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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to the Family Readiness Program; amending

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s. 250.5206, F.S.; expanding purpose, eligibility, and

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annual report provisions of the Family Readiness Program

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within the Department of Military Affairs; providing an

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effective date.

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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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     Section 1.  Subsections (1), (4), and (7) of section

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250.5206, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

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     250.5206  Family Readiness Program.--The Department of

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Military Affairs shall establish a state Family Readiness Program

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headed by a program director and based on the United States

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Department of Defense National Guard and Reserve Family Readiness

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Strategic Plan 2004-2005 initiative.

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     (1)  PROGRAM PURPOSE.--The purpose of the program shall be

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to provide need-based assistance to families of servicemembers of

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the Florida National Guard and United States Reserve Forces,

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including the Coast Guard Reserves, who are on active duty

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serving in the Global War on Terrorism and who are federally

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deployed or participating in state operations for homeland

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defense, and the families of such servicemembers.

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     (4)  ELIGIBILITY.--Eligible recipients shall include

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servicemembers and persons designated as beneficiaries on the

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United States Department of Defense Form 93, or who are otherwise

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dependents of eligible servicemembers, and who are residents of

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the State of Florida. The period of eligibility to request

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assistance from the fund continues for 120 days following

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termination of the servicemember's service member's military

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orders for qualifying service and return to home of record.

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     (7)  ANNUAL REPORT.--The department shall maintain

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sufficient data to provide an annual report to the Governor and

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the Legislature on the servicemembers and families served under

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the program, the types of services provided, and the allocation

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of funds spent.

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     Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.