The Child Safety and Custody Compliance Act seeks to enhance child welfare in Florida by amending various statutes related to child protection and custody arrangements. Key provisions include revised definitions for "abuse" and "false report," accountability measures for Child Protection Team investigators, and a requirement for the Department of Children and Families to verify and enforce parenting plans during investigations. The bill mandates closer scrutiny of anonymous reports of child abuse, imposes criminal penalties for false reporting, and expands the responsibilities of the Department of Children and Families to ensure compliance with custody arrangements. It also outlines law enforcement's role in assisting parents with custody interference and establishes procedures for emergency hearings in custody disputes.

Additionally, the bill reclassifies interference with custody as a criminal offense, establishing penalties for individuals who willfully disregard custody rights. It requires schools to enforce custody arrangements and verify the identity of individuals authorized to pick up students, with unauthorized releases potentially leading to misdemeanor charges. The legislation emphasizes shared parental responsibility and mandates courts to consider evidence of domestic violence and child abuse when determining custody arrangements. Furthermore, it includes provisions for parental notification regarding health services in schools, prohibits certain classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for younger students, and ensures the proper handling of child abuse hotline recordings. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 60 Filed: 39.201, 39.206, 39.301, 61.046, 402.57, 683.23, 741.28, 787.01, 787.03, 827.03, 61.45, 921.0022