This bill provides for the relief of L.E., a child who suffered severe injuries and damages due to the negligence of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in Florida. The bill appropriates $3.8 million from the General Revenue Fund to compensate L.E. for the injuries sustained as a result of DCF's failure to protect her from abuse and neglect. The bill outlines the circumstances surrounding L.E.'s case, including her birth to a mother with a history of substance abuse and violence, and the subsequent failure of DCF to adequately investigate and intervene in her care, leading to catastrophic injuries inflicted by her parents.
The bill includes several key provisions: it affirms the truth of the facts stated in the preamble, directs the Chief Financial Officer to issue a warrant for the payment to an irrevocable trust for L.E.'s benefit, and establishes that the total amount paid for attorney fees related to this claim cannot exceed 25 percent of the total awarded amount. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law, ensuring that L.E. receives the necessary financial support for her ongoing care and rehabilitation needs resulting from the negligence of the department.