Florida Senate - 2008 CS for SB 700

By the Committee on Criminal Justice; and Senator Crist

591-05772-08 2008700c1

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A bill to be entitled

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An act relating to juvenile justice; amending s. 29.008,

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F.S.; conforming cross-references; amending s. 790.22,

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F.S.; revising provisions relating to community service

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programs; amending s. 939.185, F.S.; providing diversion

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options; amending s. 984.05, F.S., conforming cross-

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references; amending s. 984.09, F.S.; deleting duplicative

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provisions relating to contempt of court and alternative

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sanctions; amending s. 985.02, F.S.; providing diversion

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options; amending s. 985.03, F.S.; defining the term

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"ordinary medical care"; amending and renumbering

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provisions of s. 985.037, F.S., relating to alterative

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sanctions; creating s. 985.0375, F.S.; providing for

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alternative sanctions; amending s. 985.04, F.S; providing

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that confidential information obtained during an

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official's service with juvenile delinquents may be shared

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with authorized personnel of the Department of Children

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and Family Services; amending s. 985.245, F.S.; providing

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for additional representatives to be included on the

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committee formed to advise the Department of Juvenile

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Justice on the risk assessment instrument; requiring

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periodic evaluation of the risk assessment instrument;

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amending s. 985.265, F.S.; providing an exception to

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required supervision in direct supervision housing;

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amending s. 985.601, F.S.; requiring the Department of

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Juvenile Justice to adopt rules to establish procedures to

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provide ordinary medical care, mental health, substance

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abuse, and developmental disabilities services to youth

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within the juvenile justice continuum; requiring that, to

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the extent possible within available fiscal resources, the

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procedures must be commensurate with procedures that youth

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receive in the community; amending s. 985.606, F.S.;

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revising provisions governing data collection; amending s.

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985.632, F.S.; authorizing the department to conduct a

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demonstration project in order to create an accountable

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juvenile justice system that is outcome-based; amending s.

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985.644, F.S., relating to departmental contracting

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powers; removing references to the Department of Children

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and Family Services; amending s. 985.66, F.S.;

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transferring the responsibility for the juvenile justice

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training program from the Juvenile Justice Standards and

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Training Commission to the Department of Juvenile Justice;

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requiring the department to adopt rules; amending s.

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985.664, F.S., relating to the juvenile justice circuit

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boards and juvenile justice county councils; providing a

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reference to the Children and Youth Cabinet; amending s.

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985.668, F.S.; encouraging each juvenile justice circuit

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board, in consultation with the juvenile justice county

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council, to propose an innovation zone within the circuit;

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amending s. 985.676, F.S.; including the development and

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implantation of a strategic plan; amending s. 985.721,

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F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; creating s. 1006.125,

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F.S.; requiring that a student charged with a violation of

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the code of student conduct which constitutes a serious

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criminal offense be reported to a law enforcement agency;

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amending s. 1006.13, F.S.; removing the reference of zero

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tolerance; providing an appropriation; 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.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section

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29.008, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

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     29.008  County funding of court-related functions.--

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     (3)  The following shall be considered a local requirement

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pursuant to subparagraph (2)(a)1.:

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     (b) Alternative sanctions coordinators pursuant to s.

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985.0375 ss. 984.09 and 985.037.

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     Section 2.  Paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of section

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790.22, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

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     790.22  Use of BB guns, air or gas-operated guns, or

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electric weapons or devices by minor under 16; limitation;

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possession of firearms by minor under 18 prohibited; penalties.--

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     (4)

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     (c)  The juvenile justice circuit boards or juvenile justice

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county councils or the Department of Juvenile Justice shall

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establish appropriate community service programs to be available

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as provided in s. 985.0375 to the alternative sanctions

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coordinators of the circuit courts in implementing this

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subsection. The boards or councils or department shall propose

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the implementation of a community service program in each

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circuit, and may submit a circuit plan, to be implemented upon

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approval of the circuit alternative sanctions coordinator.

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     Section 3.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section

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939.185, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

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     939.185  Assessment of additional court costs and

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surcharges.--

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     (1)(a)  The board of county commissioners may adopt by

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ordinance an additional court cost, not to exceed $65, to be

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imposed by the court when a person pleads guilty or nolo

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contendere to, or is found guilty of, or adjudicated delinquent

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for, any felony, misdemeanor, delinquent act, or criminal traffic

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offense under the laws of this state. Such additional assessment

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shall be accounted for separately by the county in which the

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offense occurred and be used only in the county imposing this

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cost, to be allocated as follows:

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     1.  Twenty-five percent of the amount collected shall be

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allocated to fund innovations to supplement state funding for the

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elements of the state courts system identified in s. 29.004 and

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county funding for local requirements under s. 29.008(2)(a)2.

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     2.  Twenty-five percent of the amount collected shall be

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allocated to assist counties in providing legal aid programs

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required under s. 29.008(3)(a).

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     3.  Twenty-five percent of the amount collected shall be

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allocated to fund personnel and legal materials for the public as

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part of a law library.

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     4.  Twenty-five percent of the amount collected shall be

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used as determined by the board of county commissioners to

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support teen court programs, except as provided in s. 938.19(7),

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juvenile assessment centers, and other juvenile alternative

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programs that include diversion options for first-time

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misdemeanant youth or youth 10 years of age or younger.

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Each county receiving funds under this section shall report the

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amount of funds collected pursuant to this section and an

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itemized list of expenditures for all authorized programs and

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activities. The report shall be submitted in a format developed

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by the Supreme Court to the Governor, the Chief Financial

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Officer, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the

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House of Representatives on a quarterly basis beginning with the

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quarter ending September 30, 2004. Quarterly reports shall be

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submitted no later than 30 days after the end of the quarter. Any

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unspent funds at the close of the county fiscal year allocated

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under subparagraphs 2., 3., and 4., shall be transferred for use

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pursuant to subparagraph 1.

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     Section 4.  Section 984.05, Florida Statutes, is amended to

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read:

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     984.05  Rules relating to habitual truants; adoption by

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State Board of Education and Department of Juvenile Justice.--The

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Department of Juvenile Justice and the State Board of Education

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shall work together on the development of, and shall adopt, rules

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as necessary for administering the implementation of ss.

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984.03(27), 985.03(26) 985.03(25), and 1003.27.

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     Section 5.  Section 984.09, Florida Statutes, is amended to

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read:

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984.09 Punishment for contempt of court; alternative

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sanctions.--

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     (1) CONTEMPT OF COURT; LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--Except as

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otherwise provided in this section, the court may punish any

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child for contempt for interfering with the court or with court

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administration, or for violating any provision of this chapter or

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order of the court relative thereto as provided in s. 985.037. It

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is the intent of the Legislature that the court restrict and

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limit the use of contempt powers with respect to commitment of a

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child to a secure facility. A child who commits direct contempt

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of court or indirect contempt of a valid court order may be taken

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into custody and ordered to serve an alternative sanction or

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placed in a secure facility, as authorized in this section, by

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order of the court.

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     (2)  PLACEMENT IN A SECURE FACILITY.--

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     (a) A child may be placed in a secure facility as provided

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in s. 985.037(2) for purposes of punishment for contempt of court

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if alternative sanctions are unavailable or inappropriate, or if

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the child has already been ordered to serve an alternative

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sanction but failed to comply with the sanction.

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     (a) A delinquent child who has been held in direct or

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indirect contempt may be placed in a secure detention facility

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for 5 days for a first offense or 15 days for a second or

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subsequent offense, or in a secure residential commitment

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facility.

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     (b)  A child in need of services who has been held in direct

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contempt or indirect contempt may be placed, for 5 days for a

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first offense or 15 days for a second or subsequent offense, in a

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staff-secure shelter or a staff-secure residential facility

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solely for children in need of services if such placement is

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available, or, if such placement is not available, the child may

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be placed in an appropriate mental health facility or substance

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abuse facility for assessment. In addition to disposition under

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this paragraph, a child in need of services who is held in direct

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contempt or indirect contempt may be placed in a physically

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secure setting as provided under s. 984.226 if conditions of

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eligibility are met.

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     (3) ALTERNATIVE SANCTIONS.--Each judicial circuit shall

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have an alternative sanctions coordinator who shall serve under

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the chief administrative judge of the juvenile division of the

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circuit court, and who shall coordinate and maintain a spectrum

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of contempt sanction alternatives in conjunction with the circuit

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plan implemented in accordance with s. 790.22(4)(c). Upon

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determining that a child has committed direct contempt of court

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or indirect contempt of a valid court order, the court may

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immediately request the alternative sanctions coordinator to

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recommend the most appropriate available alternative sanction and

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shall order the child to perform up to 50 hours of community-

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service manual labor or a similar alternative sanction, unless an

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alternative sanction is unavailable or inappropriate, or unless

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the child has failed to comply with a prior alternative sanction.

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Alternative contempt sanctions may be provided by local industry

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or by any nonprofit organization or any public or private

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business or service entity that has entered into a contract with

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the Department of Juvenile Justice to act as an agent of the

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state to provide voluntary supervision of children on behalf of

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the state in exchange for the manual labor of children and

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limited immunity in accordance with s. 768.28(11).

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     (3)(4) CHILDREN IN NEED OF SERVICES CONTEMPT OF COURT

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SANCTIONS; PROCEDURE AND DUE PROCESS.--

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     (a) If a child is charged with direct contempt of court,

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including traffic court, the court may impose an authorized

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sanction immediately.

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     (b) If a child is charged with indirect contempt of court,

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the court must hold a hearing within 24 hours to determine

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whether the child committed indirect contempt of a valid court

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order. At the hearing, the following due process rights must be

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provided to the child:

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     1. Right to a copy of the order to show cause alleging

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facts supporting the contempt charge.

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     2. Right to an explanation of the nature and the

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consequences of the proceedings.

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     3. Right to legal counsel and the right to have legal

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counsel appointed by the court if the juvenile is indigent,

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pursuant to s. 985.033.

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     4. Right to confront witnesses.

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     5. Right to present witnesses.

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     6. Right to have a transcript or record of the proceeding.

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     7. Right to appeal to an appropriate court.

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The child's parent or guardian may address the court regarding

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the due process rights of the child. The court shall review the

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placement of the child every 72 hours to determine whether it is

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appropriate for the child to remain in the facility.

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     (c) The court may not order that a child be placed in a

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secure facility for punishment for contempt unless the court

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determines that an alternative sanction is inappropriate or

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unavailable or that the child was initially ordered to an

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alternative sanction and did not comply with the alternative

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sanction. The court is encouraged to order a child to perform

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community service, up to the maximum number of hours, where

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appropriate before ordering that the child be placed in a secure

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facility as punishment for contempt of court.

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     (d) In addition to any other sanction imposed under s.

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985.037 this section, the court may direct the Department of

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Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to withhold issuance of, or

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suspend, a child's driver's license or driving privilege. The

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court may order that a child's driver's license or driving

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privilege be withheld or suspended for up to 1 year for a first

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offense of contempt and up to 2 years for a second or subsequent

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offense. If the child's driver's license or driving privilege is

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suspended or revoked for any reason at the time the sanction for

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contempt is imposed, the court shall extend the period of

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suspension or revocation by the additional period ordered under

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this paragraph. If the child's driver's license is being withheld

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at the time the sanction for contempt is imposed, the period of

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suspension or revocation ordered under this paragraph shall begin

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on the date on which the child is otherwise eligible to drive.

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for a child in need of services whose driver's license or driving

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privilege is suspended under that section this paragraph, the

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court may direct the Department of Highway Safety and Motor

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Vehicles to issue the child a license for driving privileges

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restricted to business or employment purposes only, as defined in

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s. 322.271, or for the purpose of completing court-ordered

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community service, if the child is otherwise qualified for a

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license. However, the department may not issue a restricted

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license unless specifically ordered to do so by the court.

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     (5) ALTERNATIVE SANCTIONS COORDINATOR.--There is created

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the position of alternative sanctions coordinator within each

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judicial circuit, pursuant to subsection (3). Each alternative

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sanctions coordinator shall serve under the direction of the

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chief administrative judge of the juvenile division as directed

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by the chief judge of the circuit. The alternative sanctions

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coordinator shall act as the liaison between the judiciary, local

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department officials, district school board employees, and local

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law enforcement agencies. The alternative sanctions coordinator

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shall coordinate within the circuit community-based alternative

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sanctions, including nonsecure detention programs, community

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service projects, and other juvenile sanctions, in conjunction

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with the circuit plan implemented in accordance with s.

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790.22(4)(c).

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     Section 6.  Subsection (3) of section 985.02, Florida

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Statutes, is amended to read:

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     985.02  Legislative intent for the juvenile justice

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system.--

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     (3)  JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION.--It is the

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policy of the state with respect to juvenile justice and

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delinquency prevention to first protect the public from acts of

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delinquency. In addition, it is the policy of the state to:

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     (a)  Develop and implement effective methods of preventing

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and reducing acts of delinquency, with a focus on maintaining and

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strengthening the family as a whole so that children may remain

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in their homes or communities.

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     (b)  Develop and implement effective programs to prevent

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delinquency, to divert children from the traditional juvenile

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justice system, to intervene at an early stage of delinquency,

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and to provide critically needed alternatives to

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institutionalization and deep-end commitment.

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     (c)  Provide well-trained personnel, high-quality services,

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and cost-effective programs within the juvenile justice system.

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     (d)  Increase the capacity of local governments and public

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and private agencies to conduct rehabilitative treatment programs

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and to provide research, evaluation, and training services in the

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field of juvenile delinquency prevention.

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     (e) Encourage and promote diversion options when

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appropriate, especially for first-time misdemeanant youth or

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youth 10 years of age or younger.

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The Legislature intends that detention care, in addition to

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providing secure and safe custody, will promote the health and

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well-being of the children committed thereto and provide an

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environment that fosters their social, emotional, intellectual,

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and physical development.

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     Section 7.  Subsections (39) through (57) of section 985.03,

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Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (40) through

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(58), respectively, and a new subsection (38) is added to that

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section, to read:

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     985.03  Definitions.--As used in this chapter, the term:

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     (38) "Ordinary medical care" means medical procedures that

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are administered or performed on a routine basis and include, but

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are not limited to, inoculations, physical examinations, remedial

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treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, preventive services,

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medication management, chronic disease management, and other

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medical procedures that are administered or performed on a

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routine basis and that do not involve hospitalization, surgery,

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or use of general anesthesia.

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     Section 8.  Subsections (1), (2), and (4) of section

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985.037, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsections (3) and

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(5) of that section are redesignated as subsections (1) and (2)

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of section 985.0375, Florida Statutes, and amended to read:

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     985.037 Punishment for contempt of court; alternative

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sanctions.--

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     (1)  CONTEMPT OF COURT; LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--The court may

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punish any child for contempt for interfering with the court or

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with court administration, or for violating any provision of this

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chapter or order of the court relative thereto. It is the intent

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of the Legislature that the court restrict and limit the use of

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contempt powers with respect to commitment of a child to a secure

324

facility. A child who commits direct contempt of court or

325

indirect contempt of a valid court order may be taken into

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custody and ordered to serve an alternative sanction or placed in

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a secure facility, as authorized in this section, by order of the

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court.

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     (2)  PLACEMENT IN A SECURE FACILITY.--A child may be placed

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in a secure facility for purposes of punishment for contempt of

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court if alternative sanctions are unavailable or inappropriate,

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or if the child has already been ordered to serve an alternative

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sanction but failed to comply with the sanction. A delinquent

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child who has been held in direct or indirect contempt may be

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placed in a secure detention facility not to exceed 5 days for a

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first offense and not to exceed 15 days for a second or

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subsequent offense.

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     (3)(4) CONTEMPT OF COURT SANCTIONS; PROCEDURE AND DUE

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PROCESS.--

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     (a)  If a child is charged with direct contempt of court,

341

including traffic court, the court may impose an authorized

342

sanction immediately.

343

     (b)  If a child is charged with indirect contempt of court,

344

the court must hold a hearing within 24 hours to determine

345

whether the child committed indirect contempt of a valid court

346

order. At the hearing, the following due process rights must be

347

provided to the child:

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     1.  Right to a copy of the order to show cause alleging

349

facts supporting the contempt charge.

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     2.  Right to an explanation of the nature and the

351

consequences of the proceedings.

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     3.  Right to legal counsel and the right to have legal

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counsel appointed by the court if the juvenile is indigent, under

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s. 985.033.

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     4.  Right to confront witnesses.

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     5.  Right to present witnesses.

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     6.  Right to have a transcript or record of the proceeding.

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     7.  Right to appeal to an appropriate court.

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The child's parent or guardian may address the court regarding

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the due process rights of the child. The court shall review the

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placement of the child every 72 hours to determine whether it is

363

appropriate for the child to remain in the facility.

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     (c)  The court may not order that a child be placed in a

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secure facility for punishment for contempt unless the court

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determines that an alternative sanction is inappropriate or

367

unavailable or that the child was initially ordered to an

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alternative sanction and did not comply with the alternative

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sanction. The court is encouraged to order a child to perform

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community service, up to the maximum number of hours, where

371

appropriate before ordering that the child be placed in a secure

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facility as punishment for contempt of court.

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     (d)  In addition to any other sanction imposed under this

374

section, the court may direct the Department of Highway Safety

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and Motor Vehicles to withhold issuance of, or suspend, a child's

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driver's license or driving privilege. The court may order that a

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child's driver's license or driving privilege be withheld or

378

suspended for up to 1 year for a first offense of contempt and up

379

to 2 years for a second or subsequent offense. If the child's

380

driver's license or driving privilege is suspended or revoked for

381

any reason at the time the sanction for contempt is imposed, the

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court shall extend the period of suspension or revocation by the

383

additional period ordered under this paragraph. If the child's

384

driver's license is being withheld at the time the sanction for

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contempt is imposed, the period of suspension or revocation

386

ordered under this paragraph shall begin on the date on which the

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child is otherwise eligible to drive.

388

389

     985.0375 Alternative sanctions.--

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     (1)(3) ALTERNATIVE SANCTIONS.--Each judicial circuit shall

391

have an alternative sanctions coordinator who shall serve under

392

the chief administrative judge of the juvenile division of the

393

circuit court, and who shall coordinate and maintain a spectrum

394

of contempt sanction alternatives in conjunction with the circuit

395

plan implemented in accordance with s. 790.22(4)(c). Upon

396

determining that a child has committed direct contempt of court

397

or indirect contempt of a valid court order, the court may

398

immediately request the alternative sanctions coordinator to

399

recommend the most appropriate available alternative sanction and

400

shall order the child to perform up to 50 hours of community-

401

service manual labor or a similar alternative sanction, unless an

402

alternative sanction is unavailable or inappropriate, or unless

403

the child has failed to comply with a prior alternative sanction.

404

Alternative contempt sanctions may be provided by local industry

405

or by any nonprofit organization or any public or private

406

business or service entity that has entered into a contract with

407

the department of Juvenile Justice to act as an agent of the

408

state to provide voluntary supervision of children on behalf of

409

the state in exchange for the manual labor of children and

410

limited immunity in accordance with s. 768.28(11).

411

     (2)(5) ALTERNATIVE SANCTIONS COORDINATOR.--There is created

412

the position of alternative sanctions coordinator within each

413

judicial circuit, pursuant to subsection (1) (3). Each

414

alternative sanctions coordinator shall serve under the direction

415

of the chief administrative judge of the juvenile division as

416

directed by the chief judge of the circuit. The alternative

417

sanctions coordinator shall act as the liaison between the

418

judiciary, local department officials, district school board

419

employees, and local law enforcement agencies. The alternative

420

sanctions coordinator shall coordinate within the circuit

421

community-based alternative sanctions, including nonsecure

422

detention programs, community service projects, and other

423

juvenile sanctions, to implement s. 790.22(4) in conjunction with

424

the circuit plan implemented in accordance with s. 790.22(4)(c).

425

     Section 9.  Subsections (1) and (7) of section 985.04,

426

Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

427

     985.04  Oaths; records; confidential information.--

428

     (1)  Except as provided in subsections (2), (3), (6), and

429

(7) and s. 943.053, all information obtained under this chapter

430

in the discharge of official duty by any judge, any employee of

431

the court, any authorized agent of the department, the Parole

432

Commission, the Department of Corrections, the juvenile justice

433

circuit boards, any law enforcement agent, or any licensed

434

professional or licensed community agency representative

435

participating in the assessment or treatment of a juvenile is

436

confidential and may be disclosed only to the authorized

437

personnel of the court, the department and its designees, the

438

Department of Corrections, the Department of Children and Family

439

Services, the Parole Commission, law enforcement agents, school

440

superintendents and their designees, any licensed professional or

441

licensed community agency representative participating in the

442

assessment or treatment of a juvenile, and others entitled under

443

this chapter to receive that information, or upon order of the

444

court. Within each county, the sheriff, the chiefs of police, the

445

district school superintendent, and the department shall enter

446

into an interagency agreement for the purpose of sharing

447

information about juvenile offenders among all parties. The

448

agreement must specify the conditions under which summary

449

criminal history information is to be made available to

450

appropriate school personnel, and the conditions under which

451

school records are to be made available to appropriate department

452

personnel. Such agreement shall require notification to any

453

classroom teacher of assignment to the teacher's classroom of a

454

juvenile who has been placed in a probation or commitment program

455

for a felony offense. The agencies entering into such agreement

456

must comply with s. 943.0525, and must maintain the

457

confidentiality of information that is otherwise exempt from s.

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119.07(1), as provided by law.

459

     (7)(a)  Records in the custody of the department regarding

460

children are not open to inspection by the public. Such records

461

may be inspected only upon order of the Secretary of Juvenile

462

Justice or his or her authorized agent by persons who have

463

sufficient reason and upon such conditions for their use and

464

disposition as the secretary or his or her authorized agent deems

465

proper. The information in such records may be disclosed only to

466

other employees of the department who have a need therefor in

467

order to perform their official duties; to other persons as

468

authorized by rule of the department; and, upon request, to the

469

Department of Corrections and the Department of Children and

470

Family Services. The secretary or his or her authorized agent may

471

permit properly qualified persons to inspect and make abstracts

472

from records for statistical purposes under whatever conditions

473

upon their use and disposition the secretary or his or her

474

authorized agent deems proper, provided adequate assurances are

475

given that children's names and other identifying information

476

will not be disclosed by the applicant.

477

     (b)  The destruction of records pertaining to children

478

committed to or supervised by the department pursuant to a court

479

order, which records are retained until a child reaches the age

480

of 24 years or until a serious or habitual delinquent child

481

reaches the age of 26 years, shall be subject to chapter 943.

482

     Section 10.  Subsection (2) of section 985.245, Florida

483

Statutes, is amended to read:

484

     985.245  Risk assessment instrument.--

485

     (2)(a)  The risk assessment instrument for detention care

486

placement determinations and court orders shall be developed by

487

the department in consultation agreement with a committee

488

composed of two representatives appointed by the following

489

associations: the Conference of Circuit Judges of Florida, the

490

Prosecuting Attorneys Association, the Public Defenders

491

Association, the Florida Sheriffs Association, and the Florida

492

Association of Chiefs of Police. Each association shall appoint

493

two individuals, one representing an urban area and one

494

representing a rural area. In addition, the committee shall

495

include two representatives from child advocacy organizations,

496

and two recognized child mental health experts, appointed by the

497

department. The parties involved shall evaluate and revise the

498

risk assessment instrument as is considered necessary using the

499

method for revision as agreed by the parties. The risk assessment

500

instrument shall be evaluated to determine if the instrument

501

contributes to disproportionate minority contact.

502

     (b)  The risk assessment instrument shall take into

503

consideration, but need not be limited to, prior history of

504

failure to appear, prior offenses, prior history of residential

505

delinquency commitments, offenses committed pending adjudication,

506

any unlawful possession of a firearm, theft of a motor vehicle or

507

possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and probation status at the

508

time the child is taken into custody. The risk assessment

509

instrument shall also take into consideration appropriate

510

aggravating and mitigating circumstances, and shall be designed

511

to target a narrower population of children than s. 985.255. The

512

risk assessment instrument shall also include any information

513

concerning the child's history of abuse and neglect. The risk

514

assessment shall indicate whether detention care is warranted,

515

and, if detention care is warranted, whether the child should be

516

placed into secure, nonsecure, or home detention care.

517

     (c) Any risk assessment instrument used for determining

518

detention care placements and court orders shall be validated not

519

later than December 31, 2008, and periodically evaluated

520

thereafter for continued validity.

521

     Section 11.  Subsection (5) of section 985.265, Florida

522

Statutes, is amended to read:

523

     985.265  Detention transfer and release; education; adult

524

jails.--

525

     (5)  The court shall order the delivery of a child to a jail

526

or other facility intended or used for the detention of adults:

527

     (a)  When the child has been transferred or indicted for

528

criminal prosecution as an adult under part X, except that the

529

court may not order or allow a child alleged to have committed a

530

misdemeanor who is being transferred for criminal prosecution

531

pursuant to either s. 985.556 or s. 985.557 to be detained or

532

held in a jail or other facility intended or used for the

533

detention of adults; however, such child may be held temporarily

534

in a detention facility; or

535

     (b)  When a child taken into custody in this state is wanted

536

by another jurisdiction for prosecution as an adult.

537

538

The child shall be housed separately from adult inmates to

539

prohibit a child from having regular contact with incarcerated

540

adults, including trustees. "Regular contact" means sight and

541

sound contact. Separation of children from adults shall permit no

542

more than haphazard or accidental contact. The receiving jail or

543

other facility shall contain a separate section for children and

544

shall have an adequate staff to supervise and monitor the child's

545

activities at all times. Supervision and monitoring of children

546

includes physical observation and documented checks by jail or

547

receiving facility supervisory personnel at intervals not to

548

exceed 15 minutes, except in direct supervision housing with 24-

549

hour supervision. This subsection does not prohibit placing two

550

or more children in the same cell. Under no circumstances shall a

551

child be placed in the same cell with an adult.

552

     Section 12.  Subsection (2) of section 985.601, Florida

553

Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (e) is added to subsection

554

(3) of that section, to read:

555

     985.601  Administering the juvenile justice continuum.--

556

     (2)(a) The department shall develop and implement an

557

appropriate continuum of care that provides individualized,

558

multidisciplinary assessments, objective evaluations of relative

559

risks, and the matching of needs with placements for all children

560

under its care, and that uses a system of case management to

561

facilitate each child being appropriately assessed, provided with

562

services, and placed in a program that meets the child's needs.

563

     (b) As part of the continuum of services, the department

564

shall adopt rules establishing procedures to provide ordinary

565

medical care, mental health, substance abuse, and developmental

566

disabilities services to youth within the juvenile justice

567

continuum as defined in s. 985.03.

568

569

The department shall coordinate such rulemaking with other

570

affected agencies to avoid duplication, conflict, or

571

inconsistency.

572

     (3)

573

     (e) In order to be eligible to participate in the state-

574

funded Intensive Delinquency Diversion Services program, counties

575

having nonstate-funded delinquency programs for youth must

576

include diversion options for first-time misdemeanant youth or

577

youth 10 years of age or younger, unless otherwise prohibited.

578

     Section 13.  Section 985.606, Florida Statutes, is amended

579

to read:

580

     985.606 Prevention services providers; outcome performance

581

data collection; reporting.--Each state agency or entity that

582

receives or uses state appropriations to fund programs, grants,

583

appropriations, or activities that are designed to prevent

584

juvenile crime, delinquency, gang membership, status offenses, or

585

that are designed to prevent a child from becoming a "child in

586

need of services," as defined in chapter 984, shall collect data

587

relative to the outcomes related to performance of such

588

activities and shall provide said data to the Governor, the

589

President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House no later

590

than January 31st of each year for the preceding fiscal year.

591

     Section 14.  Subsection (8) is added to section 985.632,

592

Florida Statutes, to read:

593

     985.632 Quality assurance and cost-effectiveness; outcome-

594

based contracting.--

595

     (8) To create an accountable juvenile justice system that

596

is outcome-based, the department is authorized to conduct a

597

demonstration project using outcome performance-based contracts.

598

During the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the department shall develop,

599

in consultation with the Department of Financial Services and a

600

provider organization that has multiple sites, an implementation

601

plan for outcome-based contracting. Such a plan shall include

602

interim and long-term outcome performance measures, strategies

603

for using financial incentives and disincentives to increase

604

provider performance, a plan to shift oversight and monitoring of

605

providers from a compliance-based approach to a more outcome-

606

based approach, and recommendations of needed legislative action

607

to implement. This plan shall be submitted to the Executive

608

Office of the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the

609

Speaker of the House of Representatives by March 1, 2009.

610

     Section 15.  Section 985.644, Florida Statutes, is amended

611

to read:

612

     985.644  Departmental contracting powers; personnel

613

standards and screening.--

614

     (1) The department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of

615

Children and Family Services, as appropriate, may contract with

616

the Federal Government, other state departments and agencies,

617

county and municipal governments and agencies, public and private

618

agencies, and private individuals and corporations in carrying

619

out the purposes of, and the responsibilities established in,

620

this chapter.

621

     (a) When the department of Juvenile Justice or the

622

Department of Children and Family Services contracts with a

623

provider for any program for children, all personnel, including

624

owners, operators, employees, and volunteers, in the facility

625

must be of good moral character. Each contract entered into by

626

the either department for services delivered on an appointment or

627

intermittent basis by a provider that does not have regular

628

custodial responsibility for children and each contract with a

629

school for before or aftercare services must ensure that the

630

owners, operators, and all personnel who have direct contact with

631

children are of good moral character. A volunteer who assists on

632

an intermittent basis for less than 40 hours per month need not

633

be screened if the volunteer is under direct and constant

634

supervision by persons who meet the screening requirements.

635

     (b) The department of Juvenile Justice and the Department

636

of Children and Family Services shall require employment

637

screening pursuant to chapter 435, using the level 2 standards

638

set forth in that chapter for personnel in programs for children

639

or youths.

640

     (c) The department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of

641

Children and Family Services may grant exemptions from

642

disqualification from working with children as provided in s.

643

435.07.

644

     (2) The department may contract with the Federal

645

Government, other state departments and agencies, county and

646

municipal governments and agencies, public and private agencies,

647

and private individuals and corporations in carrying out the

648

purposes and the responsibilities of the delinquency services and

649

programs of the department.

650

     (2)(3) The department shall adopt a rule pursuant to

651

chapter 120 establishing a procedure to provide notice of policy

652

changes that affect contracted delinquency services and programs.

653

A policy is defined as an operational requirement that applies to

654

only the specified contracted delinquency service or program. The

655

procedure must shall include:

656

     (a)  Public notice of policy development.

657

     (b)  Opportunity for public comment on the proposed policy.

658

     (c)  Assessment for fiscal impact upon the department and

659

providers.

660

     (d)  The department's response to comments received.

661

     (4) When the department contracts with a provider for any

662

delinquency service or program, all personnel, including all

663

owners, operators, employees, and volunteers in the facility or

664

providing the service or program shall be of good moral

665

character. A volunteer who assists on an intermittent basis for

666

less than 40 hours per month is not required to be screened if

667

the volunteer is under direct and constant supervision by persons

668

who meet the screening requirements.

669

     (3)(5)(a) For any person employed by the department, or by

670

a provider under contract with the department, in delinquency

671

facilities, services, or programs, the department shall require:

672

     1.  A level 2 employment screening pursuant to chapter 435

673

prior to employment.

674

     2.  A federal criminal records check by the Federal Bureau

675

of Investigation every 5 years following the date of the person's

676

employment.

677

     (b)  Except for law enforcement, correctional, and

678

correctional probation officers, to whom s. 943.13(5) applies,

679

the department shall electronically submit to the Department of

680

Law Enforcement:

681

     1.  Fingerprint information obtained during the employment

682

screening required by subparagraph (a)1.

683

     2.  Beginning on December 15, 2005, fingerprint information

684

for all persons employed by the department, or by a provider

685

under contract with the department, in delinquency facilities,

686

services, or programs if such fingerprint information has not

687

previously been electronically submitted to the Department of Law

688

Enforcement under this paragraph.

689

     (c)  All fingerprint information electronically submitted to

690

the Department of Law Enforcement under paragraph (b) shall be

691

retained by the Department of Law Enforcement and entered into

692

the statewide automated fingerprint identification system

693

authorized by s. 943.05(2)(b). Thereafter, such fingerprint

694

information shall be available for all purposes and uses

695

authorized for arrest fingerprint information entered into the

696

statewide automated fingerprint identification system pursuant to

697

s. 943.051 until the fingerprint information is removed under

698

pursuant to paragraph (e). The Department of Law Enforcement

699

shall search all arrest fingerprint information received pursuant

700

to s. 943.051 against the fingerprint information entered into

701

the statewide automated fingerprint system under pursuant to this

702

subsection. Any arrest records identified as a result of the

703

search shall be reported to the department in the manner and

704

timeframe established by the Department of Law Enforcement by

705

rule.

706

     (d)  The department shall pay an annual fee to the

707

Department of Law Enforcement for its costs resulting from the

708

fingerprint information retention services required by this

709

subsection. The amount of the annual fee and procedures for the

710

submission and retention of fingerprint information and for the

711

dissemination of search results shall be established by the

712

Department of Law Enforcement by adopting a rule that is

713

applicable to the department individually under pursuant to this

714

subsection or that is applicable to the department and other

715

employing agencies pursuant to rulemaking authority otherwise

716

provided by law.

717

     (e)  The department shall notify the Department of Law

718

Enforcement when a person whose fingerprint information is

719

retained by the Department of Law Enforcement under this

720

subsection is no longer employed by the department, or by a

721

provider under contract with the department, in a delinquency

722

facility, service, or program. This notice shall be provided by

723

the department to the Department of Law Enforcement no later than

724

6 months after the date of the change in the person's employment

725

status. Fingerprint information for persons identified by the

726

department in the notice shall be removed from the statewide

727

automated fingerprint system.

728

     (6) The department may grant exemptions from

729

disqualification from working with children as provided in s.

730

435.07.

731

     Section 16.  Subsections (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8),

732

and (9) of section 985.66, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

733

     985.66  Juvenile justice training academies; Juvenile

734

Justice Standards and Training Commission; Juvenile Justice

735

Training Trust Fund.--

736

     (2) STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING JUVENILE JUSTICE

737

STANDARDS AND TRAINING COMMISSION.--

738

     (a) There is created under the Department of Juvenile

739

Justice the Juvenile Justice Standards and Training Commission,

740

hereinafter referred to as the commission. The 17-member

741

commission shall consist of the Attorney General or designee, the

742

Commissioner of Education or designee, a member of the juvenile

743

court judiciary to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the

744

Supreme Court, and 14 members to be appointed by the Secretary of

745

Juvenile Justice as follows:

746

     1. Seven members shall be juvenile justice professionals: a

747

superintendent or a direct care staff member from an institution;

748

a director from a contracted community-based program; a

749

superintendent and a direct care staff member from a regional

750

detention center or facility; a juvenile probation officer

751

supervisor and a juvenile probation officer; and a director of a

752

day treatment or conditional release program. No fewer than three

753

of these members shall be contract providers.

754

     2. Two members shall be representatives of local law

755

enforcement agencies.

756

     3. One member shall be an educator from the state's

757

university and community college program of criminology, criminal

758

justice administration, social work, psychology, sociology, or

759

other field of study pertinent to the training of juvenile

760

justice program staff.

761

     4. One member shall be a member of the public.

762

     5. One member shall be a state attorney, or assistant state

763

attorney, who has juvenile court experience.

764

     6. One member shall be a public defender, or assistant

765

public defender, who has juvenile court experience.

766

     7. One member shall be a representative of the business

767

community.

768

769

All appointed members shall be appointed to serve terms of 2

770

years.

771

     (b) The composition of the commission shall be broadly

772

reflective of the public and shall include minorities and women.

773

The term "minorities" as used in this paragraph means a member of

774

a socially or economically disadvantaged group that includes

775

blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians.

776

     (c) The Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide the

777

commission with staff necessary to assist the commission in the

778

performance of its duties.

779

     (d) The commission shall annually elect its chairperson and

780

other officers. The commission shall hold at least four regular

781

meetings each year at the call of the chairperson or upon the

782

written request of three members of the commission. A majority of

783

the members of the commission constitutes a quorum. Members of

784

the commission shall serve without compensation but are entitled

785

to be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided by

786

s. 112.061 and these expenses shall be paid from the Juvenile

787

Justice Training Trust Fund.

788

     (e) The powers, duties, and functions of the department

789

commission shall be to:

790

     (a)1. Designate the location of the training academies;

791

develop, implement, maintain, and update the curriculum to be

792

used in the training of delinquency juvenile justice program

793

staff; establish timeframes for participation in and completion

794

of training by delinquency juvenile justice program staff;

795

develop, implement, maintain, and update job-related

796

examinations; develop, implement, and update the types and

797

frequencies of evaluations of the training academies; approve,

798

modify, or disapprove the budget for the training academies, and

799

the contractor to be selected to organize and operate the

800

training academies and to provide the training curriculum.

801

     (b)2. Establish uniform minimum job-related training

802

courses and examinations for delinquency juvenile justice program

803

staff.

804

     (c)3. Consult and cooperate with the state or any political

805

subdivision; any private entity or contractor; and with private

806

and public universities, colleges, community colleges, and other

807

educational institutions concerning the development of juvenile

808

justice training and programs or courses of instruction,

809

including, but not limited to, education and training in the

810

areas of juvenile justice.

811

     (d)4. Enter into With the approval of the department, make

812

and enter into such contracts and agreements with other agencies,

813

organizations, associations, corporations, individuals, or

814

federal agencies as the commission determines are necessary in

815

the execution of its powers or the performance of its duties.

816

     5. Make recommendations to the Department of Juvenile

817

Justice concerning any matter within the purview of this section.

818

     (3) JUVENILE JUSTICE TRAINING PROGRAM.--The department

819

commission shall establish a certifiable program for juvenile

820

justice training pursuant to this section, and all delinquency

821

department program staff and providers who deliver direct care

822

services pursuant to contract with the department shall be

823

required to participate in and successfully complete the

824

commission-approved program of training pertinent to their areas

825

of responsibility. Judges, state attorneys, and public defenders,

826

law enforcement officers, and school district personnel may

827

participate in such training program. For the delinquency

828

juvenile justice program staff, the department commission shall,

829

based on a job-task analysis:

830

     (a)  Design, implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise a

831

basic training program, including a competency-based examination,

832

for the purpose of providing minimum employment training

833

qualifications for all delinquency program staff juvenile justice

834

personnel. All delinquency program staff of the department and

835

providers who deliver direct-care services who are hired after

836

October 1, 1999, must meet the following minimum requirements:

837

     1.  Be at least 19 years of age.

838

     2.  Be a high school graduate or its equivalent as

839

determined by the department commission.

840

     3.  Not have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor

841

involving perjury or a false statement, or have received a

842

dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United

843

States. Any person who, after September 30, 1999, pleads guilty

844

or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of any felony or a

845

misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement is not eligible

846

for employment, notwithstanding suspension of sentence or

847

withholding of adjudication. Notwithstanding this subparagraph,

848

any person who pled nolo contendere to a misdemeanor involving a

849

false statement before October 1, 1999, and who has had such

850

record of that plea sealed or expunged is not ineligible for

851

employment for that reason.

852

     4.  Abide by all the provisions of s. 985.644(1) regarding

853

fingerprinting and background investigations and other screening

854

requirements for personnel.

855

     5.  Execute and submit to the department an affidavit-of-

856

application form, adopted by the department, attesting to his or

857

her compliance with subparagraphs 1.-4. The affidavit must be

858

executed under oath and constitutes an official statement under

859

s. 837.06. The affidavit must include conspicuous language that

860

the intentional false execution of the affidavit constitutes a

861

misdemeanor of the second degree. The employing agency shall

862

retain the affidavit.

863

     (b)  Design, implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise an

864

advanced training program, including a competency-based

865

examination for each training course, which is intended to

866

enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities related to job

867

performance.

868

     (c)  Design, implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise a

869

career development training program, including a competency-based

870

examination for each training course. Career development courses

871

are intended to prepare personnel for promotion.

872

     (d) The department commission is encouraged to design,

873

implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise juvenile justice

874

training courses, or to enter into contracts for such training

875

courses, that are intended to provide for the safety and well-

876

being of both citizens and juvenile offenders.

877

     (4)  JUVENILE JUSTICE TRAINING TRUST FUND.--

878

     (a)  There is created within the State Treasury a Juvenile

879

Justice Training Trust Fund to be used by the Department of

880

Juvenile Justice for the purpose of funding the development and

881

updating of a job-task analysis of delinquency program staff

882

juvenile justice personnel; the development, implementation, and

883

updating of job-related training courses and examinations; and

884

the cost of commission-approved juvenile justice training

885

courses; and reimbursement for expenses as provided in s. 112.061

886

for members of the commission and staff.

887

     (b)  One dollar from every noncriminal traffic infraction

888

collected pursuant to ss. 318.14(10)(b) and 318.18 shall be

889

deposited into the Juvenile Justice Training Trust Fund.

890

     (c)  In addition to the funds generated by paragraph (b),

891

the trust fund may receive funds from any other public or private

892

source.

893

     (d)  Funds that are not expended by the end of the budget

894

cycle or through a supplemental budget approved by the department

895

shall revert to the trust fund.

896

     (5)  ESTABLISHMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE TRAINING

897

ACADEMIES.--The number, location, and establishment of juvenile

898

justice training academies shall be determined by the department

899

commission.

900

     (6)  SCHOLARSHIPS AND STIPENDS.--

901

     (a) By rule, the department commission shall establish

902

criteria to award scholarships or stipends to qualified

903

delinquency program staff juvenile justice personnel who are

904

residents of the state who want to pursue a bachelor's or

905

associate in arts degree in juvenile justice or a related field.

906

The department shall handle the administration of the scholarship

907

or stipend. The Department of Education shall handle the notes

908

issued for the payment of the scholarships or stipends. All

909

scholarship and stipend awards shall be paid from the Juvenile

910

Justice Training Trust Fund upon vouchers approved by the

911

Department of Education and properly certified by the Chief

912

Financial Officer. Prior to the award of a scholarship or

913

stipend, the delinquency program staff juvenile justice employee

914

must agree in writing to practice her or his profession in

915

juvenile justice or a related field for 1 month for each month of

916

grant or to repay the full amount of the scholarship or stipend

917

together with interest at the rate of 5 percent per annum over a

918

period not to exceed 10 years. Repayment shall be made payable to

919

the state for deposit into the Juvenile Justice Training Trust

920

Fund.

921

     (b) The department commission may establish the scholarship

922

program by rule and implement the program on or after July 1,

923

1996.

924

     (7) ADOPTION OF RULES.--The department may commission shall

925

adopt rules as necessary to carry out the provisions of this

926

section.

927

     (8)  PARTICIPATION OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS IN THE STATE RISK

928

MANAGEMENT TRUST FUND.--Pursuant to s. 284.30, the Division of

929

Risk Management of the Department of Financial Services is

930

authorized to insure a private agency, individual, or corporation

931

operating a state-owned training school under a contract to carry

932

out the purposes and responsibilities of any program of the

933

department. The coverage authorized herein shall be under the

934

same general terms and conditions as the department is insured

935

for its responsibilities under chapter 284.

936

     (9) As used in this section, the term "delinquency program

937

staff" means supervisory and direct care staff of a delinquency

938

program as well as support staff who have direct contact with

939

children in a delinquency program that is owned and operated by

940

the department. The Juvenile Justice Standards and Training

941

Commission is terminated on June 30, 2001, and such termination

942

shall be reviewed by the Legislature prior to that date.

943

     Section 17.  Section 985.664, Florida Statutes, is amended

944

to read:

945

     985.664  Juvenile justice circuit boards and juvenile

946

justice county councils.--

947

     (1)  There is authorized a juvenile justice circuit board to

948

be established in each of the 20 judicial circuits and a juvenile

949

justice county council to be established in each of the 67

950

counties. The purpose of each juvenile justice circuit board and

951

each juvenile justice county council is to provide advice and

952

direction to the department and the Children and Youth Cabinet in

953

the development and implementation of juvenile justice programs

954

and to work collaboratively with the department in seeking

955

program improvements and policy changes to address the emerging

956

and changing needs of Florida's youth who are at risk of

957

delinquency.

958

     (2)  Each juvenile justice county council shall develop a

959

juvenile justice prevention and early intervention plan for the

960

county and shall collaborate with the circuit board and other

961

county councils assigned to that circuit in the development of a

962

comprehensive plan for the circuit. As part of such plan, each

963

council and board shall make provision for continual monitoring

964

to identify and remedy disproportionate minority contact with the

965

juvenile justice system. The Children and Youth Cabinet shall

966

consider these local plans in implementing s. 402.56(5).

967

     (3)  Juvenile justice circuit boards and county councils

968

shall also participate in facilitating interagency cooperation

969

and information sharing.

970

     (4)  Juvenile justice circuit boards and county councils may

971

apply for and receive public or private grants to be administered

972

by one of the community partners that support one or more

973

components of the county or circuit plan.

974

     (5)  Juvenile justice circuit boards and county councils

975

shall advise and assist the department in the evaluation and

976

award of prevention and early intervention grant programs,

977

including the Community Juvenile Justice Partnership Grant

978

program established in s. 985.676 and proceeds from the Invest in

979

Children license plate annual use fees.

980

     (6)  Each juvenile justice circuit board shall provide an

981

annual report to the department and to the Children and Youth

982

Cabinet describing the activities of the circuit board and each

983

of the county councils contained within its circuit. The

984

department may prescribe a format and content requirements for

985

submission of annual reports.

986

     (7)  Membership of the juvenile justice circuit board may

987

not exceed 18 members, except as provided in subsections (8) and

988

(9). Members must include the state attorney, the public

989

defender, and the chief judge of the circuit, or their respective

990

designees. The remaining 15 members of the board must be

991

appointed by the county councils within that circuit. The board

992

where possible must be composed of an equitable number of members

993

include at least one representative from each county council

994

within the circuit, taking into account differences in

995

population. In appointing members to the circuit board, the

996

county councils must reflect:

997

     (a)  The circuit's geography and population distribution.

998

     (b)  Juvenile justice partners, including, but not limited

999

to, representatives of law enforcement, the school system, and

1000

the Department of Children and Family Services.

1001

     (c)  Diversity in the judicial circuit.

1002

     (d) Representation from residents of the targeted high-

1003

crime zip code communities as identified by the department and

1004

based on referral rates within the county.

1005

     (8)  At any time after the adoption of initial bylaws

1006

pursuant to subsection (12), a juvenile justice circuit board may

1007

revise the bylaws to increase the number of members by not more

1008

than three in order to adequately reflect the diversity of the

1009

population and community organizations or agencies in the

1010

circuit.

1011

     (9)  If county councils are not formed within a circuit, the

1012

circuit board may establish its membership in accordance with

1013

subsection (10). For juvenile justice circuit boards organized

1014

pursuant to this subsection, the state attorney, public defender,

1015

and chief circuit judge, or their respective designees, shall be

1016

members of the circuit board.

1017

     (10)  Membership of the juvenile justice county councils, or

1018

juvenile justice circuit boards established under subsection (9),

1019

must include representation from residents of the targeted high-

1020

crime zip code communities as identified by the department and

1021

based on referral rates within the county and may also include

1022

representatives from the following entities:

1023

     (a)  Representatives from the school district, which may

1024

include elected school board officials, the school

1025

superintendent, school or district administrators, teachers, and

1026

counselors.

1027

     (b)  Representatives of the board of county commissioners.

1028

     (c)  Representatives of the governing bodies of local

1029

municipalities within the county.

1030

     (d)  A representative of the corresponding circuit or

1031

regional entity of the Department of Children and Family

1032

Services.

1033

     (e)  Representatives of local law enforcement agencies,

1034

including the sheriff or the sheriff's designee.

1035

     (f)  Representatives of the judicial system.

1036

     (g)  Representatives of the business community.

1037

     (h)  Representatives of other interested officials, groups,

1038

or entities, including, but not limited to, a children's services

1039

council, public or private providers of juvenile justice programs

1040

and services, students, parents, and advocates. Private providers

1041

of juvenile justice programs may not exceed one-third of the

1042

voting membership.

1043

     (i)  Representatives of the faith community.

1044

     (j)  Representatives of victim-service programs and victims

1045

of crimes.

1046

     (k)  Representatives of the Department of Corrections.

1047

     (11)  Each juvenile justice county council, or juvenile

1048

justice circuit board established under subsection (9), must

1049

provide for the establishment of an executive committee of not

1050

more than 10 members. The duties and authority of the executive

1051

committee must be addressed in the bylaws.

1052

     (12)  Each juvenile justice circuit board and county council

1053

shall develop bylaws that provide for officers and committees as

1054

the board or council deems necessary and shall specify the

1055

qualifications, method of selection, and term for each office

1056

created. The bylaws shall address at least the following issues:

1057

process for appointments to the board or council; election or

1058

appointment of officers; filling of vacant positions; duration of

1059

member terms; provisions for voting; meeting attendance

1060

requirements; and the establishment and duties of an executive

1061

committee, if required under subsection (11).

1062

     (13) The secretary shall meet at least annually,

1063

individually or collectively, by telephone or in person, with the

1064

chair of the juvenile justice circuit boards and the Children and

1065

Youth Cabinet in order to:

1066

     1. Advise juvenile justice circuit board chairs of

1067

statewide juvenile justice issues and activities.

1068

     2. Provide and receive comments on prevention and

1069

intervention program budget priorities.

1070

     3. Provide and receive comments on the planning process.

1071

     4. Discuss program development, program implementation,

1072

quality assurance, and program outcomes.

1073

     (14)(13) Members of juvenile justice circuit boards and

1074

county councils are subject to the provisions of part III of

1075

chapter 112.

1076

     (15) Juvenile justice circuit boards and county councils

1077

shall use due diligence in notifying the community of board

1078

vacancies through various community outreach outlets such as

1079

community newspapers, churches, and free public announcements.

1080

     Section 18.  Section 985.668, Florida Statutes, is amended

1081

to read:

1082

     985.668  Innovation zones.--The department shall encourage

1083

each of the juvenile justice circuit boards, in consultation with

1084

the juvenile justice county council within the circuit, to

1085

propose at least one innovation zone within the circuit for the

1086

purpose of implementing any experimental, pilot, or demonstration

1087

project that furthers the legislatively established goals of the

1088

department. An innovation zone is a defined geographic area such

1089

as a circuit, commitment region, county, municipality, service

1090

delivery area, school campus, or neighborhood providing a

1091

laboratory for the research, development, and testing of the

1092

applicability and efficacy of model programs, policy options, and

1093

new technologies for the department.

1094

     (1)(a)  The juvenile justice circuit board shall submit a

1095

proposal for an innovation zone to the secretary. If the purpose

1096

of the proposed innovation zone is to demonstrate that specific

1097

statutory goals can be achieved more effectively by using

1098

procedures that require modification of existing rules, policies,

1099

or procedures, the proposal may request the secretary to waive

1100

such existing rules, policies, or procedures or to otherwise

1101

authorize use of alternative procedures or practices. Waivers of

1102

such existing rules, policies, or procedures must comply with

1103

applicable state or federal law.

1104

     (b)  For innovation zone proposals that the secretary

1105

determines require changes to state law, the secretary may submit

1106

a request for a waiver from such laws, together with any proposed

1107

changes to state law, to the chairs of the appropriate

1108

legislative committees for consideration.

1109

     (c)  For innovation zone proposals that the secretary

1110

determines require waiver of federal law, the secretary may

1111

submit a request for such waivers to the applicable federal

1112

agency.

1113

     (2)  An innovation zone project may not have a duration of

1114

more than 2 years, but the secretary may grant an extension.

1115

     (3)  Before implementing an innovation zone under this

1116

subsection, the secretary shall, in conjunction with the Office

1117

of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, develop

1118

measurable and valid objectives for such zone within a negotiated

1119

reasonable period of time. Moneys designated for an innovation

1120

zone in one operating circuit may not be used to fund an

1121

innovation zone in another operating circuit.

1122

     (4)  Program models for innovation zone projects include,

1123

but are not limited to:

1124

     (a)  A forestry alternative work program that provides

1125

selected juvenile offenders an opportunity to serve in a forestry

1126

work program as an alternative to incarceration, in which

1127

offenders assist in wildland firefighting, enhancement of state

1128

land management, environmental enhancement, and land restoration.

1129

     (b)  A collaborative public/private dropout prevention

1130

partnership that trains personnel from both the public and

1131

private sectors of a target community who are identified and

1132

brought into the school system as an additional resource for

1133

addressing problems which inhibit and retard learning, including

1134

abuse, neglect, financial instability, pregnancy, and substance

1135

abuse.

1136

     (c)  A support services program that provides economically

1137

disadvantaged youth with support services, jobs, training,

1138

counseling, mentoring, and prepaid postsecondary tuition

1139

scholarships.

1140

     (d)  A juvenile offender job training program that offers an

1141

opportunity for juvenile offenders to develop educational and job

1142

skills in a 12-month to 18-month nonresidential training program,

1143

teaching the offenders skills such as computer-aided design,

1144

modular panel construction, and heavy vehicle repair and

1145

maintenance which will readily transfer to the private sector,

1146

thereby promoting responsibility and productivity.

1147

     (e)  An infant mortality prevention program that is designed

1148

to discourage unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and alcohol or

1149

drug consumption, reduce the incidence of babies born prematurely

1150

or with low birth weight, reduce health care cost by enabling

1151

babies to be safely discharged earlier from the hospital, reduce

1152

the incidence of child abuse and neglect, and improve parenting

1153

and problem-solving skills.

1154

     (f)  A regional crime prevention and intervention program

1155

that serves as an umbrella agency to coordinate and replicate

1156

existing services to at-risk children, first-time juvenile

1157

offenders, youth crime victims, and school dropouts.

1158

     (g)  An alternative education outreach school program that

1159

serves delinquent repeat offenders between 14 and 18 years of age

1160

who have demonstrated failure in school and who are referred by

1161

the juvenile court.

1162

     (h)  A drug treatment and prevention program that provides

1163

early identification of children with alcohol or drug problems to

1164

facilitate treatment, comprehensive screening and assessment,

1165

family involvement, and placement options.

1166

     (i)  A community resource mother or father program that

1167

emphasizes parental responsibility for the behavior of children,

1168

and requires the availability of counseling services for children

1169

at high risk for delinquent behavior.

1170

     Section 19.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) and subsection

1171

(3) of section 985.676, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1172

     985.676  Community juvenile justice partnership grants.--

1173

     (2)  GRANT APPLICATION PROCEDURES.--

1174

     (a)  Each entity wishing to apply for an annual community

1175

juvenile justice partnership grant, which may be renewed for a

1176

maximum of 2 additional years for the same provision of services,

1177

shall submit a grant proposal for funding or continued funding to

1178

the department. The department shall establish the grant

1179

application procedures. In order to be considered for funding,

1180

the grant proposal shall include the following assurances and

1181

information:

1182

     1.  A letter from the chair of the juvenile justice circuit

1183

board confirming that the grant application has been reviewed and

1184

found to support one or more purposes or goals of the juvenile

1185

justice plan as developed by the board.

1186

     2.  A rationale and description of the program and the

1187

services to be provided, including goals and objectives.

1188

     3.  A method for identification of the juveniles most likely

1189

to be involved in the juvenile justice system who will be the

1190

focus of the program.

1191

     4.  Provisions for the participation of parents and

1192

guardians in the program.

1193

     5.  Coordination with other community-based and social

1194

service prevention efforts, including, but not limited to, drug

1195

and alcohol abuse prevention and dropout prevention programs,

1196

that serve the target population or neighborhood.

1197

     6.  An evaluation component to measure the effectiveness of

1198

the program in accordance with s. 985.632.

1199

     7.  A program budget, including the amount and sources of

1200

local cash and in-kind resources committed to the budget. The

1201

proposal must establish to the satisfaction of the department

1202

that the entity will make a cash or in-kind contribution to the

1203

program of a value that is at least equal to 20 percent of the

1204

amount of the grant.

1205

     8.  The necessary program staff.

1206

     (b)  The department shall consider the following in awarding

1207

such grants:

1208

     1.  The recommendations of the juvenile justice county

1209

council as to the priority that should be given to proposals

1210

submitted by entities within a county.

1211

     2.  The recommendations of the juvenile justice circuit

1212

board as to the priority that should be given to proposals

1213

submitted by entities within a circuit.

1214

1215

As the first priority, the department shall fund applications

1216

that meet the requirements of this section and also fulfill the

1217

local juvenile circuit board plans.

1218

     (3) RESTRICTIONS.--This section does not prevent a program

1219

initiated under a community juvenile justice partnership grant

1220

established pursuant to this section from continuing to operate

1221

beyond the 3-year maximum funding period if it can find other

1222

funding sources. Likewise, This section does not restrict the

1223

number of programs an entity may apply for or operate.

1224

     Section 20.  Section 985.721, Florida Statutes, is amended

1225

to read:

1226

     985.721  Escapes from secure detention or residential

1227

commitment facility.--An escape from:

1228

     (1)  Any secure detention facility maintained for the

1229

temporary detention of children, pending adjudication,

1230

disposition, or placement;

1231

     (2) Any residential commitment facility described in s.

1232

985.03(45) s. 985.03(44), maintained for the custody, treatment,

1233

punishment, or rehabilitation of children found to have committed

1234

delinquent acts or violations of law; or

1235

     (3)  Lawful transportation to or from any such secure

1236

detention facility or residential commitment facility,

1237

1238

constitutes escape within the intent and meaning of s. 944.40 and

1239

is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s.

1240

775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

1241

     Section 21.  Section 1006.125, Florida Statutes, is created

1242

to read:

1243

     1006.125 Referrals to law enforcement agency; serious

1244

criminal offenses.--

1245

     (1) A student who is charged by school authorities with a

1246

violation of the code of student conduct which may also

1247

constitute a serious criminal offense shall be reported to the

1248

law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over the student's

1249

school of attendance. This provision may be satisfied by

1250

providing notice to the appropriate school resource officer of

1251

the charge of violation of the code of student conduct and

1252

discipline code.

1253

     (2) As used in this section, a serious criminal offense

1254

includes an offense that would constitute a capital felony, life

1255

felony, first-degree felony, second-degree or third-degree felony

1256

involving a firearm or weapon or violence against another person,

1257

or an offense that poses a serious threat to school safety or the

1258

safety of any individual student or group of students.

1259

     (3) Counties may seek reimbursement of secure detention

1260

costs from the school district for detention costs associated

1261

with the referral of a student for an offense other than that

1262

specified in this section at a rate not to exceed the per diem

1263

rate set by the Department of Juvenile Justice pursuant to s.

1264

985.686.

1265

     Section 22.  Subsections (1) and (2) of section 1006.13,

1266

Florida Statutes, are amended to read:

1267

     1006.13 Policy of zero tolerance for crime and

1268

victimization.--

1269

     (1) Each district school board shall adopt a policy of zero

1270

tolerance for:

1271

     (a)  Crime and substance abuse, including the reporting of

1272

delinquent acts and crimes occurring whenever and wherever

1273

students are under the jurisdiction of the district school board.

1274

     (b)  Victimization of students, including taking all steps

1275

necessary to protect the victim of any violent crime from any

1276

further victimization.

1277

     (2) The zero tolerance policy shall require students found

1278

to have committed one of the following serious criminal offenses

1279

to be expelled, with or without continuing educational services,

1280

from the student's regular school for a period of not less than 1

1281

full year, and to be referred to the criminal justice or juvenile

1282

justice system.

1283

     (a)  Bringing a firearm or weapon, as defined in chapter

1284

790, to school, to any school function, or onto any school-

1285

sponsored transportation or possessing a firearm at school.

1286

     (b)  Making a threat or false report, as defined by ss.

1287

790.162 and 790.163, respectively, involving school or school

1288

personnel's property, school transportation, or a school-

1289

sponsored activity.

1290

1291

District school boards may assign the student to a disciplinary

1292

program for the purpose of continuing educational services during

1293

the period of expulsion. District school superintendents may

1294

consider the 1-year expulsion requirement on a case-by-case basis

1295

and request the district school board to modify the requirement

1296

by assigning the student to a disciplinary program or second

1297

chance school if the request for modification is in writing and

1298

it is determined to be in the best interest of the student and

1299

the school system. If a student committing any of the offenses in

1300

this subsection is a student with a disability, the district

1301

school board shall comply with applicable State Board of

1302

Education rules.

1303

     Section 23. For the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the sum of

1304

$50,000 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the General

1305

Revenue Fund to the Department of Juvenile Justice for the

1306

purpose of developing curriculum to be used for the certification

1307

of direct care staff of the department.

1308

     Section 24.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2008.

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