This bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to enhance the reporting and evaluation of problem-solving courts. It mandates the Office of the State Courts Administrator to provide an annual report to the Legislature by January 31, detailing information on problem-solving courts, including participant numbers, services provided, funding sources, and performance metrics. The definition of "problem-solving court" is expanded to include additional types of courts, such as dependency drug courts and early childhood courts. Furthermore, specific court programs are required to collect and report data for program evaluation, including admissions, terminations, treatment compliance, and participant outcomes.

The bill also establishes a phased approach for the implementation of these reporting requirements, with the Office of the State Courts Administrator required to provide uniform aggregate data for a percentage of problem-solving courts in the initial years, eventually expanding to all such courts. The amendments will apply to court programs funded by the state courts system's problem-solving court appropriation upon the bill's effective date, with broader applicability to all other court programs starting July 1, 2027. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 820 Filed: 43.51, 394.47892, 397.334
S 820 c1: 43.51, 394.47892, 397.334
S 820 er: 43.51, 394.47892, 397.334