Senate Bill sb0236
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2007 SB 236
By Senator Bennett
21-327-07
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to motor vehicle insurance for
3 foster children; creating a pilot program for
4 the purpose of reimbursing foster parents,
5 residential facilities, or foster children who
6 live independently for a portion of the
7 increased costs of motor vehicle insurance for
8 a foster child who has a driver's license;
9 directing the Department of Children and Family
10 Services to establish a pilot program in
11 Sarasota, DeSoto, Manatee, Pinellas, Pasco, and
12 Hillsborough Counties; requiring that the
13 person who incurs the increased cost submit to
14 the department documentation of that increase;
15 requiring that foster children be encouraged to
16 pay the remaining portion of the increase in
17 costs; directing the department to develop
18 procedures for operating the pilot program;
19 requiring the department to submit a report
20 with recommendations to the Governor and the
21 Legislature by a specified date; providing an
22 appropriation; providing an effective date.
23
24 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
25
26 Section 1. (1) The Legislature finds that the
27 increased cost of motor vehicle insurance for a foster child
28 after that child attains a driver's license is borne by the
29 foster parents, the authorized representative of the
30 residential facility, or the foster child if living
31 independently. This increase in the cost of insurance creates
1
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2007 SB 236
21-327-07
1 an additional barrier for a foster child in gaining
2 independence and may limit the child's opportunities for
3 obtaining employment. In accordance with these findings, the
4 Department of Children and Family Services shall establish a
5 3-year pilot program in Sarasota, Desoto, Manatee, Pinellas,
6 Pasco, and Hillsborough Counties to pay a portion of the cost
7 of motor vehicle insurance for foster children who have
8 obtained a driver's license.
9 (2) To the extent that funding is available, the pilot
10 program shall provide funds to pay for a portion of the
11 increase in the cost of motor vehicle insurance incurred by
12 the foster parents, residential facilities, or the foster
13 child if living independently. To be eligible for payment
14 under the pilot program, the person incurring the cost must
15 submit to the department appropriate documentation
16 demonstrating the increase in the cost of insurance. The
17 amount of the payment provided to the foster parent,
18 residential facility, or foster child if living independently
19 shall be one-half of the amount of the increase in the cost of
20 motor vehicle insurance which is incurred as a result of
21 adding the foster child to the policy or less than one-half if
22 another source of funding is available to pay for the
23 increase. The foster child must be encouraged to pay the other
24 half of the increase in insurance costs.
25 (3) The department shall develop procedures for
26 operating the pilot program, including, but not limited to,
27 determining eligibility, providing the payment, ensuring that
28 payment is limited solely to the additional costs of including
29 the foster child in the insurance policy, and allocating
30 available funds.
31
2
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2007 SB 236
21-327-07
1 (4) The department shall examine and use, to the
2 extent possible, other available options for funding the cost
3 of the motor vehicle insurance increase, such as, but not
4 limited to, through the child's master trust fund, social
5 security income, child support payments, and other income
6 available to the child.
7 (5) Beginning January 1, 2008, and continuing for the
8 duration of the pilot program, the department shall submit to
9 the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
10 the House of Representatives an annual report on the success
11 and outcomes achieved by the pilot program, with a
12 recommendation as to whether the pilot program should be
13 continued, expanded, or terminated.
14 Section 2. The sum of $150,000 is appropriated from
15 the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Children and
16 Family Services for the purpose of implementing this act
17 during the 2007-2008 fiscal year. If the sum of $150,000 is
18 not enough to cover the costs of the pilot, the appropriate
19 community-based care agency shall fund the difference.
20 Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2007.
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23 SENATE SUMMARY
24 Creates a pilot program for the purpose of reimbursing
foster parents, residential facilities, or foster
25 children who live independently for a portion of the
increased costs of motor vehicle insurance for a foster
26 child who has a driver's license. Directs the Department
of Children and Family Services to establish a pilot
27 program in Sarasota, DeSoto, Manatee, Pinellas, Pasco,
and Hillsborough Counties. Requires that the person who
28 incurs the increased cost submit to the department
documentation of that increase. Requires that foster
29 children be encouraged to pay the remaining portion of
the increase in costs. Directs the department to develop
30 procedures for operating the pilot program. Requires the
department to submit a report with recommendations to the
31 Governor and the Legislature by a specified date.
Provides an appropriation.
3
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.