House Bill 1301 amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance child welfare protections and streamline processes related to child custody and care. Key provisions include the expansion of the Office of Statewide Prosecution's authority to investigate child welfare violations, the introduction of new definitions such as "legal custodian" and "unaccompanied alien child," and the establishment of the "Family Advocacy Program" to support military families. The bill allows individuals to petition for the disclosure of a reporter's identity in cases of false child abuse reports and sets forth new reporting requirements for those who gain custody of unaccompanied alien children, including penalties for non-compliance.

Additionally, the bill modifies training and operational standards for child care personnel, providing exemptions for those with certain educational credentials and mandating additional training in early literacy and serving children with disabilities. It also clarifies regulations for community residential homes and child-caring agencies, including fee schedules for care and conditions for local government siting decisions. The bill updates the requirements for child care facility director credentials and emergent literacy training for prekindergarten instructors, ensuring that overlapping training requirements are recognized. Overall, HB 1301 aims to improve the quality of child care services while ensuring the safety and well-being of children in care, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1301 Filed: 16.56, 39.01, 39.401, 39.5075, 39.905, 402.305, 937.0201, 937.021, 402.30501, 1002.59