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 makes significant changes to various sections of the statute, including the appointment of counsel for children and parents, the preservation of records, and the requirements for voluntary family services. It repeals outdated provisions related to attorney fees and involuntary placements, while establishing new guidelines for secure shelter placements and the conditions for taking children into custody.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions and clarifications, such as "voluntary family services" and "physically secure shelter," while removing outdated language to streamline the legal framework. It emphasizes the importance of community resources and preventive services to support at-risk children and families, aiming to reduce harm and delinquent behavior. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of parents and guardians in ensuring their children's well-being and establishes a framework for providing services on a continuum of increasing intensity. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance the welfare and safety of children while ensuring due process and protecting their rights, with a focus on maintaining family unity and providing necessary support services.

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