  Modifications to the plan must be handled as prescribed in s.

14  39.601 39.451. If the court finds that the prevention or

15  reunification efforts of the department will allow the child

16  to remain safely at home or be safely returned to the home,

17  the court shall allow the child to remain in or return to the

18  home after making a specific finding of fact that the reasons

19  for removal have been remedied to the extent that the child's

20  safety, and well-being, and physical, mental, and emotional

21  health will not be endangered.

22         (b)  The court shall return the child to the custody of

23  the parents, legal custodians, or caregivers at any time it

24  determines that they have substantially complied with the

25  plan, if the court is satisfied that reunification will not be

26  detrimental to the child's safety, and well-being, and

27  physical, mental, and emotional health.

28         (c)  If, in the opinion of the court, the social

29  service agency has not complied with its obligations as

30  specified in the written case plan, the court may find the

31  social service agency in contempt, shall order the social

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  service agency to submit its plans for compliance with the

 2  agreement, and shall require the social service agency to show

 3  why the child could should not safely be returned immediately

 4  to the home of the parents, legal custodians, or caregivers or

 5  legal guardian.

 6         (d)  The court may extend the time limitation of the

 7  case plan, or may modify the terms of the plan, based upon

 8  information provided by the social service agency, and the

 9  guardian ad litem, if one has been appointed, the natural

10  parent or parents, and the foster parents, and any other

11  competent information on record demonstrating the need for the

12  amendment. If the court extends the time limitation of the

13  case plan, the court must make specific findings concerning

14  the frequency of past parent-child visitation, if any, and the

15  court may authorize the expansion or restriction of future

16  visitation. Modifications to the plan must be handled as

17  prescribed in s. 39.601 39.451. Any extension of a case plan

18  must comply with the time requirements and other requirements

19  specified by this chapter part.

20         (e)  If, at any judicial review, the court finds that

21  the parents have failed to substantially comply with the case

22  plan to the degree that further reunification efforts are

23  without merit and not in the best interest of the child, it

24  may authorize the filing of a petition for termination of

25  parental rights, whether or not the time period as contained

26  in the case plan for substantial compliance has elapsed.

27         (f)  No later than 12 months after the date that the

28  child was placed in shelter care, the court shall conduct a

29  judicial review. At this hearing, if the child is not returned

30  to the physical custody of the parents, caregivers, or legal

31  custodians, the case plan may be extended with the same goals

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  only if the court finds that the situation of the child is so

 2  extraordinary that the plan should be extended. The case plan

 3  must document steps the department is taking to find an

 4  adoptive parent or other permanent living arrangement for the

 5  child. If, at the time of the 18-month judicial review or

 6  citizen review, the child is not returned to the physical

 7  custody of the natural parents, the case plan may be extended

 8  only if, at the time of the judicial review or citizen review,

 9  the court finds that the situation of the child is so

10  extraordinary that the plan should be extended. The extension

11  must be in accordance with subsection (3).

12         (g)  The court may issue a protective order in

13  assistance, or as a condition, of any other order made under

14  this part. In addition to the requirements included in the

15  case plan, the protective order may set forth requirements

16  relating to reasonable conditions of behavior to be observed

17  for a specified period of time by a person or agency who is

18  before the court; and such order may require any such person

19  or agency to make periodic reports to the court containing

20  such information as the court in its discretion may prescribe.

21         Section 62.  Section 39.4531, Florida Statutes, is

22  renumbered as section 39.702, Florida Statutes, and amended to

23  read:

24         39.702 39.4531  Citizen review panels.--

25         (1)  Citizen review panels may be established in each

26  judicial circuit and shall be authorized by an administrative

27  order executed by the chief judge of each circuit. The court

28  shall administer an oath of office to each citizen review

29  panel member which shall authorize the panel member to

30  participate in citizen review panels and make recommendations

31  to the court pursuant to the provisions of this section.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (2)  Citizen review panels shall be administered by an

 2  independent not-for-profit agency.  For the purpose of this

 3  section, an organization that has filed for nonprofit status

 4  under the provisions of s. 501(c)(3) of the United States

 5  Internal Revenue Code is an independent not-for-profit agency

 6  for a period of 1 year after the date of filing.  At the end

 7  of that 1-year period, in order to continue conducting citizen

 8  reviews, the organization must have qualified for nonprofit

 9  status under s. 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal

10  Revenue Code and must submit to the chief judge of the circuit

11  court a consumer's certificate of exemption that was issued to

12  the organization by the Florida Department of Revenue and a

13  report of the organization's progress. If the agency has not

14  qualified for nonprofit status, the court must rescind its

15  administrative order that authorizes the agency to conduct

16  citizen reviews.  All independent not-for-profit agencies

17  conducting citizen reviews must submit citizen review annual

18  reports to the court.

19         (3)  For the purpose of this section, a citizen review

20  panel shall be composed of five volunteer members and shall

21  conform with the requirements of this chapter section.  The

22  presence of three members at a panel hearing shall constitute

23  a quorum.  Panel members shall serve without compensation.

24         (4)(3)  Based on the information provided to each

25  citizen review panel pursuant to s. 39.701 39.453, each

26  citizen review panel shall provide the court with a report and

27  recommendations regarding the placement and dispositional

28  alternatives the court shall consider before issuing a

29  judicial review order.

30         (5)(4)  The An independent not-for-profit agency

31  authorized to administer each citizen review panel shall:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (a)  In collaboration with the department, develop

 2  policies to assure that citizen review panels comply with all

 3  applicable state and federal laws.

 4         (b)  Establish policies for the recruitment, selection,

 5  retention, and terms of volunteer panel members.  Final

 6  selection of citizen review panel members shall, to the extent

 7  possible, reflect the multicultural composition of the

 8  community which they serve.  A criminal background check and

 9  personal reference check shall be conducted on each citizen

10  review panel member prior to the member serving on a citizen

11  review panel.

12         (c)  In collaboration with the department, develop,

13  implement, and maintain a training program for citizen review

14  volunteers and provide training for each panel member prior to

15  that member serving on a review panel.  Such training may

16  include, but shall not be limited to, instruction on

17  dependency laws, departmental policies, and judicial

18  procedures.

19         (d)  Ensure that all citizen review panel members have

20  read, understood, and signed an oath of confidentiality

21  relating to the citizen review hearings and written or verbal

22  information provided to the panel members for review hearings.

23         (e)  Establish policies to avoid actual or perceived

24  conflicts of interest by panel members during the review

25  process and to ensure accurate, fair reviews of each child

26  dependency case.

27         (f)  Establish policies to ensure ongoing communication

28  with the department and the court.

29         (g)  Establish policies to ensure adequate

30  communication with the parent, caregiver, or legal custodian

31  or guardian, the foster parent or caregiver, the guardian ad

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  litem, and any other person deemed appropriate.

 2         (h)  Establish procedures that encourage attendance and

 3  participation of interested persons and parties, including the

 4  biological parents, foster parents or caregivers, or a

 5  relative or nonrelative with whom the child is placed, at

 6  citizen review hearings.

 7         (i)  Coordinate with existing citizen review panels to

 8  ensure consistency of operating procedures, data collection,

 9  and analysis, and report generation.

10         (j)  Make recommendations as necessary to the court

11  concerning attendance of essential persons at the review and

12  other issues pertinent to an effective review process.

13         (k)  Ensure consistent methods of identifying barriers

14  to the permanent placement of the child and delineation of

15  findings and recommendations to the court.

16         (6)(5)  The department and agents of the department

17  shall submit information to the citizen review panel when

18  requested and shall address questions asked by the citizen

19  review panel to identify barriers to the permanent placement

20  of each child.

21         Section 63.  Section 39.454, Florida Statutes, is

22  renumbered as section 39.703, Florida Statutes, and amended to

23  read:

24         39.703 39.454  Initiation of termination of parental

25  rights proceedings.--

26         (1)  If, in preparation for any judicial review hearing

27  under this chapter part, it is the opinion of the social

28  service agency that the parents or legal guardian of the child

29  have not complied with their responsibilities as specified in

30  the written case plan although able to do so, the social

31  service agency shall state its intent to initiate proceedings

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  to terminate parental rights, unless the social service agency

 2  can demonstrate to the court that such a recommendation would

 3  not be in the child's best interests. If it is the intent of

 4  the department or licensed child-placing agency to initiate

 5  proceedings to terminate parental rights, the department or

 6  licensed child-placing agency shall file a petition for

 7  termination of parental rights no later than 3 months after

 8  the date of the previous judicial review hearing. If the

 9  petition cannot be filed within 3 months, the department or

10  licensed child-placing agency shall provide a written report

11  to the court outlining the reasons for delay, the progress

12  made in the termination of parental rights process, and the

13  anticipated date of completion of the process.

14         (2)  If, at the time of the 12-month 18-month judicial

15  review hearing, a child is not returned to the physical

16  custody of the natural parents, caregivers, or legal

17  custodians, the social service agency shall initiate

18  termination of parental rights proceedings under part VI of

19  this chapter within 30 days. Only if the court finds that the

20  situation of the child is so extraordinary and that the best

21  interests of the child will be met by such action at the time

22  of the judicial review may the case plan be extended. If the

23  court decides to extend the plan, the court shall enter

24  detailed findings justifying the decision to extend, as well

25  as the length of the extension. A termination of parental

26  rights petition need not be filed if:  the child is being

27  cared for by a relative who chooses not to adopt the child;

28  the court determines that filing such a petition would not be

29  in the best interests of the child; or the state has not

30  provided the child's family, when reasonable efforts to return

31  a child are required, consistent with the time period in the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  state's case plan, such services as the state deems necessary

 2  for the safe return of the child to his or her home. Failure

 3  to initiate termination of parental rights proceedings at the

 4  time of the 12-month 18-month judicial review or within 30

 5  days after such review does not prohibit initiating

 6  termination of parental rights proceedings at any other time.

 7         Section 64.  Section 39.456, Florida Statutes, is

 8  renumbered as section 39.704, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 9  read:

10         39.704 39.456  Exemptions from judicial

11  review.--Judicial review This part does not apply to:

12         (1)  Minors who have been placed in adoptive homes by

13  the department or by a licensed child-placing agency; or

14         (2)  Minors who are refugees or entrants to whom

15  federal regulations apply and who are in the care of a social

16  service agency.; or

17         (3)  Minors who are the subjects of termination of

18  parental rights cases pursuant to s. 39.464.

19         Section 65.  Part IX of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

20  consisting of sections 39.801, 39.802, 39.803, 39.804, 39.805,

21  39.806, 39.807, 39.808, 39.809, 39.810, 39.811, 39.812,

22  39.813, 39.814, 39.815, 39.816, and 39.817, Florida Statutes,

23  shall be entitled to read:

24                             PART IX

25                  TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS

26         Section 66.  Section 39.46, Florida Statutes, is

27  renumbered as section 39.801, Florida Statutes, and amended to

28  read:

29         39.801 39.46  Procedures and jurisdiction; notice;

30  service of process.--

31         (1)  All procedures, including petitions, pleadings,

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  subpoenas, summonses, and hearings, in termination of parental

 2  rights proceedings shall be according to the Florida Rules of

 3  Juvenile Procedure unless otherwise provided by law.

 4         (2)  The circuit court shall have exclusive original

 5  jurisdiction of a proceeding involving termination of parental

 6  rights.

 7         (3)  Before the court may terminate parental rights, in

 8  addition to the other requirements set forth in this part, the

 9  following requirements must be met:

10         (a)  Notice of the date, time, and place of the

11  advisory hearing for the petition to terminate parental rights

12  and a copy of the petition must be personally served upon the

13  following persons, specifically notifying them that a petition

14  has been filed:

15         1.  The parents of the child.

16         2.  The caregivers or legal custodians of the child.

17         3.  If the parents who would be entitled to notice are

18  dead or unknown, a living relative of the child, unless upon

19  diligent search and inquiry no such relative can be found.

20         4.  Any person who has physical custody of the child.

21         5.  Any grandparent entitled to priority for adoption

22  under s. 63.0425.

23         6.  Any prospective parent who has been identified

24  under s. 39.503 or s. 39.803.

25         7.  The guardian ad litem for the child or the

26  representative of the guardian ad litem program, if the

27  program has been appointed.

28

29  The document containing the notice to respond or appear must

30  contain, in type at least as large as the type in the balance

31  of the document, the following or substantially similar

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  language: "FAILURE TO PERSONALLY APPEAR AT THIS ADVISORY

 2  HEARING CONSTITUTES CONSENT TO THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL

 3  RIGHTS OF THIS CHILD (OR CHILDREN)."

 4         (b)  If a person required to be served with notice as

 5  prescribed in paragraph (a) cannot be served, notice of

 6  hearings must be given as prescribed by the rules of civil

 7  procedure, and service of process must be made as specified by

 8  law or civil actions.

 9         (c)  Notice as prescribed by this section may be

10  waived, in the discretion of the judge, with regard to any

11  person to whom notice must be given under this subsection if

12  the person executes, before two witnesses and a notary public

13  or other officer authorized to take acknowledgments, a written

14  surrender of the child to a licensed child-placing agency or

15  the department.

16         (d)  If the person served with notice under this

17  section fails to appear at the advisory hearing, the failure

18  to appear shall constitute consent for termination of parental

19  rights by the person given notice.

20         (4)  Upon the application of any party, the clerk or

21  deputy clerk shall issue, and the court on its own motion may

22  issue, subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of

23  witnesses and the production of records, documents, or other

24  tangible objects at any hearing.

25         (5)  All process and orders issued by the court must be

26  served or executed as other process and orders of the circuit

27  court and, in addition, may be served or executed by

28  authorized agents of the department or the guardian ad litem.

29         (6)  Subpoenas may be served within the state by any

30  person over 18 years of age who is not a party to the

31  proceeding.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (7)  A fee may not be paid for service of any process

 2  or other papers by an agent of the department or the guardian

 3  ad litem. If any process, orders, or other papers are served

 4  or executed by any sheriff, the sheriff's fees must be paid by

 5  the county.

 6         Section 67.  Section 39.461, Florida Statutes, is

 7  renumbered as section 39.802, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 8  read:

 9         39.802 39.461  Petition for termination of parental

10  rights; filing; elements.--

11         (1)  All proceedings seeking an adjudication to

12  terminate parental rights pursuant to this chapter must be

13  initiated by the filing of an original petition by the

14  department, the guardian ad litem, or a licensed child-placing

15  agency or by any other person who has knowledge of the facts

16  alleged or is informed of them and believes that they are

17  true.

18         (2)  The form of the petition is governed by the

19  Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. The petition must be in

20  writing and signed by the petitioner or, if the department is

21  the petitioner, by an employee of the department, under oath

22  stating the petitioner's good faith in filing the petition.

23         (3)  When a petition for termination of parental rights

24  has been filed, the clerk of the court shall set the case

25  before the court for an advisory hearing.

26         (4)  A petition for termination of parental rights

27  filed under this chapter must contain facts supporting the

28  following allegations:

29         (a)  That at least one of the grounds listed in s.

30  39.806 has been met.

31         (b)  That the parents of the child were informed of

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  their right to counsel at all hearings that they attend and

 2  that a dispositional order adjudicating the child dependent

 3  was entered in any prior dependency proceeding relied upon in

 4  offering a parent a case plan as described in s. 39.806.

 5         (c)  That the manifest best interests of the child, in

 6  accordance with s. 39.810, would be served by the granting of

 7  the petition.

 8         (5)  When a petition for termination of parental rights

 9  is filed under s. 39.806(1), a separate petition for

10  dependency need not be filed and the department need not offer

11  the parents a case plan with a goal of reunification, but may

12  instead file with the court a case plan with a goal of

13  termination of parental rights to allow continuation of

14  services until the termination is granted or until further

15  orders of the court are issued.

16         (6)  The fact that a child has been previously

17  adjudicated dependent as alleged in a petition for termination

18  of parental rights may be proved by the introduction of a

19  certified copy of the order of adjudication or the order of

20  disposition of dependency.

21         (7)  The fact that the parent of a child was informed

22  of the right to counsel in any prior dependency proceeding as

23  alleged in a petition for termination of parental rights may

24  be proved by the introduction of a certified copy of the order

25  of adjudication or the order of disposition of dependency

26  containing a finding of fact that the parent was so advised.

27         (8)  Whenever the department has entered into a case

28  plan with a parent with the goal of reunification, and a

29  petition for termination of parental rights based on the same

30  facts as are covered in the case plan is filed prior to the

31  time agreed upon in the case plan for the performance of the

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  case plan, the petitioner must allege and prove by clear and

 2  convincing evidence that the parent has materially breached

 3  the provisions of the case plan.

 4         Section 68.  Section 39.803, Florida Statutes, is

 5  created to read:

 6         39.803  Identity or location of parent unknown after

 7  filing of termination of parental rights petition; special

 8  procedures.--

 9         (1)  If the identity or location of a parent is unknown

10  and a petition for termination of parental rights is filed,

11  the court shall conduct the following inquiry of the parent

12  who is available, or, if no parent is available, of any

13  relative, caregiver, or legal custodian of the child who is

14  present at the hearing and likely to have the information:

15         (a)  Whether the mother of the child was married at the

16  probable time of conception of the child or at the time of

17  birth of the child.

18         (b)  Whether the mother was cohabiting with a male at

19  the probable time of conception of the child.

20         (c)  Whether the mother has received payments or

21  promises of support with respect to the child or because of

22  her pregnancy from a man who claims to be the father.

23         (d)  Whether the mother has named any man as the father

24  on the birth certificate of the child or in connection with

25  applying for or receiving public assistance.

26         (e)  Whether any man has acknowledged or claimed

27  paternity of the child in a jurisdiction in which the mother

28  resided at the time of or since conception of the child, or in

29  which the child has resided or resides.

30         (2)  The information required in subsection (1) may be

31  supplied to the court or the department in the form of a sworn

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  affidavit by a person having personal knowledge of the facts.

 2         (3)  If the inquiry under subsection (1) identifies any

 3  person as a parent or prospective parent, the court shall

 4  require notice of the hearing to be provided to that person.

 5         (4)  If the inquiry under subsection (1) fails to

 6  identify any person as a parent or prospective parent, the

 7  court shall so find and may proceed without further notice.

 8         (5)  If the inquiry under subsection (1) identifies a

 9  parent or prospective parent, and that person's location is

10  unknown, the court shall direct the department to conduct a

11  diligent search for that person before scheduling an

12  adjudicatory hearing regarding the dependency of the child

13  unless the court finds that the best interest of the child

14  requires proceeding without actual notice to the person whose

15  location is unknown.

16         (6)  The diligent search required by subsection (5)

17  must include, at a minimum, inquiries of all known relatives

18  of the parent or prospective parent, inquiries of all offices

19  of program areas of the department likely to have information

20  about the parent or prospective parent, inquiries of other

21  state and federal agencies likely to have information about

22  the parent or prospective parent, inquiries of appropriate

23  utility and postal providers, and inquiries of appropriate law

24  enforcement agencies.

25         (7)  Any agency contacted by a petitioner with a

26  request for information pursuant to subsection (6) shall

27  release the requested information to the petitioner without

28  the necessity of a subpoena or court order.

29         (8)  If the inquiry and diligent search identifies a

30  prospective parent, that person must be given the opportunity

31  to become a party to the proceedings by completing a sworn

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  affidavit of parenthood and filing it with the court or the

 2  department. A prospective parent who files a sworn affidavit

 3  of parenthood while the child is a dependent child but no

 4  later than at the time of or prior to the adjudicatory hearing

 5  in the termination of parental rights proceeding for the child

 6  shall be considered a parent for all purposes under this

 7  section.

 8         Section 69.  Section 39.4627, Florida Statutes, is

 9  renumbered as section 39.804, Florida Statutes.

10         Section 70.  Section 39.463, Florida Statutes, is

11  renumbered as section 39.805, Florida Statutes, and amended to

12  read:

13         39.805 39.463  No answer required.--No answer to the

14  petition or any other pleading need be filed by any child,

15  parent, caregiver, or legal custodian, but any matters which

16  might be set forth in an answer or other pleading may be

17  pleaded orally before the court or filed in writing as any

18  such person may choose. Notwithstanding the filing of any

19  answer or any pleading, the child or parent shall, prior to

20  the adjudicatory hearing, be advised by the court of the right

21  to counsel and shall be given an opportunity to deny the

22  allegations in the petition for termination of parental rights

23  or to enter a plea to allegations in the petition before the

24  court.

25         Section 71.  Section 39.464, Florida Statutes, as

26  amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of Florida, is renumbered as

27  section 39.806, Florida Statutes, and amended to read:

28         39.806 39.464  Grounds for termination of parental

29  rights.--

30         (1)  The department, the guardian ad litem, a licensed

31  child-placing agency, or any person related to the child who

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  has knowledge of the facts alleged or who is informed of said

 2  facts and believes that they are true, may petition for the

 3  termination of parental rights under any of the following

 4  circumstances:

 5         (a)  When the parent or parents voluntarily executed a

 6  written surrender of the child and consented to the entry of

 7  an order giving custody of the child to the department or to a

 8  licensed child-placing agency for subsequent adoption and the

 9  department or licensed child-placing agency is willing to

10  accept custody of the child.

11         1.  The surrender document must be executed before two

12  witnesses and a notary public or other person authorized to

13  take acknowledgments.

14         2.  The surrender and consent may be withdrawn after

15  acceptance by the department or licensed child-placing agency

16  only after a finding by the court that the surrender and

17  consent were obtained by fraud or duress.

18         (b)  When the identity or location of the parent or

19  parents is unknown and, if the court requires a diligent

20  search pursuant to s. 39.4625, cannot be ascertained by

21  diligent search as provided in s. 39.4625 within 90 days.

22         (c)  When the parent or parents engaged in conduct

23  toward the child or toward other children that demonstrates

24  that the continuing involvement of the parent or parents in

25  the parent-child relationship threatens the life, safety or

26  well-being, or physical, mental, or emotional health of the

27  child irrespective of the provision of services. Provision of

28  services may be is evidenced by proof that services were

29  provided through a previous plan or offered as a case plan

30  from a child welfare agency.

31         (d)  When the parent of a child is incarcerated in a

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  state or federal correctional institution and:

 2         1.  The period of time for which the parent is expected

 3  to be incarcerated will constitute a substantial portion of

 4  the period of time before the child will attain the age of 18

 5  years;

 6         2.  The incarcerated parent has been determined by the

 7  court to be a violent career criminal as defined in s.

 8  775.084, a habitual violent felony offender as defined in s.

 9  775.084, or a sexual predator as defined in s. 775.21; has

10  been convicted of first degree or second degree murder in

11  violation of s. 782.04 or a sexual battery that constitutes a

12  capital, life, or first degree felony violation of s. 794.011;

13  or has been convicted of an offense in another jurisdiction

14  which is substantially similar to one of the offenses listed

15  in this paragraph.  As used in this section, the term

16  "substantially similar offense" means any offense that is

17  substantially similar in elements and penalties to one of

18  those listed in this paragraph, and that is in violation of a

19  law of any other jurisdiction, whether that of another state,

20  the District of Columbia, the United States or any possession

21  or territory thereof, or any foreign jurisdiction; and

22         3.  The court determines by clear and convincing

23  evidence that continuing the parental relationship with the

24  incarcerated parent would be harmful to the child and, for

25  this reason, that termination of the parental rights of the

26  incarcerated parent is in the best interest of the child.

27         (e)(f)  A petition for termination of parental rights

28  may also be filed when a child has been adjudicated dependent,

29  a case plan has been filed with the court, and the child

30  continues to be abused, neglected, or abandoned by the

31  parents. In this case, the failure of the parents to

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  substantially comply for a period of 12 months after an

 2  adjudication of the child as a dependent child constitutes

 3  evidence of continuing abuse, neglect, or abandonment unless

 4  the failure to substantially comply with the case plan was due

 5  either to the lack of financial resources of the parents or to

 6  the failure of the department to make reasonable efforts to

 7  reunify the family. Such 12-month period may begin to run only

 8  after the entry of a disposition order placing the custody of

 9  the child with the department or a person other than the

10  parent and the approval by subsequent filing with the court of

11  a case plan with a goal of reunification with the parent.

12         (f)(e)  When the parent or parents engaged in egregious

13  conduct or had the opportunity and capability to prevent and

14  knowingly failed to prevent egregious conduct threatening the

15  life, safety, or physical, mental, or emotional health that

16  endangers the life, health, or safety of the child or the

17  child's sibling or had the opportunity and capability to

18  prevent egregious conduct that threatened the life, health, or

19  safety of the child or the child's sibling and knowingly

20  failed to do so.

21         1.  As used in this subsection, the term "sibling"

22  means another child who resides with or is cared for by the

23  parent or parents regardless of whether the child is related

24  legally or by consanguinity.

25         2.  As used in this subsection, the term "egregious

26  conduct abuse" means abuse, abandonment, neglect, or any other

27  conduct of the parent or parents that is deplorable, flagrant,

28  or outrageous by a normal standard of conduct. Egregious

29  conduct abuse may include an act or omission that occurred

30  only once but was of such intensity, magnitude, or severity as

31  to endanger the life of the child.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (g)  When the parent or parents have subjected the

 2  child to aggravated child abuse as defined in s. 827.03,

 3  sexual battery or sexual abuse as defined in s. 39.01, or

 4  chronic abuse.

 5         (h)  When the parent or parents have committed murder

 6  or voluntary manslaughter of another child of the parent, or a

 7  felony assault that results in serious bodily injury to the

 8  child or another child of the parent, or aided or abetted,

 9  attempted, conspired, or solicited to commit such a murder or

10  voluntary manslaughter or felony assault.

11         (i)  When the parental rights of the parent to a

12  sibling have been terminated involuntarily.

13         (2)  Reasonable efforts to preserve and reunify

14  families shall not be required if a court of competent

15  jurisdiction has determined that any of the events described

16  in paragraphs (1)(e)-(i) have occurred.

17         (3)(2)  When a petition for termination of parental

18  rights is filed under subsection (1), a separate petition for

19  dependency need not be filed and the department need not offer

20  the parents a case plan with a goal of reunification, but may

21  instead file with the court a case plan with a goal of

22  termination of parental rights to allow continuation of

23  services until the termination is granted or until further

24  orders of the court are issued.

25         (4)  When an expedited termination of parental rights

26  petition is filed, reasonable efforts shall be made to place

27  the child in a timely manner in accordance with the permanency

28  plan, and to complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize

29  the permanent placement of the child.

30         Section 72.  Section 39.465, Florida Statutes, is

31  renumbered as section 39.807, Florida Statutes, and amended to

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  read:

 2         39.807 39.465  Right to counsel; guardian ad litem.--

 3         (1)(a)  At each stage of the proceeding under this

 4  part, the court shall advise the parent, guardian, or

 5  custodian of the right to have counsel present. The court

 6  shall appoint counsel for indigent insolvent persons. The

 7  court shall ascertain whether the right to counsel is

 8  understood and, where appropriate, is knowingly and

 9  intelligently waived. The court shall enter its findings in

10  writing with respect to the appointment or waiver of counsel

11  for indigent insolvent parties.

12         (b)  Once counsel has been retained or, in appropriate

13  circumstances, appointed to represent the parent of the child,

14  the attorney shall continue to represent the parent throughout

15  the proceedings or until the court has approved discontinuing

16  the attorney-client relationship. If the attorney-client

17  relationship is discontinued, the court shall advise the

18  parent of the right to have new counsel retained or appointed

19  for the remainder of the proceedings.

20         (c)(b)1.  No waiver of counsel may be accepted if it

21  appears that the parent, guardian, or custodian is unable to

22  make an intelligent and understanding choice because of mental

23  condition, age, education, experience, the nature or

24  complexity of the case, or other factors.

25         2.  A waiver of counsel made in court must be of

26  record. A waiver made out of court must be in writing with not

27  less than two attesting witnesses and must be filed with the

28  court. The witnesses shall attest to the voluntary execution

29  of the waiver.

30         3.  If a waiver of counsel is accepted at any stage of

31  the proceedings, the offer of assistance of counsel must be

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  renewed by the court at each subsequent stage of the

 2  proceedings at which the parent, guardian, or custodian

 3  appears without counsel.

 4         (d)(c)  This subsection does not apply to any parent

 5  who has voluntarily executed a written surrender of the child

 6  and consent to the entry of a court order therefor and who

 7  does not deny the allegations of the petition.

 8         (2)(a)  The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to

 9  represent the child in any termination of parental rights

10  proceedings and shall ascertain at each stage of the

11  proceedings whether a guardian ad litem has been appointed.

12         (b)  The guardian ad litem has the following

13  responsibilities:

14         1.  To investigate the allegations of the petition and

15  any subsequent matters arising in the case and, unless excused

16  by the court, to file a written report. This report must

17  include a statement of the wishes of the child and the

18  recommendations of the guardian ad litem and must be provided

19  to all parties and the court at least 48 hours before the

20  disposition hearing.

21         2.  To be present at all court hearings unless excused

22  by the court.

23         3.  To represent the interests of the child until the

24  jurisdiction of the court over the child terminates or until

25  excused by the court.

26         4.  To perform such other duties and undertake such

27  other responsibilities as the court may direct.

28         (c)  A guardian ad litem is not required to post bond

29  but shall file an acceptance of the office.

30         (d)  A guardian ad litem is entitled to receive service

31  of pleadings and papers as provided by the Florida Rules of

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  Juvenile Procedure.

 2         (e)  This subsection does not apply to any voluntary

 3  relinquishment of parental rights proceeding.

 4         Section 73.  Section 39.466, Florida Statutes, is

 5  renumbered as section 39.808, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 6  read:

 7         39.808 39.466  Advisory hearing; pretrial status

 8  conference.--

 9         (1)  An advisory hearing on the petition to terminate

10  parental rights must be held as soon as possible after all

11  parties have been served with a copy of the petition and a

12  notice of the date, time, and place of the advisory hearing

13  for the petition.

14         (2)  At the hearing the court shall inform the parties

15  of their rights under s. 39.807 39.465, shall appoint counsel

16  for the parties in accordance with legal requirements, and

17  shall appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the interests

18  of the child if one has not already been appointed.

19         (3)  The court shall set a date for an adjudicatory

20  hearing to be held within 45 days after the advisory hearing,

21  unless all of the necessary parties agree to some other

22  hearing date.

23         (4)  An advisory hearing may not be held if a petition

24  is filed seeking an adjudication voluntarily to terminate

25  parental rights. Adjudicatory hearings for petitions for

26  voluntary termination must be held within 21 days after the

27  filing of the petition. Notice of the use of this subsection

28  must be filed with the court at the same time as the filing of

29  the petition to terminate parental rights.

30         (5)  Not less than 10 days before the adjudicatory

31  hearing, the court shall conduct a prehearing status

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  conference to determine the order in which each party may

 2  present witnesses or evidence, the order in which

 3  cross-examination and argument shall occur, and any other

 4  matters that may aid in the conduct of the adjudicatory

 5  hearing, to prevent any undue delay in the conduct of the

 6  adjudicatory hearing.

 7         Section 74.  Section 39.467, Florida Statutes, is

 8  renumbered as section 39.809, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 9  read:

10         39.809 39.467  Adjudicatory hearing.--

11         (1)  In a hearing on a petition for termination of

12  parental rights, the court shall consider the elements

13  required for termination as set forth in s. 39.4611. Each of

14  these elements must be established by clear and convincing

15  evidence before the petition is granted.

16         (2)  The adjudicatory hearing must be held within 45

17  days after the advisory hearing, but reasonable continuances

18  for the purpose of investigation, discovery, or procuring

19  counsel or witnesses may, when necessary, be granted.

20         (3)  The adjudicatory hearing must be conducted by the

21  judge without a jury, applying the rules of evidence in use in

22  civil cases and adjourning the case from time to time as

23  necessary. For purposes of the adjudicatory hearing, to avoid

24  unnecessary duplication of expense, the judge may consider

25  in-court testimony previously given at any properly noticed

26  hearing, without regard to the availability or unavailability

27  of the witness at the time of the actual adjudicatory hearing,

28  if the recorded testimony itself is made available to the

29  judge. Consideration of such testimony does not preclude the

30  witness being subpoenaed to answer supplemental questions.

31         (4)  All hearings involving termination of parental

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  rights are confidential and closed to the public. Hearings

 2  involving more than one child may be held simultaneously when

 3  the children involved are related to each other or were

 4  involved in the same case. The child and the parents or legal

 5  custodians may be examined separately and apart from each

 6  other.

 7         (5)  The judge shall enter a written order with the

 8  findings of fact and conclusions of law.

 9         Section 75.  Section 39.4612, Florida Statutes, is

10  renumbered as section 39.810, Florida Statutes, is amended to

11  read:

12         39.810 39.4612  Manifest best interests of the child.

13  In a hearing on a petition for termination of parental rights,

14  the court shall consider the manifest best interests of the

15  child. This consideration shall not include a comparison

16  between the attributes of the parents and those of any persons

17  providing a present or potential placement for the child. For

18  the purpose of determining the manifest best interests of the

19  child, the court shall consider and evaluate all relevant

20  factors, including, but not limited to:

21         (1)  Any suitable permanent custody arrangement with a

22  relative of the child.

23         (2)  The ability and disposition of the parent or

24  parents to provide the child with food, clothing, medical care

25  or other remedial care recognized and permitted under state

26  law instead of medical care, and other material needs of the

27  child.

28         (3)  The capacity of the parent or parents to care for

29  the child to the extent that the child's safety, well-being,

30  and physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being will

31  not be endangered upon the child's return home.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (4)  The present mental and physical health needs of

 2  the child and such future needs of the child to the extent

 3  that such future needs can be ascertained based on the present

 4  condition of the child.

 5         (5)  The love, affection, and other emotional ties

 6  existing between the child and the child's parent or parents,

 7  siblings, and other relatives, and the degree of harm to the

 8  child that would arise from the termination of parental rights

 9  and duties.

10         (6)  The likelihood of an older child remaining in

11  long-term foster care upon termination of parental rights, due

12  to emotional or behavioral problems or any special needs of

13  the child.

14         (7)  The child's ability to form a significant

15  relationship with a parental substitute and the likelihood

16  that the child will enter into a more stable and permanent

17  family relationship as a result of permanent termination of

18  parental rights and duties.

19         (8)  The length of time that the child has lived in a

20  stable, satisfactory environment and the desirability of

21  maintaining continuity.

22         (9)  The depth of the relationship existing between the

23  child and the present custodian.

24         (10)  The reasonable preferences and wishes of the

25  child, if the court deems the child to be of sufficient

26  intelligence, understanding, and experience to express a

27  preference.

28         (11)  The recommendations for the child provided by the

29  child's guardian ad litem or legal representative.

30         Section 76.  Section 39.469, Florida Statutes, is

31  renumbered as section 39.811, Florida Statutes, and amended to

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  read:

 2         39.811 39.469  Powers of disposition; order of

 3  disposition.--

 4         (1)  If the court finds that the grounds for

 5  termination of parental rights have not been established by

 6  clear and convincing evidence, the court shall:

 7         (a)  If grounds for dependency have been established,

 8  adjudicate or readjudicate the child dependent and:

 9         1.  Enter an order placing or continuing the child in

10  out-of-home foster care under a case plan; or

11         2.  Enter an order returning the child to the parent or

12  parents. The court shall retain jurisdiction over a child

13  returned to the parent or parents or legal guardians for a

14  period of 6 months, but, at that time, based on a report of

15  the social service agency and any other relevant factors, the

16  court shall make a determination as to whether its

17  jurisdiction shall continue or be terminated.

18         (b)  If grounds for dependency have not been

19  established, dismiss the petition.

20         (2)  If the child is in out-of-home foster care custody

21  of the department and the court finds that the grounds for

22  termination of parental rights have been established by clear

23  and convincing evidence, the court shall, by order, place the

24  child in the custody of the department for the purpose of

25  adoption or place the child in the custody of a licensed

26  child-placing agency for the purpose of adoption.

27         (3)  If the child is in the custody of one parent and

28  the court finds that the grounds for termination of parental

29  rights have been established for the remaining parent by clear

30  and convincing evidence, the court shall enter an order

31  terminating the rights of the parent for whom the grounds have

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  been established and placing the child in the custody of the

 2  remaining parent, granting that parent sole parental

 3  responsibility for the child.

 4         (4)  If the child is neither in the custody of the

 5  department of Children and Family Services nor in the custody

 6  of a parent and the court finds that the grounds for

 7  termination of parental rights have been established for

 8  either or both parents, the court shall enter an order

 9  terminating parental rights for the parent or parents for whom

10  the grounds for termination have been established and placing

11  the child with an appropriate custodian. If the parental

12  rights of both parents have been terminated, or if the

13  parental rights of only one parent have been terminated and

14  the court makes specific findings based on evidence presented

15  that placement with the remaining parent is likely to be

16  harmful to the child, the court may order that the child be

17  placed with a custodian other than the department after

18  hearing evidence of the suitability of such intended

19  placement.  Suitability of the intended placement includes the

20  fitness and capabilities of the proposed intended placement,

21  with primary consideration being given to the welfare of the

22  child; the fitness and capabilities of the proposed custodian

23  to function as the primary caregiver caretaker for a

24  particular child; and the compatibility of the child with the

25  home in which the child is intended to be placed.  If the

26  court orders that a child be placed with a custodian under

27  this subsection, the court shall appoint such custodian as the

28  guardian for the child as provided in s. 744.3021.  The court

29  may modify the order placing the child in the custody of the

30  custodian and revoke the guardianship established under s.

31  744.3021 if the court subsequently finds that a party to the

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  proceeding other than a parent whose rights have been

 2  terminated has shown a material change in circumstances which

 3  causes the placement to be no longer in the best interest of

 4  the child.

 5         (5)  If the court terminates parental rights, the court

 6  shall enter a written order of disposition briefly stating the

 7  facts upon which its decision to terminate the parental rights

 8  is made. An order of termination of parental rights, whether

 9  based on parental consent or after notice served as prescribed

10  in this part, permanently deprives the parents or legal

11  guardian of any right to the child.

12         (6)  The parental rights of one parent may be severed

13  without severing the parental rights of the other parent only

14  under the following circumstances:

15         (a)  If the child has only one surviving parent;

16         (b)  If the identity of a prospective parent has been

17  established as unknown after sworn testimony;

18         (c)  If the parent whose rights are being terminated

19  became a parent through a single-parent adoption;

20         (d)  If the protection of the child demands termination

21  of the rights of a single parent; or

22         (e)  If the parent whose rights are being terminated

23  meets the criteria specified in s. 39.806(1)(d) 39.464(1)(d).

24         (7)(a)  The termination of parental rights does not

25  affect the rights of grandparents unless the court finds that

26  continued visitation is not in the best interests of the child

27  or that such visitation would interfere with the goals of

28  permanency planning for the child.

29         (b)  If the court terminates parental rights, it may

30  order that the parents or relatives of the parent whose rights

31  are terminated be allowed to maintain some contact with the

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  child pending adoption if the best interests of the child

 2  support this continued contact, except as provided in

 3  paragraph (a). If the court orders such continued contact, the

 4  nature and frequency of the contact must be set forth in

 5  written order and may be reviewed upon motion of any party,

 6  including a prospective adoptive parent if a child has been

 7  placed for adoption. If a child is placed for adoption, the

 8  nature and frequency of the contact must be reviewed by the

 9  court at the time the child is adopted.

10         (8)  If the court terminates parental rights, it shall,

11  in its order of disposition, provide for a hearing, to be

12  scheduled no later than 30 days after the date of disposition,

13  in which the department or the licensed child-placing agency

14  shall provide to the court a plan for permanency for the

15  child. Reasonable efforts must be made to place the child in a

16  timely manner in accordance with the permanency plan, and to

17  complete whatever steps are necessary to finalize the

18  permanent placement of the child. Thereafter, until the

19  adoption of the child is finalized or the child reaches the

20  age of 18 years, whichever occurs first, the court shall hold

21  hearings at 6-month intervals to review the progress being

22  made toward permanency for the child.

23         (9)  After termination of parental rights, the court

24  shall retain jurisdiction over any child for whom custody is

25  given to a social service agency until the child is adopted.

26  The court shall review the status of the child's placement and

27  the progress being made toward permanent adoptive placement.

28  As part of this continuing jurisdiction, for good cause shown

29  by the guardian ad litem for the child, the court may review

30  the appropriateness of the adoptive placement of the child.

31         Section 77.  Section 39.47, Florida Statutes, is

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  renumbered as section 39.812, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 2  read:

 3         39.812 39.47  Postdisposition Post disposition

 4  relief.--

 5         (1)  A licensed child-placing agency or The department

 6  that which is given custody of a child for subsequent adoption

 7  in accordance with this chapter may place the child in a

 8  family home for prospective subsequent adoption and the

 9  licensed child-placing agency or the department may thereafter

10  become a party to any proceeding for the legal adoption of the

11  child and appear in any court where the adoption proceeding is

12  pending and consent to the adoption; and that consent alone

13  shall in all cases be sufficient.

14         (2)  In any subsequent adoption proceeding, the parents

15  are and legal guardian shall not be entitled to any notice of

16  the proceeding and are not thereof, nor shall they be entitled

17  to knowledge at any time after the order terminating parental

18  rights is entered of the whereabouts of the child or of the

19  identity or location of any person having the custody of or

20  having adopted the child, except as provided by order of the

21  court pursuant to this chapter or chapter 63; and in any

22  habeas corpus or other proceeding involving the child brought

23  by any parent or legal guardian of the child, an no agent or

24  contract provider of the licensed child-placing agency or

25  department may not shall be compelled to divulge that

26  information, but may be compelled to produce the child before

27  a court of competent jurisdiction if the child is still

28  subject to the guardianship of the licensed child-placing

29  agency or department.

30         (3)  The entry of the custody order to the department

31  does or licensed child-placing agency shall not entitle the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  licensed child-placing agency or department to guardianship of

 2  the estate or property of the child, but the licensed

 3  child-placing agency or department shall be the guardian of

 4  the person of the child.

 5         (4)  The court shall retain jurisdiction over any child

 6  for whom custody is given to a licensed child-placing agency

 7  or to the department until the child is adopted. After custody

 8  of a child for subsequent adoption has been given to an agency

 9  or the department, the court has jurisdiction for the purpose

10  of reviewing the status of the child and the progress being

11  made toward permanent adoptive placement. As part of this

12  continuing jurisdiction, for good cause shown by the guardian

13  ad litem for the child, the court may review the

14  appropriateness of the adoptive placement of the child. The

15  petition for adoption must be filed in the division of the

16  circuit court which issued the judgment terminating parental

17  rights. A copy of the consent required under s. 63.062(4) and

18  executed by the department must be attached to the petition

19  for adoption. The petition for adoption must be accompanied by

20  a form created by the department which details the social and

21  medical history of each birth parent and includes the social

22  security number and date of birth for each birth parent, if

23  such information is available or readily obtainable. The

24  person seeking to adopt the minor may not file a petition for

25  adoption until the order terminating parental rights becomes

26  final. An adoption proceeding under this subsection is

27  governed by chapter 63, as limited under s. 63.037.

28         (5)  The Legislature finds that children are most

29  likely to realize their potential when they have the ability

30  provided by good permanent families rather than spending long

31  periods of time in temporary placements or unnecessary

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  institutions. It is the intent of the Legislature that

 2  decisions be consistent with the child's best interests and

 3  that the department make proper adoptive placements as

 4  expeditiously as possible following a final judgment

 5  terminating parental rights.

 6         Section 78.  Section 63.022, Florida Statutes, is

 7  amended to read:

 8         63.022  Legislative intent.--

 9         (1)  It is the intent of the Legislature to protect and

10  promote the well-being of persons being adopted and their

11  birth and adoptive parents and to provide to all children who

12  can benefit by it a permanent family life, and, whenever

13  possible, to maintain sibling groups.

14         (2)  The basic safeguards intended to be provided by

15  this chapter act are that:

16         (a)  The minor child is legally free for adoption.

17         (b)  The required persons consent to the adoption or

18  the parent-child relationship is terminated by judgment of the

19  court.

20         (c)  The required social studies are completed and the

21  court considers the reports of these studies prior to judgment

22  on adoption petitions.

23         (d)  All placements of minors for adoption are reported

24  to the Department of Children and Family Services.

25         (e)  A sufficient period of time elapses during which

26  the minor child has lived within the proposed adoptive home

27  under the guidance of the department or a licensed

28  child-placing agency.

29         (f)  All expenditures by adoption entities

30  intermediaries placing, and persons independently adopting, a

31  minor are reported to the court and become a permanent record

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  in the file of the adoption proceedings.

 2         (g)  Social and medical information concerning the

 3  minor child and the birth parents is furnished by the birth

 4  parent when available and filed with the court before a final

 5  hearing on a petition to terminate parental rights pending

 6  adoption consent to the adoption when a minor is placed by an

 7  intermediary.

 8         (h)  A new birth certificate is issued after entry of

 9  the adoption judgment.

10         (i)  At the time of the hearing, the court may is

11  authorized to order temporary substitute care when it

12  determines that the minor is in an unsuitable home.

13         (j)  The records of all proceedings concerning custody

14  and adoption of minor children are confidential and exempt

15  from the provisions of s. 119.07(1), except as provided in s.

16  63.162.

17         (k)  The birth parent, the adoptive parent, and the

18  minor child receive the same or similar safeguards, guidance,

19  counseling, and supervision in an intermediary adoption as

20  they receive in an agency or department adoption.

21         (l)  In all matters coming before the court pursuant to

22  this chapter act, the court shall enter such orders as it

23  deems necessary and suitable to promote and protect the best

24  interests of the person to be adopted.

25         Section 79.  Section 63.032, Florida Statutes, is

26  amended to read:

27         63.032  Definitions.--As used in this chapter act,

28  unless the context otherwise requires, the term:

29         (1)  "Department" means the Department of Children and

30  Family Services.

31         (2)  "Child" means a son or daughter, whether by birth

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  or adoption.

 2         (3)  "Court" means any circuit court of this state and,

 3  when the context requires, the court of any state that is

 4  empowered to grant petitions for adoption.

 5         (4)  "Minor" means a person under the age of 18 years.

 6         (5)  "Adult" means a person who is not a minor.

 7         (6)  "Person" includes a natural person, corporation,

 8  government or governmental subdivision or agency, business

 9  trust, estate, trust, partnership, or association, and any

10  other legal entity.

11         (7)  "Agency" means any child-placing agency licensed

12  by the department pursuant to s. 63.202 to place minors for

13  adoption.

14         (8)  "Intermediary" means an attorney or physician who

15  is licensed or authorized to practice in this state and who

16  has reported the intended placement of a minor for adoption

17  under s. 63.092 or, for the purpose of adoptive placements of

18  children from out of state with citizens of this state, a

19  child-placing agency licensed in another state that is

20  qualified by the department.

21         (9)  "To place" or "placement" means the process of a

22  person giving a child up for adoption and the prospective

23  parents receiving and adopting the child, and includes all

24  actions by any person or agency participating in the process.

25         (10)  "Adoption" means the act of creating the legal

26  relationship between parent and child where it did not exist,

27  thereby declaring the child to be legally the child of the

28  adoptive parents and their heir at law and entitled to all the

29  rights and privileges and subject to all the obligations of a

30  child born to such adoptive parents in lawful wedlock.

31         (11)  "Suitability of the intended placement" includes

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the fitness of the intended placement, with primary

 2  consideration being given to the welfare of the child; the

 3  fitness and capabilities of the adoptive parent or parents to

 4  function as parent or parents for a particular child; any

 5  familial relationship between the child and the prospective

 6  placement; and the compatibility of the child with the home in

 7  which the child is intended to be placed.

 8         (12)  "Primary residence and place of employment in

 9  Florida" means a person lives and works in this state at least

10  6 months of the year and intends to do so for the foreseeable

11  future or military personnel who designate Florida as their

12  place of residence in accordance with the Soldiers' and

13  Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 or employees of the United

14  States Department of State living in a foreign country who

15  designate Florida as their place of residence.

16         (13)  "Primarily lives and works outside Florida" means

17  anyone who does not meet the definition of "primary residence

18  and place of employment in Florida."

19         (14)  "Abandoned" means a situation in which the parent

20  or legal custodian of a child, while being able, makes no

21  provision for the child's support and makes no effort to

22  communicate with the child, which situation is sufficient to

23  evince a willful rejection of parental obligations. If, in the

24  opinion of the court, the efforts of such parent or legal

25  custodian to support and communicate with the child are only

26  marginal efforts that do not evince a settled purpose to

27  assume all parental duties, the court may declare the child to

28  be abandoned.  In making this decision, the court may consider

29  the conduct of a father towards the child's mother during her

30  pregnancy.

31         (15)  "Adoption entity" means the department under

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  chapter 39; an agency under chapter 63 or, at the request of

 2  the department, under chapter 39; or an intermediary under

 3  chapter 63, placing a person for adoption.

 4         Section 80.  Section 63.037, Florida Statutes, is

 5  created to read:

 6         63.037  Proceedings applicable to cases resulting from

 7  a termination of parental rights under chapter 39.--A case in

 8  which a minor becomes available for adoption after the

 9  parental rights of each parent have been terminated by a court

10  order issued pursuant to chapter 39 will be governed by s.

11  39.47 and this chapter. Adoption proceedings filed under

12  chapter 39 are exempt from the following provisions of this

13  chapter: disclosure requirements for the adoption entity

14  provided in s. 63.085; general provisions governing

15  termination of parental rights pending adoption provided in s.

16  63.087; notice and service provisions governing termination of

17  parental rights pending adoption provided in s. 63.088; and

18  procedures for terminating parental rights pending adoption

19  provided in s. 63.089.

20         Section 81.  Section 63.038, Florida Statutes, is

21  created to read:

22         63.038  Prohibited acts.--A person who knowingly and

23  willfully provides false information under this chapter or

24  who, with the intent to defraud, accepts benefits related to

25  the same pregnancy from more than one agency or intermediary

26  without disclosing that fact to each entity commits a

27  misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.

28  775.082 or s. 775.083. In addition to any other penalty or

29  liability allowed by law, a person who knowingly and willfully

30  provides false information under this chapter or who, with

31  intent to defraud, accepts benefits related to the same

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  pregnancy from more than one agency or intermediary without

 2  disclosing that fact to each entity and to any prospective

 3  adoptive parent providing sums for the payment of the benefits

 4  is liable for sums paid by anyone who paid sums permitted

 5  under this chapter in anticipation of or in connection with an

 6  adoption. A person seeking to collect moneys under this

 7  section may do so by filing a civil action or may be awarded

 8  restitution in a criminal prosecution.

 9         Section 82.  Section 63.039, Florida Statutes, is

10  created to read:

11         63.039  Duty of adoption entity to prospective adoptive

12  parents; sanctions.--

13         (1)  An adoption entity placing a minor for adoption

14  has an affirmative duty to follow the requirements of this

15  chapter, specifically the following provisions, which protect

16  and promote the well-being of persons being adopted and their

17  birth and adoptive parents by promoting certainty, finality,

18  and permanency for such persons:

19         (a)  Provide written initial disclosure to the adoptive

20  parent at the time and in the manner required under s.

21  63.085(1);

22         (b)  Obtain a written statement by the adoptive parent

23  acknowledging receipt of the written initial disclosure and

24  distribute copies of that acknowledgment at the time and in

25  the manner required under s. 63.085(3);

26         (c)  Provide written initial and postbirth disclosure

27  to the birth parent at the time and in the manner required

28  under s. 63.085;

29         (d)  Obtain a written statement by the birth parent

30  acknowledging receipt of the written initial and postbirth

31  disclosure and distribute copies of that acknowledgment at the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  time and in the manner required under s. 63.085(3);

 2         (e)  When a written consent for adoption is obtained,

 3  obtain the consent at the time and in the manner required

 4  under s. 63.082;

 5         (f)  When a written consent or affidavit of

 6  nonpaternity for adoption is obtained, obtain a consent or

 7  affidavit of nonpaternity that contains the language required

 8  under s. 63.062 or s. 63.082;

 9         (g)  Include in the petition to terminate parental

10  rights pending adoption all information required under s.

11  63.087(6)(e);

12         (h)  Obtain and file the affidavit of inquiry required

13  under s. 63.088(3);

14         (i)  When the identity of a person whose consent to

15  adoption is necessary under this chapter is known but the

16  location of such a person is unknown, conduct the

17  due-diligence search and file the affidavit required under s.

18  63.088(4);

19         (j)  Serve the petition and notice of hearing to

20  terminate parental rights pending adoption at the time and in

21  the manner required by s. 63.088; and

22         (k)  Hold the hearings required under this chapter no

23  sooner than permitted by this chapter.

24         (2)  An adoption entity that materially fails to meet a

25  duty specified in subsection (1), may be liable to the

26  prospective adoptive parents for all sums paid by the

27  prospective adoptive parents or on their behalf in

28  anticipation of or in connection with an adoption.

29         (3)  If a court finds that a consent taken under this

30  chapter was obtained by fraud or duress attributable to the

31  adoption entity, the court must award all sums paid by the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  prospective adoptive parents or on their behalf in

 2  anticipation of or in connection with the adoption. The court

 3  may also award reasonable attorney's fees and costs incurred

 4  by the prospective adoptive parents in connection with the

 5  adoption and any litigation related to placement or adoption

 6  of a minor. An award under this subsection must be paid

 7  directly to the prospective adoptive parents by the adoption

 8  entity.

 9         (4)  If a person whose consent to an adoption is

10  necessary under s. 63.062 prevails in an action to set aside a

11  consent to adoption, a judgment terminating parental rights

12  pending adoption, or a judgment of adoption, the court must

13  award a reasonable attorney's fee to the prevailing party. An

14  award under this subsection is to be paid by the adoption

15  entity if the court finds that the acts or omissions of the

16  entity were the basis for the court's order granting relief to

17  the prevailing party.

18         (5)  The court must provide to The Florida Bar any

19  order that imposes sanctions under this section against an

20  attorney, whether acting as an adoption agency or as an

21  intermediary. The court must provide to the Department of

22  Children and Family Services any order that imposes sanctions

23  under this section against an agency. The order must be

24  provided within 30 days after the date that the order was

25  issued.

26         Section 83.  Section 63.052, Florida Statutes, is

27  amended to read:

28         63.052  Guardians designated; proof of commitment.--

29         (1)  For minors who have been placed for adoption with

30  and permanently committed to an agency, the agency shall be

31  the guardian of the person of the minor child; for those who

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  have been placed for adoption with and permanently committed

 2  to the department, the department shall be the guardian of the

 3  person of the minor child.

 4         (2)  For minors who have been voluntarily surrendered

 5  to an intermediary through an execution of consent to

 6  adoption, the intermediary shall be responsible for the child

 7  until the time a court orders preliminary approval of

 8  placement of the child in the prospective adoptive home, at

 9  which time the prospective adoptive parents become guardians

10  pending finalization of adoption. Until a court has terminated

11  parental rights pending adoption and has ordered preliminary

12  approval of placement of the minor in the adoptive home, the

13  minor must be placed in the care of a birth relative, placed

14  in foster care, or placed in the care of a prospective

15  adoptive home that has received a favorable home study by a

16  licensed child placing agency, a licensed professional, or an

17  agency described in s. 61.20(2) within 1 year before such

18  placement of the minor with the prospective adoptive parents.

19  The fact that a minor is temporarily placed with the

20  prospective adoptive parents does not give rise to a

21  presumption that the parental rights of the birth parents will

22  subsequently be terminated.

23         (2)  For minors who have been placed for adoption with

24  or voluntarily surrendered to an agency, but have not been

25  permanently committed to the agency, the agency shall have the

26  responsibility and authority to provide for the needs and

27  welfare for such minors.  For those minors placed for adoption

28  with or voluntarily surrendered to the department, but not

29  permanently committed to the department, the department shall

30  have the responsibility and authority to provide for the needs

31  and welfare for such minors.  The adoption entity may

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  department, an intermediary, or a licensed child-placing

 2  agency has the authority to authorize all appropriate medical

 3  care for a minor the children who has have been placed for

 4  adoption with or voluntarily surrendered to them.  The

 5  provisions of s. 627.6578 shall remain in effect

 6  notwithstanding the guardianship provisions in this section.

 7         (3)  If a minor is surrendered to an intermediary for

 8  subsequent adoption and a suitable prospective adoptive home

 9  is not available under s. 63.092 at the time the minor is

10  surrendered to the intermediary or, if the minor is a newborn

11  admitted to a licensed hospital or birth center, at the time

12  the minor is discharged from the hospital or birth center the

13  minor must be placed in licensed foster care, the intermediary

14  shall be responsible for the child until a suitable

15  prospective adoptive home is available under s. 63.092.

16         (4)  If a minor child is voluntarily surrendered to an

17  intermediary for subsequent adoption and the adoption does not

18  become final within 180 days, the intermediary must report to

19  the court on the status of the minor child and the court may

20  at that time proceed under s. 39.453 or take action reasonably

21  necessary to protect the best interest of the minor child.

22         (5)  The recital in the written consent given by the

23  department that the minor child sought to be adopted has been

24  permanently committed to the department shall be prima facie

25  proof of such commitment.  The recital in the written consent

26  given by a licensed child-placing agency or the declaration in

27  an answer or recommendation filed by a licensed child-placing

28  agency that the minor child has been permanently committed and

29  the child-placing agency is duly licensed by the department

30  shall be prima facie proof of such commitment and of such

31  license.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (6)  Unless otherwise authorized by law, the department

 2  is not responsible for expenses incurred by licensed

 3  child-placing agencies or intermediaries participating in

 4  placement of a minor child for the purposes of adoption.

 5         (7)  The court retains jurisdiction over a minor who

 6  has been placed for adoption until the adoption is final.

 7  After a minor is placed with an adoption entity or prospective

 8  adoptive parent, the court has jurisdiction for the purpose of

 9  reviewing the status of the minor and the progress being made

10  toward permanent adoptive placement. As part of this

11  continuing jurisdiction, for good cause shown by a person

12  whose consent to an adoption is required under s. 63.062, by a

13  party to any proceeding involving the minor, or upon the

14  court's own motion, the court may review the appropriateness

15  of the adoptive placement of the minor.

16         Section 84.  Section 63.062, Florida Statutes, is

17  amended to read:

18         63.062  Persons required to consent to adoption.--

19         (1)  Unless supported by one or more of the grounds

20  enumerated under s. 63.089(3) consent is excused by the court,

21  a petition to terminate parental rights pending adoption adopt

22  a minor may be granted only if written consent has been

23  executed as provided in s. 63.082 after the birth of the minor

24  or notice has been served under s. 63.088 to by:

25         (a)  The mother of the minor.

26         (b)  The father of the minor, if:

27         1.  The minor was conceived or born while the father

28  was married to the mother;.

29         2.  The minor is his child by adoption;.

30         3.  The minor has been established by court proceeding

31  to be his child.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (c)  If there is no father as set forth in subsection

 2  (b), any man for whom the minor has been established to be his

 3  child by scientific tests that are generally acceptable within

 4  the scientific community to show a probability of paternity.

 5         (d)  If there is no father as set forth in subsection

 6  (b) or subsection (c), any man who:

 7         1.4.  He Has acknowledged in writing, signed in the

 8  presence of a competent witness, that he is the father of the

 9  minor and has filed such acknowledgment with the Office of

10  Vital Statistics of the Department of Health;.

11         2.5.  He Has provided the child or the mother during

12  her pregnancy with support in a repetitive, customary manner;.

13         3.  Has been identified by the birth mother as a person

14  she has reason to believe may be the father of the minor in an

15  action to terminate parental rights pending adoption pursuant

16  to this chapter; or

17         4.  Is a party in any pending proceeding in which

18  paternity, custody, or termination of parental rights

19  regarding the minor is at issue.

20         (e)(c)  The minor, if more than 12 years of age, unless

21  the court in the best interest of the minor dispenses with the

22  minor's consent.

23         (2)  Any person whose consent is required under

24  paragraph (1)(b), paragraph (1)(c), or paragraph (1)(d) may

25  execute an affidavit of nonpaternity in lieu of a consent

26  under this section and by doing so waives notice to all court

27  proceedings after the date of execution. An affidavit of

28  nonpaternity must be executed under s. 63.082 and the person

29  executing the affidavit must receive disclosure under s.

30  63.085 prior to signing the affidavit. An affidavit of

31  nonpaternity must be in substantially the following form:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1

 2                    AFFIDAVIT OF NONPATERNITY

 3

 4         1.  I have personal knowledge of the facts

 5         stated herein.

 6         2.  I have been told that ...... has a child. I

 7         shall not establish or

 8         claim paternity for this child.

 9         3.  The child noted herein was not conceived or

10         born while the birth mother was married to me.

11         I AM NOT MARRIED TO THE BIRTH MOTHER, nor do I

12         intend to marry the birth mother.

13         4.  I have not provided the birth mother with

14         child support or prebirth support; I have not

15         provided her with prenatal care nor assisted

16         her with medical expenses; I have not provided

17         the birth mother or her child or unborn child

18         with support of any kind, nor do I intend to do

19         so.

20         5.  I have no interest in assuming the

21         responsibilities of parenthood for this child.

22         I will not acknowledge in writing to be the

23         father of this child nor institute court

24         proceedings to establish the child to be mine.

25         6.  I do not object to any decision or

26         arrangements ... makes regarding this child,

27         including adoption.

28

29         I WAIVE NOTICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCEEDINGS TO

30         TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS OR FINALIZE AN

31         ADOPTION UNDER THIS CHAPTER.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1

 2         (3)(2)  The court may require that consent be executed

 3  by:

 4         (a)  Any person lawfully entitled to custody of the

 5  minor; or

 6         (b)  The court having jurisdiction to determine custody

 7  of the minor, if the person having physical custody of the

 8  minor has no authority to consent to the adoption.

 9         (4)(3)  The petitioner must make good faith and

10  diligent efforts as provided under s. 63.088 to notify, and

11  obtain written consent from, the persons required to consent

12  to adoption under s. 63.062 within 60 days after filing the

13  petition. These efforts may include conducting interviews and

14  record searches to locate those persons, including verifying

15  information related to location of residence, employment,

16  service in the Armed Forces, vehicle registration in this

17  state, and corrections records.

18         (5)(4)  If parental rights to the minor have previously

19  been terminated, a licensed child-placing agency or the

20  department with which the minor child has been placed for

21  subsequent adoption may provide consent to the adoption.  In

22  such case, no other consent is required.

23         (6)(5)  A petition to adopt an adult may be granted if:

24         (a)  Written consent to adoption has been executed by

25  the adult and the adult's spouse, if any.

26         (b)  Written consent to adoption has been executed by

27  the birth parents, if any, or proof of service of process has

28  been filed, showing notice has been served on the parents as

29  provided in this chapter section.

30         Section 85.  Section 63.082, Florida Statutes, is

31  amended to read:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         63.082  Execution of consent or affidavit of

 2  nonpaternity; family medical history; withdrawal of consent.--

 3         (1)  Consent or an affidavit of nonpaternity shall be

 4  executed as follows:

 5         (a)  If by the person to be adopted, by oral or written

 6  statement in the presence of the court or by being

 7  acknowledged before a notary public.

 8         (b)  If by an agency, by affidavit from its authorized

 9  representative.

10         (c)  If by any other person, in the presence of the

11  court or by affidavit.

12         (d)  If by a court, by an appropriate order or

13  certificate of the court.

14         (2)  A consent that does not name or otherwise identify

15  the adopting parent is valid if the consent contains a

16  statement by the person consenting that the consent was

17  voluntarily executed and that identification of the adopting

18  parent is not required for granting the consent.

19         (3)(a)  The department must provide a consent form and

20  a family social and medical history form to an adoption entity

21  that intermediary who intends to place a child for adoption.

22  The forms completed by the birth parents must be attached to

23  the petition to terminate parental rights pending adoption and

24  must contain such biological and sociological information, or

25  such information as to the family medical history, regarding

26  the minor child and the birth parents as is required by the

27  department. The information must be incorporated into the

28  final home investigation report specified in s. 63.125. The

29  court may also require that the birth mother and birth father

30  must be interviewed by a representative of the department, a

31  licensed child-placing agency, or a professional pursuant to

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  s. 63.092 before the consent is executed, unless the birth

 2  parent is found to be an unlocated parent or an unidentified

 3  parent. A summary of each interview, or a statement that the

 4  parent is unlocated or unidentified, must be filed with the

 5  petition to terminate parental rights pending adoption and

 6  included in the final home study filed under s. 63.125.

 7         (b)  Consent executed by the department, by a licensed

 8  child-placing agency, or by an appropriate order or

 9  certificate of the court under s. 63.062(3)(b) must be

10  attached to the petition to terminate parental rights pending

11  adoption and must be accompanied by a family medical history

12  that includes such information concerning the medical history

13  of the child and the birth parents as is available or readily

14  obtainable.

15         (c)  If any executed consent or social and medical

16  history is unavailable because the person whose consent is

17  required is unlocated or unidentified, the petition must be

18  accompanied by the affidavit of due diligence required under

19  s. 63.088.

20         (4)(a)  The consent to an adoption or affidavit of

21  nonpaternity shall not for voluntary surrender must be

22  executed before after the birth of the minor.

23         (b)  A consent to adoption of a minor who is to be

24  placed for adoption under s. 63.052 upon the minor's release

25  following birth from a licensed hospital or birth center,

26  shall not be executed sooner than:

27         1.  48 hours from the time of the minor's birth; or

28         2.  The day the birth mother is determined in writing,

29  either on a patient chart or in release paperwork to be fit

30  for release from a licensed hospital or birth center;

31  whichever is sooner.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1

 2  A consent executed under this paragraph is valid upon

 3  execution and thereafter may only be withdrawn when the court

 4  finds that it was obtained by fraud or under duress.

 5         (c)  When the minor to be adopted is not placed under

 6  s. 63.052 upon the minor's release following birth from a

 7  licensed hospital or birth center, the consent may be executed

 8  at any time after the birth of the minor. While such consent

 9  is valid upon execution, it is subject to a 3-day revocation

10  period under subsection (7).

11         (d)  The consent or affidavit of nonpaternity must be

12  signed child, in the presence of two witnesses, and be

13  acknowledged before a notary public who is not signing as one

14  of the witnesses. The notary public must legibly note on the

15  consent or affidavit of nonpaternity the date and time the

16  consent or affidavit of nonpaternity was executed. The

17  witnesses' names must be typed or printed underneath their

18  signatures. The witnesses', and their home or business

19  addresses and social security numbers, driver's license

20  numbers, or state identification card numbers must be

21  included. The absence of a social security number, driver's

22  license number, or state identification card number shall not

23  be deemed to invalidate the consent. The person who signs the

24  consent or affidavit has the right to have at least one of the

25  witnesses be an individual who does not have a partnership,

26  employment, agency, or other professional or personal

27  relationship with the adoption entity or the prospective

28  adoptive parents. The person who signs the consent or

29  affidavit of nonpaternity must be given reasonable notice of

30  the right to select a witness of his or her own choosing. The

31  person who signs the consent or affidavit of nonpaternity must

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  acknowledge in writing on the consent or affidavit that such

 2  notice was given and indicate the witness, if any, who was

 3  selected by the person signing the consent or affidavit. A

 4  consent to adoption must contain, in at least 16-point

 5  boldfaced type, an acknowledgement of the birth parent's

 6  rights in substantially the following form:

 7

 8         YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN THIS CONSENT FORM. YOU

 9         HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING

10         INSTEAD OF SIGNING THIS CONSENT OR BEFORE

11         SIGNING THIS CONSENT:

12

13         (A)  CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY;

14         (B)  HOLD, CARE FOR, AND FEED THE CHILD;

15         (C)  PLACE THE CHILD IN FOSTER CARE OR WITH ANY

16         FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER YOU CHOOSE WHO IS

17         WILLING TO CARE FOR YOUR CHILD;

18         (D)  TAKE THE CHILD HOME; AND

19         (E)  FIND OUT ABOUT THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES

20         THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU IF YOU DO NOT GO

21         THROUGH WITH THE ADOPTION.

22

23         IF YOU DO SIGN THIS CONSENT, YOU ARE

24         RELINQUISHING ALL RIGHTS TO YOUR CHILD. YOUR

25         CONSENT IS VALID AND BINDING UNLESS WITHDRAWN

26         AS PERMITTED BY LAW. WHEN RELINQUISHING YOUR

27         RIGHTS TO A CHILD WHO IS TO BE PLACED FOR

28         ADOPTION UNDER S. 63.052, F.S., UPON THE

29         MINOR'S RELEASE FOLLOWING BIRTH FROM A LICENSED

30         HOSPITAL OR BIRTH CENTER, A WAITING PERIOD WILL

31         BE IMPOSED BEFORE YOU MAY SIGN THE CONSENT FOR

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         ADOPTION. YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO WAIT 48 HOURS

 2         FROM THE TIME OF BIRTH, OR UNTIL THE BIRTH

 3         MOTHER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED IN WRITING, EITHER ON

 4         HER CHART OR IN RELEASE PAPERS THAT SHE IS FIT

 5         TO BE RELEASED FROM A LICENSED HOSPITAL OR

 6         BIRTHING CENTER, WHICHEVER IS SOONER, BEFORE

 7         YOU MAY SIGN THE CONSENT FOR ADOPTION. ONCE YOU

 8         HAVE SIGNED THE CONSENT, IT IS VALID AND

 9         BINDING AND CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN UNLESS A COURT

10         FINDS THAT IT WAS OBTAINED THROUGH FRAUD OR

11         UNDER DURESS. IF YOU ARE RELINQUISHING YOUR

12         RIGHTS TO A CHILD WHO IS NOT PLACED UNDER S.

13         63.052, F.S., UPON THE MINOR'S RELEASE

14         FOLLOWING BIRTH FROM A LICENSED HOSPITAL OR

15         BIRTH CENTER, THE CONSENT MAY BE EXECUTED AT

16         ANY TIME AFTER THE BIRTH OF THE MINOR. WHILE

17         SUCH CONSENT IS VALID UPON EXECUTION, IT IS

18         SUBJECT TO A 3-DAY REVOCATION PERIOD.

19

20         WHEN THE REVOCATION PERIOD APPLIES, YOU MAY

21         WITHDRAW YOUR CONSENT FOR ANY REASON IF YOU DO

22         SO WITHIN 3 BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE DATE YOU

23         SIGNED THE CONSENT OR 1 BUSINESS DAY AFTER THE

24         DATE OF THE BIRTH MOTHER'S DISCHARGE FROM A

25         LICENSED HOSPITAL OR BIRTH CENTER, WHICHEVER IS

26         LATER.

27

28         YOU MAY DO THIS BY NOTIFYING THE ADOPTION

29         ENTITY IN WRITING THAT YOU ARE WITHDRAWING YOUR

30         CONSENT. YOU MAY DO THIS BY PRESENTING A LETTER

31         AT A UNITED STATES POST OFFICE AND ASKING THAT

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         THE LETTER BE SENT BY CERTIFIED UNITED STATES

 2         MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED WITHIN 3

 3         BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE DATE YOU SIGNED THE

 4         CONSENT OR 1 BUSINESS DAY AFTER THE DATE OF THE

 5         BIRTH MOTHER'S DISCHARGE FROM A LICENSED

 6         HOSPITAL OR BIRTH CENTER, WHICHEVER IS LATER.

 7         AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE TERM "BUSINESS

 8         DAY" MEANS A DAY ON WHICH THE UNITED STATES

 9         POST OFFICE ACCEPTS CERTIFIED MAIL FOR

10         DELIVERY. THE COST OF THIS MUST BE PAID AT THE

11         TIME OF MAILING AND THE RECEIPT SHOULD BE

12         RETAINED AS PROOF THAT CONSENT WAS WITHDRAWN IN

13         A TIMELY MANNER.

14

15         THE ADOPTION ENTITY YOU SHOULD NOTIFY IS:

16         ...(Name of Adoption Entity)..., ...(Address of

17         Adoption Entity)..., ...(Phone Number of

18         Adoption Entity).... FOLLOWING 3 BUSINESS DAYS

19         AFTER THE DATE YOU SIGNED THE CONSENT OR 1

20         BUSINESS DAY AFTER THE DATE OF THE BIRTH

21         MOTHER'S DISCHARGE FROM A LICENSED HOSPITAL OR

22         BIRTH CENTER, WHICHEVER IS LATER, YOU MAY

23         WITHDRAW YOUR CONSENT ONLY IF YOU CAN PROVE IN

24         COURT THAT CONSENT WAS OBTAINED BY FRAUD OR

25         DURESS.

26

27         (5)  Before any consent to adoption or affidavit of

28  nonpaternity is executed by a birth parent, but after the

29  birth of the child, all requirements of disclosure under s.

30  63.085 must be met.

31         (6)  A copy of each consent signed in an action for

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  termination of parental rights pending adoption must be

 2  provided to each person whose consent is required under s.

 3  63.062. A copy of each consent must be hand delivered, with a

 4  written acknowledgement of receipt signed by the person whose

 5  consent is required, or mailed by first class United States

 6  mail to the address of record in the court file. If a copy of

 7  a consent cannot be provided as required in this section, the

 8  adoption entity must execute an acknowledgement that states

 9  the reason the copy of the consent is undeliverable. The

10  original consent and acknowledgment of receipt, or the

11  acknowledgment of mailing by the adoption entity, must be

12  filed with the petition for termination of parental rights

13  pending adoption.

14         (7)(5)  Consent executed under subsection (4) paragraph

15  (c) may be withdrawn for any reason by notifying the adoption

16  entity in writing by certified United States mail, return

17  receipt requested, not later than 3 business days after

18  execution of the consent or 1 business day after the date of

19  the birth mother's discharge from a licensed hospital or birth

20  center, whichever occurs later. As used in this subsection,

21  the term "business day" means a day on which the United States

22  Post Office accepts certified mail for delivery. Upon

23  receiving written notice from a person of that person's desire

24  to withdraw consent, the adoption entity must contact the

25  prospective adoptive parent to arrange a time certain for the

26  adoption entity to regain physical custody of the child,

27  unless upon motion for emergency hearing by the adoption

28  entity, the court determines in written findings that

29  placement of the minor with the person withdrawing consent may

30  endanger the minor. If the court finds that such placement may

31  endanger the minor, the court must enter an order regarding

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  continued placement of the child. The order shall include, but

 2  not be limited to, whether temporary placement in foster care

 3  is appropriate, whether an investigation by the Department of

 4  Children and Families is recommended, and whether a relative

 5  within the third degree is available for the temporary

 6  placement. In addition, if the person withdrawing consent

 7  claims to be the father of the minor but has not been

 8  established to be the father by marriage, court order, or

 9  scientific testing, the court may order scientific paternity

10  testing and reserve ruling on removal of the child until the

11  results of such testing have been filed with the court. The

12  adoption entity must return the minor within 3 days to the

13  physical custody of the person withdrawing consent.

14  Thereafter, consent may be withdrawn only when the court finds

15  that the consent was obtained by fraud or duress. An affidavit

16  of nonpaternity may be withdrawn only if the court finds that

17  the affidavit of nonpaternity was obtained by fraud. The

18  adoption entity must include its name, address, and telephone

19  number on the consent form.

20         Section 86.  Section 63.085, Florida Statutes, is

21  amended to read:

22         (Substantial rewording of section. See

23         s. 63.085, F.S., for present text.)

24         63.085  Disclosure by adoption entity.--

25         (1)  DISCLOSURE REQUIRED TO BIRTH PARENTS AND

26  PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS.--Not later than 7 days after a

27  person seeking to adopt a minor or a person seeking to place a

28  minor for adoption contacts an adoption entity in person or

29  provides the adoption entity with a mailing address, the

30  entity must provide a written disclosure statement to that

31  person. If a birth parent did not initially contact the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  adoption entity, the written disclosure must be provided

 2  within 7 days after that birth parent is identified and

 3  located. The written disclosure statement must be in

 4  substantially the following form:

 5

 6                       ADOPTION DISCLOSURE

 7

 8         THE STATE OF FLORIDA REQUIRES THAT THIS FORM BE

 9         PROVIDED TO ALL PERSONS CONSIDERING ADOPTION TO

10         ADVISE THEM OF THE FOLLOWING FACTS REGARDING

11         ADOPTION UNDER FLORIDA LAW:

12

13              1.  Under section 63.212, Florida

14         Statutes, the existence of a placement or

15         adoption contract signed by the birth parent or

16         adoptive parent, prior approval of that

17         contract by the court, or payment of any

18         expenses permitted under Florida law does not

19         obligate anyone to sign a consent or ultimately

20         place a minor for adoption.

21              2.  Under section 63.092, Florida

22         Statutes, a favorable preliminary home study

23         and a home investigation of the prospective

24         adoptive home must be completed as required by

25         chapter 63, Florida Statutes, before the minor

26         may be placed in that home.

27              3.  Under section 63.082, Florida

28         Statutes, a consent for adoption or affidavit

29         of nonpaternity may not be signed until after

30         the birth of the minor. The consent or

31         affidavit of nonpaternity is valid and binding

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         upon execution unless withdrawn as permitted

 2         under section 63.082, Florida Statutes. If the

 3         minor is to be placed for adoption upon leaving

 4         the hospital, the consent may not be signed

 5         until 48 hours after birth or the day the birth

 6         mother is released from the hospital. If the

 7         minor is not placed for adoption upon leaving

 8         the hospital, a 3-day revocation period

 9         applies. Consent may be withdrawn for any

10         reason by notifying the adoption entity in

11         writing. In order to withdraw consent, the

12         written withdrawal of consent must be mailed no

13         later than 3 business days after execution of

14         the consent or 1 business day after the date of

15         the birth mother's discharge from a licensed

16         hospital or birth center, whichever occurs

17         later. The letter must be mailed certified

18         mail, return receipt requested. This is done by

19         presenting it at any United States Post Office,

20         and asking that the letter be sent by certified

21         United States mail with return receipt

22         requested. The cost of this must be paid at the

23         time of mailing and the receipt should be

24         retained as proof that consent was withdrawn in

25         a timely manner. For purposes of this chapter,

26         the term "business day" means a day on which

27         the United States Post Office accepts certified

28         mail for delivery. Upon receiving written

29         notice from a person of that person's desire to

30         withdraw consent, the adoption entity must

31         contact the prospective adoptive parent to

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         arrange a time certain to regain physical

 2         custody of the child. The adoption entity must

 3         return the minor within 3 days to the physical

 4         custody of the person withdrawing consent.

 5         Thereafter, consent may be withdrawn only if

 6         the court finds that consent was obtained by

 7         fraud. An affidavit of nonpaternity, once

 8         executed, may be withdrawn only if the court

 9         finds that it was obtained by fraud.

10              4.  Under section 63.082, Florida

11         Statutes, a person who signs a consent or

12         affidavit of nonpaternity for adoption must be

13         given reasonable notice of his or her right to

14         select a person who does not have a

15         partnership, employment, agency, or other

16         professional or personal relationship with the

17         adoption entity or the prospective adoptive

18         parents to be present when the consent or

19         affidavit of nonpaternity is executed and to

20         sign the consent or affidavit as a witness.

21              5.  Under section 63.088, Florida

22         Statutes, specific and extensive efforts are

23         required by law to attempt to obtain the

24         consents required under section 63.062, Florida

25         Statutes. If these efforts are unsuccessful, an

26         order terminating parental rights pending

27         adoption may not be issued by the court until

28         those requirements have been met and an

29         affidavit of service has been filed with the

30         court.

31              6.  Under Florida law, an intermediary may

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         represent the legal interests of only the

 2         adoptive parents, not of any birth parent. Each

 3         person whose consent to an adoption is required

 4         under section 63.062, Florida Statutes,

 5         including each birth parent, is entitled to

 6         seek independent legal advice and

 7         representation before signing any document or

 8         surrendering parental rights.

 9              7.  Under section 63.089, Florida

10         Statutes, the termination of parental rights

11         will occur simultaneously with the entry of a

12         judgment terminating parental rights pending

13         adoption.

14              8.  Under section 63.182, Florida

15         Statutes, an action or proceeding of any kind

16         to vacate, set aside, or otherwise nullify an

17         order of adoption or an underlying order

18         terminating parental rights pending adoption on

19         any ground, including fraud or duress, must be

20         filed within 1 year after entry of the order

21         terminating parental rights pending adoption.

22              9.  Under section 63.182, Florida

23         Statutes, for 1 year after the entry of a

24         judgment of adoption, any irregularity or

25         procedural defect in the adoption proceeding

26         may be the subject of an appeal contesting the

27         validity of the judgment.

28              10.  Under section 63.089, Florida

29         Statutes, a judgment terminating parental

30         rights pending adoption is voidable and any

31         later judgment of adoption of that minor is

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         voidable if, upon the motion of a birth parent,

 2         the court finds that any person knowingly gave

 3         false information that prevented the birth

 4         parent from timely making known his or her

 5         desire to assume parental responsibilities

 6         toward the minor or meeting the requirements

 7         under chapter 63, Florida Statutes, to exercise

 8         his or her parental rights. A motion under

 9         section 63.089, Florida Statutes, must be filed

10         with the court originally entering the

11         judgment. The motion must be filed within a

12         reasonable time, but not later than 1 year

13         after the date the judgment to which the motion

14         is directed was entered.

15              11.  Under section 63.165, Florida

16         Statutes, the State of Florida maintains a

17         registry of adoption information. Information

18         about the registry is available from the

19         Department of Children and Family Services.

20              12.  Under section 63.032, Florida

21         Statutes, a court may find that a birth parent

22         has abandoned his or her child based on conduct

23         during the pregnancy or based on conduct after

24         the child is born. In addition, under section

25         63.089, Florida Statutes, the failure of a

26         birth parent to respond to notices of

27         proceedings involving his or her child shall

28         result in termination of parental rights of a

29         birth parent. A lawyer can explain what a birth

30         parent must do to protect his or her parental

31         rights. Any birth parent wishing to protect his

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         or her parental rights should act IMMEDIATELY.

 2              13.  Each birth parent and adoptive parent

 3         is entitled to independent legal advice and

 4         representation. Attorney information may be

 5         obtained from the yellow pages, The Florida

 6         Bar's lawyer referral service, and local legal

 7         aid offices and bar associations.

 8              14.  There are counseling services

 9         available in the community to assist in making

10         a parenting decision. Consult the yellow pages

11         of the telephone directory.

12              15.  Medical and social services support

13         is available if the birth parent wishes to

14         retain parental rights and responsibilities.

15         Consult the Department of Children and Family

16         Services.

17

18         (2)  ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF DISCLOSURE.--The adoption entity

19  must obtain a written statement acknowledging receipt of the

20  disclosure required under subsection (1) and signed by the

21  persons receiving the disclosure or, if it is not possible to

22  obtain such an acknowledgement, the adoption entity must

23  execute an affidavit stating why an acknowledgement could not

24  be obtained. A copy of the acknowledgement of receipt of the

25  disclosure must be provided to the person signing it. A copy

26  of the acknowledgement or affidavit executed by the adoption

27  entity in lieu of the acknowledgement must be maintained in

28  the file of the adoption entity. The original acknowledgement

29  or affidavit must be filed with the court. In the case of a

30  disclosure provided under subsection (1), the original

31  acknowledgement or affidavit must be included in the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  preliminary home study required in s. 63.092(3).

 2         (3)  POST-BIRTH DISCLOSURE TO BIRTH PARENTS.--Before

 3  execution of any consent to adoption by a birth parent, but

 4  after the birth of the minor, all requirements of subsections

 5  (1) and (2) for making certain disclosures to a birth parent

 6  and obtaining a written acknowledgment of receipt must be

 7  repeated.

 8         Section 87.  Section 63.087, Florida Statutes, is

 9  created to read:

10         63.087  Proceeding to terminate parental rights pending

11  adoption; general provisions.--

12         (1)  INTENT.--It is the intent of the Legislature to

13  provide a proceeding in which the court determines whether a

14  minor is legally available for adoption through a separate

15  proceeding to address termination of parental rights prior to

16  the filing of a petition for adoption.

17         (2)  GOVERNING RULES.--The Florida Family Law Rules of

18  Procedure govern a proceeding to terminate parental rights

19  pending adoption unless otherwise provided by law.

20         (3)  JURISDICTION.--A court of this state which is

21  competent to decide child welfare or custody matters has

22  jurisdiction to hear all matters arising from a proceeding to

23  terminate parental rights pending adoption. All subsequent

24  proceedings for the adoption of the minor, if the petition for

25  termination is granted, must be conducted by the same judge as

26  these proceedings whenever possible.

27         (4)  VENUE.--A petition to terminate parental rights

28  pending adoption must be filed in the county where the child

29  resided for the prior 6 months or, if the child is younger

30  than 6 months of age, in the county where the birth mother or

31  birth father resided at the time of the execution of the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  consent to adoption or the affidavit of nonpaternity, or, if

 2  there is no consent or affidavit of nonpaternity executed by a

 3  birth parent, in the county where the birth mother resides.

 4         (5)  PREREQUISITE FOR ADOPTION.--A petition for

 5  adoption may not be filed until 30 days after the date the

 6  judge signed the judgment terminating parental rights pending

 7  adoption under this chapter, unless the adoptee is an adult or

 8  the minor has been the subject of a judgment terminating

 9  parental rights under chapter 39.

10         (6)  PETITION.--

11         (a)  A proceeding seeking to terminate parental rights

12  pending adoption pursuant to this chapter must be commenced by

13  the filing of an original petition after the birth of the

14  minor.

15         (b)  The petition may be filed by a birth parent or

16  legal guardian of the minor.

17         (c)  The petition must be entitled: "In the Matter of

18  the Proposed Adoption of a Minor Child."

19         (d)  If a petition for a declaratory statement under s.

20  63.102 has previously been filed, a subsequent petition to

21  terminate parental rights pending adoption may, at the request

22  of any party or on the court's own motion, be consolidated

23  with that previous action. If the petition to terminate

24  parental rights pending adoption is consolidated with a prior

25  petition filed under this chapter for which a filing fee has

26  been paid, the petitioner may not be charged a subsequent or

27  additional filing fee.

28         (e)  The petition to terminate parental rights pending

29  adoption must be in writing and signed by the petitioner under

30  oath stating the petitioner's good faith in filing the

31  petition. A written consent, affidavit of nonpaternity, or

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  affidavit of due diligence under s. 63.088, for each person

 2  whose consent is required under s. 63.062, must be attached.

 3         (f)  The petition must include:

 4         1.  The minor's name, gender, date of birth, and place

 5  of birth. The petition must contain all names by which the

 6  minor is or has been known, including the minor's legal name

 7  at the time of the filing of the petition, to allow interested

 8  parties to the action, including birth parents, legal

 9  guardians, persons with custodial or visitation rights to the

10  minor, and persons entitled to notice pursuant to the Uniform

11  Child Custody Jurisdiction Act or the Indian Child Welfare

12  Act, to identify their own interest in the action.

13         2.  If the petition is filed before the day the minor

14  is 6 months old and if the identity or location of the birth

15  father is unknown, each city in which the birth mother resided

16  or traveled during the 12 months prior to the minor's birth,

17  including the county and state in which that city is located.

18         3.  Unless the consent of each person whose consent is

19  required under s. 63.062 or an affidavit of nonpaternity is

20  attached to the petition, the name and address or, if a

21  specific address is unknown, the city, including the county

22  and state in which that city is located, of:

23         a.  The minor's mother;

24         b.  Any man whom the mother reasonably believes may be

25  the minor's father; and

26         c.  Any legal custodian of the minor.

27

28  If a required name or address is not known, the petition must

29  so state.

30         4.  All information required by the Uniform Child

31  Custody Jurisdiction Act and the Indian Child Welfare Act.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         5.  A statement of the grounds under s. 63.089 upon

 2  which the petition is based.

 3         6.  The name, address, and telephone number of any

 4  adoption entity seeking to place the minor for adoption.

 5         7.  The name, address, and phone number of the division

 6  of the circuit in which the petition is to be filed.

 7         (7)  ANSWER NOT REQUIRED.--An answer to the petition or

 8  any pleading need not be filed by any minor, parent, or legal

 9  custodian, but any matter that might be set forth in an answer

10  or other pleading may be pleaded orally before the court or

11  filed in writing as any such person may choose.

12  Notwithstanding the filing of any answer or any pleading, any

13  person present at the hearing to terminate parental rights

14  pending adoption whose consent to adoption is required under

15  s. 63.062 must:

16         (a)  Be advised by the court that he or she has a right

17  to ask that the hearing be reset for a later date so that the

18  person may consult with an attorney;

19         (b)  Be given an opportunity to deny the allegations in

20  the petition; and

21         (c)  Be given the opportunity to challenge the validity

22  of any consents or affidavits of nonpaternity signed by any

23  person.

24         Section 88.  Section 63.088, Florida Statutes, is

25  created to read:

26         63.088  Proceeding to terminate parental rights pending

27  adoption; notice and service.--

28         (1)  INITIATE LOCATION AND IDENTIFICATION

29  PROCEDURES.--When the location or identity of a person whose

30  consent to an adoption is required but is not known, the

31  adoption entity must begin the inquiry and diligent search

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  process required by this section not later than 7 days after

 2  the date on which the person seeking to place a minor for

 3  adoption has evidenced in writing to the entity a desire to

 4  place the minor for adoption with that entity or not later

 5  than 7 days after the date any money is provided as permitted

 6  under this chapter by the adoption entity for the benefit of

 7  the person seeking to place a minor for adoption.

 8         (2)  LOCATION AND IDENTITY KNOWN.--Before the court may

 9  determine that a minor is available for adoption, and in

10  addition to the other requirements set forth in this chapter,

11  each person whose consent is required under s. 63.062, who has

12  not executed an affidavit of nonpaternity, and whose location

13  and identity has been determined by compliance with the

14  procedures in this section must be personally served, pursuant

15  to chapter 48, at least 30 days before the hearing with a copy

16  of the petition to terminate parental rights pending adoption

17  and with notice in substantially the following form:

18

19                  NOTICE OF PETITION AND HEARING

20          TO TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS PENDING ADOPTION

21

22         A petition to terminate parental rights pending

23         adoption has been filed. A copy of the petition

24         is being served with this notice. There will be

25         a hearing on the petition to terminate parental

26         rights pending adoption on ... (date) ... at

27         ... (time) ... before ... (judge) ... at ...

28         (location, including complete name and street

29         address of the courthouse) .... The court has

30         set aside ... (amount of time) ... for this

31         hearing.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1

 2         UNDER SECTION 63.089, FLORIDA STATUTES, FAILURE

 3         TO FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE WITH

 4         THE COURT OR TO APPEAR AT THIS HEARING

 5         CONSTITUTES GROUNDS UPON WHICH THE COURT SHALL

 6         END ANY PARENTAL RIGHTS YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING

 7         THE MINOR CHILD.

 8

 9         (3)  REQUIRED INQUIRY.--In all cases filed under this

10  section, the court must conduct the following inquiry of the

11  person who is placing the minor for adoption and of any

12  relative or custodian of the minor who is present at the

13  hearing and likely to have the following information:

14         (a)  Whether the mother of the minor was married at any

15  time when conception of the minor may have occurred or at the

16  time of the birth of the minor;

17         (b)  Whether the mother was cohabiting with a male at

18  any time when conception of the minor may have occurred;

19         (c)  Whether the mother has received payments or

20  promises of support with respect to the minor or, because of

21  her pregnancy, from any person she has reason to believe may

22  be the father;

23         (d)  Whether the mother has named any person as the

24  father on the birth certificate of the minor or in connection

25  with applying for or receiving public assistance;

26         (e)  Whether any person has acknowledged or claimed

27  paternity of the minor; and

28         (f)  Whether the mother knows the identity of any

29  person whom she has reason to believe may be the father.

30

31  The information required under this subsection may be provided

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  to the court in the form of a sworn affidavit by a person

 2  having personal knowledge of the facts, addressing each

 3  inquiry enumerated in this subsection. The inquiry required

 4  under this subsection may be conducted before the birth of the

 5  minor.

 6         (4)  LOCATION UNKNOWN; IDENTITY DETERMINED.--If the

 7  inquiry by the court under subsection (3) identifies any

 8  person whose consent is required under s. 63.062 and who has

 9  not executed an affidavit of nonpaternity, and the location of

10  the person from whom consent is required is unknown, the

11  adoption entity must conduct a diligent search for that person

12  which must include the following inquiries:

13         (a)  The person's current address, or any previous

14  address, through an inquiry of the United States Post Office

15  through the Freedom of Information Act;

16         (b)  The last known employment of the person, including

17  the name and address of the person's employer. Inquiry should

18  be made of the last known employer as to any address to which

19  wage and earnings statements (W-2 forms) of the person have

20  been mailed. Inquiry should be made of the last known employer

21  as to whether the person is eligible for a pension or

22  profit-sharing plan and any address to which pension or other

23  funds have been mailed;

24         (c)  Union memberships the person may have held or

25  unions that governed the person's particular trade or craft in

26  the area where the person last resided;

27         (d)  Regulatory agencies, including those regulating

28  licensing in the area where the person last resided;

29         (e)  Names and addresses of relatives to the extent

30  such can be reasonably obtained from the petitioner or other

31  sources, contacts with those relatives, and inquiry as to the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  person's last known address. The petitioner shall pursue any

 2  leads of any addresses where the person may have moved.

 3  Relatives include, but are not limited to, parents, brothers,

 4  sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews,

 5  grandparents, great grandparents, former in-laws, stepparents,

 6  and stepchildren;

 7         (f)  Information as to whether or not the person may

 8  have died, and if so, the date and location;

 9         (g)  Telephone listings in the area where the person

10  last resided;

11         (h)  Inquiries of law enforcement agencies in the area

12  where the person last resided;

13         (i)  Highway patrol records in the state where the

14  person last resided;

15         (j)  Department of Corrections records in the state

16  where the person last resided;

17         (k)  Hospitals in the area where the person last

18  resided;

19         (l)  Records of utility companies, including water,

20  sewer, cable TV, and electric companies in the area where the

21  person last resided;

22         (m)  Records of the Armed Forces of the United States

23  as to whether there is any information as to the person;

24         (n)  Records of the tax assessor and tax collector in

25  the area where the person last resided; and

26         (o)  Search of one Internet data bank locator service.

27

28  Any person contacted by a petitioner who is requesting

29  information pursuant to this subsection must release the

30  requested information to the petitioner, except when

31  prohibited by law, without the necessity of a subpoena or

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  court order. An affidavit of diligent search executed by the

 2  petitioner and the adoption entity must be filed with the

 3  court confirming completion of each aspect of the diligent

 4  search enumerated in this subsection and specifying the

 5  results. The diligent search required under this subsection

 6  may be conducted before the birth of the minor.

 7         (5)  LOCATION NOT DETERMINED OR IDENTITY UNKNOWN.--This

 8  subsection only applies if, as to any person whose consent is

 9  required under s. 63.062 and who has not executed an affidavit

10  of nonpaternity, the location or identity of the person is

11  unknown and the inquiry under subsection (3) fails to identify

12  the person or the due diligence search under subsection (4)

13  fails to locate the person. The unlocated or unidentified

14  person must be served notice under s. 63.088(2), of the

15  petition and hearing to terminate parental rights pending

16  adoption by constructive service in the manner provided in

17  chapter 49 in each county identified in the petition, as

18  provided in s. 63.087(6). The notice, in addition to all

19  information required in the petition under s. 63.087(6) and

20  chapter 49, must contain a physical description, including,

21  but not limited to, age, race, hair and eye color, and

22  approximate height and weight of the minor's mother and of any

23  person the mother reasonably believes may be the father; the

24  minor's date of birth; and any date and city, including the

25  county and state in which the city is located, in which

26  conception may have occurred. If any of the facts that must be

27  included in the petition under this subsection are unknown and

28  cannot be reasonably ascertained, the petition must so state.

29         Section 89.  Section 63.089, Florida Statutes, is

30  created to read:

31         63.089  Proceeding to terminate parental rights pending

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  adoption.--

 2         (1)  HEARING.--The court may terminate parental rights

 3  pending adoption only after a full evidentiary hearing.

 4         (2)  HEARING PREREQUISITES.--The court may hold the

 5  hearing only when:

 6         (a)  For each person whose consent is required under s.

 7  63.062:

 8         1.  A consent under s. 63.082 has been executed and

 9  filed within the court;

10         2.  An affidavit of nonpaternity under s. 63.082 has

11  been executed and filed with the court; or

12         3.  Notice has been provided under ss. 63.087 and

13  63.088;

14         (b)  For each notice and petition that must be served

15  under ss. 63.087 and 63.088:

16         1.  At least 30 days have elapsed since the date of

17  personal service and an affidavit of service has been filed

18  with the court;

19         2.  At least 60 days have elapsed since the first date

20  of publication of constructive service and an affidavit of

21  service has been filed with the court; or

22         3.  An affidavit of nonpaternity which affirmatively

23  waives service has been executed and filed with the court;

24         (c)  The minor named in the petition has been born; and

25         (d)  The petition contains all information required

26  under s. 63.087 and all affidavits of inquiry, due diligence,

27  and service required under s. 63.088 have been obtained and

28  filed with the court.

29         (3)  GROUNDS FOR TERMINATING PARENTAL RIGHTS PENDING

30  ADOPTION.--The court may issue a judgment terminating parental

31  rights pending adoption if the court determines by clear and

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  convincing evidence that each person whose consent to an

 2  adoption is required under s. 63.062:

 3         (a)  Has executed a valid consent that has not been

 4  withdrawn under s. 63.082 and the consent was obtained

 5  according to the requirements of this chapter;

 6         (b)  Has executed an affidavit of nonpaternity and the

 7  affidavit was obtained according to the requirements of this

 8  chapter;

 9         (c)  Has been properly served notice of the proceeding

10  in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and has

11  failed to file a written answer or appear at the evidentiary

12  hearing resulting in the order terminating parental rights

13  pending adoption;

14         (d)  Has abandoned the minor as abandonment is defined

15  in s. 63.032(14);

16         (e)  Is a parent of the person to be adopted, which

17  parent has been judicially declared incapacitated with

18  restoration of competency found to be medically improbable;

19         (f)  Is a legal guardian or lawful custodian of the

20  person to be adopted, other than a parent, who has failed to

21  respond in writing to a request for consent for a period of 60

22  days or, after examination of his or her written reasons for

23  withholding consent, is found by the court to be withholding

24  his or her consent unreasonably; or

25         (g)  Is the spouse of the person to be adopted who has

26  failed to consent, and the failure of the spouse to consent to

27  the adoption is excused by reason of prolonged and unexplained

28  absence, unavailability, incapacity, or circumstances that are

29  found by the court to constitute unreasonable withholding of

30  consent.

31         (4)  FINDING OF ABANDONMENT.--A finding of abandonment

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  resulting in a termination of parental rights must be based

 2  upon clear and convincing evidence. A finding of abandonment

 3  may not be based upon a lack of emotional support to a birth

 4  mother during her pregnancy.

 5         (a)  In making a determination of abandonment the court

 6  must consider:

 7         1.  Whether the actions alleged to constitute

 8  abandonment demonstrate a willful disregard for the safety of

 9  the child or unborn child;

10         2.  Whether other persons prevented the person alleged

11  to have abandoned the child from making the efforts referenced

12  in this subsection;

13         3.  Whether the person alleged to have abandoned the

14  child, while being able, refused to provide financial support

15  when such support was requested by the child's legal guardian

16  or custodian;

17         4.  Whether the person alleged to have abandoned the

18  child, while being able, refused to pay for medical treatment

19  when such payment was requested by the child's legal guardian

20  or custodian and those expenses were not covered by insurance

21  or other available sources;

22         5.  Whether the amount of support provided or medical

23  expenses paid was appropriate, taking into consideration the

24  needs of the child and relative means and resources available

25  to the person alleged to have abandoned the child and

26  available to the child's legal guardian or custodian during

27  the period the child allegedly was abandoned; and

28         6.  Whether the child's legal guardian or custodian

29  made the child's whereabouts known to the person alleged to

30  have abandoned the child; advised that person of the needs of

31  the child or the needs of the mother of an unborn child with

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  regard to the pregnancy; or informed that person of events

 2  such as medical appointments and tests relating to the child

 3  or, if unborn, the pregnancy.

 4         (b)  The child has been abandoned when the parent of a

 5  child is incarcerated on or after October 1, 1998, in a state

 6  or federal correctional institution and sentenced to a term of

 7  incarceration of 8 years or longer, regardless of how long the

 8  person is actually incarcerated under that sentence or how

 9  long the person will be incarcerated after October 1, 1998,

10  and:

11         1.  The period of time for which the parent is expected

12  to be incarcerated will constitute a substantial portion of

13  the period of time before the child will attain the age of 18

14  years;

15         2.  The incarcerated parent has been determined by the

16  court to be a violent career criminal as defined in s.

17  775.084, a habitual violent felony offender as defined in s.

18  775.084, or a sexual predator as defined in s. 775.21; has

19  been convicted of first degree or second degree murder in

20  violation of s. 782.04 or a sexual battery that constitutes a

21  capital, life, or first degree felony violation of s. 794.011;

22  or has been convicted of an offense in another jurisdiction

23  which is substantially similar to one of the offenses listed

24  in this paragraph. As used in this section, the term

25  "substantially similar offense" means any offense that is

26  substantially similar in elements and penalties to one of

27  those listed in this paragraph, and that is in violation of a

28  law of any other jurisdiction, whether that of another state,

29  the District of Columbia, the United States or any possession

30  or territory thereof, or any foreign jurisdiction; and

31         3.  The court determines by clear and convincing

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  evidence that continuing the parental relationship with the

 2  incarcerated parent would be harmful to the child and, for

 3  this reason, that termination of the parental rights of the

 4  incarcerated parent is in the best interest of the child.

 5         (c)  The only conduct of a father toward a mother

 6  during pregnancy that the court may consider in determining

 7  whether the child has been abandoned is conduct that occurred

 8  after reasonable and diligent efforts have been made to inform

 9  the father that he is, or may be, the father of the child.

10         (5)  DISMISSAL OF CASE WITH PREJUDICE.--If the court

11  does not find by clear and convincing evidence that parental

12  rights of a birth parent should be terminated pending

13  adoption, the court must dismiss the case with prejudice and

14  that birth parent's parental rights remain in full force under

15  the law. Parental rights may not be terminated based upon a

16  consent that the court finds has been timely withdrawn under

17  s. 63.082 or a consent or affidavit of nonpaternity that the

18  court finds was obtained by fraud. The court must enter an

19  order based upon written findings providing for the placement

20  of the minor. The court may order scientific testing to

21  determine the paternity of the minor at any time during which

22  the court has jurisdiction over the minor. Further

23  proceedings, if any, regarding the minor must be brought in a

24  separate custody action under chapter 61, a dependency action

25  under chapter 39, or a paternity action under chapter 742.

26         (6)  A JUDGMENT TERMINATING PARENTAL RIGHTS PENDING

27  ADOPTION.--

28         (a)  The judgment terminating parental rights pending

29  adoption must be in writing and contain findings of fact as to

30  the grounds for terminating parental rights pending adoption.

31         (b)  The clerk of the court shall mail a copy of the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  judgment within 24 hours after filing to the department, the

 2  petitioner, and the respondent. The clerk shall execute a

 3  certificate of each mailing.

 4         (c)  A judgment terminating parental rights pending

 5  adoption is voidable and any later judgment of adoption of

 6  that minor is voidable if, upon the motion of a birth parent,

 7  the court finds that a person knowingly gave false information

 8  that prevented the birth parent from timely making known his

 9  or her desire to assume parental responsibilities toward the

10  minor or meeting the requirements under this chapter to

11  exercise his or her parental rights. A motion under this

12  paragraph must be filed with the court originally entering the

13  judgment. The motion must be filed within a reasonable time,

14  but not later than 1 year after the date the termination of

15  parental rights final order was entered.

16         (d)  Not later than 30 days after the filing of a

17  motion under this subsection, the court must conduct a

18  preliminary hearing to determine what contact, if any, shall

19  be permitted between a birth parent and the child pending

20  resolution of the motion. Such contact shall only be

21  considered if it is requested by a birth parent who has

22  appeared at the hearing. If the court orders contact between a

23  birth parent and child, the order must be issued in writing as

24  expeditiously as possible and must state with specificity any

25  provisions regarding contact with persons other than those

26  with whom the child resides.

27         (e)  At the preliminary hearing, the court, upon the

28  motion of any party or its own motion, may order scientific

29  testing to determine the paternity of the minor if the person

30  seeking to set aside the judgment is alleging to be the

31  child's birth father and that fact has not previously been

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  determined by legitimacy or scientific testing. The court may

 2  order supervised visitation with a person from whom scientific

 3  testing for paternity has been ordered conditional upon the

 4  filing of those test results with the court and such results

 5  establish that person's paternity of the minor.

 6         (f)  No later than 45 days after the preliminary

 7  hearing, the court must conduct a final hearing on the motion

 8  to set aside the judgment and issue its written order as

 9  expeditiously as possible thereafter.

10         (7)  RECORDS; CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.--All records

11  pertaining to a petition to terminate parental rights pending

12  adoption are records related to the subsequent adoption of the

13  minor and are subject to the provisions of s. 63.162, as such

14  provisions apply to records of an adoption proceeding. The

15  confidentiality provisions of this chapter do not apply to the

16  extent information regarding persons or proceedings must be

17  made available as specified under s. 63.088.

18         Section 90.  Section 63.092, Florida Statutes, is

19  amended to read:

20         63.092  Report to the court of intended placement by an

21  intermediary; preliminary study.--

22         (1)  REPORT TO THE COURT.--The adoption entity

23  intermediary must report any intended placement of a minor for

24  adoption with any person not related within the third degree

25  or a stepparent if the adoption entity intermediary has

26  knowledge of, or participates in, such intended placement. The

27  report must be made to the court before the minor is placed in

28  the home.

29         (2)  AT-RISK PLACEMENT.--If the minor is placed in the

30  prospective adoptive home before the parental rights of the

31  minor's birth parents are terminated under s. 63.089, the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  placement is an at-risk placement. If the placement is an

 2  at-risk placement, the prospective adoptive parents must

 3  acknowledge in writing before the minor may be placed in the

 4  prospective adoptive home that the placement is at risk and

 5  that the minor is subject to removal from the prospective

 6  adoptive home by the adoption entity or by court order.

 7         (3)(2)  PRELIMINARY HOME STUDY.--Before placing the

 8  minor in the intended adoptive home, a preliminary home study

 9  must be performed by a licensed child-placing agency, a

10  licensed professional, or agency described in s. 61.20(2),

11  unless the petitioner is a stepparent, a spouse of the birth

12  parent, or a relative.  The preliminary study shall be

13  completed within 30 days after the receipt by the court of the

14  adoption entity's intermediary's report, but in no event may

15  the minor child be placed in the prospective adoptive home

16  prior to the completion of the preliminary study unless

17  ordered by the court.  If the petitioner is a stepparent, a

18  spouse of the birth parent, or a relative, the preliminary

19  home study may be required by the court for good cause shown.

20  The department is required to perform the preliminary home

21  study only if there is no licensed child-placing agency,

22  licensed professional, or agency described in s. 61.20(2), in

23  the county where the prospective adoptive parents reside.  The

24  preliminary home study must be made to determine the

25  suitability of the intended adoptive parents and may be

26  completed prior to identification of a prospective adoptive

27  minor child.  A favorable preliminary home study is valid for

28  1 year after the date of its completion.  A minor may child

29  must not be placed in an intended adoptive home before a

30  favorable preliminary home study is completed unless the

31  adoptive home is also a licensed foster home under s. 409.175.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  The preliminary home study must include, at a minimum:

 2         (a)  An interview with the intended adoptive parents;

 3         (b)  Records checks of the department's central abuse

 4  registry under chapter 415 and statewide criminal records

 5  correspondence checks through the Department of Law

 6  Enforcement on the intended adoptive parents;

 7         (c)  An assessment of the physical environment of the

 8  home;

 9         (d)  A determination of the financial security of the

10  intended adoptive parents;

11         (e)  Documentation of counseling and education of the

12  intended adoptive parents on adoptive parenting;

13         (f)  Documentation that information on adoption and the

14  adoption process has been provided to the intended adoptive

15  parents;

16         (g)  Documentation that information on support services

17  available in the community has been provided to the intended

18  adoptive parents; and

19         (h)  A copy of each the signed acknowledgement

20  statement required by s. 63.085; and

21         (i)  A copy of the written acknowledgment required by

22  s. 63.085(1).

23

24  If the preliminary home study is favorable, a minor may be

25  placed in the home pending entry of the judgment of adoption.

26  A minor may not be placed in the home if the preliminary home

27  study is unfavorable.  If the preliminary home study is

28  unfavorable, the intermediary or petitioner may, within 20

29  days after receipt of a copy of the written recommendation,

30  petition the court to determine the suitability of the

31  intended adoptive home.  A determination as to suitability

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  under this subsection does not act as a presumption of

 2  suitability at the final hearing.  In determining the

 3  suitability of the intended adoptive home, the court must

 4  consider the totality of the circumstances in the home.

 5         Section 91.  Section 63.097, Florida Statutes, is

 6  amended to read:

 7         63.097  Fees.--

 8         (1)  The following fees, costs, and expenses may be

 9  assessed by the adoption entity or paid by the adoption entity

10  on behalf of the prospective adoptive parents:

11         (a)  Reasonable living expenses of the birth mother

12  which the birth mother is unable to pay due to involuntary

13  unemployment, medical disability due to the pregnancy which is

14  certified by a medical professional who has examined the birth

15  mother, or any other disability defined in s. 110.215.

16  Reasonable living expenses are rent, utilities, basic

17  telephone service, food, necessary clothing, transportation,

18  and items included in the affidavit filed under s. 63.132 and

19  found by the court to be necessary for the health of the

20  unborn child.

21         (b)  Reasonable and necessary medical expenses.

22         (c)  Expenses necessary to comply with the requirements

23  of this chapter including, but not limited to, service of

24  process under s. 63.088, a due diligence search under s.

25  63.088, a preliminary home study under s. 63.092, and a final

26  home study under s. 63.125.

27         (d)  Court filing expenses, court costs, and other

28  litigation expenses.

29         (e)  Costs associated with advertising under s.

30  63.212(1)(h).

31         (f)  The following professional fees:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         1.  A reasonable hourly fee necessary to provide legal

 2  representation to the adoptive parents in a proceeding filed

 3  under this chapter.

 4         2.  A reasonable hourly fee for contact with the birth

 5  parent related to the adoption. In determining a reasonable

 6  hourly fee under this subparagraph, the court must consider if

 7  the tasks done were clerical or of such a nature that the

 8  matter could have been handled by support staff at a lesser

 9  rate than the rate for legal representation charged under

10  subparagraph 1. This includes, but need not be limited to,

11  tasks such as transportation, transmitting funds, arranging

12  appointments, and securing accommodations. This does not

13  include obtaining a birth parent's signature on any document.

14         3.  A reasonable hourly fee for counseling services

15  provided to a birth parent or adoptive parent by a

16  psychologist licensed under chapter 490 or a clinical social

17  worker, marriage and family therapist, or mental health

18  counselor licensed under chapter 491.

19         (2)  Prior approval of the court is not required until

20  the cumulative total of amounts permitted under subsection (1)

21  exceeds:

22         (a)  $2,500 in legal or other fees;

23         (b)  $500 in court costs; or

24         (c)  $3,000 in expenditures.

25         (3)  Any fees, costs, or expenditures not included in

26  subsection (1) or prohibited under subsection (4) require

27  court approval prior to payment and must be based on a finding

28  of extraordinary circumstances.

29         (4)  The following fees, costs, and expenses are

30  prohibited:

31         1.  Any fee or expense that constitutes payment for

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  locating a minor for adoption.

 2         2.  Cumulative expenses in excess of a total of $500

 3  related to the minor, the pregnancy, a birth parent, or

 4  adoption proceeding which are incurred prior to the date the

 5  prospective adoptive parent retains the adoption entity.

 6         3.  Any lump-sum payment to the entity which is

 7  nonrefundable directly to the payor or which is not itemized

 8  on the affidavit filed under s. 63.132.

 9         4.  Any fee on the affidavit which does not specify the

10  service that was provided and for which the fee is being

11  charged, such as a fee for facilitation, acquisition, or other

12  similar service, or which does not identify the date the

13  service was provided, the time required to provide the

14  service, the person or entity providing the service, and the

15  hourly fee charged.

16         (1)  APPROVAL OF FEES TO INTERMEDIARIES.--Any fee over

17  $1,000 and those costs as set out in s. 63.212(1)(d) over

18  $2,500, paid to an intermediary other than actual, documented

19  medical costs, court costs, and hospital costs must be

20  approved by the court prior to assessment of the fee by the

21  intermediary and upon a showing of justification for the

22  larger fee.

23         (5)(2)  FEES FOR AGENCIES OR THE DEPARTMENT.--When an

24  intermediary uses the services of a licensed child-placing

25  agency, a professional, any other person or agency pursuant to

26  s. 63.092, or, if necessary, the department, the person

27  seeking to adopt the child must pay the licensed child-placing

28  agency, professional, other person or agency, or the

29  department an amount equal to the cost of all services

30  performed, including, but not limited to, the cost of

31  conducting the preliminary home study, counseling, and the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  final home investigation.  The court, upon a finding that the

 2  person seeking to adopt the child is financially unable to pay

 3  that amount, may order that such person pay a lesser amount.

 4         Section 92.  Section 63.102, Florida Statutes, is

 5  amended to read:

 6         63.102  Filing of petition; venue; proceeding for

 7  approval of fees and costs.--

 8         (1)  After a court order terminating parental rights

 9  has been issued, a proceeding for adoption may shall be

10  commenced by filing a petition entitled, "In the Matter of the

11  Adoption of ...." in the circuit court.  The person to be

12  adopted shall be designated in the caption in the name by

13  which he or she is to be known if the petition is granted.  If

14  the child is placed for adoption by an agency, Any name by

15  which the minor child was previously known may shall not be

16  disclosed in the petition, the notice of hearing, or the

17  judgment of adoption.

18         (2)  A petition for adoption or for a declaratory

19  statement as to the adoption contract shall be filed in the

20  county where the petitioner or petitioners or the minor child

21  resides or where the agency or intermediary with in which the

22  minor child has been placed is located.

23         (3)  Except for adoptions involving placement of a

24  minor child with a relative within the third degree of

25  consanguinity, a petition for adoption in an adoption handled

26  by an intermediary shall be filed within 30 working days after

27  placement of a minor child with a parent seeking to adopt the

28  minor child.  If no petition is filed within 30 days, any

29  interested party, including the state, may file an action

30  challenging the prospective adoptive parent's physical custody

31  of the minor child.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (4)  If the filing of the petition for adoption or for

 2  a declaratory statement as to the adoption contract in the

 3  county where the petitioner or minor child resides would tend

 4  to endanger the privacy of the petitioner or minor child, the

 5  petition for adoption may be filed in a different county,

 6  provided the substantive rights of any person will not thereby

 7  be affected.

 8         (5)  A proceeding for prior approval of fees and costs

 9  may be commenced any time after an agreement is reached

10  between the birth mother and the adoptive parents by filing a

11  petition for declaratory statement on the agreement entitled

12  "In the Matter of the Proposed Adoption of a Minor Child" in

13  the circuit court.

14         (a)  The petition must be filed jointly by the adoption

15  entity and each person who enters into the agreement.

16         (b)  A contract for the payment of fees, costs, and

17  expenditures permitted under this chapter must be in writing,

18  and any person who enters into the contract has 3 business

19  days in which to cancel the contract. To cancel the contract,

20  the person must notify the adoption entity in writing by

21  certified United States mail, return receipt requested, no

22  later than 3 business days after signing the contract. For the

23  purposes of this subsection, the term "business day" means a

24  day on which the United States Post Office accepts certified

25  mail for delivery. If the contract is canceled within the

26  first 3 business days, the person who cancels the contract

27  does not owe any legal, intermediary, or other fees, but may

28  be responsible for the adoption entity's actual costs during

29  that time.

30         (c)  The court may grant prior approval only of fees

31  and expenditures permitted under s. 63.097. A prior approval

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  of prospective fees and costs does not create a presumption

 2  that these items will subsequently be approved by the court

 3  under s. 63.132 unless such a finding is supported by the

 4  evidence submitted at that time. The court retains

 5  jurisdiction to order an adoption entity to refund to the

 6  person who enters into the contract any sum or portion of a

 7  sum preapproved under this subsection if, upon submission of a

 8  complete accounting of fees, costs, and expenses in an

 9  affidavit required under s. 63.132, the court finds the fees,

10  costs, and expenses actually incurred to be less than the sums

11  approved prospectively under this subsection.

12         (d)  The contract may not require, and the court may

13  not approve, any lump-sum payment to the entity which is

14  nonrefundable to the payor or any amount that constitutes

15  payment for locating a minor for adoption.

16         (e)  If a petition for adoption is filed under this

17  section subsequent to the filing of a petition for a

18  declaratory statement or a petition to terminate parental

19  rights pending adoption, the previous petition may, at the

20  request of any party or on the court's own motion, be

21  consolidated with the petition for adoption. If the petition

22  for adoption is consolidated with a prior petition filed under

23  this chapter for which a filing fee has been paid, the

24  petitioner may not be charged any subsequent or additional

25  filing fee.

26         (f)  Prior approval of fees and costs by the court does

27  not obligate the birth parent to ultimately relinquish the

28  minor for adoption. If a petition for adoption is subsequently

29  filed, the petition for declaratory statement and the petition

30  for adoption must be consolidated into one case.

31         Section 93.  Section 63.112, Florida Statutes, is

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  amended to read:

 2         63.112  Petition for adoption; description; report or

 3  recommendation, exceptions; mailing.--

 4         (1)  A sufficient number of copies of the petition for

 5  adoption shall be signed and verified by the petitioner and

 6  filed with the clerk of the court so that service may be made

 7  under subsection (4) and shall state:

 8         (a)  The date and place of birth of the person to be

 9  adopted, if known;

10         (b)  The name to be given to the person to be adopted;

11         (c)  The date petitioner acquired custody of the minor

12  and the name of the person placing the minor;

13         (d)  The full name, age, and place and duration of

14  residence of the petitioner;

15         (e)  The marital status of the petitioner, including

16  the date and place of marriage, if married, and divorces, if

17  any;

18         (f)  The facilities and resources of the petitioner,

19  including those under a subsidy agreement, available to

20  provide for the care of the minor to be adopted;

21         (g)  A description and estimate of the value of any

22  property of the person to be adopted;

23         (h)  The case style and date of entry of the order

24  terminating parental rights or the judgment declaring a minor

25  available for adoption name and address, if known, of any

26  person whose consent to the adoption is required, but who has

27  not consented, and facts or circumstances that excuse the lack

28  of consent; and

29         (i)  The reasons why the petitioner desires to adopt

30  the person.

31         (2)  The following documents are required to be filed

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  with the clerk of the court at the time the petition is filed:

 2         (a)  A certified copy of the court order terminating

 3  parental rights under chapter 39 or the judgment declaring a

 4  minor available for adoption under this chapter The required

 5  consents, unless consent is excused by the court.

 6         (b)  The favorable preliminary home study of the

 7  department, licensed child-placing agency, or professional

 8  pursuant to s. 63.092, as to the suitability of the home in

 9  which the minor has been placed.

10         (c)  The surrender document must include documentation

11  that an interview was interviews were held with:

12         1.  The birth mother, if parental rights have not been

13  terminated;

14         2.  The birth father, if his consent to the adoption is

15  required and parental rights have not been terminated; and

16         3.  the minor child, if older than 12 years of age,

17  unless the court, in the best interest of the minor child,

18  dispenses with the minor's child's consent under s.

19  63.062(1)(e) 63.062(1)(c).

20

21  The court may waive the requirement for an interview with the

22  birth mother or birth father in the investigation for good

23  cause shown.

24         (3)  Unless ordered by the court, no report or

25  recommendation is required when the placement is a stepparent

26  adoption or when the minor child is related to one of the

27  adoptive parents within the third degree.

28         (4)  The clerk of the court shall mail a copy of the

29  petition within 24 hours after filing, and execute a

30  certificate of mailing, to the department and the agency

31  placing the minor, if any.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         Section 94.  Section 63.122, Florida Statutes, is

 2  amended to read:

 3         63.122  Notice of hearing on petition.--

 4         (1)  After the petition to adopt a minor is filed, the

 5  court must establish a time and place for hearing the

 6  petition. The hearing may must not be held sooner than 30 days

 7  after the date the judgment terminating parental rights was

 8  entered or sooner than 90 days after the date the minor was

 9  placed the placing of the minor in the physical custody of the

10  petitioner.  The minor must remain under the supervision of

11  the department, an intermediary, or a licensed child-placing

12  agency until the adoption becomes final.  When the petitioner

13  is a spouse of the birth parent, the hearing may be held

14  immediately after the filing of the petition.

15         (2)  Notice of hearing must be given as prescribed by

16  the rules of civil procedure, and service of process must be

17  made as specified by law for civil actions.

18         (3)  Upon a showing by the petitioner that the privacy

19  of the petitioner or minor child may be endangered, the court

20  may order the names of the petitioner or minor child, or both,

21  to be deleted from the notice of hearing and from the copy of

22  the petition attached thereto, provided the substantive rights

23  of any person will not thereby be affected.

24         (4)  Notice of the hearing must be given by the

25  petitioner to the adoption entity that places the minor.:

26         (a)  The department or any licensed child-placing

27  agency placing the minor.

28         (b)  The intermediary.

29         (c)  Any person whose consent to the adoption is

30  required by this act who has not consented, unless such

31  person's consent is excused by the court.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (d)  Any person who is seeking to withdraw consent.

 2         (5)  After filing the petition to adopt an adult, a

 3  notice of the time and place of the hearing must be given to

 4  any person whose consent to the adoption is required but who

 5  has not consented.  The court may order an appropriate

 6  investigation to assist in determining whether the adoption is

 7  in the best interest of the persons involved.

 8         Section 95.  Section 63.125, Florida Statutes, is

 9  amended to read:

10         63.125  Final home investigation.--

11         (1)  The final home investigation must be conducted

12  before the adoption becomes final.  The investigation may be

13  conducted by a licensed child-placing agency or a professional

14  in the same manner as provided in s. 63.092 to ascertain

15  whether the adoptive home is a suitable home for the minor and

16  whether the proposed adoption is in the best interest of the

17  minor.  Unless directed by the court, an investigation and

18  recommendation are not required if the petitioner is a

19  stepparent or if the minor child is related to one of the

20  adoptive parents within the third degree of consanguinity.

21  The department is required to perform the home investigation

22  only if there is no licensed child-placing agency or

23  professional pursuant to s. 63.092 in the county in which the

24  prospective adoptive parent resides.

25         (2)  The department, the licensed child-placing agency,

26  or the professional that performs the investigation must file

27  a written report of the investigation with the court and the

28  petitioner within 90 days after the date the petition is

29  filed.

30         (3)  The report of the investigation must contain an

31  evaluation of the placement with a recommendation on the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  granting of the petition for adoption and any other

 2  information the court requires regarding the petitioner or the

 3  minor.

 4         (4)  The department, the licensed child-placing agency,

 5  or the professional making the required investigation may

 6  request other state agencies or child-placing agencies within

 7  or outside this state to make investigations of designated

 8  parts of the inquiry and to make a written report to the

 9  department, the professional, or other person or agency.

10         (5)  The final home investigation must include:

11         (a)  The information from the preliminary home study.

12         (b)  After the minor child is placed in the intended

13  adoptive home, two scheduled visits with the minor child and

14  the minor's child's adoptive parent or parents, one of which

15  visits must be in the home, to determine the suitability of

16  the placement.

17         (c)  The family social and medical history as provided

18  in s. 63.082.

19         (d)  Any other information relevant to the suitability

20  of the intended adoptive home.

21         (e)  Any other relevant information, as provided in

22  rules that the department may adopt.

23         Section 96.  Section 63.132, Florida Statutes, is

24  amended to read:

25         63.132  Affidavit Report of expenditures and

26  receipts.--

27         (1)  At least 10 days before the hearing on the

28  petition for adoption, the petitioner and any adoption entity

29  intermediary must file two copies of an affidavit under this

30  section.

31         (a)  The affidavit must be signed by the adoption

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  entity and the prospective adoptive parents. A copy of the

 2  affidavit must be provided to the adoptive parents at the time

 3  the affidavit is executed.

 4         (b)  The affidavit must itemize containing a full

 5  accounting of all disbursements and receipts of anything of

 6  value, including professional and legal fees, made or agreed

 7  to be made by or on behalf of the petitioner and any adoption

 8  entity intermediary in connection with the adoption or in

 9  connection with any prior proceeding to terminate parental

10  rights which involved the minor who is the subject of the

11  petition for adoption. The affidavit must also include, for

12  each fee itemized, the service provided for which the fee is

13  being charged, the date the service was provided, the time

14  required to provide the service, the person or entity that

15  provided the service, and the hourly fee charged.

16         (c)  The clerk of the court shall forward a copy of the

17  affidavit to the department. The department must retain these

18  records for 5 years. Copies of affidavits received by the

19  department under this subsection must be provided upon the

20  request of any person. The department must redact all

21  identifying references to the minor, the birth parent, or the

22  adoptive parent from any affidavit released by the department.

23  The name of the adoption entity may not be redacted. The

24  intent of this paragraph is to create a resource for adoptive

25  parents and others wishing to obtain information about the

26  cost of adoption in this state.

27         (d)  The affidavit report must show any expenses or

28  receipts incurred in connection with:

29         1.(a)  The birth of the minor.

30         2.(b)  The placement of the minor with the petitioner.

31         3.(c)  The medical or hospital care received by the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  mother or by the minor during the mother's prenatal care and

 2  confinement.

 3         4.(d)  The living expenses of the birth mother.  The

 4  living expenses must be documented in detail to apprise the

 5  court of the exact expenses incurred.

 6         5.(e)  The services relating to the adoption or to the

 7  placement of the minor for adoption that were received by or

 8  on behalf of the petitioner, the adoption entity intermediary,

 9  either birth natural parent, the minor, or any other person.

10

11  The affidavit must state whether any of these expenses were or

12  are eligible to be paid for by collateral sources, including,

13  but not limited to, health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or

14  public assistance.

15         (2)  The court may require such additional information

16  as is deemed necessary.

17         (3)  The court must issue a separate order approving or

18  disapproving the fees, costs, and expenditures itemized in the

19  affidavit. The court may approve only fees, costs, and

20  expenditures allowed under s. 63.097. The court may reject in

21  whole or in part any fee, cost, or expenditure listed if the

22  court finds that the expense is:

23         (a)  Contrary to this chapter;

24         (b)  Not supported by a receipt in the record, if the

25  expense is not a fee of the adoption entity; or

26         (c)  Not deemed by the court to be a reasonable fee or

27  expense, taking into consideration the requirements of this

28  chapter and the totality of the circumstances.

29         (4)(3)  This section does not apply to an adoption by a

30  stepparent whose spouse is a birth natural or adoptive parent

31  of the minor child.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         Section 97.  Section 63.142, Florida Statutes, is

 2  amended to read:

 3         63.142  Hearing; judgment of adoption.--

 4         (1)  APPEARANCE.--The petitioner and the person to be

 5  adopted shall appear at the hearing on the petition for

 6  adoption, unless:

 7         (a)  The person is a minor under 12 years of age;, or

 8         (b)  The presence of either is excused by the court for

 9  good cause.

10         (2)  CONTINUANCE.--The court may continue the hearing

11  from time to time to permit further observation,

12  investigation, or consideration of any facts or circumstances

13  affecting the granting of the petition.

14         (3)  DISMISSAL.--

15         (a)  If the petition is dismissed, the court shall

16  determine the person that is to have custody of the minor.

17         (b)  If the petition is dismissed, the court shall

18  state with specificity the reasons for the dismissal.

19         (4)  JUDGMENT.--At the conclusion of the hearing, after

20  when the court determines that the date for a birth parent to

21  file an appeal of a valid judgment terminating that birth

22  parent's parental rights has passed and no appeal is pending

23  all necessary consents have been obtained and that the

24  adoption is in the best interest of the person to be adopted,

25  a judgment of adoption shall be entered.

26         (a)  A judgment terminating parental rights pending

27  adoption is voidable and any later judgment of adoption of

28  that minor is voidable if, upon the motion of the birth

29  parent, the court finds that any person knowingly gave false

30  information that prevented the birth parent from timely making

31  known his or her desire to assume parental responsibilities

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  toward the minor or meeting the requirements under this

 2  chapter to exercise his or her parental rights. A motion under

 3  this paragraph must be filed with the court that entered the

 4  original judgment. The motion must be filed within a

 5  reasonable time, but not later than 1 year after the date the

 6  termination of parental rights final order was entered.

 7         (b)  Not later than 30 days after the filing of a

 8  motion under this subsection, the court must conduct a

 9  preliminary hearing to determine what contact, if any, shall

10  be permitted between a birth parent and the child pending

11  resolution of the motion. Such contact shall only be

12  considered if it is requested by a birth parent who has

13  appeared at the hearing. If the court orders contact between a

14  birth parent and child, the order must be issued in writing as

15  expeditiously as possible and must state with specificity any

16  provisions regarding contact with persons other than those

17  with whom the child resides.

18         (c)  At the preliminary hearing, the court, upon the

19  motion of any party or its own motion, may order scientific

20  testing to determine the paternity of the minor if the person

21  seeking to set aside the judgment is alleging to be the

22  child's birth father and that fact has not previously been

23  determined by legitimacy or scientific testing. The court may

24  order supervised visitation with a person from whom scientific

25  testing for paternity has been ordered conditional upon the

26  filing of those test results with the court and such results

27  establish that person's paternity of the minor.

28         (d)  No later than 45 days after the preliminary

29  hearing, the court must conduct a final hearing on the motion

30  to set aside the judgment and issue its written order as

31  expeditiously as possible thereafter.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         Section 98.  Section 63.152, Florida Statutes, is

 2  amended to read:

 3         63.152  Application for new birth record.--Within 30

 4  days after entry of a judgment of adoption, the clerk of the

 5  court, and in agency adoptions, any child-placing agency

 6  licensed by the department, shall prepare a certified

 7  statement of the entry for the state registrar of vital

 8  statistics on a form provided by the registrar.  The clerk of

 9  the court must mail a copy of the form completed under this

10  section to the state registry of adoption information under s.

11  63.165. A new birth record containing the necessary

12  information supplied by the certificate shall be issued by the

13  registrar on application of the adopting parents or the

14  adopted person.

15         Section 99.  Section 63.165, Florida Statutes, is

16  amended to read:

17         63.165  State registry of adoption information; duty to

18  inform and explain.--Notwithstanding any other law to the

19  contrary, the department shall maintain a registry with the

20  last known names and addresses of an adoptee and his or her

21  birth natural parents and adoptive parents; the certified

22  statement of the final decree of adoption provided by the

23  clerk of the court under s. 63.152; and any other identifying

24  information that which the adoptee, birth natural parents, or

25  adoptive parents desire to include in the registry. The

26  department shall maintain the registry records for the time

27  required by rules adopted by the department in accordance with

28  this chapter or for 99 years, whichever period is greater. The

29  registry shall be open with respect to all adoptions in the

30  state, regardless of when they took place. The registry shall

31  be available for those persons choosing to enter information

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  therein, but no one shall be required to do so.

 2         (1)  Anyone seeking to enter, change, or use

 3  information in the registry, or any agent of such person,

 4  shall present verification of his or her identity and, if

 5  applicable, his or her authority.  A person who enters

 6  information in the registry shall be required to indicate

 7  clearly the persons to whom he or she is consenting to release

 8  this information, which persons shall be limited to the

 9  adoptee and the birth natural mother, birth natural father,

10  adoptive mother, adoptive father, birth natural siblings, and

11  maternal and paternal birth natural grandparents of the

12  adoptee.  Except as provided in this section, information in

13  the registry is confidential and exempt from the provisions of

14  s. 119.07(1). Consent to the release of this information may

15  be made in the case of a minor adoptee by his or her adoptive

16  parents or by the court after a showing of good cause.  At any

17  time, any person may withdraw, limit, or otherwise restrict

18  consent to release information by notifying the department in

19  writing.

20         (2)  The department may charge a reasonable fee to any

21  person seeking to enter, change, or use information in the

22  registry.  The department shall deposit such fees in a trust

23  fund to be used by the department only for the efficient

24  administration of this section. The department and agencies

25  shall make counseling available for a fee to all persons

26  seeking to use the registry, and the department shall inform

27  all affected persons of the availability of such counseling.

28         (3)  The department, intermediary, or licensed

29  child-placing agency must inform the birth parents before

30  parental rights are terminated, and the adoptive parents

31  before placement, in writing, of the existence and purpose of

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  the registry established under this section, but failure to do

 2  so does not affect the validity of any proceeding under this

 3  chapter.

 4         Section 100.  Section 63.182, Florida Statutes, is

 5  amended to read:

 6         (Substantial rewording of section. See

 7         s. 63.182, F.S., for present text.)

 8         63.182  Statute of repose.--An action or proceeding of

 9  any kind to vacate, set aside, or otherwise nullify an order

10  of adoption or an underlying order terminating parental rights

11  on any ground, including fraud or duress, must be filed within

12  1 year after entry of the order terminating parental rights.

13         Section 101.  Section 63.207, Florida Statutes, is

14  amended to read:

15         63.207  Out-of-state placement.--

16         (1)  Unless the minor child is to be placed with a

17  relative within the third degree or with a stepparent, or is a

18  special needs child as defined in s. 409.166, an adoption

19  entity may not no person except an intermediary, an agency, or

20  the department shall:

21         (a)  Take or send a minor child out of the state for

22  the purpose of placement for adoption; or

23         (b)  Place or attempt to place a minor child for the

24  purpose of adoption with a family who primarily lives and

25  works outside Florida in another state.  An intermediary may

26  place or attempt to place a child for adoption in another

27  state only if the child is a special needs child as that term

28  is defined in s. 409.166.  If an adoption entity intermediary

29  is acting under this subsection, the adoption entity must

30  intermediary shall file a petition for declaratory statement

31  pursuant to s. 63.102 for prior approval of fees and costs.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  The court shall review the costs pursuant to s. 63.097.  The

 2  petition for declaratory statement must be converted to a

 3  petition for an adoption upon placement of the minor child in

 4  the home.  The circuit court in this state must retain

 5  jurisdiction over the matter until the adoption becomes final.

 6  The adoptive parents must come to this state to have the

 7  adoption finalized.  Violation of the order subjects the

 8  adoption entity intermediary to contempt of court and to the

 9  penalties provided in s. 63.212.

10         (2)  An adoption entity intermediary may not counsel a

11  birth mother to leave the state for the purpose of giving

12  birth to a child outside the state in order to secure a fee in

13  excess of that permitted under s. 63.097 when it is the

14  intention that the child is to be placed for adoption outside

15  the state.

16         (3)  When applicable, the Interstate Compact on the

17  Placement of Children authorized in s. 409.401 shall be used

18  in placing children outside the state for adoption.

19         Section 102.  Section 63.212, Florida Statutes, is

20  amended to read:

21         63.212  Prohibited acts; penalties for violation.--

22         (1)  It is unlawful for any person:

23         (a)  Except an adoption entity the department, an

24  intermediary, or an agency, to place or attempt to place a

25  minor child for adoption with a person who primarily lives and

26  works outside this state unless the minor child is placed with

27  a relative within the third degree or with a stepparent or is

28  a special needs child as defined in s. 409.166.  An adoption

29  entity intermediary may place or attempt to place a special

30  needs child for adoption with a person who primarily lives and

31  works outside this state only if the adoption entity

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  intermediary has a declaratory statement from the court

 2  establishing the fees to be paid under s. 63.207.  This

 3  requirement does not apply if the minor child is placed with a

 4  relative within the third degree or with a stepparent.

 5         (b)  Except an adoption entity the department, an

 6  intermediary, or an agency, to place or attempt to place a

 7  minor child for adoption with a family whose primary residence

 8  and place of employment is in another state unless the minor

 9  child is placed with a relative within the third degree or

10  with a stepparent.  An adoption entity intermediary may place

11  or attempt to place a special needs child for adoption with a

12  family whose primary residence and place of employment is in

13  another state only if the adoption entity intermediary has a

14  declaratory statement from the court establishing the fees to

15  be paid.  This requirement does not apply if the special needs

16  child is placed with a relative within the third degree or

17  with a stepparent.

18         (c)  Except an adoption entity the Department of

19  Children and Family Services, an agency, or an intermediary,

20  to place or attempt to place within the state a minor child

21  for adoption unless the minor child is placed with a relative

22  within the third degree or with a stepparent.  This

23  prohibition, however, does not apply to a person who is

24  placing or attempting to place a minor child for the purpose

25  of adoption with the adoption entity Department of Children

26  and Family Services or an agency or through an intermediary.

27         (d)  To sell or surrender, or to arrange for the sale

28  or surrender of, a minor child to another person for money or

29  anything of value or to receive such minor child for such

30  payment or thing of value.  If a minor child is being adopted

31  by a relative within the third degree or by a stepparent, or

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  is being adopted through an adoption entity, this paragraph

 2  does not prohibit the Department of Children and Family

 3  Services, an agency, or an intermediary, nothing herein shall

 4  be construed as prohibiting the person who is contemplating

 5  adopting the child from paying, under s. 63.097 and s. 63.132,

 6  the actual prenatal care and living expenses of the mother of

 7  the child to be adopted, nor from paying, under s. 63.097 and

 8  s. 63.132, the actual living and medical expenses of such

 9  mother for a reasonable time, not to exceed 6 weeks, if

10  medical needs require such support, after the birth of the

11  minor child.

12         (e)  Having the rights and duties of a parent with

13  respect to the care and custody of a minor to assign or

14  transfer such parental rights for the purpose of, incidental

15  to, or otherwise connected with, selling or offering to sell

16  such rights and duties.

17         (f)  To assist in the commission of any act prohibited

18  in paragraph (a), paragraph (b), paragraph (c), paragraph (d),

19  or paragraph (e).

20         (g)  Except an adoption entity the Department of

21  Children and Family Services or an agency, to charge or accept

22  any fee or compensation of any nature from anyone for making a

23  referral in connection with an adoption.

24         (h)  Except an adoption entity the Department of

25  Children and Family Services, an agency, or an intermediary,

26  to advertise or offer to the public, in any way, by any medium

27  whatever that a minor child is available for adoption or that

28  a minor child is sought for adoption; and further, it is

29  unlawful for any person to publish or broadcast any such

30  advertisement without including a Florida license number of

31  the agency or, attorney, or physician placing the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  advertisement.

 2         (i)  To contract for the purchase, sale, or transfer of

 3  custody or parental rights in connection with any child, or in

 4  connection with any fetus yet unborn, or in connection with

 5  any fetus identified in any way but not yet conceived, in

 6  return for any valuable consideration.  Any such contract is

 7  void and unenforceable as against the public policy of this

 8  state.  However, fees, costs, and other incidental payments

 9  made in accordance with statutory provisions for adoption,

10  foster care, and child welfare are permitted, and a person may

11  agree to pay expenses in connection with a preplanned adoption

12  agreement as specified below, but the payment of such expenses

13  may not be conditioned upon the transfer of parental rights.

14  Each petition for adoption which is filed in connection with a

15  preplanned adoption agreement must clearly identify the

16  adoption as a preplanned adoption arrangement and must include

17  a copy of the preplanned adoption agreement for review by the

18  court.

19         1.  Individuals may enter into a preplanned adoption

20  arrangement as specified herein, but such arrangement shall

21  not in any way:

22         a.  Effect final transfer of custody of a child or

23  final adoption of a child, without review and approval of the

24  department and the court, and without compliance with other

25  applicable provisions of law.

26         b.  Constitute consent of a mother to place her child

27  for adoption until 7 days following birth, and unless the

28  court making the custody determination or approving the

29  adoption determines that the mother was aware of her right to

30  rescind within the 7-day period following birth but chose not

31  to rescind such consent.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         2.  A preplanned adoption arrangement shall be based

 2  upon a preplanned adoption agreement that must which shall

 3  include, but need not be limited to, the following terms:

 4         a.  That the volunteer mother agrees to become pregnant

 5  by the fertility technique specified in the agreement, to bear

 6  the child, and to terminate any parental rights and

 7  responsibilities to the child she might have through a written

 8  consent executed at the same time as the preplanned adoption

 9  agreement, subject to a right of rescission by the volunteer

10  mother any time within 7 days after the birth of the child.

11         b.  That the volunteer mother agrees to submit to

12  reasonable medical evaluation and treatment and to adhere to

13  reasonable medical instructions about her prenatal health.

14         c.  That the volunteer mother acknowledges that she is

15  aware that she will assume parental rights and

16  responsibilities for the child born to her as otherwise

17  provided by law for a mother, if the intended father and

18  intended mother terminate the agreement before final transfer

19  of custody is completed, or if a court determines that a

20  parent clearly specified by the preplanned adoption agreement

21  to be the biological parent is not the biological parent, or

22  if the preplanned adoption is not approved by the court

23  pursuant to the Florida Adoption Act.

24         d.  That an intended father who is also the biological

25  father acknowledges that he is aware that he will assume

26  parental rights and responsibilities for the child as

27  otherwise provided by law for a father, if the agreement is

28  terminated for any reason by any party before final transfer

29  of custody is completed or if the planned adoption is not

30  approved by the court pursuant to the Florida Adoption Act.

31         e.  That the intended father and intended mother

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  acknowledge that they may not receive custody or the parental

 2  rights under the agreement if the volunteer mother terminates

 3  the agreement or if the volunteer mother rescinds her consent

 4  to place her child for adoption within 7 days after birth.

 5         f.  That the intended father and intended mother may

 6  agree to pay all reasonable legal, medical, psychological, or

 7  psychiatric expenses of the volunteer mother related to the

 8  preplanned adoption arrangement, and may agree to pay the

 9  reasonable living expenses of the volunteer mother.  No other

10  compensation, whether in cash or in kind, shall be made

11  pursuant to a preplanned adoption arrangement.

12         g.  That the intended father and intended mother agree

13  to accept custody of and to assert full parental rights and

14  responsibilities for the child immediately upon the child's

15  birth, regardless of any impairment to the child.

16         h.  That the intended father and intended mother shall

17  have the right to specify the blood and tissue typing tests to

18  be performed if the agreement specifies that at least one of

19  them is intended to be the biological parent of the child.

20         i.  That the agreement may be terminated at any time by

21  any of the parties.

22         3.  A preplanned adoption agreement shall not contain

23  any provision:

24         a.  To reduce any amount paid to the volunteer mother

25  if the child is stillborn or is born alive but impaired, or to

26  provide for the payment of a supplement or bonus for any

27  reason.

28         b.  Requiring the termination of the volunteer mother's

29  pregnancy.

30         4.  An attorney who represents an intended father and

31  intended mother or any other attorney with whom that attorney

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  is associated shall not represent simultaneously a female who

 2  is or proposes to be a volunteer mother in any matter relating

 3  to a preplanned adoption agreement or preplanned adoption

 4  arrangement.

 5         5.  Payment to agents, finders, and intermediaries,

 6  including attorneys and physicians, as a finder's fee for

 7  finding volunteer mothers or matching a volunteer mother and

 8  intended father and intended mother is prohibited.  Doctors,

 9  psychologists, attorneys, and other professionals may receive

10  reasonable compensation for their professional services, such

11  as providing medical services and procedures, legal advice in

12  structuring and negotiating a preplanned adoption agreement,

13  or counseling.

14         6.  As used in this paragraph, the term:

15         a.  "Blood and tissue typing tests" include, but are

16  not limited to, tests of red cell antigens, red cell

17  isoenzymes, human leukocyte antigens, and serum proteins.

18         b.  "Child" means the child or children conceived by

19  means of an insemination that is part of a preplanned adoption

20  arrangement.

21         c.  "Fertility technique" means artificial

22  embryonation, artificial insemination, whether in vivo or in

23  vitro, egg donation, or embryo adoption.

24         d.  "Intended father" means a male who, as evidenced by

25  a preplanned adoption agreement, intends to have the parental

26  rights and responsibilities for a child conceived through a

27  fertility technique, regardless of whether the child is

28  biologically related to the male.

29         e.  "Intended mother" means a female who, as evidenced

30  by a preplanned adoption agreement, intends to have the

31  parental rights and responsibilities for a child conceived

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  through a fertility technique, regardless of whether the child

 2  is biologically related to the female.

 3         f.  "Parties" means the intended father and intended

 4  mother, the volunteer mother and her husband, if she has a

 5  husband, who are all parties to the preplanned adoption

 6  agreement.

 7         g.  "Preplanned adoption agreement" means a written

 8  agreement among the parties that specifies the intent of the

 9  parties as to their rights and responsibilities in the

10  preplanned adoption arrangement, consistent with the

11  provisions of this act.

12         h.  "Preplanned adoption arrangement" means the

13  arrangement through which the parties enter into an agreement

14  for the volunteer mother to bear the child, for payment by the

15  intended father and intended mother of the expenses allowed by

16  this act, for the intended father and intended mother to

17  assert full parental rights and responsibilities to the child

18  if consent to adoption is not rescinded after birth by the

19  volunteer mother, and for the volunteer mother to terminate,

20  subject to a right of rescission, in favor of the intended

21  father and intended mother all her parental rights and

22  responsibilities to the child.

23         i.  "Volunteer mother" means a female person at least

24  18 years of age who voluntarily agrees, subject to a right of

25  rescission, that if she should become pregnant pursuant to a

26  preplanned adoption arrangement, she will terminate in favor

27  of the intended father and intended mother her parental rights

28  and responsibilities to the child.

29         (2)  This section does not Nothing herein shall be

30  construed to prohibit a licensed child-placing agency from

31  charging fees reasonably commensurate to the services

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  provided.

 2         (3)  It is unlawful for any adoption entity

 3  intermediary to fail to report to the court, prior to

 4  placement, the intended placement of a minor child for

 5  purposes of adoption with any person not a stepparent or a

 6  relative within the third degree, if the adoption entity

 7  intermediary participates in such intended placement.

 8         (4)  It is unlawful for any adoption entity

 9  intermediary to charge any fee over $1,000 and those costs as

10  set out in paragraph (1)(d) over $2,500, other than for actual

11  documented medical costs, court costs, and hospital costs

12  unless such fee is approved by the court prior to the

13  assessment of the fee by the adoption entity intermediary and

14  upon a showing of justification for the larger fee.

15         (5)  It is unlawful for any adoption entity

16  intermediary to counsel a birth mother to leave the state for

17  the purpose of giving birth to a child outside the state in

18  order to secure a fee in excess of that permitted under s.

19  63.097 when it is the intention that the child be placed for

20  adoption outside the state.

21         (6)  It is unlawful for any adoption entity

22  intermediary to obtain a preliminary home study or final home

23  investigation and fail to disclose the existence of the study

24  to the court.

25         (7)  A person who violates any provision of this

26  section, excluding paragraph (1)(h), is guilty of a felony of

27  the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.

28  775.083, or s. 775.084.  A person who violates paragraph

29  (1)(h) is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree,

30  punishable as provided in s. 775.083; and each day of

31  continuing violation shall be considered a separate offense.

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 1         Section 103.  Section 63.072, Florida Statutes, is

 2  repealed.

 3         Section 104.  Any petition for adoption filed before

 4  October 1, 1998, shall be governed by the law in effect at the

 5  time the petition was filed.

 6         Section 105.  Section 39.813, Florida Statutes, is

 7  created to read:

 8         39.813  Continuing jurisdiction.--The court that

 9  terminates the parental rights of a child who is the subject

10  of termination proceedings pursuant to this chapter shall

11  retain exclusive jurisdiction in all matters pertaining to the

12  child's adoption pursuant to chapter 63.

13         Section 106.  Section 39.471, Florida Statutes, is

14  renumbered as section 39.814, Florida Statutes.

15         Section 107.  Section 39.473, Florida Statutes, is

16  renumbered as section 39.815, Florida Statutes, and subsection

17  (1) of said section is amended to read:

18         39.815 39.473  Appeal.--

19         (1)  Any child, any parent or, guardian ad litem, or

20  legal custodian of any child, any other party to the

21  proceeding who is affected by an order of the court, or the

22  department may appeal to the appropriate district court of

23  appeal within the time and in the manner prescribed by the

24  Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. The district court of

25  appeal shall give an appeal from an order terminating parental

26  rights priority in docketing and shall render a decision on

27  the appeal as expeditiously as possible. Appointed counsel

28  shall be compensated as provided in s. 39.0134 39.474.

29         Section 108.  Section 39.816, Florida Statutes, is

30  created to read:

31         39.816  Authorization for pilot and demonstration

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    Amendment No.    





 1  projects.--

 2         (1)  Contingent upon receipt of a federal grant or

 3  contract pursuant to s. 473A(i) of the Social Security Act, 42

 4  U.S.C. 673A(i), enacted November 19, 1997, the department is

 5  authorized to establish one or more pilot projects for the

 6  following purposes:

 7         (a)  The development of best practice guidelines for

 8  expediting termination of parental rights.

 9         (b)  The development of models to encourage the use of

10  concurrent planning.

11         (c)  The development of specialized units and expertise

12  in moving children toward adoption as a permanency goal.

13         (d)  The development of risk-assessment tools to

14  facilitate early identification of the children who will be at

15  risk of harm if returned home.

16         (e)  The development of models to encourage the

17  fast-tracking into preadoptive placements of children who have

18  not attained 1 year of age.

19         (f)  The development of programs that place children

20  into preadoptive families without waiting for termination of

21  parental rights.

22         (2)  Contingent upon receipt of federal authorization

23  and funding pursuant to s. 1130(a) of the Social Security Act,

24  42 U.S.C. 1320a-9, enacted November 19, 1997, the department

25  is authorized to establish one or more demonstration projects

26  for the following purposes:

27         (a)  Identifying and addressing barriers that result in

28  delays to adoptive placements for children in out-of-home

29  care.

30         (b)  Identifying and addressing parental substance

31  abuse problems that endanger children and result in the

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    Amendment No.    





 1  placement of children in out-of-home care. This purpose may be

 2  accomplished through the placement of children with their

 3  parents in residential treatment facilities, including

 4  residential treatment facilities for post-partum depression,

 5  which are specifically designed to serve parents and children

 6  together, in order to promote family reunification, and which

 7  can ensure the health and safety of the children.

 8         (c)  Addressing kinship care.

 9         Section 109.  Section 39.817, Florida Statutes, is

10  created to read:

11         39.817  Foster care privatization demonstration pilot

12  project.--A pilot project shall be established through The

13  Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida to contract with a private

14  entity for a foster care privatization demonstration project.

15  No more then 30 children with a goal of family reunification

16  shall be accepted into the program on a no-eject-or-reject

17  basis as identified by the department. Sibling groups shall be

18  kept together in one placement in their own communities.

19  Foster care parents shall be paid employees of the program.

20  The program shall provide for public/private partnerships,

21  community collaboration, counseling, and medical and legal

22  assistance, as needed. For purposes of identifying measurable

23  outcomes, the pilot project shall be located in a department

24  district with an integrated district management which was

25  selected as a family transition program site, has a population

26  of less than 500,000, has a total caseload of no more than

27  400, with and without board payment, and has a total foster

28  care case load of no more than 250.

29         Section 110.  Part X of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

30  consisting of sections 39.820, 39.821, 39.822, 39.823, 39.824,

31  39.825, 39.826, 39.827, 39.828, 39.829, and 39.8295, Florida

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    Amendment No.    





 1  Statutes, shall be entitled to read:

 2                              PART X

 3            GUARDIANS AD LITEM AND GUARDIAN ADVOCATES

 4         Section 111.  Section 39.820, Florida Statutes, is

 5  created to read:

 6         39.820  Definitions.--As used in this part, the term:

 7         (1)  "Guardian ad litem" as referred to in any civil or

 8  criminal proceeding includes the following: a certified

 9  guardian ad litem program; a duly certified volunteer; a staff

10  attorney, contract attorney, or certified pro bono attorney

11  working on behalf of a guardian ad litem or the program; staff

12  members of a program office; a court-appointed attorney; or a

13  responsible adult who is appointed by the court to represent

14  the best interests of a child in a proceeding as provided for

15  by law, including, but not limited to, this chapter, who is a

16  party to any judicial proceeding as a representative of the

17  child, and who serves until discharged by the court.

18         (2)  "Guardian advocate" means a person appointed by

19  the court to act on behalf of a drug-dependent newborn

20  pursuant to the provisions of this part.

21         Section 112.  Section 415.5077, Florida Statutes, is

22  renumbered as section 39.821, Florida Statutes.

23         Section 113.  Section 415.508, Florida Statutes, is

24  renumbered as section 39.822, Florida Statutes, and amended to

25  read:

26         39.822 415.508  Appointment of guardian ad litem for

27  abused, abandoned, or neglected child.--

28         (1)  A guardian ad litem shall be appointed by the

29  court at the earliest possible time to represent the child in

30  any child abuse, abandonment, or neglect judicial proceeding,

31  whether civil or criminal.  Any person participating in a

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    Amendment No.    





 1  civil or criminal judicial proceeding resulting from such

 2  appointment shall be presumed prima facie to be acting in good

 3  faith and in so doing shall be immune from any liability,

 4  civil or criminal, that otherwise might be incurred or

 5  imposed.

 6         (2)  In those cases in which the parents are

 7  financially able, the parent or parents of the child shall

 8  reimburse the court, in part or in whole, for the cost of

 9  provision of guardian ad litem services.  Reimbursement to the

10  individual providing guardian ad litem services shall not be

11  contingent upon successful collection by the court from the

12  parent or parents.

13         (3)  The guardian ad litem or the program

14  representative shall review all disposition recommendations

15  and changes in placements, and must be present at all critical

16  stages of the dependency proceeding or submit a written report

17  of recommendations to the court.

18         Section 114.  Section 415.5082, Florida Statutes, is

19  renumbered as section 39.823, Florida Statutes, and amended to

20  read:

21         39.823 415.5082  Guardian advocates for drug dependent

22  newborns.--The Legislature finds that increasing numbers of

23  drug dependent children are born in this state.  Because of

24  the parents' continued dependence upon drugs, the parents may

25  temporarily leave their child with a relative or other adult

26  or may have agreed to voluntary family services under s.

27  39.301(8) 415.505(1)(e).  The relative or other adult may be

28  left with a child who is likely to require medical treatment

29  but for whom they are unable to obtain medical treatment.  The

30  purpose of this section is to provide an expeditious method

31  for such relatives or other responsible adults to obtain a

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    Amendment No.    





 1  court order which allows them to provide consent for medical

 2  treatment and otherwise advocate for the needs of the child

 3  and to provide court review of such authorization.

 4         Section 115.  Section 415.5083, Florida Statutes, is

 5  renumbered as section 39.824, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 6  read:

 7         39.824 415.5083  Procedures and jurisdiction.--

 8         (1)  The Supreme Court is requested to adopt rules of

 9  juvenile procedure by October 1, 1989, to implement this part

10  ss. 415.5082-415.5089.  All procedures, including petitions,

11  pleadings, subpoenas, summonses, and hearings in cases for the

12  appointment of a guardian advocate shall be according to the

13  Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure unless otherwise provided

14  by law.

15         (2)  The circuit court shall have exclusive original

16  jurisdiction of a proceeding in which appointment of a

17  guardian advocate is sought.  The court shall retain

18  jurisdiction over a child for whom a guardian advocate is

19  appointed until specifically relinquished by court order.

20         Section 116.  Section 415.5084, Florida Statutes, is

21  renumbered as section 39.825, Florida Statutes.

22         Section 117.  Section 415.5085, Florida Statutes, is

23  renumbered as section 39.826, Florida Statutes.

24         Section 118.  Section 415.5086, Florida Statutes, is

25  renumbered as section 39.827, Florida Statutes, and amended to

26  read:

27         39.827 415.5086  Hearing for appointment of a guardian

28  advocate.--

29         (1)  When a petition for appointment of a guardian

30  advocate has been filed with the circuit court, the hearing

31  shall be held within 14 days unless all parties agree to a

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    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  continuance. If a child is in need of necessary medical

 2  treatment as defined in s. 39.01, the court shall hold a

 3  hearing within 24 hours.

 4         (2)  At the hearing, the parents have the right to be

 5  present, to present testimony, to call and cross-examine

 6  witnesses, to be represented by counsel at their own expense,

 7  and to object to the appointment of the guardian advocate.

 8         (3)  The hearing shall be conducted by the judge

 9  without a jury, applying the rules of evidence in use in civil

10  cases.  In a hearing on a petition for appointment of a

11  guardian advocate, the moving party shall prove all the

12  elements in s. 39.828 415.5087 by a preponderance of the

13  evidence.

14         (4)  The hearing under this section shall remain

15  confidential and closed to the public. The clerk shall keep

16  all court records required by this part ss. 415.5082-415.5089

17  separate from other records of the circuit court.  All court

18  records required by this part ss. 415.5082-415.5089 shall be

19  confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).

20  All records shall be inspected only upon order of the court by

21  persons deemed by the court to have a proper interest therein,

22  except that a child and the parents or custodians of the child

23  and their attorneys and the department and its designees shall

24  always have the right to inspect and copy any official record

25  pertaining to the child.  The court may permit authorized

26  representatives of recognized organizations compiling

27  statistics for proper purposes to inspect and make abstracts

28  from official records, under whatever conditions upon their

29  use and disposition the court may deem proper, and may punish

30  by contempt proceedings any violation of those conditions.

31  All information obtained pursuant to this part ss.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  415.5082-415.5089 in the discharge of official duty by any

 2  judge, employee of the court, or authorized agent of the

 3  department, shall be confidential and exempt from the

 4  provisions of s. 119.07(1) and shall not be disclosed to

 5  anyone other than the authorized personnel of the court or the

 6  department and its designees, except upon order of the court.

 7         Section 119.  Section 415.5087, Florida Statutes, is

 8  renumbered as section 39.828, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 9  read:

10         39.828 415.5087  Grounds for appointment of a guardian

11  advocate.--

12         (1)  The court shall appoint the person named in the

13  petition as a guardian advocate with all the powers and duties

14  specified in s. 39.829 415.5088 for an initial term of 1 year

15  upon a finding that:

16         (a)  The child named in the petition is or was a

17  drug-dependent drug dependent newborn as described in s.

18  39.01(30)(g) 415.503(10)(a)2.;

19         (b)  The parent or parents of the child have

20  voluntarily relinquished temporary custody of the child to a

21  relative or other responsible adult;

22         (c)  The person named in the petition to be appointed

23  the guardian advocate is capable of carrying out the duties as

24  provided in s. 39.829 415.5088; and

25         (d)  A petition to adjudicate the child dependent

26  pursuant to this chapter 39 has not been filed.

27         (2)  The appointment of a guardian advocate does not

28  remove from the parents the right to consent to medical

29  treatment for their child. The appointment of a guardian

30  advocate does not prevent the filing of a subsequent petition

31  under this chapter 39 to have the child adjudicated dependent.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         Section 120.  Section 415.5088, Florida Statutes, is

 2  renumbered as section 39.829, Florida Statutes.

 3         Section 121.  Section 415.5089, Florida Statutes, is

 4  renumbered as section 39.8295, Florida Statutes, and amended

 5  to read:

 6         39.8295 415.5089  Review and removal of guardian

 7  advocate.--

 8         (1)  At the end of the initial 1-year appointment, the

 9  court shall review the status of the child's care, health, and

10  medical condition for the purpose of determining whether to

11  reauthorize the appointment of the guardian advocate.  If the

12  court finds that all of the elements of s. 39.828 415.5087 are

13  still met the court shall reauthorize the guardian advocate

14  for another year.

15         (2)  At any time, the court may, upon its own motion,

16  or upon the motion of the department, a family member, or

17  other interested person remove a guardian advocate.  A

18  guardian advocate shall be removed if the court finds that the

19  guardian advocate is not properly discharging his or her

20  responsibilities or is acting in a manner inconsistent with

21  his or her appointment, that the parents have assumed parental

22  responsibility to provide for the child, or that the child has

23  been adjudicated dependent pursuant to this chapter 39.

24         Section 122.  Part XI of chapter 39, Florida Statutes,

25  consisting of sections 39.901, 39.902, 39.903, 39.904, 39.905,

26  39.906, and 39.908, Florida Statutes, shall be entitled to

27  read:

28                             PART XI

29                        DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

30         Section 123.  Section 415.601, Florida Statutes, is

31  renumbered as section 39.901, Florida Statutes.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         Section 124.  Section 415.602, Florida Statutes, is

 2  renumbered as section 39.902, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 3  read:

 4         39.902 415.602  Definitions of terms used in ss.

 5  415.601-415.608.--As used in this part ss. 415.601-415.608,

 6  the term:

 7         (1)  "Department" means the Department of Children and

 8  Family Services.

 9         (2)  "District" means a service district of the

10  department as created in s. 20.19.

11         (1)(3)  "Domestic violence" means any assault, battery,

12  sexual assault, sexual battery, or any criminal offense

13  resulting in physical injury or death of one family or

14  household member by another who is or was residing in the same

15  single dwelling unit.

16         (2)(4)  "Domestic violence center" means an agency that

17  provides services to victims of domestic violence, as its

18  primary mission.

19         (3)(5)  "Family or household member" means spouses,

20  former spouses, adults related by blood or marriage, persons

21  who are presently residing together as if a family or who have

22  resided together in the past as if a family, and persons who

23  have a child in common regardless of whether they have been

24  married or have resided together at any time.

25         Section 125.  Section 415.603, Florida Statutes, is

26  renumbered as section 39.903, Florida Statutes, and amended to

27  read:

28         39.903 415.603  Duties and functions of the department

29  with respect to domestic violence.--

30         (1)  The department shall:

31         (a)  Develop by rule criteria for the approval or

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  rejection of certification or funding of domestic violence

 2  centers.

 3         (b)  Develop by rule minimum standards for domestic

 4  violence centers to ensure the health and safety of the

 5  clients in the centers.

 6         (c)  Receive and approve or reject applications for

 7  certification of domestic violence centers, and receive and

 8  approve or reject applications for funding of domestic

 9  violence centers. When approving funding for a newly certified

10  domestic violence center, the department shall make every

11  effort to minimize any adverse economic impact on existing

12  certified centers or services provided within the same

13  district.  In order to minimize duplication of services, the

14  department shall make every effort to encourage subcontracting

15  relationships with existing centers within the district.  If

16  any of the required services are exempted by the department

17  under s. 39.905(1)(c) 415.605(1)(c), the center shall not

18  receive funding for those services.

19         (d)  Evaluate each certified domestic violence center

20  annually to ensure compliance with the minimum standards. The

21  department has the right to enter and inspect the premises of

22  certified domestic violence centers at any reasonable hour in

23  order to effectively evaluate the state of compliance of these

24  centers with this part ss. 415.601-415.608 and rules relating

25  to this part those sections.

26         (e)  Adopt rules to implement this part ss.

27  415.601-415.608.

28         (f)  Promote the involvement of certified domestic

29  violence centers in the coordination, development, and

30  planning of domestic violence programming in the districts and

31  the state.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (2)  The department shall serve as a clearinghouse for

 2  information relating to domestic violence.

 3         (3)  The department shall enlist the assistance of

 4  public and voluntary health, education, welfare, and

 5  rehabilitation agencies in a concerted effort to prevent

 6  domestic violence and to treat persons engaged in or subject

 7  to domestic violence. With the assistance of these agencies,

 8  the department, within existing resources, shall formulate and

 9  conduct a research and evaluation program on domestic

10  violence. Efforts on the part of these agencies to obtain

11  relevant grants to fund this research and evaluation program

12  must be supported by the department.

13         (4)  The department shall develop and provide

14  educational programs on domestic violence for the benefit of

15  the general public, persons engaged in or subject to domestic

16  violence, professional persons, or others who care for or may

17  be engaged in the care and treatment of persons engaged in or

18  subject to domestic violence.

19         (5)  The department shall cooperate with, assist in,

20  and participate in, programs of other properly qualified

21  agencies, including any agency of the Federal Government,

22  schools of medicine, hospitals, and clinics, in planning and

23  conducting research on the prevention, care, treatment, and

24  rehabilitation of persons engaged in or subject to domestic

25  violence.

26         (6)  The department shall contract with a statewide

27  association whose primary purpose is to represent and provide

28  technical assistance to domestic violence centers. This

29  association shall receive 2 percent of the Domestic Violence

30  Trust Fund for this purpose.

31         Section 126.  Section 415.604, Florida Statutes, is

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  renumbered as section 39.904, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 2  read:

 3         39.904 415.604  Report to the Legislature on the status

 4  of domestic violence cases.--On or before January 1 of each

 5  year, the department of Children and Family Services shall

 6  furnish to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the

 7  House of Representatives a report on the status of domestic

 8  violence in this state, which report shall include, but is not

 9  limited to, the following:

10         (1)  The incidence of domestic violence in this state.

11         (2)  An identification of the areas of the state where

12  domestic violence is of significant proportions, indicating

13  the number of cases of domestic violence officially reported,

14  as well as an assessment of the degree of unreported cases of

15  domestic violence.

16         (3)  An identification and description of the types of

17  programs in the state that assist victims of domestic violence

18  or persons who commit domestic violence, including information

19  on funding for the programs.

20         (4)  The number of persons who are treated by or

21  assisted by local domestic violence programs that receive

22  funding through the department.

23         (5)  A statement on the effectiveness of such programs

24  in preventing future domestic violence.

25         (6)  An inventory and evaluation of existing prevention

26  programs.

27         (7)  A listing of potential prevention efforts

28  identified by the department; the estimated annual cost of

29  providing such prevention services, both for a single client

30  and for the anticipated target population as a whole; an

31  identification of potential sources of funding; and the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  projected benefits of providing such services.

 2         Section 127.  Section 415.605, Florida Statutes, is

 3  renumbered as section 39.905, Florida Statutes, and amended to

 4  read:

 5         39.905 415.605  Domestic violence centers.--

 6         (1)  Domestic violence centers certified under this

 7  part ss. 415.601-415.608 must:

 8         (a)  Provide a facility which will serve as a center to

 9  receive and house persons who are victims of domestic

10  violence. For the purpose of this part ss. 415.601-415.608,

11  minor children and other dependents of a victim, when such

12  dependents are partly or wholly dependent on the victim for

13  support or services, may be sheltered with the victim in a

14  domestic violence center.

15         (b)  Receive the annual written endorsement of local

16  law enforcement agencies.

17         (c)  Provide minimum services which include, but are

18  not limited to, information and referral services, counseling

19  and case management services, temporary emergency shelter for

20  more than 24 hours, a 24-hour hotline, training for law

21  enforcement personnel, assessment and appropriate referral of

22  resident children, and educational services for community

23  awareness relative to the incidence of domestic violence, the

24  prevention of such violence, and the care, treatment, and

25  rehabilitation for persons engaged in or subject to domestic

26  violence.  If a 24-hour hotline, professional training, or

27  community education is already provided by a certified

28  domestic violence center within a district, the department may

29  exempt such certification requirements for a new center

30  serving the same district in order to avoid duplication of

31  services.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (d)  Participate in the provision of orientation and

 2  training programs developed for law enforcement officers,

 3  social workers, and other professionals and paraprofessionals

 4  who work with domestic violence victims to better enable such

 5  persons to deal effectively with incidents of domestic

 6  violence.

 7         (e)  Establish and maintain a board of directors

 8  composed of at least three citizens, one of whom must be a

 9  member of a local, municipal, or county law enforcement

10  agency.

11         (f)  Comply with rules adopted pursuant to this part

12  ss. 415.601-415.608.

13         (g)  File with the department a list of the names of

14  the domestic violence advocates who are employed or who

15  volunteer at the domestic violence center who may claim a

16  privilege under s. 90.5036 to refuse to disclose a

17  confidential communication between a victim of domestic

18  violence and the advocate regarding the domestic violence

19  inflicted upon the victim.  The list must include the title of

20  the position held by the advocate whose name is listed and a

21  description of the duties of that position.  A domestic

22  violence center must file amendments to this list as

23  necessary.

24         (h)  Demonstrate local need and ability to sustain

25  operations through a history of 18 consecutive months'

26  operation as a domestic violence center, including 12 months'

27  operation of an emergency shelter as provided in paragraph (c)

28  defined in paragraph (1)(a), and a business plan which

29  addresses future operations and funding of future operations.

30         (i)  If its center is a new center applying for

31  certification, demonstrate that the services provided address

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  a need identified in the most current statewide needs

 2  assessment approved by the department.

 3         (2)  If the department finds that there is failure by a

 4  center to comply with the requirements established under this

 5  part ss. 415.601-415.608 or with the rules adopted pursuant

 6  thereto, the department may deny, suspend, or revoke the

 7  certification of the center.

 8         (3)  The annual certificate shall automatically expire

 9  on the termination date shown on the certificate.

10         (4)  The domestic violence centers shall establish

11  procedures pursuant to which persons subject to domestic

12  violence may seek services from these centers voluntarily.

13         (5)  Domestic violence centers may be established

14  throughout the state when private, local, state, or federal

15  funds are available.

16         (6)  In order to receive state funds, a center must:

17         (a)  Obtain certification pursuant to this part ss.

18  415.601-415.608. However, the issuance of a certificate will

19  not obligate the department to provide funding.

20         (b)  Receive at least 25 percent of its funding from

21  one or more local, municipal, or county sources, public or

22  private. Contributions in kind, whether materials,

23  commodities, transportation, office space, other types of

24  facilities, or personal services, may be evaluated and counted

25  as part of the required local funding.

26         (7)(a)  All funds collected and appropriated to the

27  domestic violence program shall be distributed annually by the

28  department to each district according to an allocation formula

29  determined by the department.  In developing the formula, the

30  department shall consider population, a rural and geographical

31  area factor, and the incidence of domestic violence.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (b)  A contract between a district and a certified

 2  domestic violence center shall contain provisions assuring the

 3  availability and geographic accessibility of services

 4  throughout the district. For this purpose, a center may

 5  distribute funds through subcontracts or to center satellites,

 6  provided such arrangements and any subcontracts are approved

 7  by the district.

 8         Section 128.  Section 415.606, Florida Statutes, is

 9  renumbered as section 39.906, Florida Statutes.

10         Section 129.  Section 415.608, Florida Statutes, is

11  renumbered as section 39.908, Florida Statutes.

12         Section 130.  Subsections (4) through (20) of section

13  20.19, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (5)

14  through (21), respectively, paragraph (b) of present

15  subsection (4), paragraph (o) of present subsection (7), and

16  paragraph (c) of present subsection (20) are amended, and a

17  new subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:

18         20.19  Department of Children and Family

19  Services.--There is created a Department of Children and

20  Family Services.

21         (4)  CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES.--

22  The department is authorized to create certification programs

23  for family safety and preservation employees and agents to

24  ensure that only qualified employees and agents provide child

25  protection services.  The department is authorized to develop

26  rules that include qualifications for certification, including

27  training and testing requirements, continuing education

28  requirements for ongoing certification, and decertification

29  procedures to be used to determine when an individual no

30  longer meets the qualifications for certification and to

31  implement the decertification of an employee or agent.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (5)(4)  PROGRAM OFFICES.--

 2         (a)  There are created program offices, each of which

 3  shall be headed by an assistant secretary who shall be

 4  appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the secretary.  Each

 5  program office shall have the following responsibilities:

 6         1.  Ensuring that family services programs are

 7  implemented according to legislative intent and as provided in

 8  state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

 9         2.  Establishing program standards and performance

10  objectives.

11         3.  Reviewing, monitoring, and ensuring compliance with

12  statewide standards and performance objectives.

13         4.  Conducting outcome evaluations and ensuring program

14  effectiveness.

15         5.  Developing workload and productivity standards.

16         6.  Developing resource allocation methodologies.

17         7.  Compiling reports, analyses, and assessment of

18  client needs on a statewide basis.

19         8.  Ensuring the continued interagency collaboration

20  with the Department of Education for the development and

21  integration of effective programs to serve children and their

22  families.

23         9.  Other duties as are assigned by the secretary.

24         (b)  The following program offices are established and

25  may be consolidated, restructured, or rearranged by the

26  secretary; provided any such consolidation, restructuring, or

27  rearranging is for the purpose of encouraging service

28  integration through more effective and efficient performance

29  of the program offices or parts thereof:

30         1.  Economic Self-Sufficiency Program Office.--The

31  responsibilities of this office encompass income support

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  programs within the department, such as temporary assistance

 2  to families with dependent children, food stamps, welfare

 3  reform, and state supplementation of the supplemental security

 4  income (SSI) program.

 5         2.  Developmental Services Program Office.--The

 6  responsibilities of this office encompass programs operated by

 7  the department for developmentally disabled persons.

 8  Developmental disabilities include any disability defined in

 9  s. 393.063.

10         3.  Children and Families Program Office.--The

11  responsibilities of this program office encompass early

12  intervention services for children and families at risk;

13  intake services for protective investigation of abandoned,

14  abused, and neglected children; interstate compact on the

15  placement of children programs; adoption; child care;

16  out-of-home care programs and other specialized services to

17  families; and child protection and sexual abuse treatment

18  teams created under chapter 39 415, excluding medical

19  direction functions.

20         4.  Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Program

21  Office.--The responsibilities of this office encompass all

22  alcohol, drug abuse, and mental health programs operated by

23  the department.

24         (8)(7)  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BOARDS.--

25         (a)  There is created at least one health and human

26  services board in each service district for the purpose of

27  encouraging the initiation and support of interagency

28  cooperation and collaboration in addressing family services

29  needs and promoting service integration. The initial

30  membership and the authority to appoint the members shall be

31  allocated among the counties of each district as follows:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         1.  District 1 has a board composed of 15 members, with

 2  3 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and 12

 3  members to be appointed by the boards of county commissioners

 4  of the respective counties, as follows: Escambia County, 6

 5  members; Okaloosa County, 3 members; Santa Rosa County, 2

 6  members; and Walton County, 1 member.

 7         2.  District 2 has a board composed of 23 members, with

 8  5 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and 18

 9  members to be appointed by the boards of county commissioners

10  in the respective counties, as follows: Holmes County, 1

11  member; Washington County, 1 member; Bay County, 2 members;

12  Jackson County, 1 member; Calhoun County, 1 member; Gulf

13  County, 1 member; Gadsden County, 1 member; Franklin County, 1

14  member; Liberty County, 1 member; Leon County, 4 members;

15  Wakulla County, 1 member; Jefferson County, 1 member; Madison

16  County, 1 member; and Taylor County, 1 member.

17         3.  District 3 has a board composed of 19 members, with

18  4 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and 15

19  members to be appointed by the boards of county commissioners

20  of the respective counties, as follows: Hamilton County, 1

21  member; Suwannee County, 1 member; Lafayette County, 1 member;

22  Dixie County, 1 member; Columbia County, 1 member; Gilchrist

23  County, 1 member; Levy County, 1 member; Union County, 1

24  member; Bradford County, 1 member; Putnam County, 1 member;

25  and Alachua County, 5 members.

26         4.  District 4 has a board composed of 15 members, with

27  3 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and 12

28  members to be appointed by the boards of county commissioners

29  of the respective counties, as follows: Baker County, 1

30  member; Nassau County, 1 member; Duval County, 7 members; Clay

31  County, 2 members; and St. Johns County, 1 member.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         5.  District 5 has a board composed of 15 members, with

 2  3 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and 12

 3  members to be appointed by the boards of county commissioners

 4  of the respective counties, as follows: Pasco County, 3

 5  members; and Pinellas County, 9 members.

 6         6.  District 6 has a board composed of 15 members, with

 7  3 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and 12

 8  members to be appointed by the boards of county commissioners

 9  of the respective counties, as follows: Hillsborough County, 9

10  members; and Manatee County, 3 members.

11         7.  District 7 has a board composed of 15 members, with

12  3 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and 12

13  members to be appointed by the boards of county commissioners

14  in the respective counties, as follows: Seminole County, 3

15  members; Orange County, 5 members; Osceola County, 1 member;

16  and Brevard County, 3 members.

17         8.  District 8 has a board composed of 15 members, with

18  3 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and 12

19  members to be appointed by the boards of county commissioners

20  in the respective counties, as follows: Sarasota County, 3

21  members; DeSoto County, 1 member; Charlotte County, 1 member;

22  Lee County, 3 members; Glades County, 1 member; Hendry County,

23  1 member; and Collier County, 2 members.

24         9.  District 9 has a board composed of 15 members, with

25  3 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and 12

26  members to be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners

27  of Palm Beach County.

28         10.  District 10 has a board composed of 15 members,

29  with 3 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and

30  12 members to be appointed by the Board of County

31  Commissioners of Broward County.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         11.  District 11 has two boards, one from Dade County

 2  and one from Monroe County. Each board is composed of 15

 3  members, with 3 at-large members to be appointed to each board

 4  by the Governor, and 12 members to be appointed by each of the

 5  respective boards of county commissioners.

 6         12.  District 12 has a board composed of 15 members,

 7  with 3 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and

 8  12 members to be appointed by the boards of county

 9  commissioners of the respective counties, as follows: Flagler

10  County, 3 members; and Volusia County, 9 members.

11         13.  District 13 has a board composed of 15 members,

12  with 3 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and

13  12 members to be appointed by the boards of county

14  commissioners of the respective counties, as follows: Marion

15  County, 4 members; Citrus County, 2 members; Hernando County,

16  2 members; Sumter County, 1 member; and Lake County, 3

17  members.

18         14.  District 14 has a board composed of 15 members,

19  with 3 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and

20  12 members to be appointed by the boards of county

21  commissioners of the respective counties, as follows: Polk

22  County, 9 members; Highlands County, 2 members; and Hardee

23  County, 1 member.

24         15.  District 15 has a board composed of 15 members,

25  with 3 at-large members to be appointed by the Governor, and

26  12 members to be appointed by the boards of county

27  commissioners of the respective counties, as follows: Indian

28  River County, 3 members; Okeechobee County, 1 member; St.

29  Lucie County, 5 members; and Martin County, 3 members.

30

31  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subsection, in

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  districts consisting of two counties, the number of members to

 2  be appointed by any one board of county commissioners may not

 3  be fewer than three nor more than nine.

 4         (b)  At any time after the adoption of initial bylaws

 5  pursuant to paragraph (o), a district health and human

 6  services board may adopt a bylaw that enlarges the size of the

 7  board up to a maximum of 23 members, or otherwise adjusts the

 8  size or composition of the board, including a decision to

 9  change from a district board to subdistrict boards, or from a

10  subdistrict board to a district board, if in the judgment of

11  the board, such change is necessary to adequately represent

12  the diversity of the population within the district or

13  subdistrict. In the creation of subdistrict boards, the bylaws

14  shall set the size of the board, not to exceed 15 members, and

15  shall set the number of appointments to be made by the

16  Governor and the respective boards of county commissioners in

17  the subdistrict. The Governor shall be given the authority to

18  appoint no fewer than one-fifth of the members. Current

19  members of the district board shall become members of the

20  subdistrict board in the subdistrict where they reside.

21  Vacancies on a newly created subdistrict board shall be filled

22  from among the list of nominees submitted to the subdistrict

23  nominee qualifications review committee pursuant to subsection

24  (8).

25         (c)  The appointments by the Governor and the boards of

26  county commissioners are from nominees selected by the

27  appropriate district nominee qualifications review committee

28  pursuant to subsection (8). Membership of each board must be

29  representative of its district with respect to age, gender,

30  and ethnicity. For boards having 15 members or fewer, at least

31  two members must be consumers of the department's services.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  For boards having more than 15 members, there must be at least

 2  three consumers on the board. Members must have demonstrated

 3  their interest and commitment to, and have appropriate

 4  expertise for, meeting the health and family services needs of

 5  the community. The Governor shall appoint nominees whose

 6  presence on the health and human services board will help

 7  assure that the board reflects the demographic characteristics

 8  and consumer perspective of each of the service districts.

 9         (d)1.  Board members shall submit annually a disclosure

10  statement of health and family services interests to the

11  department's inspector general and the board. Any member who

12  has an interest in a matter under consideration by the board

13  must abstain from voting. Board members are subject to the

14  provisions of s. 112.3145, relating to disclosure of financial

15  interests.

16         2.  Individual providers or employees of provider

17  agencies, other than employees of units of local or state

18  government, may not serve as health and human services board

19  members but may serve in an advisory capacity to the board.

20  Salaried employees of units of local or state government

21  occupying positions providing services under contract with the

22  department may not serve as members of the board. Elected

23  officials who have authority to appoint members to a health

24  and human services board may not serve as members of a board.

25  The district administrator shall serve as a nonvoting ex

26  officio member of the board. A department employee may not be

27  a member of the board.

28         (e)  Appointments to fill vacancies created by the

29  death, resignation, or removal of a member are for the

30  unexpired term. A member may not serve more than two full

31  consecutive terms.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (f)  A member who is absent from three meetings within

 2  any 12-month period, without having been excused by the

 3  chairperson, is deemed to have resigned, and the board shall

 4  immediately declare the seat vacant. Members may be suspended

 5  or removed for cause by a majority vote of the board members

 6  or by the Governor.

 7         (g)  Members of the health and human services boards

 8  shall serve without compensation, but are entitled to receive

 9  reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses as provided in

10  s. 112.061. Payment may also be authorized for preapproved

11  child care expenses or lost wages for members who are

12  consumers of the department's services and for preapproved

13  child care expenses for other members who demonstrate

14  hardship.

15         (h)  Appointees to the health and human services board

16  are subject to the provisions of chapter 112, part III, Code

17  of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees.

18         (i)  Actions taken by the board must be consistent with

19  departmental policy and state and federal laws, rules, and

20  regulations.

21         (j)  The department shall provide comprehensive

22  orientation and training to the members of the boards to

23  enable them to fulfill their responsibilities.

24         (k)  Each health and human services board, and each of

25  its subcommittees, shall hold periodic public meetings and

26  hearings throughout the district to receive input on the

27  development of the district service delivery plan, the

28  legislative budget request, and the performance of the

29  department.

30         (l)  Except as otherwise provided in this section,

31  responsibility and accountability for local family services

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  planning rests with the health and human services boards. All

 2  local family-services-related planning or advisory councils

 3  shall submit their plans to the health and human services

 4  boards. The boards shall provide input on the plan's attention

 5  to integrating service delivery at the local level.  The

 6  health and human services boards may establish additional

 7  subcouncils or technical advisory committees.

 8         (m)  The health and human services boards shall operate

 9  through an annual agreement negotiated between the secretary

10  and the board. Such agreements must include expected outcomes

11  and provide for periodic reports and evaluations of district

12  and board performance and must also include a core set of

13  service elements to be developed by the secretary and used by

14  the boards in district needs assessments to ensure consistency

15  in the development of district legislative budget requests.

16         (n)  The annual agreement between the secretary and the

17  board must include provisions that specify the procedures to

18  be used by the parties to resolve differences in the

19  interpretation of the agreement or disputes as to the adequacy

20  of the parties' compliance with their respective obligations

21  under the agreement.

22         (o)  Health and human services boards have the

23  following responsibilities, with respect to those programs and

24  services assigned to the districts, as developed jointly with

25  the district administrator:

26         1.  Establish district outcome measures consistent with

27  statewide outcomes.

28         2.  Conduct district needs assessments using

29  methodologies consistent with those established by the

30  secretary.

31         3.  Negotiate with the secretary a district performance

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  agreement that:

 2         a.  Identifies current resources and services

 3  available;

 4         b.  Identifies unmet needs and gaps in services;

 5         c.  Establishes service and funding priorities;

 6         d.  Establishes outcome measures for the district; and

 7         e.  Identifies expenditures and the number of clients

 8  to be served, by service.

 9         4.  Provide budget oversight, including development and

10  approval of the district's legislative budget request.

11         5.  Provide policy oversight, including development and

12  approval of district policies and procedures.

13         6.  Act as a focal point for community participation in

14  department activities such as:

15         a.  Assisting in the integration of all health and

16  social services within the community;

17         b.  Assisting in the development of community

18  resources;

19         c.  Advocating for community programs and services;

20         d.  Receiving and addressing concerns of consumers and

21  others; and

22         e.  Advising the district administrator on the

23  administration of service programs throughout the district.

24         7.  Advise the district administrator on ways to

25  integrate the delivery of family and health care services at

26  the local level.

27         8.  Make recommendations which would enhance district

28  productivity and efficiency, ensure achievement of performance

29  standards, and assist the district in improving the

30  effectiveness of the services provided.

31         9.  Review contract provider performance reports.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         10.  Immediately upon appointment of the membership,

 2  develop bylaws that clearly identify and describe operating

 3  procedures for the board. At a minimum, the bylaws must

 4  specify notice requirements for all regular and special

 5  meetings of the board, the number of members required to

 6  constitute a quorum, and the number of affirmative votes of

 7  members present and voting that are required to take official

 8  and final action on a matter before the board.

 9         11.a.  Determine the board's internal organizational

10  structure, including the designation of standing committees.

11  In order to foster the coordinated and integrated delivery of

12  family services in its community, a local board shall use a

13  committee structure that is based on issues, such as children,

14  housing, transportation, or health care. Each such committee

15  must include consumers, advocates, providers, and department

16  staff from every appropriate program area. In addition, each

17  board and district administrator shall jointly identify

18  community entities, including, but not limited to, the Area

19  Agency on Aging, and resources outside the department to be

20  represented on the committees of the board.

21         b.  The district juvenile justice boards established in

22  s. 985.413 39.025 constitute the standing committee on issues

23  relating to planning, funding, or evaluation of programs and

24  services relating to the juvenile justice continuum.

25         12.  Participate with the secretary in the selection of

26  a district administrator according to the provisions of

27  paragraph (10)(9)(b).

28         13.  Complete an annual evaluation of the district and

29  review the evaluation at a meeting of the board at which the

30  public has an opportunity to comment.

31         14.  Provide input to the secretary on the annual

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  evaluation of the district administrator. The board may

 2  request that the secretary submit a written report on the

 3  actions to be taken to address negative aspects of the

 4  evaluation. At any time, the board may recommend to the

 5  secretary that the district administrator be discharged. Upon

 6  receipt of such a recommendation, the secretary shall make a

 7  formal reply to the board stating the action to be taken with

 8  respect to the board's recommendation.

 9         15.  Elect a chair and other officers, as specified in

10  the bylaws, from among the members of the board.

11         (21)(20)  INNOVATION ZONES.--The health and human

12  services board may propose designation of an innovation zone

13  for any experimental, pilot, or demonstration project that

14  furthers the legislatively established goals of the

15  department. An innovation zone is a defined geographic area

16  such as a district, county, municipality, service delivery

17  area, school campus, or neighborhood providing a laboratory

18  for the research, development, and testing of the

19  applicability and efficacy of model programs, policy options,

20  and new technologies for the department.

21         (a)1.  The district administrator shall submit a

22  proposal for an innovation zone to the secretary. If the

23  purpose of the proposed innovation zone is to demonstrate that

24  specific statutory goals can be achieved more effectively by

25  using procedures that require modification of existing rules,

26  policies, or procedures, the proposal may request the

27  secretary to waive such existing rules, policies, or

28  procedures or to otherwise authorize use of alternative

29  procedures or practices. Waivers of such existing rules,

30  policies, or procedures must comply with applicable state or

31  federal law.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         2.  For innovation zone proposals that the secretary

 2  determines require changes to state law, the secretary may

 3  submit a request for a waiver from such laws, together with

 4  any proposed changes to state law, to the chairs of the

 5  appropriate legislative committees for consideration.

 6         3.  For innovation zone proposals that the secretary

 7  determines require waiver of federal law, the secretary may

 8  submit a request for such waivers to the applicable federal

 9  agency.

10         (b)  An innovation zone project may not have a duration

11  of more than 2 years, but the secretary may grant an

12  extension.

13         (c)  The Statewide Health and Human Services Board, in

14  conjunction with the secretary, shall develop a family

15  services innovation transfer network for the purpose of

16  providing information on innovation zone research and projects

17  or other effective initiatives in family services to the

18  health and human services boards established under subsection

19  (8) (7).

20         (d)  Prior to implementing an innovation zone pursuant

21  to the requirements of this subsection and chapter 216, the

22  secretary shall, in conjunction with the Auditor General,

23  develop measurable and valid objectives for such zone within a

24  negotiated reasonable period of time. No more than 15

25  innovative zones shall be in operation at any one time within

26  the districts.

27         Section 131.  Paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of

28  section 20.43, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

29         20.43  Department of Health.--There is created a

30  Department of Health.

31         (1)  The purpose of the Department of Health is to

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  promote and protect the health of all residents and visitors

 2  in the state through organized state and community efforts,

 3  including cooperative agreements with counties.  The

 4  department shall:

 5         (h)  Provide medical direction for child protection

 6  team and sexual abuse treatment functions created under

 7  chapter 39 415.

 8         Section 132.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of

 9  section 61.13, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

10         61.13  Custody and support of children; visitation

11  rights; power of court in making orders.--

12         (2)

13         (b)1.  The court shall determine all matters relating

14  to custody of each minor child of the parties in accordance

15  with the best interests of the child and in accordance with

16  the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act. It is the public

17  policy of this state to assure that each minor child has

18  frequent and continuing contact with both parents after the

19  parents separate or the marriage of the parties is dissolved

20  and to encourage parents to share the rights and

21  responsibilities, and joys, of childrearing. After considering

22  all relevant facts, the father of the child shall be given the

23  same consideration as the mother in determining the primary

24  residence of a child irrespective of the age or sex of the

25  child.

26         2.  The court shall order that the parental

27  responsibility for a minor child be shared by both parents

28  unless the court finds that shared parental responsibility

29  would be detrimental to the child. Evidence that a parent has

30  been convicted of a felony of the third degree or higher

31  involving domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28 and

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  chapter 775, or meets the criteria of s. 39.806(1)(d)

 2  39.464(1)(d), creates a rebuttable presumption of detriment to

 3  the child. If the presumption is not rebutted, shared parental

 4  responsibility, including visitation, residence of the child,

 5  and decisions made regarding the child, may not be granted to

 6  the convicted parent. However, the convicted parent is not

 7  relieved of any obligation to provide financial support. If

 8  the court determines that shared parental responsibility would

 9  be detrimental to the child, it may order sole parental

10  responsibility and make such arrangements for visitation as

11  will best protect the child or abused spouse from further

12  harm. Whether or not there is a conviction of any offense of

13  domestic violence or child abuse or the existence of an

14  injunction for protection against domestic violence, the court

15  shall consider evidence of domestic violence or child abuse as

16  evidence of detriment to the child.

17         a.  In ordering shared parental responsibility, the

18  court may consider the expressed desires of the parents and

19  may grant to one party the ultimate responsibility over

20  specific aspects of the child's welfare or may divide those

21  responsibilities between the parties based on the best

22  interests of the child. Areas of responsibility may include

23  primary residence, education, medical and dental care, and any

24  other responsibilities that the court finds unique to a

25  particular family.

26         b.  The court shall order "sole parental

27  responsibility, with or without visitation rights, to the

28  other parent when it is in the best interests of" the minor

29  child.

30         c.  The court may award the grandparents visitation

31  rights with a minor child if it is in the child's best

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  interest. Grandparents have legal standing to seek judicial

 2  enforcement of such an award. This section does not require

 3  that grandparents be made parties or given notice of

 4  dissolution pleadings or proceedings, nor do grandparents have

 5  legal standing as "contestants" as defined in s. 61.1306. A

 6  court may not order that a child be kept within the state or

 7  jurisdiction of the court solely for the purpose of permitting

 8  visitation by the grandparents.

 9         3.  Access to records and information pertaining to a

10  minor child, including, but not limited to, medical, dental,

11  and school records, may not be denied to a parent because the

12  parent is not the child's primary residential parent.

13         Section 133.  Section 61.401, Florida Statutes, is

14  amended to read:

15         61.401  Appointment of guardian ad litem.--In an action

16  for dissolution of marriage, modification, parental

17  responsibility, custody, or visitation, if the court finds it

18  is in the best interest of the child, the court may appoint a

19  guardian ad litem to act as next friend of the child,

20  investigator or evaluator, not as attorney or advocate. The

21  court in its discretion may also appoint legal counsel for a

22  child to act as attorney or advocate; however, the guardian

23  and the legal counsel shall not be the same person. In such

24  actions which involve an allegation of child abuse,

25  abandonment, or neglect as defined in s. 39.01 415.503(3),

26  which allegation is verified and determined by the court to be

27  well-founded, the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for

28  the child. The guardian ad litem shall be a party to any

29  judicial proceeding from the date of the appointment until the

30  date of discharge.

31         Section 134.  Section 61.402, Florida Statutes, is

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  amended to read:

 2         61.402  Qualifications of guardians ad litem.--A

 3  guardian ad litem must be either a citizen certified by the

 4  Guardian Ad Litem Program to act in family law cases or an

 5  attorney who is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar.

 6  Prior to certifying a guardian ad litem to be appointed under

 7  this chapter, the Guardian Ad Litem Program must conduct a

 8  security background investigation as provided in s. 39.821

 9  415.5077.

10         Section 135.  Subsection (4) of section 63.052, Florida

11  Statutes, is amended to read:

12         63.052  Guardians designated; proof of commitment.--

13         (4)  If a child is voluntarily surrendered to an

14  intermediary for subsequent adoption and the adoption does not

15  become final within 180 days, the intermediary must report to

16  the court on the status of the child and the court may at that

17  time proceed under s. 39.701 39.453 or take action reasonably

18  necessary to protect the best interest of the child.

19         Section 136.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of

20  section 63.092, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

21         63.092  Report to the court of intended placement by an

22  intermediary; preliminary study.--

23         (2)  PRELIMINARY HOME STUDY.--Before placing the minor

24  in the intended adoptive home, a preliminary home study must

25  be performed by a licensed child-placing agency, a licensed

26  professional, or agency described in s. 61.20(2), unless the

27  petitioner is a stepparent, a spouse of the birth parent, or a

28  relative.  The preliminary study shall be completed within 30

29  days after the receipt by the court of the intermediary's

30  report, but in no event may the child be placed in the

31  prospective adoptive home prior to the completion of the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  preliminary study unless ordered by the court.  If the

 2  petitioner is a stepparent, a spouse of the birth parent, or a

 3  relative, the preliminary home study may be required by the

 4  court for good cause shown.  The department is required to

 5  perform the preliminary home study only if there is no

 6  licensed child-placing agency, licensed professional, or

 7  agency described in s. 61.20(2), in the county where the

 8  prospective adoptive parents reside.  The preliminary home

 9  study must be made to determine the suitability of the

10  intended adoptive parents and may be completed prior to

11  identification of a prospective adoptive child.  A favorable

12  preliminary home study is valid for 1 year after the date of

13  its completion.  A child must not be placed in an intended

14  adoptive home before a favorable preliminary home study is

15  completed unless the adoptive home is also a licensed foster

16  home under s. 409.175.  The preliminary home study must

17  include, at a minimum:

18         (b)  Records checks of the department's central abuse

19  registry under chapter 415 and statewide criminal records

20  correspondence checks pursuant to s. 435.045 through the

21  Department of Law Enforcement on the intended adoptive

22  parents;

23

24  If the preliminary home study is favorable, a minor may be

25  placed in the home pending entry of the judgment of adoption.

26  A minor may not be placed in the home if the preliminary home

27  study is unfavorable.  If the preliminary home study is

28  unfavorable, the intermediary or petitioner may, within 20

29  days after receipt of a copy of the written recommendation,

30  petition the court to determine the suitability of the

31  intended adoptive home.  A determination as to suitability

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  under this subsection does not act as a presumption of

 2  suitability at the final hearing.  In determining the

 3  suitability of the intended adoptive home, the court must

 4  consider the totality of the circumstances in the home.

 5         Section 137.  Subsection (2) of section 90.5036,

 6  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

 7         90.5036  Domestic violence advocate-victim privilege.--

 8         (2)  A victim has a privilege to refuse to disclose,

 9  and to prevent any other person from disclosing, a

10  confidential communication made by the victim to a domestic

11  violence advocate or any record made in the course of

12  advising, counseling, or assisting the victim.  The privilege

13  applies to confidential communications made between the victim

14  and the domestic violence advocate and to records of those

15  communications only if the advocate is registered under s.

16  39.905 415.605 at the time the communication is made.  This

17  privilege includes any advice given by the domestic violence

18  advocate in the course of that relationship.

19         Section 138.  Section 154.067, Florida Statutes, is

20  amended to read:

21         154.067  Child abuse and neglect cases; duties.--The

22  Department of Health shall adopt a rule requiring every county

23  health department, as described in s. 154.01, to adopt a

24  protocol that, at a minimum, requires the county health

25  department to:

26         (1)  Incorporate in its health department policy a

27  policy that every staff member has an affirmative duty to

28  report, pursuant to chapter 39 415, any actual or suspected

29  case of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect; and

30         (2)  In any case involving suspected child abuse,

31  abandonment, or neglect, designate, at the request of the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  department, a staff physician to act as a liaison between the

 2  county health department and the Department of Children and

 3  Family Services office that is investigating the suspected

 4  abuse, abandonment, or neglect, and the child protection team,

 5  as defined in s. 39.01 415.503, when the case is referred to

 6  such a team.

 7         Section 139.  Subsection (15) of section 213.053,

 8  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

 9         213.053  Confidentiality and information sharing.--

10         (15)  The department may disclose confidential taxpayer

11  information contained in returns, reports, accounts, or

12  declarations filed with the department by persons subject to

13  any state or local tax to the child support enforcement

14  program, to assist in the location of parents who owe or

15  potentially owe a duty of support pursuant to Title IV-D of

16  the Social Security Act, their assets, their income, and their

17  employer, and to the Department of Children and Family

18  Services for the purpose of diligent search activities

19  pursuant to chapter 39. Nothing in this subsection authorizes

20  the disclosure of information if such disclosure is prohibited

21  by federal law. Employees of the child support enforcement

22  program and of the Department of Children and Family Services

23  are bound by the same requirements of confidentiality and the

24  same penalties for violation of the requirements as the

25  department.

26         Section 140.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (8) of

27  section 216.136, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

28         216.136  Consensus estimating conferences; duties and

29  principals.--

30         (8)  CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM ESTIMATING CONFERENCE.--

31         (a)  Duties.--The Child Welfare System Estimating

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  Conference shall develop the following information relating to

 2  the child welfare system:

 3         1.  Estimates and projections of the number of initial

 4  and additional reports of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect

 5  made to the central abuse hotline registry and tracking system

 6  maintained by the Department of Children and Family Health and

 7  Rehabilitative Services as established in s. 39.201(4)

 8  415.504(4)(a).

 9         2.  Estimates and projections of the number of children

10  who are alleged to be victims of child abuse, abandonment, or

11  neglect and are in need of placement in a an emergency

12  shelter.

13

14  In addition, the conference shall develop other official

15  information relating to the child welfare system of the state

16  which the conference determines is needed for the state

17  planning and budgeting system.  The Department of Children and

18  Family Health and Rehabilitative Services shall provide

19  information on the child welfare system requested by the Child

20  Welfare System Estimating Conference, or individual conference

21  principals, in a timely manner.

22         Section 141.  Section 232.50, Florida Statutes, is

23  amended to read:

24         232.50  Child abuse, abandonment, and neglect

25  policy.--Every school board shall by March 1, 1985:

26         (1)  Post in a prominent place in each school a notice

27  that, pursuant to chapter 39 415, all employees or agents of

28  the district school board have an affirmative duty to report

29  all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or

30  neglect, have immunity from liability if they report such

31  cases in good faith, and have a duty to comply with child

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  protective investigations and all other provisions of law

 2  relating to child abuse, abandonment, and neglect.  The notice

 3  shall also include the statewide toll-free telephone number of

 4  the state abuse registry.

 5         (2)  Provide that the superintendent, or the

 6  superintendent's designee, at the request of the Department of

 7  Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative Services, will

 8  act as a liaison to the Department of Children and Family

 9  Health and Rehabilitative Services and the child protection

10  team, as defined in s. 39.01 415.503, when in a case of

11  suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect or an unlawful

12  sexual offense involving a child the case is referred to such

13  a team; except that this subsection may in no instance be

14  construed as relieving or restricting the Department of

15  Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative Services from

16  discharging its duty and responsibility under the law to

17  investigate and report every suspected or actual case of child

18  abuse, abandonment, or neglect or unlawful sexual offense

19  involving a child.

20

21  Each district school board shall comply with the provisions of

22  this section, and such board shall notify the Department of

23  Education and the Department of Children and Family Health and

24  Rehabilitative Services of its compliance by March 1, 1985.

25         Section 142.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of

26  section 318.21, Florida Statutes, as amended by section 2(1)

27  of chapter 97-235, Laws of Florida, is amended to read:

28         318.21  Disposition of civil penalties by county

29  courts.--All civil penalties received by a county court

30  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be

31  distributed and paid monthly as follows:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (2)  Of the remainder:

 2         (a)  Fifteen and six-tenths percent shall be paid to

 3  the General Revenue Fund of the state, except that the first

 4  $300,000 shall be deposited into the Grants and Donations

 5  Trust Fund in the Department of Children and Family Services

 6  for administrative costs, training costs, and costs associated

 7  with the implementation and maintenance of Florida foster care

 8  citizen review panels as provided for in s. 39.702 39.4531.

 9         Section 143.  Effective July 1, 1999, paragraph (a) of

10  subsection (2) of section 318.21, as amended by section 3(1)

11  of chapter 97-235, Laws of Florida, is amended to read:

12         318.21  Disposition of civil penalties by county

13  courts.--All civil penalties received by a county court

14  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be

15  distributed and paid monthly as follows:

16         (2)  Of the remainder:

17         (a)  Ten and six-tenths percent shall be paid to the

18  General Revenue Fund of the state, except that the first

19  $300,000 shall be deposited into the Grants and Donations

20  Trust Fund in the Department of Children and Family Services

21  for administrative costs, training costs, and costs associated

22  with the implementation and maintenance of Florida foster care

23  citizen review panels as provided for in s. 39.702 39.4531.

24         Section 144.  Effective July 1, 2000, paragraph (a) of

25  subsection (2) of section 318.21, Florida Statutes, as amended

26  by section 4(1) of chapter 97-235, Laws of Florida, is amended

27  to read:

28         318.21  Disposition of civil penalties by county

29  courts.--All civil penalties received by a county court

30  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be

31  distributed and paid monthly as follows:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (2)  Of the remainder:

 2         (a)  Five and six-tenths percent shall be paid to the

 3  General Revenue Fund of the state, except that the first

 4  $300,000 shall be deposited into the Grants and Donations

 5  Trust Fund in the Department of Children and Family Services

 6  for administrative costs, training costs, and costs associated

 7  with the implementation and maintenance of Florida foster care

 8  citizen review panels as provided for in s. 39.702 39.4531.

 9         Section 145.  Effective July 1, 2001, paragraph (a) of

10  subsection (2) of section 318.21, Florida Statutes, as amended

11  by section 5(1) of chapter 97-235, Laws of Florida, is amended

12  to read:

13         318.21  Disposition of civil penalties by county

14  courts.--All civil penalties received by a county court

15  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be

16  distributed and paid monthly as follows:

17         (2)  Of the remainder:

18         (a)  Twenty and six-tenths percent shall be paid to the

19  County Article V Trust Fund, except that the first $300,000

20  shall be deposited into the Grants and Donations Trust Fund in

21  the Department of Children and Family Services for

22  administrative costs, training costs, and costs associated

23  with the implementation and maintenance of Florida foster care

24  citizen review panels as provided for in s. 39.702 39.4531.

25         Section 146.  Effective July 1, 2002, paragraph (a) of

26  subsection (2) of section 318.21, Florida Statutes, as amended

27  by section 6 of chapter 97-235, Laws of Florida, is amended to

28  read:

29         318.21  Disposition of civil penalties by county

30  courts.--All civil penalties received by a county court

31  pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  distributed and paid monthly as follows:

 2         (2)  Of the remainder:

 3         (a)  Twenty and six-tenths percent shall be paid to the

 4  General Revenue Fund of the state, except that the first

 5  $300,000 shall be deposited into the Grants and Donations

 6  Trust Fund in the Department of Children and Family Services

 7  for administrative costs, training costs, and costs associated

 8  with the implementation and maintenance of Florida foster care

 9  citizen review panels as provided for in s. 39.702 39.4531.

10         Section 147.  Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of

11  section 384.29, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

12         384.29  Confidentiality.--

13         (1)  All information and records held by the department

14  or its authorized representatives relating to known or

15  suspected cases of sexually transmissible diseases are

16  strictly confidential and exempt from the provisions of s.

17  119.07(1).  Such information shall not be released or made

18  public by the department or its authorized representatives, or

19  by a court or parties to a lawsuit upon revelation by

20  subpoena, except under the following circumstances:

21         (e)  When made to the proper authorities as required by

22  chapter 39 or chapter 415.

23         Section 148.  Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of

24  section 392.65, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

25         392.65  Confidentiality.--

26         (1)  All information and records held by the department

27  or its authorized representatives relating to known or

28  suspected cases of tuberculosis or exposure to tuberculosis

29  shall be strictly confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1).

30  Such information shall not be released or made public by the

31  department or its authorized representatives or by a court or

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  parties to a lawsuit, except that release may be made under

 2  the following circumstances:

 3         (e)  When made to the proper authorities as required by

 4  chapter 39 or chapter 415.

 5         Section 149.  The introductory paragraph of subsection

 6  (14) of section 393.063, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

 7         393.063  Definitions.--For the purposes of this

 8  chapter:

 9         (14)  "Direct service provider," also known as

10  "caregiver" in chapters 39 and chapter 415 or "caretaker" in

11  provisions relating to employment security checks, means a

12  person 18 years of age or older who has direct contact with

13  individuals with developmental disabilities and is unrelated

14  to the individuals with developmental disabilities.

15         Section 150.  Section 395.1023, Florida Statutes, is

16  amended to read:

17         395.1023  Child abuse and neglect cases; duties.--Each

18  licensed facility shall adopt a protocol that, at a minimum,

19  requires the facility to:

20         (1)  Incorporate a facility policy that every staff

21  member has an affirmative duty to report, pursuant to chapter

22  39 415, any actual or suspected case of child abuse,

23  abandonment, or neglect; and

24         (2)  In any case involving suspected child abuse,

25  abandonment, or neglect, designate, at the request of the

26  department, a staff physician to act as a liaison between the

27  hospital and the Department of Children and Family Services

28  office which is investigating the suspected abuse,

29  abandonment, or neglect, and the child protection team, as

30  defined in s. 39.01 415.503, when the case is referred to such

31  a team.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1

 2  Each general hospital and appropriate specialty hospital shall

 3  comply with the provisions of this section and shall notify

 4  the agency and the department of its compliance by sending a

 5  copy of its policy to the agency and the department as

 6  required by rule. The failure by a general hospital or

 7  appropriate specialty hospital to comply shall be punished by

 8  a fine not exceeding $1,000, to be fixed, imposed, and

 9  collected by the agency.  Each day in violation is considered

10  a separate offense.

11         Section 151.  Section 400.4174, Florida Statutes, is

12  amended to read:

13         400.4174  Reports of abuse in facilities.--When an

14  employee, volunteer, administrator, or owner of a facility has

15  a confirmed report of adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation,

16  as defined in s. 415.102, or a judicially determined report of

17  child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, as defined in s. 39.01

18  415.503, and the protective investigator knows that the

19  individual is an employee, volunteer, administrator, or owner

20  of a facility, the agency shall be notified of the confirmed

21  report.

22         Section 152.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of

23  section 400.556, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

24         400.556  Denial, suspension, revocation of license;

25  administrative fines; investigations and inspections.--

26         (2)  Each of the following actions by the owner of an

27  adult day care center or by its operator or employee is a

28  ground for action by the agency against the owner of the

29  center or its operator or employee:

30         (c)  A confirmed report of adult abuse, neglect, or

31  exploitation, as defined in s. 415.102, or a report of child

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  abuse, abandonment, or neglect, as defined in s. 39.01

 2  415.503, which report has been upheld following a hearing held

 3  pursuant to chapter 120 or a waiver of such hearing.

 4         Section 153.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (8) of

 5  section 402.165, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

 6         402.165  Statewide Human Rights Advocacy Committee;

 7  confidential records and meetings.--

 8         (8)(a)  In the performance of its duties, the Statewide

 9  Human Rights Advocacy Committee shall have:

10         1.  Authority to receive, investigate, seek to

11  conciliate, hold hearings on, and act on complaints which

12  allege any abuse or deprivation of constitutional or human

13  rights of clients.

14         2.  Access to all client records, files, and reports

15  from any program, service, or facility that is operated,

16  funded, licensed, or regulated by the Department of Children

17  and Family Health and Rehabilitative Services and any records

18  which are material to its investigation and which are in the

19  custody of any other agency or department of government.  The

20  committee's investigation or monitoring shall not impede or

21  obstruct matters under investigation by law enforcement or

22  judicial authorities.  Access shall not be granted if a

23  specific procedure or prohibition for reviewing records is

24  required by federal law and regulation which supersedes state

25  law. Access shall not be granted to the records of a private

26  licensed practitioner who is providing services outside

27  agencies and facilities and whose client is competent and

28  refuses disclosure.

29         3.  Standing to petition the circuit court for access

30  to client records which are confidential as specified by law.

31  The petition shall state the specific reasons for which the

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  committee is seeking access and the intended use of such

 2  information.  The court may authorize committee access to such

 3  records upon a finding that such access is directly related to

 4  an investigation regarding the possible deprivation of

 5  constitutional or human rights or the abuse of a client.

 6  Original client files, records, and reports shall not be

 7  removed from the Department of Children and Family Health and

 8  Rehabilitative Services or agency facilities.  Under no

 9  circumstance shall the committee have access to confidential

10  adoption records in accordance with the provisions of ss.

11  39.0132 39.411, 63.022, and 63.162.  Upon completion of a

12  general investigation of practices and procedures of the

13  Department of Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative

14  Services, the committee shall report its findings to that

15  department.

16         Section 154.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (8) of

17  section 402.166, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

18         402.166  District human rights advocacy committees;

19  confidential records and meetings.--

20         (8)(a)  In the performance of its duties, a district

21  human rights advocacy committee shall have:

22         1.  Access to all client records, files, and reports

23  from any program, service, or facility that is operated,

24  funded, licensed, or regulated by the Department of Children

25  and Family Health and Rehabilitative Services and any records

26  which are material to its investigation and which are in the

27  custody of any other agency or department of government.  The

28  committee's investigation or monitoring shall not impede or

29  obstruct matters under investigation by law enforcement or

30  judicial authorities. Access shall not be granted if a

31  specific procedure or prohibition for reviewing records is

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  required by federal law and regulation which supersedes state

 2  law.  Access shall not be granted to the records of a private

 3  licensed practitioner who is providing services outside

 4  agencies and facilities and whose client is competent and

 5  refuses disclosure.

 6         2.  Standing to petition the circuit court for access

 7  to client records which are confidential as specified by law.

 8  The petition shall state the specific reasons for which the

 9  committee is seeking access and the intended use of such

10  information.  The court may authorize committee access to such

11  records upon a finding that such access is directly related to

12  an investigation regarding the possible deprivation of

13  constitutional or human rights or the abuse of a client.

14  Original client files, records, and reports shall not be

15  removed from Department of Children and Family Health and

16  Rehabilitative Services or agency facilities.  Upon no

17  circumstances shall the committee have access to confidential

18  adoption records in accordance with the provisions of ss.

19  39.0132 39.411, 63.022, and 63.162. Upon completion of a

20  general investigation of practices and procedures of the

21  Department of Children and Family Health and Rehabilitative

22  Services, the committee shall report its findings to that

23  department.

24         Section 155.  Section 409.1672, Florida Statutes, is

25  amended to read:

26         409.1672  Incentives for department employees.--In

27  order to promote accomplishing the goal of family

28  preservation, family reunification, or permanent placement of

29  a child in an adoptive home, the department may, pursuant to

30  s. 110, chapter 92-142, Laws of Florida, or subsequent

31  legislative authority and within existing resources, develop

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  monetary performance incentives such as bonuses, salary

 2  increases, and educational enhancements for department

 3  employees engaged in positions and activities related to the

 4  child welfare system under chapter 39, chapter 415, or this

 5  chapter who demonstrate outstanding work in these areas.

 6         Section 156.  Subsection (8) and paragraph (c) of

 7  subsection (9) of section 409.176, Florida Statutes, are

 8  amended to read:

 9         409.176  Registration of residential child-caring

10  agencies and family foster homes.--

11         (8)  The provisions of chapters 39 415 and 827

12  regarding child abuse, abandonment, and neglect and the

13  provisions of s. 409.175 and chapter 435 regarding screening

14  apply to any facility registered under this section.

15         (9)  The qualified association may deny, suspend, or

16  revoke the registration of a Type II facility which:

17         (c)  Violates the provisions of chapter 39 415 or

18  chapter 827 regarding child abuse, abandonment, and neglect or

19  the provisions of s. 409.175 or chapter 435 regarding

20  screening.

21

22  The qualified association shall notify the department within

23  10 days of the suspension or revocation of the registration of

24  any Type II facility registered under this section.

25         Section 157.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (10) of

26  section 409.2554, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

27         409.2554  Definitions.--As used in ss.

28  409.2551-409.2598, the term:

29         (10)  "Support" means:

30         (b)  Support for a child who is placed under the

31  custody of someone other than the custodial parent pursuant to

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  s. 39.508 39.41.

 2         Section 158.  Section 409.2577, Florida Statutes, is

 3  amended to read:

 4         409.2577  Parent locator service.--The department shall

 5  establish a parent locator service to assist in locating

 6  parents who have deserted their children and other persons

 7  liable for support of dependent children.  The department

 8  shall use all sources of information available, including the

 9  Federal Parent Locator Service, and may request and shall

10  receive information from the records of any person or the

11  state or any of its political subdivisions or any officer

12  thereof. Any agency as defined in s. 120.52, any political

13  subdivision, and any other person shall, upon request, provide

14  the department any information relating to location, salary,

15  insurance, social security, income tax, and employment history

16  necessary to locate parents who owe or potentially owe a duty

17  of support pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.

18  This provision shall expressly take precedence over any other

19  statutory nondisclosure provision which limits the ability of

20  an agency to disclose such information, except that law

21  enforcement information as provided in s. 119.07(3)(i) is not

22  required to be disclosed, and except that confidential

23  taxpayer information possessed by the Department of Revenue

24  shall be disclosed only to the extent authorized in s.

25  213.053(15).  Nothing in this section requires the disclosure

26  of information if such disclosure is prohibited by federal

27  law. Information gathered or used by the parent locator

28  service is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s.

29  119.07(1). Additionally, the department is authorized to

30  collect any additional information directly bearing on the

31  identity and whereabouts of a person owing or asserted to be

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  owing an obligation of support for a dependent child.

 2  Information gathered or used by the parent locator service is

 3  confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).

 4  The department may make such information available only to

 5  public officials and agencies of this state; political

 6  subdivisions of this state; the custodial parent, legal

 7  guardian, attorney, or agent of the child; and other states

 8  seeking to locate parents who have deserted their children and

 9  other persons liable for support of dependents, for the sole

10  purpose of establishing, modifying, or enforcing their

11  liability for support, and shall make such information

12  available to the Department of Children and Family Services

13  for the purpose of diligent search activities pursuant to

14  chapter 39. If the department has reasonable evidence of

15  domestic violence or child abuse and the disclosure of

16  information could be harmful to the custodial parent or the

17  child of such parent, the child support program director or

18  designee shall notify the Department of Children and Family

19  Services and the Secretary of the United States Department of

20  Health and Human Services of this evidence. Such evidence is

21  sufficient grounds for the department to disapprove an

22  application for location services.

23         Section 159.  Subsection (29) of section 409.912,

24  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

25         409.912  Cost-effective purchasing of health care.--The

26  agency shall purchase goods and services for Medicaid

27  recipients in the most cost-effective manner consistent with

28  the delivery of quality medical care.  The agency shall

29  maximize the use of prepaid per capita and prepaid aggregate

30  fixed-sum basis services when appropriate and other

31  alternative service delivery and reimbursement methodologies,

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  including competitive bidding pursuant to s. 287.057, designed

 2  to facilitate the cost-effective purchase of a case-managed

 3  continuum of care. The agency shall also require providers to

 4  minimize the exposure of recipients to the need for acute

 5  inpatient, custodial, and other institutional care and the

 6  inappropriate or unnecessary use of high-cost services.

 7         (29)  Each managed care plan that is under contract

 8  with the agency to provide health care services to Medicaid

 9  recipients shall annually conduct a background check with the

10  Florida Department of Law Enforcement of all persons with

11  ownership interest of 5 percent or more or executive

12  management responsibility for the managed care plan and shall

13  submit to the agency information concerning any such person

14  who has been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or

15  has entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, any of the

16  offenses listed in s. 435.03 or has a confirmed report of

17  abuse, neglect, or exploitation pursuant to part I of chapter

18  415.

19         Section 160.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of

20  section 409.9126, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

21         409.9126  Children with special health care needs.--

22         (1)  As used in this section:

23         (a)  "Children's Medical Services network" means an

24  alternative service network that includes health care

25  providers and health care facilities specified in chapter 391

26  and ss. 39.303, 383.15-383.21, and 383.216, and 415.5055.

27         Section 161.  Paragraph (f) of subsection (5) of

28  section 414.065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

29         414.065  Work requirements.--

30         (5)  CONTINUATION OF TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE FOR

31  CHILDREN; PROTECTIVE PAYEES.--

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (f)  If the department is unable to designate a

 2  qualified protective payee or authorized representative, a

 3  referral shall be made under the provisions of chapter 39 415

 4  for protective intervention.

 5         Section 162.  Section 435.045, Florida Statutes, is

 6  created to read:

 7         435.045  Requirements for prospective foster or

 8  adoptive parents.--

 9         (1)  Unless an election provided for in subsection (2)

10  is made with respect to the state, the department shall

11  conduct criminal records checks equivalent to the level 2

12  screening required in s. 435.04(1) for any prospective foster

13  or adoptive parent before the foster or adoptive parent may be

14  finally approved for placement of a child on whose behalf

15  foster care maintenance payments or adoption assistance

16  payments under s. 471 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.

17  671, are to be made. Approval shall not be granted:

18         (a)  In any case in which a record check reveals a

19  felony conviction for child abuse, abandonment, or neglect;

20  for spousal abuse; for a crime against children, including

21  child pornography, or for a crime involving violence,

22  including rape, sexual assault, or homicide but not including

23  other physical assault or battery, if the department finds

24  that a court of competent jurisdiction has determined that the

25  felony was committed at any time; and

26         (b)  In any case in which a record check reveals a

27  felony conviction for physical assault, battery, or a

28  drug-related offense, if the department finds that a court of

29  competent jurisdiction has determined that the felony was

30  committed within the past 5 years.

31         (2)  For purposes of this section, and ss. 39.401(3)

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  and 39.508(9)(b) and (10)(a), the department and its

 2  authorized agents or contract providers are hereby designated

 3  a criminal justice agency for the purposes of accessing

 4  criminal justice information, including National Crime

 5  Information Center information, to be used for enforcing

 6  Florida's laws concerning the crimes of child abuse,

 7  abandonment, and neglect. This information shall be used

 8  solely for purposes supporting the detection, apprehension,

 9  prosecution, pretrial release, posttrial release, or

10  rehabilitation of criminal offenders or persons accused of the

11  crimes of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect and shall not

12  be further disseminated or used for any other purposes.

13         (3)  Subsection (2) shall not apply if the Governor has

14  notified the Secretary of the United States Department of

15  Health and Human Services in writing that the state has

16  elected to make subsection (2) inapplicable to the state, or

17  if the Legislature, by law, has elected to make subsection (2)

18  inapplicable to the state.

19         Section 163.  Section 447.401, Florida Statutes, is

20  amended to read:

21         447.401  Grievance procedures.--Each public employer

22  and bargaining agent shall negotiate a grievance procedure to

23  be used for the settlement of disputes between employer and

24  employee, or group of employees, involving the interpretation

25  or application of a collective bargaining agreement.  Such

26  grievance procedure shall have as its terminal step a final

27  and binding disposition by an impartial neutral, mutually

28  selected by the parties; however, when the issue under appeal

29  is an allegation of abuse, abandonment, or neglect by an

30  employee under s. 39.201 or s. 415.1075 or s. 415.504, the

31  grievance may not be decided until the abuse, abandonment, or

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  neglect of a child has been judicially determined or until a

 2  confirmed report of abuse or neglect of a disabled adult or

 3  elderly person has been upheld pursuant to the procedures for

 4  appeal in s. ss. 415.1075 and 415.504.  However, an arbiter or

 5  other neutral shall not have the power to add to, subtract

 6  from, modify, or alter the terms of a collective bargaining

 7  agreement.  If an employee organization is certified as the

 8  bargaining agent of a unit, the grievance procedure then in

 9  existence may be the subject of collective bargaining, and any

10  agreement which is reached shall supersede the previously

11  existing procedure.  All public employees shall have the right

12  to a fair and equitable grievance procedure administered

13  without regard to membership or nonmembership in any

14  organization, except that certified employee organizations

15  shall not be required to process grievances for employees who

16  are not members of the organization.  A career service

17  employee shall have the option of utilizing the civil service

18  appeal procedure, an unfair labor practice procedure, or a

19  grievance procedure established under this section, but such

20  employee is precluded from availing himself or herself to more

21  than one of these procedures.

22         Section 164.  Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of

23  section 464.018, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

24         464.018  Disciplinary actions.--

25         (1)  The following acts shall be grounds for

26  disciplinary action set forth in this section:

27         (d)  Being found guilty, regardless of adjudication, of

28  any of the following offenses:

29         1.  A forcible felony as defined in chapter 776.

30         2.  A violation of chapter 812, relating to theft,

31  robbery, and related crimes.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         3.  A violation of chapter 817, relating to fraudulent

 2  practices.

 3         4.  A violation of chapter 800, relating to lewdness

 4  and indecent exposure.

 5         5.  A violation of chapter 784, relating to assault,

 6  battery, and culpable negligence.

 7         6.  A violation of chapter 827, relating to child

 8  abuse.

 9         7.  A violation of chapter 415, relating to protection

10  from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

11         8.  A violation of chapter 39, relating to child abuse,

12  abandonment, and neglect.

13         Section 165.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of

14  section 490.014, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

15         490.014  Exemptions.--

16         (2)  No person shall be required to be licensed or

17  provisionally licensed under this chapter who:

18         (a)  Is a salaried employee of a government agency;

19  developmental services program, mental health, alcohol, or

20  drug abuse facility operating pursuant to chapter 393, chapter

21  394, or chapter 397; subsidized child care program, subsidized

22  child care case management program, or child care resource and

23  referral program operating pursuant to chapter 402;

24  child-placing or child-caring agency licensed pursuant to

25  chapter 409; domestic violence center certified pursuant to

26  chapter 39 415; accredited academic institution; or research

27  institution, if such employee is performing duties for which

28  he or she was trained and hired solely within the confines of

29  such agency, facility, or institution.

30         Section 166.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of

31  section 491.014, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         491.014  Exemptions.--

 2         (4)  No person shall be required to be licensed,

 3  provisionally licensed, registered, or certified under this

 4  chapter who:

 5         (a)  Is a salaried employee of a government agency;

 6  developmental services program, mental health, alcohol, or

 7  drug abuse facility operating pursuant to chapter 393, chapter

 8  394, or chapter 397; subsidized child care program, subsidized

 9  child care case management program, or child care resource and

10  referral program operating pursuant to chapter 402;

11  child-placing or child-caring agency licensed pursuant to

12  chapter 409; domestic violence center certified pursuant to

13  chapter 39 415; accredited academic institution; or research

14  institution, if such employee is performing duties for which

15  he or she was trained and hired solely within the confines of

16  such agency, facility, or institution.

17         Section 167.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of

18  section 741.30, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

19         741.30  Domestic violence; injunction; powers and

20  duties of court and clerk; petition; notice and hearing;

21  temporary injunction; issuance of injunction; statewide

22  verification system; enforcement.--

23         (3)

24         (b)  The sworn petition shall be in substantially the

25  following form:

26

27                           PETITION FOR

28                    INJUNCTION FOR PROTECTION

29                    AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

30

31  Before me, the undersigned authority, personally appeared

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  Petitioner ...(Name)..., who has been sworn and says that the

 2  following statements are true:

 3         (a)  Petitioner resides at: ...(address)...

 4         (Petitioner may furnish address to the court in a

 5  separate confidential filing if, for safety reasons, the

 6  petitioner requires the location of the current residence to

 7  be confidential.)

 8         (b)  Respondent resides at: ...(last known address)...

 9         (c)  Respondent's last known place of employment:

10  ...(name of business and address)...

11         (d)  Physical description of respondent: ....

12         Race....

13         Sex....

14         Date of birth....

15         Height....

16         Weight....

17         Eye color....

18         Hair color....

19         Distinguishing marks or scars....

20         (e)  Aliases of respondent: ....

21         (f)  Respondent is the spouse or former spouse of the

22  petitioner or is any other person related by blood or marriage

23  to the petitioner or is any other person who is or was

24  residing within a single dwelling unit with the petitioner, as

25  if a family, or is a person with whom the petitioner has a

26  child in common, regardless of whether the petitioner and

27  respondent are or were married or residing together, as if a

28  family.

29         (g)  The following describes any other cause of action

30  currently pending between the petitioner and respondent: .....

31  ..............................................................

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         The petitioner should also describe any previous or

 2  pending attempts by the petitioner to obtain an injunction for

 3  protection against domestic violence in this or any other

 4  circuit, and the results of that attempt......................

 5  ..............................................................

 6  Case numbers should be included if available.

 7         (h)  Petitioner has suffered or has reasonable cause to

 8  fear imminent domestic violence because respondent has: ......

 9         (i)  Petitioner alleges the following additional

10  specific facts: (mark appropriate sections)

11         ....Petitioner is the custodian of a minor child or

12  children whose names and ages are as follows: ................

13         ....Petitioner needs the exclusive use and possession

14  of the dwelling that the parties share.

15         ....Petitioner is unable to obtain safe alternative

16  housing because: .............................................

17         ....Petitioner genuinely fears that respondent

18  imminently will abuse, remove, or hide the minor child or

19  children from petitioner because: ............................

20  ..............................................................

21         (j)  Petitioner genuinely fears imminent domestic

22  violence by respondent.

23         (k)  Petitioner seeks an injunction: (mark appropriate

24  section or sections)

25         ....Immediately restraining the respondent from

26  committing any acts of domestic violence.

27         ....Restraining the respondent from committing any acts

28  of domestic violence.

29         ....Awarding to the petitioner the temporary exclusive

30  use and possession of the dwelling that the parties share or

31  excluding the respondent from the residence of the petitioner.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         ....Awarding temporary custody of, or temporary

 2  visitation rights with regard to, the minor child or children

 3  of the parties, or prohibiting or limiting visitation to that

 4  which is supervised by a third party.

 5         ....Establishing temporary support for the minor child

 6  or children or the petitioner.

 7         ....Directing the respondent to participate in a

 8  batterers' intervention program or other treatment pursuant to

 9  s. 39.901 415.601.

10         ....Providing any terms the court deems necessary for

11  the protection of a victim of domestic violence, or any minor

12  children of the victim, including any injunctions or

13  directives to law enforcement agencies.

14         Section 168.  Subsection (3) of section 744.309,

15  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

16         744.309  Who may be appointed guardian of a resident

17  ward.--

18         (3)  DISQUALIFIED PERSONS.--No person who has been

19  convicted of a felony or who, from any incapacity or illness,

20  is incapable of discharging the duties of a guardian, or who

21  is otherwise unsuitable to perform the duties of a guardian,

22  shall be appointed to act as guardian.  Further, no person who

23  has been judicially determined to have committed abuse,

24  abandonment, or neglect against a child as defined in s.

25  39.01(2) and (47), or who has a confirmed report of abuse,

26  neglect, or exploitation which has been uncontested or upheld

27  pursuant to the provisions of ss. 415.104 and 415.1075 shall

28  be appointed to act as a guardian.  Except as provided in

29  subsection (5) or subsection (6), a person who provides

30  substantial services to the proposed ward in a professional or

31  business capacity, or a creditor of the proposed ward, may not

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  be appointed guardian and retain that previous professional or

 2  business relationship.  A person may not be appointed a

 3  guardian if he or she is in the employ of any person, agency,

 4  government, or corporation that provides service to the

 5  proposed ward in a professional or business capacity, except

 6  that a person so employed may be appointed if he or she is the

 7  spouse, adult child, parent, or sibling of the proposed ward

 8  or the court determines that the potential conflict of

 9  interest is insubstantial and that the appointment would

10  clearly be in the proposed ward's best interest.  The court

11  may not appoint a guardian in any other circumstance in which

12  a conflict of interest may occur.

13         Section 169.  Section 784.075, Florida Statutes, is

14  amended to read:

15         784.075  Battery on detention or commitment facility

16  staff.--A person who commits a battery on an intake counselor

17  or case manager, as defined in s. 984.03(31) 39.01(34), on

18  other staff of a detention center or facility as defined in s.

19  984.03(19) 39.01(23), or on a staff member of a commitment

20  facility as defined in s. 985.03(45) 39.01(59)(c), (d), or

21  (e), commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as

22  provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. For

23  purposes of this section, a staff member of the facilities

24  listed includes persons employed by the Department of Juvenile

25  Justice, persons employed at facilities licensed by the

26  Department of Juvenile Justice, and persons employed at

27  facilities operated under a contract with the Department of

28  Juvenile Justice.

29         Section 170.  Section 933.18, Florida Statutes, is

30  amended to read:

31         933.18  When warrant may be issued for search of

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  private dwelling.--No search warrant shall issue under this

 2  chapter or under any other law of this state to search any

 3  private dwelling occupied as such unless:

 4         (1)  It is being used for the unlawful sale,

 5  possession, or manufacture of intoxicating liquor;

 6         (2)  Stolen or embezzled property is contained therein;

 7         (3)  It is being used to carry on gambling;

 8         (4)  It is being used to perpetrate frauds and

 9  swindles;

10         (5)  The law relating to narcotics or drug abuse is

11  being violated therein;

12         (6)  A weapon, instrumentality, or means by which a

13  felony has been committed, or evidence relevant to proving

14  said felony has been committed, is contained therein;

15         (7)  One or more of the following misdemeanor child

16  abuse offenses is being committed there:

17         (a)  Interference with custody, in violation of s.

18  787.03.

19         (b)  Commission of an unnatural and lascivious act with

20  a child, in violation of s. 800.02.

21         (c)  Exposure of sexual organs to a child, in violation

22  of s. 800.03.

23         (8)  It is in part used for some business purpose such

24  as a store, shop, saloon, restaurant, hotel, or boardinghouse,

25  or lodginghouse;

26         (9)  It is being used for the unlawful sale,

27  possession, or purchase of wildlife, saltwater products, or

28  freshwater fish being unlawfully kept therein; or

29         (10)  The laws in relation to cruelty to animals have

30  been or are being violated therein, except that no search

31  pursuant to such a warrant shall be made in any private

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  dwelling after sunset and before sunrise unless specially

 2  authorized by the judge issuing the warrant, upon a showing of

 3  probable cause.  Property relating to the violation of such

 4  laws may be taken on a warrant so issued from any private

 5  dwelling in which it is concealed or from the possession of

 6  any person therein by whom it shall have been used in the

 7  commission of such offense or from any person therein in whose

 8  possession it may be.

 9

10  If, during a search pursuant to a warrant issued under this

11  section, a child is discovered and appears to be in imminent

12  danger, the law enforcement officer conducting such search may

13  remove the child from the private dwelling and take the child

14  into protective custody pursuant to chapter 39 s. 415.506.

15  The term "private dwelling" shall be construed to include the

16  room or rooms used and occupied, not transiently but solely as

17  a residence, in an apartment house, hotel, boardinghouse, or

18  lodginghouse.  No warrant shall be issued for the search of

19  any private dwelling under any of the conditions hereinabove

20  mentioned except on sworn proof by affidavit of some

21  creditable witness that he or she has reason to believe that

22  one of said conditions exists, which affidavit shall set forth

23  the facts on which such reason for belief is based.

24         Section 171.  Subsection (10) of section 943.045,

25  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

26         943.045  Definitions; ss. 943.045-943.08.--The

27  following words and phrases as used in ss. 943.045-943.08

28  shall have the following meanings:

29         (10)  "Criminal justice agency" means:

30         (a)  A court.

31         (b)  The department.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (c)  The Department of Juvenile Justice.

 2         (d)  The Department of Children and Family Services'

 3  Protective Investigations, which investigates the crimes of

 4  abuse and neglect.

 5         (e)(d)  Any other governmental agency or subunit

 6  thereof which performs the administration of criminal justice

 7  pursuant to a statute or rule of court and which allocates a

 8  substantial part of its annual budget to the administration of

 9  criminal justice.

10         Section 172.  Section 944.401, Florida Statutes, is

11  amended to read:

12         944.401  Escapes from secure detention or residential

13  commitment facility.--An escape from any secure detention

14  facility maintained for the temporary detention of children,

15  pending adjudication, disposition, or placement; an escape

16  from any residential commitment facility defined in s.

17  985.03(45) 39.01(59), maintained for the custody, treatment,

18  punishment, or rehabilitation of children found to have

19  committed delinquent acts or violations of law; or an escape

20  from lawful transportation thereto or therefrom constitutes

21  escape within the intent and meaning of s. 944.40 and is a

22  felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.

23  775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

24         Section 173.  Subsection (3) of section 944.705,

25  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

26         944.705  Release orientation program.--

27         (3)  Any inmate who claims to be a victim of domestic

28  violence as defined in s. 741.28 shall receive, as part of the

29  release orientation program, referral to the nearest domestic

30  violence center certified under chapter 39 ss.

31  415.601-415.608.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         Section 174.  Subsections (2) and (41) of section

 2  984.03, Florida Statutes, as amended by chapter 97-276, Laws

 3  of Florida, are amended to read:

 4         984.03  Definitions.--When used in this chapter, the

 5  term:

 6         (2)  "Abuse" means any willful act that results in any

 7  physical, mental, or sexual injury that causes or is likely to

 8  cause the child's physical, mental, or emotional health to be

 9  significantly impaired. Corporal discipline of a child by a

10  parent or guardian for disciplinary purposes does not in

11  itself constitute abuse when it does not result in harm to the

12  child as defined in s. 39.01 415.503.

13         (41)  "Parent" means a woman who gives birth to a child

14  and a man whose consent to the adoption of the child would be

15  required under s. 63.062(1)(b). If a child has been legally

16  adopted, the term "parent" means the adoptive mother or father

17  of the child. The term does not include an individual whose

18  parental relationship to the child has been legally

19  terminated, or an alleged or prospective parent, unless the

20  parental status falls within the terms of either s. 39.503

21  39.4051(7) or s. 63.062(1)(b).

22         Section 175.  Subsection (4) of section 984.10, Florida

23  Statutes, is amended to read:

24         984.10  Intake.--

25         (4)  If the department has reasonable grounds to

26  believe that the child has been abandoned, abused, or

27  neglected, it shall proceed pursuant to the provisions of s.

28  415.505 and chapter 39.

29         Section 176.  Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (3)

30  of section 984.15, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

31         984.15  Petition for a child in need of services.--

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         (3)(a)  The parent, guardian, or legal custodian may

 2  file a petition alleging that a child is a child in need of

 3  services if:

 4         1.  The department waives the requirement for a case

 5  staffing committee.

 6         2.  The department fails to convene a meeting of the

 7  case staffing committee within 7 days, excluding weekends and

 8  legal holidays, after receiving a written request for such a

 9  meeting from the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian.

10         3.  The parent, guardian, or legal custodian does not

11  agree with the plan for services offered by the case staffing

12  committee.

13         4.  The department fails to provide a written report

14  within 7 days after the case staffing committee meets, as

15  required under s. 984.12(8) 39.426(8).

16         (c)  The petition must be in writing and must set forth

17  specific facts alleging that the child is a child in need of

18  services as defined in s. 984.03(9) 39.01. The petition must

19  also demonstrate that the parent, guardian, or legal custodian

20  has in good faith, but unsuccessfully, participated in the

21  services and processes described in ss. 984.11 and 984.12

22  39.424 and 39.426.

23         Section 177.  Section 984.24, Florida Statutes, is

24  amended to read:

25         984.24  Appeal.--The state, any child, or the family,

26  guardian ad litem, or legal custodian of any child who is

27  affected by an order of the court pursuant to this chapter

28  part may appeal to the appropriate district court of appeal

29  within the time and in the manner prescribed by the Florida

30  Rules of Appellate Procedure and pursuant to s. 39.413.

31         Section 178.  Subsection (42) of section 985.03,

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  Florida Statutes, as amended by chapter 97-276, Laws of

 2  Florida, is amended to read:

 3         985.03  Definitions.--When used in this chapter, the

 4  term:

 5         (42)  "Parent" means a woman who gives birth to a child

 6  and a man whose consent to the adoption of the child would be

 7  required under s. 63.062(1)(b). If a child has been legally

 8  adopted, the term "parent" means the adoptive mother or father

 9  of the child. The term does not include an individual whose

10  parental relationship to the child has been legally

11  terminated, or an alleged or prospective parent, unless the

12  parental status falls within the terms of either s. 39.503

13  39.4051(7) or s. 63.062(1)(b).

14         Section 179.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of

15  section 985.303, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

16         985.303  Neighborhood restorative justice.--

17         (4)  DEFERRED PROSECUTION PROGRAM; PROCEDURES.--

18         (c)  The board shall require the parent or legal

19  guardian of the juvenile who is referred to a Neighborhood

20  Restorative Justice Center to appear with the juvenile before

21  the board at the time set by the board.  In scheduling board

22  meetings, the board shall be cognizant of a parent's or legal

23  guardian's other obligations.  The failure of a parent or

24  legal guardian to appear at the scheduled board meeting with

25  his or her child or ward may be considered by the juvenile

26  court as an act of child neglect as defined by s. 39.01

27  415.503(3), and the board may refer the matter to the

28  Department of Children and Family Services for investigation

29  under the provisions of chapter 39 415.

30         Section 180.  Sections 39.002, 39.0195, 39.0196, 39.39,

31  39.403, 39.4032, 39.4052, 39.4053, 39.408(3), (4), 39.449,

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1  39.45, 39.451, 39.457, 39.459, 39.4611, 39.462, 39.4625,

 2  39.472, 39.474, 39.475, 415.501, 415.5016, 415.50165,

 3  415.5017, 415.50175, 415.5018, 415.50185, 415.5019, 415.502,

 4  415.503, 415.505, 415.506, 415.5075, 415.509, and 415.514,

 5  Florida Statutes, are repealed.

 6         Section 181.  Except as otherwise provided in this act,

 7  this act shall take effect October 1, 1998.

 8

 9

10  ================ T I T L E   A M E N D M E N T ===============

11  And the title is amended as follows:

12         Delete everything before the enacting clause

13

14  and insert:

15                      A bill to be entitled

16         An act relating to protection of children;

17         reorganizing and revising ch. 39, F.S.;

18         providing for part I of that chapter, entitled

19         "General Provisions"; amending s. 39.001, F.S.;

20         revising purposes and intent; providing for

21         personnel standards and screening and for drug

22         testing; renumbering and amending s. 415.5015,

23         F.S., relating to child abuse prevention

24         training in the district school system;

25         amending s. 39.01, F.S.; revising definitions;

26         renumbering and amending s. 39.455, F.S.,

27         relating to immunity from liability for agents

28         of the Department of Children and Family

29         Services or a social service agency; amending

30         s. 39.012, F.S., and creating s. 39.0121, F.S.;

31         providing authority and requirements for

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         department rules; renumbering and amending s.

 2         39.40, F.S., relating to procedures and

 3         jurisdiction; providing for right to counsel;

 4         renumbering s. 39.4057, F.S., relating to

 5         permanent mailing address designation;

 6         renumbering and amending s. 39.411, F.S.,

 7         relating to oaths, records, and confidential

 8         information; renumbering s. 39.414, F.S.,

 9         relating to court and witness fees; renumbering

10         and amending s. 39.415, F.S., relating to

11         providing for compensation of appointed

12         counsel; renumbering and amending s. 39.418,

13         F.S., relating to the Operations and

14         Maintenance Trust Fund; providing for part II

15         of ch. 39, F.S., entitled "Reporting Child

16         Abuse"; renumbering and amending s. 415.504,

17         F.S., relating to mandatory reports of child

18         abuse, abandonment, or neglect; renumbering and

19         amending s. 415.511, F.S., relating to immunity

20         from liability in cases of child abuse,

21         abandonment, or neglect; renumbering and

22         amending s. 415.512, F.S., relating to

23         abrogation of privileged communications in

24         cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect;

25         renumbering and amending s. 415.513, F.S.;

26         providing penalties relating to reporting of

27         child abuse, abandonment, or neglect;

28         renumbering and amending s. 415.5131, F.S.;

29         increasing an administrative fine for false

30         reporting; providing for part III of ch. 39,

31         F.S., entitled "Protective Investigations";

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         creating s. 39.301, F.S.; providing for child

 2         protective investigations; creating s. 39.302,

 3         F.S.; providing for protective investigations

 4         of institutional child abuse, abandonment, or

 5         neglect; renumbering and amending s. 415.5055,

 6         F.S., relating to child protection teams and

 7         services and eligible cases; creating s.

 8         39.3035, F.S.; providing standards for child

 9         advocacy centers eligible for state funding;

10         renumbering and amending s. 415.507, F.S.,

11         relating to photographs, medical examinations,

12         X rays, and medical treatment of an abused,

13         abandoned, or neglected child; renumbering and

14         amending s. 415.5095, F.S., relating to a model

15         plan for intervention and treatment in sexual

16         abuse cases; creating s. 39.306, F.S.;

17         providing for working agreements with local law

18         enforcement to perform criminal investigations;

19         renumbering and amending s. 415.50171, F.S.,

20         relating to reports of child-on-child sexual

21         abuse; providing for part IV of ch. 39, F.S.,

22         entitled "Family Builders Program"; renumbering

23         and amending s. 415.515, F.S., relating to

24         establishment of the program; renumbering and

25         amending s. 415.516, F.S., relating to goals of

26         the program; renumbering and amending s.

27         415.517, F.S., relating to contracts for

28         services; renumbering and amending s. 415.518,

29         F.S., relating to family eligibility;

30         renumbering s. 415.519, F.S., relating to

31         delivery of services; renumbering and amending

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         s. 415.520, F.S., relating to qualifications of

 2         program workers; renumbering s. 415.521, F.S.,

 3         relating to outcome evaluation; renumbering and

 4         amending s. 415.522, F.S., relating to funding;

 5         providing for part V of ch. 39, F.S., entitled

 6         "Taking Children into Custody and Shelter

 7         Hearings"; creating s. 39.395, F.S.; providing

 8         for medical or hospital personnel taking a

 9         child into protective custody; amending s.

10         39.401, F.S.; providing for law enforcement

11         officers or authorized agents of the department

12         taking a child alleged to be dependent into

13         custody; amending s. 39.402, F.S., relating to

14         placement in a shelter; amending s. 39.407,

15         F.S., relating to physical and mental

16         examination and treatment of a child and

17         physical or mental examination of a person

18         requesting custody; renumbering and amending s.

19         39.4033, F.S., relating to referral of a

20         dependency case to mediation; providing for

21         part VI of ch. 39, F.S., entitled "Petition,

22         Arraignment, Adjudication, and Disposition";

23         renumbering and amending s. 39.404, F.S.,

24         relating to petition for dependency;

25         renumbering and amending s. 39.405, F.S.,

26         relating to notice, process, and service;

27         renumbering and amending s. 39.4051, F.S.,

28         relating to procedures when the identity or

29         location of the parent, legal custodian, or

30         caregiver is unknown; renumbering and amending

31         s. 39.4055, F.S., relating to injunction

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         pending disposition of a petition for detention

 2         or dependency; renumbering and amending s.

 3         39.406, F.S., relating to answers to petitions

 4         or other pleadings; renumbering and amending s.

 5         39.408, F.S., relating to arraignment hearings;

 6         renumbering and amending s. 39.409, F.S.,

 7         relating to adjudicatory hearings and orders;

 8         renumbering and amending s. 39.41, F.S.,

 9         relating to disposition hearings and powers of

10         disposition; creating s. 39.5085, F.S.;

11         establishing the Relative-Caregiver Program;

12         directing the Department of Children and Family

13         Services to establish and operate the

14         Relative-Caregiver Program; providing financial

15         assistance within available resources to

16         relatives caring for children; providing for

17         financial assistance and support services to

18         relatives caring for children placed with them

19         by the child protection system; providing for

20         rules establishing eligibility guidelines,

21         caregiver benefits, and payment schedule;

22         renumbering and amending s. 39.4105, F.S.,

23         relating to grandparents' rights; renumbering

24         and amending s. 39.413, F.S., relating to

25         appeals; providing for part VII of ch. 39,

26         F.S., entitled "Case Plans"; renumbering and

27         amending s. 39.4031, F.S., relating to case

28         plan requirements and case planning for

29         children in out-of-home care; renumbering and

30         amending s. 39.452, F.S., relating to case

31         planning for children in out-of-home care when

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         the parents, legal custodians, or caregivers do

 2         not participate; creating s. 39.603, F.S.;

 3         providing for court approvals of case planning;

 4         providing for part VIII of ch. 39, F.S.,

 5         entitled "Judicial Reviews"; renumbering and

 6         amending s. 39.453, F.S., relating to judicial

 7         review of the status of a child; renumbering

 8         and amending s. 39.4531, F.S., relating to

 9         citizen review panels; renumbering and amending

10         s. 39.454, F.S., relating to initiation of

11         proceedings for termination of parental rights;

12         renumbering and amending s. 39.456, F.S.;

13         revising exemptions from judicial review;

14         providing for part IX of ch. 39, F.S., entitled

15         "Termination of Parental Rights"; renumbering

16         and amending s. 39.46, F.S., relating to

17         procedures, jurisdiction, and service of

18         process; renumbering and amending s. 39.461,

19         F.S., relating to petition for termination of

20         parental rights, and filing and elements

21         thereof; removing provisions authorizing

22         licensed child-placing agencies to file actions

23         to terminate parental rights; creating s.

24         39.803, F.S.; providing procedures when the

25         identity or location of the parent is unknown

26         after filing a petition for termination of

27         parental rights; renumbering s. 39.4627, F.S.,

28         relating to penalties for false statements of

29         paternity; renumbering and amending s. 39.463,

30         F.S., relating to petitions and pleadings for

31         which no answer is required; deleting

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         references to licensed child-placing agencies;

 2         renumbering and amending s. 39.464, F.S.,

 3         relating to grounds for termination of paternal

 4         rights; renumbering and amending s. 39.465,

 5         F.S., relating to right to counsel and

 6         appointment of a guardian ad litem; renumbering

 7         and amending s. 39.466, F.S., relating to

 8         advisory hearings; renumbering and amending s.

 9         39.467, F.S., relating to adjudicatory

10         hearings; renumbering and amending s. 39.4612,

11         F.S., relating to the manifest best interests

12         of the child; renumbering and amending s.

13         39.469, F.S., relating to powers of disposition

14         and order of disposition; renumbering and

15         amending s. 39.47, F.S., relating to

16         postdisposition relief; providing additional

17         requirements for a petition for adoption;

18         prohibiting filing such petition until the

19         order terminating parental rights is final;

20         amending s. 63.022, F.S.; revising legislative

21         intent with respect to adoptions in this state;

22         amending s. 63.032, F.S.; revising definitions;

23         defining the term "adoption entity"; creating

24         s. 63.037, F.S.; exempting adoption proceedings

25         that result from a termination of parental

26         rights under ch. 39, F.S., from certain

27         provisions of ch. 63, F.S.; creating s. 63.038,

28         F.S.; providing criminal penalties for

29         committing certain fraudulent acts; creating s.

30         63.039, F.S.; providing sanctions and an award

31         of attorney's fees under certain circumstances;

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         amending s. 63.052, F.S.; providing for

 2         placement of a minor pending adoption;

 3         specifying the jurisdiction of the court over a

 4         minor who has been placed for adoption;

 5         amending s. 63.062, F.S.; specifying additional

 6         persons who must consent to an adoption,

 7         execute an affidavit of nonpaternity, or

 8         receive notice of proceedings to terminate

 9         parental rights; permitting an affidavit of

10         nonpaternity under certain circumstances;

11         amending s. 63.082, F.S.; revising requirements

12         for executing a consent to an adoption;

13         providing a time period for withdrawing

14         consent; providing additional disclosure

15         requirements; amending s. 63.085, F.S.;

16         specifying information that must be disclosed

17         to persons seeking to adopt a minor and to the

18         birth parents; creating s. 63.087, F.S.;

19         requiring that a separate proceeding be

20         conducted by the court to determine whether a

21         birth parent's parental rights should be

22         terminated; providing for rules, jurisdiction,

23         and venue for such proceedings; providing

24         requirements for the petition and hearing;

25         creating s. 63.088, F.S.; providing

26         requirements for identifying and locating a

27         person who is required to consent to an

28         adoption or receive notice of proceedings to

29         terminate parental rights; providing

30         requirements for the notice; providing

31         requirements for conducting a diligent search

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         for such person whose location is unknown;

 2         requiring that an unlocated or unidentified

 3         person be served notice by constructive

 4         service; providing that failure to respond or

 5         appear constitutes grounds to terminate

 6         parental rights pending adoption; creating s.

 7         63.089, F.S.; providing procedures for the

 8         proceeding to terminate parental rights pending

 9         adoption; specifying the matters to be

10         determined; specifying grounds upon which

11         parental rights may be terminated; providing

12         for procedures following a judgment; providing

13         for records to be made part of the subsequent

14         adoption; amending s. 63.092, F.S.; providing

15         requirements to be met if a prospective

16         placement in an adoptive home is an at-risk

17         placement; defining at-risk placement; amending

18         s. 63.097, F.S.; revising requirements for the

19         court in approving specified fees and costs;

20         amending s. 63.102, F.S.; revising requirements

21         for filing a petition for adoption; providing

22         requirements for prior approval of fees and

23         costs; amending s. 63.112, F.S.; revising

24         requirements for the information that must be

25         included in a petition for adoption; amending

26         s. 63.122, F.S.; revising the time requirements

27         for hearing a petition for adoption; amending

28         s. 63.125, F.S., relating to the final home

29         investigation; conforming provisions to changes

30         made by the act; amending s. 63.132, F.S.;

31         revising requirements for the report of

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         expenditures and receipts which is filed with

 2         the court; amending s. 63.142, F.S.; specifying

 3         circumstances under which a judgment

 4         terminating parental rights pending adoption is

 5         voidable; providing for an evidentiary hearing

 6         to determine the minor's placement following a

 7         motion to void such a judgment; amending s.

 8         63.152, F.S.; requiring that the clerk of the

 9         court mail a copy of a new birth record to the

10         state registry of adoption information;

11         amending s. 63.165, F.S.; requiring that a copy

12         of the certified statement of final decree of

13         adoption be included in the state registry of

14         adoption information; requiring that the

15         Department of Children and Family Services

16         maintain such information for a specified

17         period; amending s. 63.182, F.S.; requiring

18         that an action to vacate an order of adoption

19         or an order terminating parental rights pending

20         adoption be filed within a specified period

21         after entry of the order; amending s. 63.207,

22         F.S.; revising provisions that limit the

23         placement of a minor in another state for

24         adoption; amending s. 63.212, F.S., relating to

25         prohibitions and penalties with respect to

26         adoptions; conforming provisions to changes

27         made by the act; repealing s. 63.072, F.S.,

28         relating to persons who may waive required

29         consent to an adoption; requiring that a

30         petition for adoption be governed by the law in

31         effect at the time the petition is filed;

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         creating s. 39.813, F.S.; providing for

 2         continuing jurisdiction of the court that

 3         terminates parental rights over all matters

 4         pertaining to the child's adoption; renumbering

 5         s. 39.471, F.S., relating to oaths, records,

 6         and confidential information; renumbering and

 7         amending s. 39.473, F.S., relating to appeal;

 8         creating s. 39.816, F.S.; authorizing certain

 9         pilot and demonstration projects contingent on

10         receipt of federal grants or contracts;

11         creating s. 39.817, F.S.; providing for a

12         foster care demonstration pilot project;

13         providing for part X of ch. 39, F.S., entitled

14         "Guardians Ad Litem and Guardian Advocates";

15         creating s. 39.820, F.S.; providing

16         definitions; renumbering s. 415.5077, F.S.,

17         relating to qualifications of guardians ad

18         litem; renumbering and amending s. 415.508,

19         F.S., relating to appointment of a guardian ad

20         litem for an abused, abandoned, or neglected

21         child; renumbering and amending s. 415.5082,

22         F.S., relating to guardian advocates for drug

23         dependent newborns; renumbering and amending s.

24         415.5083, F.S., relating to procedures and

25         jurisdiction; renumbering s. 415.5084, F.S.,

26         relating to petition for appointment of a

27         guardian advocate; renumbering s. 415.5085,

28         F.S., relating to process and service;

29         renumbering and amending s. 415.5086, F.S.,

30         relating to hearing for appointment of a

31         guardian advocate; renumbering and amending s.

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         415.5087, F.S., relating to grounds for

 2         appointment of a guardian advocate; renumbering

 3         s. 415.5088, F.S., relating to powers and

 4         duties of the guardian advocate; renumbering

 5         and amending s. 415.5089, F.S., relating to

 6         review and removal of a guardian advocate;

 7         providing for part XI of ch. 39, F.S., entitled

 8         "Domestic Violence"; renumbering s. 415.601,

 9         F.S., relating to legislative intent regarding

10         treatment and rehabilitation of victims and

11         perpetrators; renumbering and amending s.

12         415.602, F.S., relating to definitions;

13         renumbering and amending s. 415.603, F.S.,

14         relating to duties and functions of the

15         department; renumbering and amending s.

16         415.604, F.S., relating to an annual report to

17         the Legislature; renumbering and amending s.

18         415.605, F.S., relating to domestic violence

19         centers; renumbering s. 415.606, F.S., relating

20         to referral to such centers and notice of

21         rights; renumbering s. 415.608, F.S., relating

22         to confidentiality of information received by

23         the department or a center; amending s. 20.19,

24         F.S.; providing for certification programs for

25         family safety and preservation employees of the

26         department; providing for rules; amending ss.

27         20.43, 61.13, 61.401, 61.402, 63.052, 63.092,

28         90.5036, 154.067, 216.136, 232.50, 318.21,

29         384.29, 392.65, 393.063, 395.1023, 400.4174,

30         400.556, 402.165, 402.166, 409.1672, 409.176,

31         409.2554, 409.912, 409.9126, 414.065, 447.401,

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         464.018, 490.014, 491.014, 741.30, 744.309,

 2         784.075, 933.18, 944.401, 944.705, 984.03,

 3         984.10, 984.15, 984.24, 985.03, 985.303, F.S.;

 4         correcting cross-references; conforming related

 5         provisions and references; amending ss. 213.053

 6         and 409.2577, F.S.; authorizing disclosure of

 7         certain confidential taxpayer and parent

 8         locator information for diligent search

 9         activities under ch. 39, F.S.; creating s.

10         435.045, F.S.; providing background screening

11         requirements for prospective foster or adoptive

12         parents; amending s. 943.045, F.S.; providing

13         that the Department of Children and Family

14         Services is a "criminal justice agency" for

15         purposes of the criminal justice information

16         system; repealing s. 39.002, F.S., relating to

17         intent; repealing s. 39.0195, F.S., relating to

18         sheltering unmarried minors and aiding

19         unmarried runaways; repealing s. 39.0196, F.S.,

20         relating to children locked out of the home;

21         repealing ss. 39.39, 39.449, and 39.459, F.S.,

22         relating to definition of "department";

23         repealing s. 39.403, F.S., relating to

24         protective investigation; repealing s. 39.4032,

25         F.S., relating to multidisciplinary case

26         staffing; repealing s. 39.4052, F.S., relating

27         to affirmative duty of written notice to adult

28         relatives; repealing s. 39.4053, F.S., relating

29         to diligent search after taking a child into

30         custody; repealing s. 39.408(3), (4), F.S.,

31         relating to disposition hearings and notice of

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         hearings; repealing s. 39.45, F.S., relating to

 2         legislative intent regarding foster care;

 3         repealing s. 39.451, F.S., relating to case

 4         planning; repealing s. 39.457, F.S., relating

 5         to a pilot program in Leon County to provide

 6         additional benefits to children in foster care;

 7         repealing s. 39.4611, F.S., relating to

 8         elements of petitions; repealing s. 39.462,

 9         F.S., relating to process and services;

10         repealing s. 39.4625, F.S., relating to

11         identity or location of parent unknown after

12         filing of petition for termination of parental

13         rights; repealing s. 39.472, F.S., relating to

14         court and witness fees; repealing s. 39.474,

15         F.S., relating to compensation of counsel;

16         repealing s. 39.475, F.S., relating to rights

17         of grandparents; repealing s. 415.501, F.S.,

18         relating to the state plan for prevention of

19         abuse and neglect; repealing ss. 415.5016,

20         415.50165, 415.5017, 415.50175, 415.5018,

21         415.50185, and 415.5019, F.S., relating to

22         purpose and legislative intent, definitions,

23         procedures, confidentiality of records,

24         district authority and responsibilities,

25         outcome evaluation, and rules for the family

26         services response system; repealing s. 415.502,

27         F.S., relating to legislative intent for

28         comprehensive protective services for abused or

29         neglected children; repealing s. 415.503, F.S.,

30         relating to definitions; repealing s. 415.505,

31         F.S., relating to child protective

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                                                  SENATE AMENDMENT

    Bill No. CS/HB 3883, 2nd Eng.

    Amendment No.    





 1         investigations and investigations of

 2         institutional child abuse or neglect; repealing

 3         s. 415.506, F.S., relating to taking a child

 4         into protective custody; repealing s. 415.5075,

 5         F.S., relating to rules for medical screening

 6         and treatment of children; repealing s.

 7         415.509, F.S., relating to public agencies'

 8         responsibilities for prevention,

 9         identification, and treatment of child abuse

10         and neglect; repealing s. 415.514, F.S.,

11         relating to rules for protective services;

12         providing effective dates.

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

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