This bill aims to enhance child welfare in Florida through various provisions, including the establishment of a new section, 39.3011, which defines the Family Advocacy Program and mandates collaboration between the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and military installations for child protective investigations involving military families. It amends existing laws to allow law enforcement officers to take children into custody under specific court orders and requires DCF to ensure timely access to clinically appropriate psychotropic medications for children in care. Additionally, the bill authorizes DCF to waive certain requirements for domestic violence centers in emergencies and grants exemptions from disqualification for specific personnel working with children.

The bill also introduces new requirements for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program, emphasizing evidence-based content and strategies grounded in the science of reading. It mandates that course standards include essential components such as phonological awareness and vocabulary development, while ensuring resources are available for students with disabilities. Furthermore, successful completion of an approved emergent literacy training course will satisfy early literacy training requirements, with previous references to certain sections deleted. Overall, the bill seeks to improve the quality of care, training, and educational standards in child welfare and early childhood education in Florida, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1626 Filed: 16.56, 39.01, 39.206, 39.401, 39.5075, 39.905, 402.305, 937.0201, 937.021, 402.30501, 1002.59
S 1626 c1: 16.56, 39.01, 39.401, 39.5075, 39.905, 402.305, 937.0201, 937.021, 402.30501, 1002.59
S 1626 c2: 39.401, 39.905, 402.305, 937.0201, 937.021, 402.30501, 1002.59
S 1626 c3: 39.401, 39.407, 39.905, 402.305, 937.0201, 937.021, 402.30501, 1002.59