reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXIX - Public Health › Chapter 408 - Health Care Administration › Part II - Health Care Licensing: General Provisions (Ss. 408.801-408.832) › 408.816 - Injunctions.

408.816 Injunctions.—
(1) In addition to the other powers provided by this part, authorizing statutes, and applicable rules, the agency may institute injunction proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to:
(a) Restrain or prevent the establishment or operation of a provider that does not have a license or is in violation of any provision of this part, authorizing statutes, or applicable rules. The agency may also institute injunction proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction when a violation of this part, authorizing statutes, or applicable rules constitutes an emergency affecting the immediate health and safety of a client.
(b) Enforce the provisions of this part, authorizing statutes, or any minimum standard, rule, or order issued or entered into pursuant thereto when the attempt by the agency to correct a violation through administrative sanctions has failed or when the violation materially affects the health, safety, or welfare of clients or involves any operation of an unlicensed provider.
(c) Terminate the operation of a provider when a violation of any provision of this part, authorizing statutes, or any standard or rule adopted pursuant thereto exists that materially affects the health, safety, or welfare of a client.
Such injunctive relief may be temporary or permanent.
(2) If action is necessary to protect clients of providers from immediate, life-threatening situations, the court may allow a temporary injunction without bond upon proper proofs being made. If it appears by competent evidence or a sworn, substantiated affidavit that a temporary injunction should be issued, the court, pending the determination on final hearing, shall enjoin the operation of the provider.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-192.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXIX - Public Health › Chapter 408 - Health Care Administration › Part II - Health Care Licensing: General Provisions (Ss. 408.801-408.832) › 408.817 - Administrative proceedings.

408.817 Administrative proceedings.—Administrative proceedings challenging agency licensure enforcement action shall be reviewed on the basis of the facts and conditions that resulted in the agency action.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-192.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXIX - Public Health › Chapter 408 - Health Care Administration › Part II - Health Care Licensing: General Provisions (Ss. 408.801-408.832) › 408.818 - Health Care Trust Fund.

408.818 Health Care Trust Fund.—Unless otherwise prescribed by authorizing statutes, all fees and fines collected under this part, authorizing statutes, and applicable rules shall be deposited into the Health Care Trust Fund, created in s. 408.16, and used to pay the costs of the agency in administering the provider program paying the fees or fines.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-192.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXIX - Public Health › Chapter 408 - Health Care Administration › Part II - Health Care Licensing: General Provisions (Ss. 408.801-408.832) › 408.819 - Rules.

408.819 Rules.—The agency is authorized to adopt rules as necessary to administer this part. Any licensed provider that is in operation at the time of adoption of any applicable rule under this part or authorizing statutes shall be given a reasonable time under the particular circumstances, not to exceed 6 months after the date of such adoption, within which to comply with such rule, unless otherwise specified by rule.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2006-192.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXIX - Public Health › Chapter 408 - Health Care Administration › Part II - Health Care Licensing: General Provisions (Ss. 408.801-408.832) › 408.822 - Direct care workforce survey.

408.822 Direct care workforce survey.—
(1) For purposes of this section, the term “direct care worker” means a certified nursing assistant, a home health aide, a home health aide for medically fragile children, a personal care assistant, a companion services or homemaker services provider, a paid feeding assistant trained under s. 400.141(1)(v), or another individual who provides personal care as defined in s. 400.462 to individuals who are elderly, developmentally disabled, or chronically ill.
(2) Beginning January 1, 2021, each licensee that applies for licensure renewal as a nursing home facility licensed under part II of chapter 400, an assisted living facility licensed under part I of chapter 429, or a home health agency or companion services or homemaker services provider licensed under part III of chapter 400 shall furnish all of the following information to the agency in a survey on the direct care workforce:
(a) The number of registered nurses and the number of direct care workers by category employed by the licensee.
(b) The turnover and vacancy rates of registered nurses and direct care workers and the contributing factors to these rates.
(c) The average employee wage for registered nurses and each category of direct care worker.
(d) Employment benefits for registered nurses and direct care workers and the average cost of such benefits to the employer and the employee.
(e) Type and availability of training for registered nurses and direct care workers.
(3) An administrator or designee shall include the information required in subsection (2) on a survey form developed by the agency by rule which must contain an attestation that the information provided is true and accurate to the best of his or her knowledge.
(4) The licensee must submit the completed survey before the agency issues the license renewal.
(5) The agency shall continually analyze the results of the surveys and publish the results on its website. The agency shall update the information published on its website monthly.
History.—s. 11, ch. 2020-9; s. 8, ch. 2023-183.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXIX - Public Health › Chapter 408 - Health Care Administration › Part II - Health Care Licensing: General Provisions (Ss. 408.801-408.832) › 408.824 - Facial covering requirements for health care practitioners and health care providers.

408.824 Facial covering requirements for health care practitioners and health care providers.—
(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Department” means the Department of Health.
(b) “Facial covering” means a cloth or surgical face mask, a face shield, or any other facial covering that covers the mouth and nose.
(c) “Health care practitioner” has the same meaning as in s. 456.001.
(d) “Health care provider” means a provider as defined in s. 408.803; a service provider licensed or certified under s. 393.17, part III of chapter 401, or part IV of chapter 468; a provider with an active health care clinic exemption under s. 400.9935; an optical establishment permitted under s. 484.007; a massage establishment licensed under s. 480.043; a pharmacy as defined in s. 465.003; or an office registered under s. 458.328 or s. 459.0138.
(e) “Office” means an office maintained for the practice of a health care practitioner’s profession, as provided in his or her practice act.
(2)(a) By July 1, 2023, the agency and the department shall jointly develop standards for the appropriate use of facial coverings for infection control in health care settings.
(b) The agency and the department shall adopt emergency rules for the standards developed under paragraph (a). Emergency rules adopted under this section are exempt from s. 120.54(4)(c) and shall remain in effect until replaced by rules adopted under the nonemergency rulemaking procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act.
(c) The agency and the department shall publish the standards developed under paragraph (a) on their respective websites and provide a link for persons to report violations of the standards.
(3) By August 1, 2023, each health care practitioner who owns or operates an office and each health care provider shall establish facial covering policies and procedures for their respective health care settings, if such health care practitioner or health care provider requires any individual to wear a facial covering for any reason. Such policies and procedures must comply with the standards developed under subsection (2) and must be accessible from the home page of such health care practitioner’s or health care provider’s website or conspicuously displayed in the lobby of its health care service setting or settings.
(4) Effective August 1, 2023:
(a) Health care practitioners and health care providers may not require any person to wear a facial covering for any reason unless the requirement is in accordance with the standards developed under subsection (2) and the policies and procedures established under subsection (3).
(b) A health care practitioner or a health care provider in violation of paragraph (a) or subsection (3) is subject to disciplinary action by the agency or a board as defined in s. 456.001, or the department if there is no board, as applicable.
History.—s. 5, ch. 2023-43.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXIX - Public Health › Chapter 408 - Health Care Administration › Part II - Health Care Licensing: General Provisions (Ss. 408.801-408.832) › 408.831 - Denial, suspension, or revocation of a license, registration, certificate, or application.

408.831 Denial, suspension, or revocation of a license, registration, certificate, or application.—
(1) In addition to any other remedies provided by law, the agency may deny each application or suspend or revoke each license, registration, or certificate of entities regulated or licensed by it:
(a) If the applicant, licensee, or a licensee subject to this part which shares a common controlling interest with the applicant has failed to pay all outstanding fines, liens, or overpayments assessed by final order of the agency or final order of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, not subject to further appeal, unless a repayment plan is approved by the agency; or
(b) For failure to comply with any repayment plan.
(2) In reviewing any application requesting a change of ownership or change of the licensee, registrant, or certificateholder, the transferor shall, prior to agency approval of the change, repay or make arrangements to repay any amounts owed to the agency. Should the transferor fail to repay or make arrangements to repay the amounts owed to the agency, the issuance of a license, registration, or certificate to the transferee shall be delayed until repayment or until arrangements for repayment are made.
(3) This section provides standards of enforcement applicable to all entities licensed or regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration. This section controls over any conflicting provisions of chapters 39, 383, 390, 391, 394, 395, 400, 408, 429, 468, and 765 or rules adopted pursuant to those chapters.
History.—s. 12, ch. 2002-400; s. 32, ch. 2003-57; s. 28, ch. 2006-71; s. 9, ch. 2006-192; s. 78, ch. 2006-197; s. 55, ch. 2009-223; s. 34, ch. 2020-156.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXIX - Public Health › Chapter 408 - Health Care Administration › Part II - Health Care Licensing: General Provisions (Ss. 408.801-408.832) › 408.832 - Conflicts.

408.832 Conflicts.—In case of conflict between this part and the authorizing statutes governing the licensure of health care providers by the Agency for Health Care Administration found in s. 112.0455 and chapters 383, 390, 394, 395, 400, 429, 440, and 765, this part shall prevail.
History.—s. 10, ch. 2006-192; s. 93, ch. 2007-5; s. 133, ch. 2007-230; s. 35, ch. 2020-156.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXIX - Public Health › Chapter 408 - Health Care Administration › Part IV - Health and Human Services Eligibility Access System (Ss. 408.911-408.918) › 408.911 - Short title.

408.911 Short title.—Sections 408.911-408.918 may be cited as the “Florida Health and Human Services Access Act.”
History.—s. 1, ch. 2002-223.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXIX - Public Health › Chapter 408 - Health Care Administration › Part IV - Health and Human Services Eligibility Access System (Ss. 408.911-408.918) › 408.913 - Comprehensive Health and Human Services Eligibility Access System.

408.913 Comprehensive Health and Human Services Eligibility Access System.—
(1) The Agency for Health Care Administration shall develop a comprehensive, automated system for access to health care services. This system shall, to the greatest extent possible, use the capacity of existing automated systems so as to maximize the benefit of investments already made in information technology and minimize additional costs.
(2) The benefit eligibility component of the system shall include simplified access through coordination with information and referral telephone systems. This does not preclude use of other methods of application, including mail-in applications, office visits, or online applications via the Internet. The eligibility component of the system shall include:
(a) Improved access to eligibility-status information.
(b) Development and sharing of information with eligible individuals and families regarding choices available to them for using health care services.
(3) The state agencies providing the medical, clinical, and related health care support services for special populations, including frail elders, adults with disabilities, and children with special needs shall develop systems for these populations which integrate and coordinate care and improved communication. These systems must include development of standard protocols for care planning and assessment, a focus on family involvement, and methods to communicate across systems, including automated methods, in order to improve integration and coordination of services.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2002-223.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXIX - Public Health › Chapter 408 - Health Care Administration › Part IV - Health and Human Services Eligibility Access System (Ss. 408.911-408.918) › 408.918 - Florida 211 Network; uniform certification requirements.

408.918 Florida 211 Network; uniform certification requirements.—
(1) The Legislature authorizes the planning, development, and, subject to appropriations, the implementation of a statewide Florida 211 Network, which shall serve as the single point of coordination for information and referral for health and human services. The objectives for establishing the Florida 211 Network shall be to:
(a) Provide comprehensive and cost-effective access to health and human services information.
(b) Improve access to accurate information by simplifying and enhancing state and local health and human services information and referral systems and by fostering collaboration among information and referral systems.
(c) Electronically connect local information and referral systems to each other, to service providers, and to consumers of information and referral services.
(d) Establish and promote standards for data collection and for distributing information among state and local organizations.
(e) Promote the use of a common dialing access code and the visibility and public awareness of the availability of information and referral services.
(f) Provide a management and administrative structure to support the Florida 211 Network and establish technical assistance, training, and support programs for information and referral-service programs.
(g) Test methods for integrating information and referral services with local and state health and human services programs and for consolidating and streamlining eligibility and case management processes.
(h) Provide access to standardized, comprehensive data to assist in identifying gaps and needs in health and human services programs.
(i) Provide a unified systems plan with a developed platform, taxonomy, and standards for data management and access.
(2) In order to participate in the Florida 211 Network, a 211 provider must be fully accredited by the National Alliance of Information and Referral Services or have received approval to operate, pending accreditation, from its affiliate, the Florida Alliance of Information and Referral Services. If any provider of information and referral services or other entity leases a 211 number from a local exchange company and is not authorized as described in this section, the Public Service Commission shall request that the Federal Communications Commission direct the local exchange company to revoke the use of the 211 number.
(3) The Florida Alliance of Information and Referral Services is the 211 collaborative organization for the state which is responsible for studying, designing, implementing, supporting, and coordinating the Florida 211 Network and for receiving federal grants.
History.—s. 7, ch. 2002-223; s. 56, ch. 2009-223.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.016 - Definitions.

409.016 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
(1) “Commercial sexual exploitation” means the use of any person under the age of 18 years for sexual purposes in exchange for money, goods, or services or the promise of money, goods, or services.
(2) “Department,” unless otherwise specified, means the Department of Children and Families.
(3) “Secretary” means the secretary of the Department of Children and Families.
(4) “Social and economic services,” within the meaning of this chapter, means the providing of financial assistance as well as preventive and rehabilitative social services for children, adults, and families.
History.—s. 1, ch. 70-255; s. 2, ch. 78-433; s. 110, ch. 97-101; s. 168, ch. 2014-19; s. 3, ch. 2017-23.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.031 - State agency for administering social service funds.

409.031 State agency for administering social service funds.—The department is designated as the state agency responsible for the administration of social service funds under Title XX of the Social Security Act.
History.—s. 1, ch. 78-433.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.14515 - Independent living preparation.

409.14515 Independent living preparation.—The department shall assist children who are in foster care in making the transition to independent living and self-sufficiency as adults. To support opportunities for participation in age-appropriate life skills activities, the department shall:
(1) Identify important life skills that children in out-of-home care should acquire.
(2) Develop a list of age-appropriate activities and responsibilities useful for the development of specific life skills for use by children and their caregivers. The age-appropriate activities must address specific topics tailored to the needs of each child’s developmental stage. For older youth, the list of age-appropriate activities must include, but is not limited to, informing the youth of available independent living services and community resources and how to apply for such services.
(3) Design and disseminate training for caregivers related to building needed life skills. The training must include components that address the challenges of children in foster care in transitioning to adulthood and information on programs for children who are aging out of care under ss. 414.56 and 409.1451, high school completion, applications for financial assistance for higher education, vocational school opportunities, supporting education, and employment opportunities.
(4) Beginning after the child’s 13th birthday, regularly assess the degree of life skills acquisition by each child. The department shall share the results of the assessments with the caregiver and support the caregiver in creating, implementing, monitoring, and revising plans as necessary to address the child’s life skills deficits, if any.
(5) Provide opportunities for children in foster care to interact with qualified, trained mentors who are committed to engaging reliably with the child long-term.
(6) Develop and implement procedures for children of sufficient age and understanding to directly access and manage the personal allowance they receive from the department.
History.—s. 17, ch. 2021-169.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.1452 - Collaboration with State University System, Florida College System, and Department of Education to assist children and young adults who have been or are in foster care or are experiencing homelessness; documentation regarding eligibility for tuition and fee exemptions.

409.1452 Collaboration with State University System, Florida College System, and Department of Education to assist children and young adults who have been or are in foster care or are experiencing homelessness; documentation regarding eligibility for tuition and fee exemptions.—The department shall collaborate with the State University System, the Florida College System, and the Department of Education to address the need for a comprehensive support structure in the academic arena to assist children and young adults who have been or remain in the foster care system in making the transition from a structured care system into an independent living setting.
(1)(a) Each school district program, Florida College System institution, or state university at which a student is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees under s. 1009.25 must have, at a minimum, a knowledgeable, accessible, and responsive employee who acts as a liaison and provides assistance to those students who are exempt from the payment of tuition and fees to assist in resolving any problems related to such exemption. The liaisons shall provide such students with on-campus support and must be employees of the program, institution, or university. The name and contact information of the liaison must be:
1. Provided to each student who is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees and who is attending that program, institution, or university.
2. Published on the website of the program, institution, or university.
3. Provided to the department and each community-based care lead agency.
(b) Each school district program, Florida College System institution, and state university must maintain the original documentation submitted by the student regarding his or her eligibility for the tuition and fee exemption under s. 1009.25 and may not make additional requests for such documentation.
(2) A school district program, Florida College System institution, or state university may also provide campus coaching services and other support to a student who is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees under s. 1009.25 to promote his or her successful completion of postsecondary education and transition to independent living.
(3) The Chancellors of the Division of Career and Adult Education, the Florida College System, and the State University System shall report annually to the department specific data, subject to privacy laws, about the students served by the campus liaisons, including academic progress, retention rates for students enrolled in the program, financial aid requested and received, and information required by the National Youth in Transition Database.
History.—s. 11, ch. 2013-178; s. 2, ch. 2022-65; s. 7, ch. 2022-67.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.1464 - Responsible Fatherhood Initiative.

409.1464 Responsible Fatherhood Initiative.—
(1) The department shall contract for the development and implementation of the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative. The initiative must provide an opportunity for every father in the state to be able to obtain information and inspiration that will motivate and enable him to enhance his abilities as a father, recognizing that some fathers have greater challenges than others and would benefit from greater support.
(2) The initiative must, at a minimum:
(a) Include a website and other related electronic resources that will allow a father to obtain information about effective parenting, identify areas in which support would enable him to enhance his ability to be an effective father, and be connected to such support, including, but not limited to, support provided by organizations receiving grants under s. 409.1465.
(b) Use appropriate materials from the fatherhood media campaign available through the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse.
(c) Include print, television, digital, and social media elements and public events, and may include appearances by and involvement from public figures and influencers.
(3)(a) The entity with which the department contracts for the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative must be a not-for-profit organization that:
1. Has a history of focusing on responsible fatherhood, including providing online resources to fathers, and engaging fathers, father figures, and children through community-based and school-based events to encourage responsible fatherhood.
2. Has the organizational capacity to manage a statewide initiative and successfully carry out the requirements of this section.
(b) The entity must collaborate with other relevant agencies of state government and private organizations to develop and implement the initiative. Such agencies of state government must collaborate with the entity with which the department contracts to carry out the initiative.
History.—s. 8, ch. 2022-67.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.153 - Implementation of Healthy Families Florida program.

409.153 Implementation of Healthy Families Florida program.—The Department of Children and Families shall contract with a private nonprofit corporation to implement the Healthy Families Florida program. The private nonprofit corporation shall be incorporated for the purpose of identifying, funding, supporting, and evaluating programs and community initiatives to improve the development and life outcomes of children and to preserve and strengthen families with a primary emphasis on prevention. The private nonprofit corporation shall implement the program. The program shall work in partnership with existing community-based home visitation and family support resources to provide assistance to families in an effort to prevent child abuse. The program shall be voluntary for participants and shall require the informed consent of the participants at the initial contact. The Kempe Family Stress Checklist shall not be used.
History.—s. 1, ch. 98-175; s. 173, ch. 2014-19.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.1666 - Annual adoption achievement awards.

409.1666 Annual adoption achievement awards.—Each year, the Governor shall select and recognize one or more individuals, families, or organizations that make significant contributions to enabling this state’s foster children to achieve permanency through adoption. The department shall define appropriate categories for the achievement awards and seek nominations for potential recipients in each category from individuals and organizations knowledgeable about foster care and adoption. The award shall recognize persons whose contributions involve extraordinary effort or personal sacrifice in order to provide caring and permanent homes for foster children.
History.—s. 7, ch. 2015-130; s. 29, ch. 2018-111.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.16742 - Shared family care residential services program for substance-exposed newborns.

409.16742 Shared family care residential services program for substance-exposed newborns.—
(1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.—The Legislature finds that there is evidence that, with appropriate support and training, some families can remain safely together without court involvement or traumatic separations. Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature that alternative types of placement options be available which provide both safety for substance-exposed newborns and an opportunity for parents recovering from substance abuse disorders to achieve independence while living together in a protective, nurturing family environment.
(2) ESTABLISHMENT OF PILOT PROGRAM.—The department shall establish a shared family care residential services program to serve substance-exposed newborns and their families through a contract with the designated lead agency established in accordance with s. 409.987 or with a private entity capable of providing residential care that satisfies the requirements of this section. The private entity or lead agency is responsible for all programmatic functions necessary to carry out the intent of this section. As used in this section, the term “shared family care” means out-of-home care in which an entire family in need is temporarily placed in the home of a family who is trained to mentor and support the biological parents as they develop the caring skills and supports necessary for independent living.
(3) SERVICES.—The department shall specify services that must be made available to newborns and their families through the pilot program.
History.—s. 30, ch. 2017-151.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.1679 - Additional requirements; reimbursement methodology.

409.1679 Additional requirements; reimbursement methodology.—
(1) Each program established under s. 409.1676 must meet the following expectations, which must be included in its contracts with the department or lead agency:
(a) No more than 10 percent of the children served may move from one living environment to another, unless the child is returned to family members or is moved, in accordance with the treatment plan, to a less-restrictive setting. Each child must have a comprehensive transitional plan that identifies the child’s living arrangement upon leaving the program and specific steps and services that are being provided to prepare for that arrangement. Specific expectations as to the time period necessary for the achievement of these permanency goals must be included in the contract.
(b) Each child must receive a full academic year of appropriate educational instruction. No more than 10 percent of the children may be in more than one academic setting in an academic year, unless the child is being moved, in accordance with an educational plan, to a less-restrictive setting. Each child must demonstrate academic progress and must be performing at grade level or at a level commensurate with a valid academic assessment.
(c) Siblings must be kept together in the same living environment 100 percent of the time, unless that is determined by the provider not to be in the children’s best interest. When siblings are separated in placement, the decision must be reviewed and approved by the court within 30 days.
(d) The program must experience a caregiver turnover rate and an incidence of child runaway episodes which are at least 50 percent below the rates experienced in the rest of the state.
(e) In addition to providing a comprehensive assessment, the program must provide, 100 percent of the time, any or all of the following services that are indicated through the assessment: residential care; transportation; behavioral health services; recreational activities; clothing, supplies, and miscellaneous expenses associated with caring for these children; necessary arrangements for or provision of educational services; and necessary and appropriate health and dental care.
(f) The children who are served in this program must be satisfied with the services and living environment.
(g) The caregivers must be satisfied with the program.
(2) The Department of Children and Families shall fairly and reasonably reimburse the programs established under s. 409.1676 based on a prospective per diem rate, which must be specified annually in the General Appropriations Act. Funding for these programs shall be made available from resources appropriated and identified in the General Appropriations Act.
History.—s. 7, ch. 2001-68; s. 120, ch. 2010-102; s. 181, ch. 2014-19; s. 42, ch. 2017-151.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.16791 - Ongoing study of commercial sexual exploitation of children.

409.16791 Ongoing study of commercial sexual exploitation of children.—The Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall conduct an annual study on commercial sexual exploitation of children in the state. The study shall assess the extent of commercial sexual exploitation of children, including, but not limited to, its prevalence in various regions of the state. The study shall also identify specialized services needed by sexually exploited children and any gaps in the availability of such services by region, including, but not limited to, residential services and specialized therapies. The study shall analyze the effectiveness of safe houses, safe foster homes, residential treatment centers and hospitals with specialized programs for sexually exploited children, and other residential options for serving sexually exploited children in addressing their safety, therapeutic, health, educational, and emotional needs, including, but not limited to, the nature and appropriateness of subsequent placements, extent of sexual exploitation postplacement, and educational attainment. The study shall also include the number of children involuntarily committed to treatment facilities who are victims of sexual exploitation and the outcomes of those children for the 3 years after completion of inpatient treatment. All state agencies and contractors receiving state funds of any kind shall comply with each request for data and information from the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. By July 1 of each year, beginning in 2015, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall report its findings to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
History.—s. 8, ch. 2014-161.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.1757 - Persons not required to be refingerprinted or rescreened.

409.1757 Persons not required to be refingerprinted or rescreened.—Any law to the contrary notwithstanding, human resource personnel who have been fingerprinted or screened pursuant to chapters 393, 394, 397, 402, and this chapter, teachers who have been fingerprinted pursuant to chapter 1012, and law enforcement officers who meet the requirements of s. 943.13, who have not been unemployed for more than 90 days thereafter, and who under the penalty of perjury attest to the completion of such fingerprinting or screening and to compliance with this section and the standards for good moral character as contained in such provisions as ss. 110.1127(2)(c), 393.0655(1), 394.457(6), 397.4073, 402.305(2), 409.175(6), and 943.13(7), are not required to be refingerprinted or rescreened in order to comply with any caretaker screening or fingerprinting requirements.
History.—s. 1, ch. 87-128; s. 1, ch. 87-141; s. 30, ch. 93-39; s. 52, ch. 2000-153; s. 10, ch. 2002-219; s. 992, ch. 2002-387; s. 50, ch. 2004-5; s. 3, ch. 2012-73; s. 16, ch. 2012-215; s. 32, ch. 2017-173.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.179 - Family-friendly workplace initiative.

409.179 Family-friendly workplace initiative.—Recognizing that employers play a key role in helping families balance work and family responsibilities, the Executive Office of the Governor, in consultation with members of the business community, may establish a family-friendly workplace initiative. The Executive Office of the Governor may develop a program to annually collect information regarding the state’s eligible small employers with 50 or fewer employees, and eligible large employers with 51 or more employees in the state, providing the most family-friendly benefits to their employees. The same program may be established for public employers. The criteria for determination of the eligible employers may include, but not be limited to:
(1) Consideration of the dependent care scholarship or discounts given by the employer.
(2) Flexible work hours and schedules.
(3) Time off for caring for sick or injured dependents.
(4) The provision of onsite or nearby dependent care.
(5) Dependent care referral services.
(6) In-kind contributions to community dependent care programs.
Those employers chosen by the Executive Office of the Governor may be recognized with annual “family-friendly workplace” awards and a statewide information and advertising campaign publicizing the employers’ awards, their contributions to family-friendly child care, and the methods they used to improve the dependent care experiences of their employees’ families.
History.—s. 86, ch. 96-175.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.2355 - Programs for prosecution of males over age 21 who commit certain offenses involving girls under age 16.

409.2355 Programs for prosecution of males over age 21 who commit certain offenses involving girls under age 16.—Subject to specific appropriated funds, the Department of Children and Families is directed to establish a program by which local communities, through the state attorney’s office of each judicial circuit, may apply for grants to fund innovative programs for the prosecution of males over the age of 21 who victimize girls under the age of 16 in violation of s. 794.011, s. 794.05, s. 800.04, s. 827.04(3), or s. 847.0135(5).
History.—s. 11, ch. 96-215; s. 196, ch. 97-101; s. 53, ch. 2000-153; s. 12, ch. 2008-172; s. 185, ch. 2014-19.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.2551 - Legislative intent.

409.2551 Legislative intent.—Common-law and statutory procedures governing the remedies for enforcement of support for financially dependent children by persons responsible for their support have not proven sufficiently effective or efficient to cope with the increasing incidence of financial dependency. The increasing workload of courts, prosecuting attorneys, and the Attorney General has resulted in a growing burden on the financial resources of the state, which is constrained to provide public assistance for basic maintenance requirements when parents fail to meet their primary obligations. The state, therefore, exercising its police and sovereign powers, declares that the common-law and statutory remedies pertaining to family desertion and nonsupport of dependent children shall be augmented by additional remedies directed to the resources of the responsible parents. In order to render resources more immediately available to meet the needs of dependent children, it is the legislative intent that the remedies provided herein are in addition to, and not in lieu of, existing remedies. It is declared to be the public policy of this state that this act be construed and administered to the end that children shall be maintained from the resources of their parents, thereby relieving, at least in part, the burden presently borne by the general citizenry through public assistance programs. It is also the public policy of this state to encourage frequent contact between a child and each parent to optimize the development of a close and continuing relationship between each parent and the child.
History.—s. 1, ch. 76-220; s. 140, ch. 86-220; s. 1, ch. 2017-117.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.25575 - Support enforcement; privatization.

409.25575 Support enforcement; privatization.—
(1) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the Department of Revenue to contract with private entities for the provision of support enforcement services whenever such contracting is cost-effective.
(2) The department shall contract for the delivery, administration, or management of support enforcement activities and other related services or programs, when appropriate. The department shall retain responsibility for the quality of contracted services and programs and shall ensure that services are delivered in accordance with applicable federal and state statutes and regulations.
(3)(a) The department shall establish a quality assurance program for the privatization of services. The program must include standards for each specific component of these services. The department shall establish minimum thresholds for each component. Each program operated pursuant to contract must be evaluated annually by the department or by an objective competent entity designated by the department under the provisions of the quality assurance program. The evaluation must be financed from cost savings associated with the privatization of services. The quality assurance program must be financed through administrative savings generated by this act.
(b) The department shall establish and operate a comprehensive system to measure and report annually the outcomes and effectiveness of the services that have been privatized. The department shall use these findings in making recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature for future program and funding priorities in the support enforcement system.
(4)(a) Any entity contracting to provide support enforcement services under this section must comply with all statutory requirements and agency regulations in the provision of contractual services.
(b) Any entity contracting to provide support enforcement services under this section must also participate in and cooperate with any federal program that will assist in the maximization of federal supports for these services, as directed by the department.
History.—s. 46, ch. 97-170; s. 27, ch. 2001-158; s. 123, ch. 2010-102.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.2559 - State disbursement unit.

409.2559 State disbursement unit.—The department shall establish and operate a state disbursement unit by October 1, 1999, as required by 42 U.S.C. s. 654(27).
History.—s. 22, ch. 98-397.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.25641 - Procedures for processing interstate enforcement requests.

409.25641 Procedures for processing interstate enforcement requests.—The department shall use automated administrative enforcement as provided in 42 U.S.C. s. 666(a)(14)(A) to respond to a request from another state to enforce a support order and shall promptly report the results of the enforcement action to the requesting state.
History.—s. 49, ch. 97-170; s. 25, ch. 98-397; s. 14, ch. 99-375; s. 5, ch. 2007-85.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.2565 - Publication of delinquent obligors.

409.2565 Publication of delinquent obligors.—For support orders that are being enforced by the department, the department may compile and make available for publication a listing of cases in which payment of the support obligation is overdue. Each case on the list may be identified only by the name of the support obligor, the support obligor’s court order docket or case number, the county in which the obligor’s support order is filed, the arrearage amount, and a photograph. The department need not give prior notice to the obligor of the publication and listing of cases.
History.—s. 3, ch. 95-222; s. 33, ch. 2001-158.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.25658 - Use of unclaimed property for past due support.

409.25658 Use of unclaimed property for past due support.—
(1) In a joint effort to facilitate the collection and payment of past due support, the Department of Revenue, in cooperation with the Department of Financial Services, shall identify persons owing support collected by the department who are presumed to have unclaimed property held by the Department of Financial Services.
(2) The Department of Financial Services shall periodically provide the department with an electronic file of unclaimed property accounts. The department shall use the data to identify obligors with unclaimed property accounts and shall provide the Department of Financial Services with an electronic data file that includes the names and other personal identifying information of the obligors.
(3) As the state’s Title IV-D agency under s. 409.2557(1), the department is authorized to submit claims for unclaimed property to the Department of Financial Services for the purpose of collecting past due support and shall do so in accordance with the standards established by the Department of Financial Services.
(4) Before paying an obligor’s approved claim, the Department of Financial Services shall notify the department that such claim has been approved. Upon confirmation that the Department of Financial Services has approved the claim or a claim submitted by the department, the department shall send a notice by regular mail to the obligor advising the obligor of the department’s intent to intercept the property up to the amount of the past due support, and informing the obligor of the obligor’s right to request a hearing under chapter 120. If there is a hearing, the Department of Financial Services shall retain custody of the property until a final order has been entered and any appeals thereon have been concluded. If the obligor fails to request a hearing, the department shall inform the Department of Financial Services to transfer to the department the property up to the amount of past due support owed. Upon transfer, the Department of Financial Services shall be released from further liability related to the transferred property.
(5) This section provides a supplemental remedy, and the department may use this remedy in conjunction with any other method of collecting support.
History.—s. 26, ch. 98-397; s. 37, ch. 2001-158; s. 12, ch. 2002-173; s. 444, ch. 2003-261; s. 8, ch. 2021-103.
2023 Florida Statutes › Title XXX - Social Welfare › Chapter 409 - Social and Economic Assistance › Part I - Social and Economic Assistance (Ss. 409.016-409.5093) › 409.25661 - Public records exemption for insurance claim data exchange information.

409.25661 Public records exemption for insurance claim data exchange information.—Information obtained by the Department of Revenue pursuant to s. 409.25659 is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution until such time as the department determines whether a match exists. If a match exists, such information becomes available for public disclosure. If a match does not exist, the nonmatch information shall be destroyed as provided in s. 409.25659.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2004-339; s. 114, ch. 2008-4; s. 1, ch. 2009-119; s. 1, ch. 2010-73; s. 1, ch. 2012-200.