The bill amends section 39.5085 of the Florida Statutes to enhance the Relative Caregiver Program by allowing relatives and nonrelatives who have a child placed in out-of-home care to begin receiving monthly payments immediately upon placement, rather than waiting for a court to determine the child's dependency status. Specifically, the bill removes the requirement that a child must be found dependent before payments can start, thereby streamlining financial support for caregivers. It also establishes that certain caregivers can receive payments for a specified period, ensuring they are financially supported during the transition period until the child achieves permanency.

Additionally, the bill outlines different payment structures based on the caregiver's licensing status. Caregivers who have obtained a child-specific level I foster license will receive payments at a rate established for licensed foster parents, while those who have not obtained such a license will receive a reduced payment starting one month after placement. The bill also clarifies that payments will continue until the caregiver obtains the necessary license or until the child achieves permanency, whichever comes first. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1046 Filed: 39.5085