HB 0363 2004
1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to motor vehicle insurance for foster
3	children; creating a pilot program for the purpose of
4	reimbursing foster parents for a portion of the increased
5	costs of motor vehicle insurance for a foster child who
6	has a driver's license; directing the Department of
7	Children and Family Services to establish the pilot
8	program in Sarasota and DeSoto Counties; requiring that
9	the remaining portion of the increase in costs be borne by
10	the foster child; prohibiting a child who accumulates a
11	specified number of points due to moving traffic
12	violations from participating in the pilot program;
13	providing an appropriation; providing an effective date.
14
15	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
16
17	Section 1. The Legislature finds that foster parents bear
18	the increased cost of motor vehicle liability insurance for a
19	foster child after that child attains a driver's license. This
20	increase in the cost of insurance creates an additional barrier
21	for a foster child in gaining independence and may limit the
22	child's opportunities for obtaining employment. In accordance
23	with these findings, the Legislature directs the Department of
24	Children and Family Services to establish a 3-year pilot program
25	in Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. The pilot program shall provide
26	funds to reimburse foster parents for the increase in the cost
27	of motor vehicle liability insurance. To be eligible for
28	reimbursement under the pilot program, a foster parent must
29	submit appropriate documentation to the department demonstrating
30	the increase in the cost of insurance. The department shall
31	reimburse the foster parent for one-half of the amount of
32	increase in the parent's cost of motor vehicle liability
33	insurance which is incurred as a result of adding the foster
34	child to the policy. The foster child must pay the other half of
35	the increase in insurance costs. If a foster child accumulates
36	six or more points due to one or more moving traffic violations,
37	the child's foster parent is ineligible to receive reimbursement
38	for the increase in insurance costs incurred for that child.
39	Section 2. The sum of $200,000 is appropriated from the
40	General Revenue Fund to the Department of Children and Family
41	Services for the purpose of implementing this act during the
42	2004-2005 fiscal year.
43	Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2004.