The bill CS/HB 1127 amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance child welfare, particularly addressing the commercial sexual exploitation of children and the operation of domestic violence centers. It mandates the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to provide detailed assessment data in its annual report, including information on the prevalence of commercial sexual exploitation, services provided, and child placements. The DCF is also required to maintain assessment copies for child placements and provide this information upon request. Additionally, the bill allows the DCF to waive certain requirements for domestic violence centers in emergencies and to issue provisional certificates under specific conditions. It introduces a recruitment program for individuals with public safety backgrounds to work as child protective investigators and case managers, while removing the DCF's authority to grant exemptions from working with children or the developmentally disabled, although limited exemptions for certain minimum standards are permitted.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a workgroup in collaboration with the Florida Institute for Child Welfare to review existing statutes and practices related to case management, with a focus on compliance and workforce capacity. The workgroup will operate until December 1, 2025, and is tasked with developing recommendations to streamline case management practices. The bill also requires the DCF to conduct a study on bed capacity for residential treatment services for child victims of commercial sexual exploitation, with a completion deadline of December 31, 2025. Other provisions include the establishment of a pilot program for treatment foster care, which will begin on July 1, 2025, and will provide specialized care for children with high behavioral health needs. Overall, CS/HB 1127 aims to improve the quality of care and support for vulnerable children and families in Florida.

Statutes affected:
H 1127 Filed: 39.524
H 1127 c1: 39.524, 39.905, 402.305, 409.987, 402.30501, 1002.59