The bill amends Chapter 984 of the Florida Statutes, renaming it to "Children and Families in Need of Services; Prevention and Intervention for School Truancy and Ungovernable and Runaway Children." It emphasizes the need for judicial and nonjudicial procedures to address status offenses like truancy and runaway behavior, introducing early truancy intervention measures that require school boards to engage the court system to address attendance issues. The bill also includes provisions for the appointment of counsel for parents and guardians, updates definitions related to child welfare, and establishes guidelines for the placement of children in temporary shelters. It aims to enhance the welfare and safety of children while ensuring due process and protecting their rights.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions, such as "needs assessment" and "physically secure shelter," and clarifies the roles of parents, guardians, and the Department of Children and Families in providing necessary support and services. It establishes a framework for addressing truancy, allowing schools to file petitions for excessive unexcused absences and mandates that parents be informed of their responsibilities regarding their children's education. The legislation also outlines penalties for parents who fail to ensure their children's regular school attendance and emphasizes interagency cooperation to address habitual truancy. Overall, the bill seeks to improve the support systems for at-risk children and families while streamlining legal processes and enhancing accountability.

Statutes affected:
S 1344 Filed: 984.01, 984.02, 984.03, 984.04, 984.07, 984.071, 984.09, 984.10, 984.11, 984.12, 984.13, 984.14, 984.15, 984.151, 984.17, 984.18, 984.19, 984.20, 984.21, 984.22, 984.225, 984.226, 985.03, 985.24, 1003.26, 790.22, 985.12, 985.126, 985.25, 985.433, 985.625, 985.632, 409.2564, 419.001, 744.309, 784.075, 985.618
S 1344 c1: 984.01, 984.02, 984.03, 984.04, 984.07, 984.071, 984.09, 984.10, 984.11, 984.12, 984.13, 984.14, 984.15, 984.151, 984.17, 984.18, 984.19, 984.20, 984.21, 984.22, 984.225, 984.226, 985.03, 985.24, 1003.26, 790.22, 985.12, 985.126, 985.25, 985.433, 985.625, 985.632, 95.11, 409.2564, 419.001, 744.309, 784.075, 985.618
S 1344 c2: 984.01, 984.02, 984.03, 984.04, 984.07, 984.071, 984.09, 984.10, 984.11, 984.12, 984.13, 984.14, 984.15, 984.151, 984.17, 984.18, 984.19, 984.20, 984.21, 984.22, 984.225, 984.226, 985.03, 985.24, 1003.26, 790.22, 985.12, 985.126, 985.25, 985.433, 985.625, 985.632, 95.11, 409.2564, 419.001, 744.309, 784.075, 985.618
S 1344 c3: 984.01, 984.02, 984.03, 984.04, 984.07, 984.071, 984.09, 984.10, 984.11, 984.12, 984.13, 984.14, 984.15, 984.151, 984.17, 984.18, 984.19, 984.20, 984.21, 984.22, 984.225, 984.226, 985.03, 985.24, 1003.26, 790.22, 985.12, 985.126, 985.25, 985.433, 985.625, 985.632, 95.11, 409.2564, 419.001, 784.075, 985.618
S 1344 er: 984.01, 984.02, 984.03, 984.04, 984.07, 984.071, 984.09, 984.10, 984.11, 984.12, 984.13, 984.14, 984.15, 984.151, 984.17, 984.18, 984.19, 984.20, 984.21, 984.22, 984.225, 984.226, 985.03, 985.24, 1003.26, 790.22, 985.12, 985.126, 985.25, 985.433, 985.625, 985.632, 95.11, 409.2564, 419.001, 784.075, 985.618