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 provisions for early truancy intervention that require school boards to engage the court system to address attendance issues. The bill mandates various departments to post an information guide on juvenile procedures on their websites and includes significant amendments such as the appointment of counsel for children in certain circumstances, the establishment of voluntary family services, and the requirement for a range of services to be available to families in need.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the roles of parents, legal guardians, and custodians in addressing children's needs, emphasizing their responsibilities in supporting their children and participating in services aimed at preventing truancy. It introduces new definitions, such as "early truancy intervention" and "voluntary family services," while removing outdated language and definitions from current law. The bill also outlines the court's authority in handling truancy cases, ensuring that children receive adequate support and representation during legal proceedings. Overall, the legislation aims to create a more effective framework for addressing the needs of at-risk children and families within the juvenile justice system, enhancing support systems and ensuring accountability for parents and guardians.

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