The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance the responsibilities and operational standards of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) regarding child welfare. Key provisions include the requirement for DCF to maintain assessments and individual-level data for children evaluated for placements, as well as the authority to waive certain requirements for domestic violence centers in emergencies. The bill also removes DCF's authority to grant exemptions from working with children or the developmentally disabled, while allowing limited exemptions to specific minimum standards. Additionally, it establishes a recruitment program for child protective investigators and case managers, mandates a pilot program for treatment foster care, and requires a detailed study of services for child victims of commercial sexual exploitation.

Furthermore, the legislation introduces new training requirements related to human trafficking for foster parents and agency staff, mandates the placement of warning signs in child-caring facilities, and modifies lead agency procurement and liability provisions. A workgroup will be established to improve workforce retention and community innovation, with a report due by December 1, 2025. The bill also requires DCF to conduct a study on bed capacity for residential treatment services and a gap analysis for nonresidential services for child victims of commercial sexual exploitation, with findings due by December 31, 2025. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain provisions effective immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
S 7012 Filed: 39.524
S 7012 c1: 39.524
S 7012 e1: 39.524, 39.905, 402.305, 409.987, 402.30501, 1002.59
S 7012 er: 39.524, 39.905, 402.305, 409.987, 402.30501, 1002.59