The bill amends section 39.5085 of the Florida Statutes to modify the payment structure for the Relative Caregiver Program. It allows relatives and nonrelatives who have a child placed with them in out-of-home care to begin receiving monthly payments from the date of placement, rather than waiting for a court to determine the child's dependency status. The bill specifies that these payments will be in accordance with the rate established for licensed foster parents and will continue until the child achieves permanency as determined by the court.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for relatives or nonrelatives who have not obtained a child-specific level I foster license within one month of placement. They will receive a monthly payment starting one month after placement, which will be less than the amount provided to participants in the Guardianship Assistance Program. The effective date for this act is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 819 Filed: 39.5085