The bill CS/HB 1405 seeks to reform Florida's juvenile justice system by renaming Chapter 984 of the Florida Statutes to "Children and Families in Need of Services; Prevention and Intervention for School Truancy and Ungovernable and Runaway Children." It emphasizes addressing status offenses like truancy and runaway behavior, ensuring due process, and promoting children's well-being and education. Key amendments include provisions for early truancy intervention, the appointment of counsel for parents and guardians in certain situations, and the requirement for various departments to provide information on juvenile procedures on their websites. The bill also introduces measures to limit detention use, emphasizes voluntary family services, and mandates that parents utilize available health care insurance, while repealing outdated provisions and creating new guidelines for child placement and contempt of court cases.

Additionally, the bill modifies definitions and procedures related to children in need of services, enhancing legislative intent regarding prevention and intervention. It introduces new terms and clarifies existing definitions, such as "custodian" and "truant status offender," while emphasizing early intervention and the state's responsibility to support families. The bill also outlines the court's jurisdiction over truancy cases, mandates timely hearings, and allows for various court-ordered services to improve school attendance. Overall, CS/HB 1405 aims to create a more effective framework for protecting children and supporting families within the juvenile justice system, ensuring that judicial processes are clear and that children's rights are upheld.

Statutes affected:
H 1405 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, 985.632, 409.2564, 95.11, 419.001, 744.309, 784.075, 985.618
H 1405 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, 985.632, 409.2564, 95.11, 419.001, 744.309, 784.075, 985.618