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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to public child care; amending s. 402.301,

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F.S.; providing legislative intent that children meeting

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certain requirements be given first priority for placement

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into the Gold Seal Quality Care Program; 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.  Subsection (8) is added to section 402.301,

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Florida Statutes, to read:

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     402.301  Child care facilities; legislative intent and

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declaration of purpose and policy.--It is the legislative intent

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to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the children of

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the state and to promote their emotional and intellectual

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development and care. Toward that end:

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     (8) It is the intent of the Legislature that a child care

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center designated as a Gold Seal Quality Care facility under s.

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402.281 allow children who have not attained the age of

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eligibility for kindergarten and who are under the jurisdiction

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of a circuit court of this state due to a documented case of

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child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to receive first priority

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for placement. To the extent that this subsection creates a

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conflict with a priority placement pursuant to s. 411.01(6), a

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child who is at least 3 years of age but who has not yet attained

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the age of eligibility for kindergarten shall have first priority

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for placement.

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