CS/CS/HB 1309

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to adoption and child protection; amending
3	s. 39.001, F.S.; redesignating the Office of Child Abuse
4	Prevention as the Office of Adoption and Child Protection;
5	revising the purpose of the office; providing for a Chief
6	Child Advocate and providing duties therefor; providing
7	duties and responsibilities of the office; providing for
8	the promotion of adoption and support of adoptive families
9	in the state plan of the office; establishing the Child
10	Abuse Prevention and Permanency Advisory Council and
11	providing for composition thereof; providing additional
12	purposes for district plans of action; creating s.
13	39.0011, F.S.; authorizing the office to establish a
14	direct-support organization; providing purposes,
15	requirements, and objectives; providing for members of a
16	board of directors of the direct-support organization;
17	requiring the organization to operate under contract with
18	the office; providing guidelines for the use of funds;
19	amending ss. 39.0014 and 39.01, F.S.; conforming
20	references to changes made by the act; amending s.
21	409.166, F.S.; providing an adoption assistance program
22	for children within the child welfare system; revising
23	legislative intent; revising and providing definitions;
24	requiring the Department of Children and Family Services
25	to collect and maintain certain data; providing adoption
26	assistance in the form of maintenance subsidies, subject
27	to specific appropriations; specifying conditions under
28	which such subsidies are granted; providing for
29	reimbursement for certain expenses; requiring the
30	department to adopt rules; providing appropriations;
31	providing an effective date.
32
33	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
34
35	Section 1.  Subsections (6) through (9) of section 39.001,
36	Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
37	39.001  Purposes and intent; personnel standards and
38	screening.--
39	(6)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT FOR THE PREVENTION OF ABUSE,
40	ABANDONMENT, AND NEGLECT OF CHILDREN.--The incidence of known
41	child abuse, abandonment, and neglect has increased rapidly over
42	the past 5 years. The impact that abuse, abandonment, or neglect
43	has on the victimized child, siblings, family structure, and
44	inevitably on all citizens of the state has caused the
45	Legislature to determine that the prevention of child abuse,
46	abandonment, and neglect shall be a priority of this state. To
47	further this end, it is the intent of the Legislature that an
48	Office of Adoption and Child Protection Abuse Prevention be
49	established.
50	(7)  OFFICE OF ADOPTION AND CHILD PROTECTION ABUSE
51	PREVENTION.--
52	(a)  For purposes of establishing a comprehensive statewide
53	approach for the promotion of adoption, support of adoptive
54	families, and prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and
55	neglect, the Office of Adoption and Child Protection Abuse
56	Prevention is created within the Executive Office of the
57	Governor. The Governor shall appoint a Chief Child Advocate
58	director for the office who shall be subject to confirmation by
59	the Senate.
60	(b)  The Chief Child Advocate director shall:
61	1.  Assist in developing rules pertaining to the promotion
62	of adoption, support of adoptive families, and implementation of
63	child abuse prevention efforts.
64	2.  Act as the Governor's liaison with state agencies,
65	other state governments, and the public and private sectors on
66	matters that relate to the promotion of adoption, support of
67	adoptive families, and child abuse prevention.
68	3.  Work to secure funding and other support for the
69	state's promotion of adoption, support of adoptive families, and
70	child abuse prevention efforts, including, but not limited to,
71	establishing cooperative relationships among state and private
72	agencies.
73	4.  Develop a strategic program and funding initiative that
74	links the separate jurisdictional activities of state agencies
75	with respect to promotion of adoption, support of adoptive
76	families, and child abuse prevention. The office may designate
77	lead and contributing agencies to develop such initiatives.
78	5.  Advise the Governor and the Legislature on statistics
79	related to the promotion of adoption, support of adoptive
80	families, and child abuse prevention trends in this state, the
81	status of current adoption programs and services, current child
82	abuse prevention programs and services, the funding of adoption,
83	support of adoptive families, and child abuse prevention those
84	programs and services, and the status of the office with regard
85	to the development and implementation of the state strategy for
86	the promotion of adoption, support of adoptive families, and
87	child abuse prevention strategy.
88	6.  Develop child abuse prevention public awareness
89	campaigns to be implemented throughout the state for the
90	promotion of adoption, support of adoptive families, and child
91	abuse prevention.
92	(c)  The office is authorized and directed to:
93	1.  Oversee the preparation and implementation of the state
94	plan established under subsection (8) and revise and update the
95	state plan as necessary.
96	2.  Provide for or make available continuing professional
97	education and training in the prevention of child abuse and
98	neglect.
99	3.  Work to secure funding in the form of appropriations,
100	gifts, and grants from the state, the Federal Government, and
101	other public and private sources in order to ensure that
102	sufficient funds are available for the promotion of adoption,
103	support of adoptive families, and child abuse prevention
104	efforts.
105	4.  Make recommendations pertaining to agreements or
106	contracts for the establishment and development of:
107	a.  Programs and services for the promotion of adoption,
108	support of adoptive families, and prevention of child abuse and
109	neglect.
110	b.  Training programs for the prevention of child abuse and
111	neglect.
112	c.  Multidisciplinary and discipline-specific training
113	programs for professionals with responsibilities affecting
114	children, young adults, and families.
115	d.  Efforts to promote adoption.
116	e.  Postadoptive services to support adoptive families.
117	5.  Monitor, evaluate, and review the development and
118	quality of local and statewide services and programs for the
119	promotion of adoption, support of adoptive families, and
120	prevention of child abuse and neglect and shall publish and
121	distribute an annual report of its findings on or before January
122	1 of each year to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of
123	Representatives, the President of the Senate, the secretary of
124	each state agency affected by the report, and the appropriate
125	substantive committees of the Legislature. The report shall
126	include:
127	a.  A summary of the activities of the office.
128	b.  A summary of the adoption data collected and reported
129	to the federal Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting
130	System (AFCARS) and the federal Administration for Children and
131	Families.
132	c.  A summary of the child abuse prevention data collected
133	and reported to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System
134	(NCANDS) and the federal Administration for Children and
135	Families.
136	d.b.  A summary detailing the timeliness of the adoption
137	process for children adopted from within the child welfare
138	system demographic and geographic characteristics of families
139	served by the prevention programs.
140	e.c.  Recommendations, by state agency, for the further
141	development and improvement of services and programs for the
142	promotion of adoption, support of adoptive families, and
143	prevention of child abuse and neglect.
144	f.d.  The Budget requests, adoption promotion and support
145	needs, and child abuse prevention program needs by state agency.
146	6.  Work with the direct-support organization established
147	under s. 39.0011 to receive financial assistance.
148	(8)  PLAN FOR COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.--
149	(a)  The office shall develop a state plan for the
150	promotion of adoption, support of adoptive families, and
151	prevention of abuse, abandonment, and neglect of children and
152	shall submit the state plan to the Speaker of the House of
153	Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the Governor
154	no later than December 31, 2008 2007. The Department of Children
155	and Family Services, the Department of Corrections, the
156	Department of Education, the Department of Health, the
157	Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Law
158	Enforcement, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and the
159	Agency for Workforce Innovation shall participate and fully
160	cooperate in the development of the state plan at both the state
161	and local levels. Furthermore, appropriate local agencies and
162	organizations shall be provided an opportunity to participate in
163	the development of the state plan at the local level.
164	Appropriate local groups and organizations shall include, but
165	not be limited to, community mental health centers; guardian ad
166	litem programs for children under the circuit court; the school
167	boards of the local school districts; the Florida local advocacy
168	councils; community-based care lead agencies; private or public
169	organizations or programs with recognized expertise in working
170	with child abuse prevention programs for children and families;
171	private or public organizations or programs with recognized
172	expertise in working with children who are sexually abused,
173	physically abused, emotionally abused, abandoned, or neglected
174	and with expertise in working with the families of such
175	children; private or public programs or organizations with
176	expertise in maternal and infant health care; multidisciplinary
177	child protection teams; child day care centers; law enforcement
178	agencies; and the circuit courts, when guardian ad litem
179	programs are not available in the local area. The state plan to
180	be provided to the Legislature and the Governor shall include,
181	as a minimum, the information required of the various groups in
182	paragraph (b).
183	(b)  The development of the state plan shall be
184	accomplished in the following manner:
185	1.  The office shall establish a Child Abuse Prevention and
186	Permanency Advisory Council composed of an adoptive parent who
187	has adopted a child from within the child welfare system and
188	representatives from each state agency and appropriate local
189	agencies and organizations specified in paragraph (a). The
190	advisory council shall serve as the research arm of the office
191	and shall be responsible for:
192	a.  Assisting in developing a plan of action for better
193	coordination and integration of the goals, activities, and
194	funding pertaining to the promotion and support of adoption and
195	the prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect
196	conducted by the office in order to maximize staff and resources
197	at the state level. The plan of action shall be included in the
198	state plan.
199	b.  Assisting in providing a basic format to be utilized by
200	the districts in the preparation of local plans of action in
201	order to provide for uniformity in the district plans and to
202	provide for greater ease in compiling information for the state
203	plan.
204	c.  Providing the districts with technical assistance in
205	the development of local plans of action, if requested.
206	d.  Assisting in examining the local plans to determine if
207	all the requirements of the local plans have been met and, if
208	they have not, informing the districts of the deficiencies and
209	requesting the additional information needed.
210	e.  Assisting in preparing the state plan for submission to
211	the Legislature and the Governor. Such preparation shall include
212	the incorporation into the state plan of information obtained
213	from the local plans, the cooperative plans with the members of
214	the advisory council, and the plan of action for coordination
215	and integration of state departmental activities. The state plan
216	shall include a section reflecting general conditions and needs,
217	an analysis of variations based on population or geographic
218	areas, identified problems, and recommendations for change. In
219	essence, the state plan shall provide an analysis and summary of
220	each element of the local plans to provide a statewide
221	perspective. The state plan shall also include each separate
222	local plan of action.
223	f.  Conducting a feasibility study on the establishment of
224	a Children's Cabinet.
225	g.  Working with the specified state agency in fulfilling
226	the requirements of subparagraphs 2., 3., 4., and 5.
227	2.  The office, the department, the Department of
228	Education, and the Department of Health shall work together in
229	developing ways to inform and instruct parents of school
230	children and appropriate district school personnel in all school
231	districts in the detection of child abuse, abandonment, and
232	neglect and in the proper action that should be taken in a
233	suspected case of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect, and in
234	caring for a child's needs after a report is made. The plan for
235	accomplishing this end shall be included in the state plan.
236	3.  The office, the department, the Department of Law
237	Enforcement, and the Department of Health shall work together in
238	developing ways to inform and instruct appropriate local law
239	enforcement personnel in the detection of child abuse,
240	abandonment, and neglect and in the proper action that should be
241	taken in a suspected case of child abuse, abandonment, or
242	neglect.
243	4.  Within existing appropriations, the office shall work
244	with other appropriate public and private agencies to emphasize
245	efforts to educate the general public about the problem of and
246	ways to detect child abuse, abandonment, and neglect and in the
247	proper action that should be taken in a suspected case of child
248	abuse, abandonment, or neglect. The plan for accomplishing this
249	end shall be included in the state plan.
250	5.  The office, the department, the Department of
251	Education, and the Department of Health shall work together on
252	the enhancement or adaptation of curriculum materials to assist
253	instructional personnel in providing instruction through a
254	multidisciplinary approach on the identification, intervention,
255	and prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect. The
256	curriculum materials shall be geared toward a sequential program
257	of instruction at the four progressional levels, K-3, 4-6, 7-9,
258	and 10-12. Strategies for encouraging all school districts to
259	utilize the curriculum are to be included in the state plan for
260	the prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect.
261	6.  Each district of the department shall develop a plan
262	for its specific geographical area. The plan developed at the
263	district level shall be submitted to the advisory council for
264	utilization in preparing the state plan. The district local plan
265	of action shall be prepared with the involvement and assistance
266	of the local agencies and organizations listed in this
267	paragraph, as well as representatives from those departmental
268	district offices participating in the promotion of adoption,
269	support of adoptive families, and treatment and prevention of
270	child abuse, abandonment, and neglect. In order to accomplish
271	this, the office shall establish a task force on the promotion
272	of adoption, support of adoptive families, and prevention of
273	child abuse, abandonment, and neglect. The office shall appoint
274	the members of the task force in accordance with the membership
275	requirements of this section. The office shall ensure that
276	individuals from both urban and rural areas and an adoptive
277	parent who has adopted a child from within the child welfare
278	system are represented on the task force. The task force shall
279	develop a written statement clearly identifying its operating
280	procedures, purpose, overall responsibilities, and method of
281	meeting responsibilities. The district plan of action to be
282	prepared by the task force shall include, but shall not be
283	limited to:
284	a.  Documentation of the magnitude of the problems of child
285	abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional
286	abuse, and child abandonment and neglect in its geographical
287	area.
288	b.  A description of programs currently serving abused,
289	abandoned, and neglected children and their families and a
290	description of programs for the prevention of child abuse,
291	abandonment, and neglect, including information on the impact,
292	cost-effectiveness, and sources of funding of such programs.
293	c.  Information concerning the number of children within
294	the child welfare system available for adoption who need child-
295	specific adoption promotion efforts.
296	d.  A description of programs currently promoting and
297	supporting adoptive families, including information on the
298	impact, cost-effectiveness, and sources of funding of such
299	programs.
300	e.  A description of a comprehensive approach for providing
301	postadoption services. The continuum of services shall include,
302	but not be limited to, sufficient and accessible parent and teen
303	support groups; case management, information, and referral
304	services; and educational advocacy.
305	f.c.  A continuum of programs and services necessary for a
306	comprehensive approach to the promotion of adoption and the
307	prevention of all types of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect
308	as well as a brief description of such programs and services.
309	g.d.  A description, documentation, and priority ranking of
310	local needs related to the promotion of adoption, support of
311	adoptive families, and prevention of child abuse, abandonment,
312	and neglect prevention based upon the continuum of programs and
313	services.
314	h.e.  A plan for steps to be taken in meeting identified
315	needs, including the coordination and integration of services to
316	avoid unnecessary duplication and cost, and for alternative
317	funding strategies for meeting needs through the reallocation of
318	existing resources, utilization of volunteers, contracting with
319	local universities for services, and local government or private
320	agency funding.
321	i.f.  A description of barriers to the accomplishment of a
322	comprehensive approach to the promotion of adoption, support of
323	adoptive families, and prevention of child abuse, abandonment,
324	and neglect.
325	j.g.  Recommendations for changes that can be accomplished
326	only at the state program level or by legislative action.
327	(9)  FUNDING AND SUBSEQUENT PLANS.--
328	(a)  All budget requests submitted by the office, the
329	department, the Department of Health, the Department of
330	Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of
331	Corrections, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the
332	Agency for Workforce Innovation, or any other agency to the
333	Legislature for funding of efforts for the promotion of
334	adoption, support of adoptive families, and prevention of child
335	abuse, abandonment, and neglect shall be based on the state plan
336	developed pursuant to this section.
337	(b)  The office and the other agencies and organizations
338	listed in paragraph (8)(a) shall readdress the state plan and
339	make necessary revisions every 5 years, at a minimum. Such
340	revisions shall be submitted to the Speaker of the House of
341	Representatives and the President of the Senate no later than
342	June 30 of each year divisible by 5. At least biennially, the
343	office shall review the state plan and make any necessary
344	revisions based on changing needs and program evaluation
345	results. An annual progress report shall be submitted to update
346	the state plan in the years between the 5-year intervals. In
347	order to avoid duplication of effort, these required plans may
348	be made a part of or merged with other plans required by either
349	the state or Federal Government, so long as the portions of the
350	other state or Federal Government plan that constitute the state
351	plan for the promotion of adoption, support of adoptive
352	families, and prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and
353	neglect are clearly identified as such and are provided to the
354	Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the
355	Senate as required above.
356	Section 2.  Section 39.0011, Florida Statutes, is created
357	to read:
358	39.0011  Direct-support organization.--
359	(1)  The Office of Adoption and Child Protection may
360	establish a direct-support organization to assist the state in
361	carrying out its purposes and responsibilities regarding the
362	promotion of adoption, support of adoptive families, and
363	prevention of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect by raising
364	money; submitting requests for and receiving grants from the
365	Federal Government, the state or its political subdivisions,
366	private foundations, and individuals; and making expenditures to
367	or for the benefit of the office. The sole purpose for the
368	direct-support organization is to support the office. Such a
369	direct-support organization is an organization that is:
370	(a)  Incorporated under chapter 617 and approved by the
371	Department of State as a Florida corporation not for profit;
372	(b)  Organized and operated to make expenditures to or for
373	the benefit of the office; and
374	(c)  Approved by the office to be operating for the benefit
375	of and in a manner consistent with the goals of the office and
376	in the best interest of the state.
377	(2)  The number of members on the board of directors of the
378	direct-support organization shall be determined by the Chief
379	Child Advocate. Membership on the board of directors of the
380	direct-support organization shall include, but not be limited
381	to, a guardian ad litem; a member of a local advocacy council; a
382	representative from a community-based care lead agency; a
383	representative from a private or public organization or program
384	with recognized expertise in working with child abuse prevention
385	programs for children and families; a representative of a
386	private or public organization or program with recognized
387	expertise in working with children who are sexually abused,
388	physically abused, emotionally abused, abandoned, or neglected
389	and with expertise in working with the families of such
390	children; an individual working at a state adoption agency; and
391	the parent of a child adopted from within the child welfare
392	system.
393	(3)  The direct-support organization shall operate under
394	written contract with the office.
395	(4)  All moneys received by the direct-support organization
396	shall be deposited into an account of the direct-support
397	organization and shall be used by the organization in a manner
398	consistent with the goals of the office.
399	Section 3.  Section 39.0014, Florida Statutes, is amended
400	to read:
401	39.0014  Responsibilities of public agencies.--All state,
402	county, and local agencies shall cooperate, assist, and provide
403	information to the Office of Adoption and Child Protection Abuse
404	Prevention and the department as will enable them to fulfill
405	their responsibilities under this chapter.
406	Section 4.  Subsection (45) of section 39.01, Florida
407	Statutes, is amended to read:
408	39.01  Definitions.--When used in this chapter, unless the
409	context otherwise requires:
410	(45)  "Office" means the Office of Adoption and Child
411	Protection Abuse Prevention within the Executive Office of the
412	Governor.
413	Section 5.  Section 409.166, Florida Statutes, is amended
414	to read:
415	409.166  Children within the child welfare system Special
416	needs children; subsidized adoption assistance program.--
417	(1)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--It is the intent of the
418	Legislature to protect and promote each every child's right to
419	the security and stability of a permanent family home. The
420	Legislature intends to make adoption assistance, including
421	financial aid, available to prospective adoptive parents to
422	financial aid which will enable them to adopt a child in the
423	state's foster care system who, because of his or her special
424	needs, has proven difficult to place in an adoptive home. In
425	providing subsidies for children with special needs in foster
426	homes, it is the intent of the Legislature to reduce state
427	expenditures for long-term foster care. It is also the intent of
428	the Legislature that placement without subsidy be the placement
429	of choice unless it can be shown that such placement is not in
430	the best interest of the child.
431	(2)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:
432	(a)  "Special needs child" means:
433	1.  A child whose permanent custody has been awarded to the
434	department or to a licensed child-placing agency; and
435	2.1.  A child who has established significant emotional
436	ties with his or her foster parents; or
437	2.  is not likely to be adopted because he or she is:
438	a.  Eight years of age or older;
439	b.  Developmentally disabled Mentally retarded;
440	c.  Physically or emotionally handicapped;
441	d.  Of black or racially mixed parentage; or
442	e.  A member of a sibling group of any age, provided two or
443	more members of a sibling group remain together for purposes of
444	adoption; and
445	3.  Except when the child is being adopted by the child's
446	foster parents or relative caregivers, a child for whom a
447	reasonable but unsuccessful effort has been made to place the
448	child without providing a maintenance subsidy.
449	(b)  "Adoption assistance" means financial assistance and
450	services provided to a child and his or her adoptive family.
451	Such assistance may include a maintenance subsidy, medical
452	assistance, Medicaid assistance, and reimbursement of
453	nonrecurring expenses associated with the legal adoption. The
454	term also includes a tuition exemption at a postsecondary career
455	program, community college, or state university, and a state
456	employee adoption benefit under s. 110.152.
457	(c)  "Child within the child welfare system" or "child"
458	means a special needs child and any other child who was removed
459	from the child's caregiver due to abuse or neglect and whose
460	permanent custody has been awarded to the department or to a
461	licensed child-placing agency.
462	(d)(b)  "Department" means the Department of Children and
463	Family Services.
464	(e)  "Licensed child-placing agency" has the same meaning
465	as in s. 39.01.
466	(f)(c)  "Maintenance subsidy" means a monthly payment as
467	provided in subsection (4) special services or money payments.
468	(3)  ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM.--
469	(a)  The department shall establish and administer an
470	adoption program for special needs children to be carried out by
471	the department or by contract with a licensed child-placing
472	agency. The program shall attempt to increase the number of
473	persons seeking to adopt special needs children and the number
474	of finalized adoptions adoption placements and shall extend
475	adoption assistance subsidies and services, when needed, to the
476	adoptive adopting parents of a special needs child.
477	(b)  The department shall collect and maintain the
478	necessary data and records to evaluate the effectiveness of the
479	program in encouraging and promoting the adoption of children.
480	(4)  ADOPTION ASSISTANCE.--
481	(a)(b)  A maintenance subsidy shall Authorization for
482	subsidized adoption placement is to be granted only when all
483	other resources available to a place the child in question have
484	been thoroughly explored and when it can be clearly established
485	that this is the most acceptable plan for providing permanent
486	placement for the child. The maintenance Adoption subsidy may
487	will not be used as a substitute for adoptive parent recruitment
488	or as an inducement to adopt a child who might be placed without
489	providing a subsidy through nonsubsidized means. However, it
490	shall be the policy of the department that no child be denied
491	adoption if providing a maintenance when subsidy would make
492	adoption possible. The best interest of the child shall be the
493	deciding factor in every case. This section does not Nothing
494	contained herein shall prohibit foster parents from applying to
495	adopt a special needs child placed in their care. Foster parents
496	or relative caregivers must be asked if they would adopt without
497	a maintenance subsidy.
498	(c)  The department shall keep the necessary records to
499	evaluate the effectiveness of the program in encouraging and
500	promoting the adoption of special needs children.
501	(4)  ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES.--
502	(b)(a)  The department shall provide adoption assistance
503	may pay either one or both of the following subsidies to the
504	adoptive adopting parents, subject to specific appropriation,:
505	1.  in the amount of $5,000 annually, paid on a monthly
506	basis, for the support and maintenance of a special needs child
507	until the 18th birthday of such child or, a monthly payment in
508	an amount other than $5,000 annually as determined by through
509	agreement between the adoptive parents and the department and
510	memorialized in a written agreement between the adoptive parents
511	and the department. The agreement shall take into consideration
512	the circumstances of the adoptive adopting parents and the needs
513	of the child being adopted., and The amount of subsidy may be
514	adjusted readjusted periodically based upon changes in the needs
515	of the child or circumstances of the adoptive parents. Changes
516	shall not be made without the concurrence of the adoptive
517	parents those circumstances. However, in no case shall the
518	amount of the adoption subsidy monthly payment exceed the foster
519	care maintenance payment that which would have been paid during
520	the same period if the child had been in a foster family home.
521	Such payment shall be negotiated yearly between the parents and
522	the department.
523	(c)2.  The department may provide adoption assistance to
524	the adoptive parents, subject to specific appropriation, for
525	medical assistance initiated after the adoption of the child for
526	medical, surgical, hospital, and related services needed as a
527	result of a physical or mental condition of the child which
528	existed before the adoption and is not covered by Medicaid,
529	Children's Medical Services, or Children's Mental Health
530	Services. Such assistance, a subsidy which may be initiated at
531	any time but shall terminate on or before the child's 18th
532	birthday.
533	(5)  ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES.--
534	(a)(b)  As a condition of providing adoption assistance
535	under this section for continuation of the subsidy, the adoptive
536	parents must enter into an adoption-assistance agreement with
537	the department which specifies the financial assistance and
538	other services to be provided shall file a sworn statement with
539	the department at least once each year to include any social or
540	financial conditions which may have changed.
541	(b)(c)  A child who is handicapped at the time of adoption
542	shall be eligible for services through of the Division of
543	Children's Medical Services network established under part I of
544	chapter 391 if the child was eligible for such services prior to
545	the adoption.
546	(6)(5)  WAIVER OF ADOPTION FEES.--The adoption fees shall
547	be waived for all adoptive parents who participate in the
548	program who adopt children in the custody of the department.
549	Fees may be waived for families who adopt children in the
550	custody of a licensed child-placing agency agencies or who adopt
551	children through independent adoptions, and who receive or may
552	be eligible for maintenance subsidies through the department.
553	Retroactive reimbursement of fees is may not be required for
554	families who adopt children in the custody of licensed child-
555	placing agencies.
556	(7)(6)  REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES.--The department is
557	authorized to reimburse, retroactive to January 1, 1987, up to
558	$1,000 in nonrecurring expenses related to the adoption of a
559	child which have been incurred by adoptive parents who
560	participate in the program for up to $1,000 in nonrecurring
561	expenses the parents incurred relating to the adoption. For
562	purposes of this subsection, "nonrecurring expenses" means one-
563	time expenses, such as attorney's fees, court costs, birth
564	certificate fees, travel expenses, agency fees, and physical
565	examination fees.
566	(8)(7)  RULES.--The department shall adopt promulgate all
567	necessary rules to administer implement the provisions of this
568	section.
569	Section 6.  The sum of $2,991,305 in recurring funds from
570	the General Revenue Fund, $2,335,445 in recurring funds from the
571	Federal Grants Trust Fund, and $346,772 in recurring funds from
572	the Welfare Transition Trust Fund are appropriated to the
573	Department of Children and Family Services for the purpose of
574	providing maintenance subsidies as provided in s. 409.166,
575	Florida Statutes.
576	Section 7.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2007.

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