The bill CS/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 the need for both judicial and nonjudicial procedures to address status offenses like truancy and runaway behavior, introducing provisions for early truancy intervention, the appointment of counsel for parents and guardians, and the requirement for various departments to provide information on juvenile procedures online. The bill also clarifies the roles of the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Children and Families, while establishing new definitions and guidelines for handling juvenile cases, including limiting detention use and ensuring children are placed in the least restrictive environment.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to enhance protections for children and families, streamline definitions, and clarify responsibilities related to child welfare. It introduces terms such as "voluntary family services" and "early truancy intervention," while revising the criteria for families to receive services. The legislation emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in addressing truancy and outlines penalties for noncompliance. It also establishes a framework for evaluating and treating children in need of services, ensuring timely hearings, and enhancing the legal protections available to juveniles in court proceedings. Overall, the bill aims to create a more supportive and effective system for addressing the needs of at-risk youth in Florida.

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
H 1405 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, 985.24, 1003.26, 985.12, 985.126, 985.25, 985.433, 985.632, 95.11, 409.2564, 419.001, 744.309, 784.075, 985.618