Bill Text: FL S1668 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Child Welfare

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)

Status: (Failed) 2014-05-02 - Died in Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 977 (Ch. 2014-166), CS/CS/HB 7141 (Ch. 2014-161), CS/SB 1666 (Ch. 2014-224) [S1668 Detail]

Download: Florida-2014-S1668-Introduced.html
       Florida Senate - 2014                                    SB 1668
       
       
        
       By the Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; and
       Senator Detert
       
       
       
       
       586-02451-14                                          20141668__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to child welfare; amending s. 39.01,
    3         F.S.; defining the term “sibling”; creating s.
    4         39.2015, F.S.; requiring the Department of Children
    5         and Families to conduct specified investigations using
    6         critical incident rapid response teams; providing
    7         requirements for such investigations; providing
    8         requirements for the team; authorizing the team to
    9         access specified information; requiring the
   10         cooperation of specified agencies and organizations;
   11         providing for reimbursement of team members; requiring
   12         a report of the investigation; requiring the Secretary
   13         of Children and Families to develop specified
   14         guidelines for investigations and provide training to
   15         team members; requiring the secretary to appoint an
   16         advisory committee; requiring a report from the
   17         advisory committee to the secretary; requiring the
   18         secretary to submit such report to the Governor and
   19         the Legislature; amending s. 39.202, F.S.; authorizing
   20         access to specified records in the event of the death
   21         of a child which was reported to the department’s
   22         child abuse hotline; creating s. 39.2022, F.S.;
   23         providing legislative intent; requiring the department
   24         to publish specified information on its website if the
   25         death of a child is reported to the child abuse
   26         hotline; prohibiting specified information from being
   27         released; providing requirements for the release of
   28         information in the child’s records; prohibiting
   29         release of information that identifies the person who
   30         reports an incident to the child abuse hotline;
   31         amending s. 39.402, F.S.; requiring the department to
   32         make a reasonable effort to keep siblings together
   33         when they are placed in out-of-home care under certain
   34         circumstances; providing for sibling visitation under
   35         certain circumstances; amending s. 39.5085, F.S.;
   36         revising legislative intent; authorizing placement of
   37         a child with a nonrelative caregiver and financial
   38         assistance for such nonrelative caregiver through the
   39         Relative Caregiver Program under certain
   40         circumstances; amending s. 39.701, F.S.; requiring the
   41         court to consider contact among siblings in judicial
   42         reviews; authorizing the court to remove specified
   43         disabilities of nonage at judicial reviews; amending
   44         s. 39.802, F.S.; requiring a petition for the
   45         termination of parental rights to be signed under oath
   46         stating the petitioner’s good faith in filing the
   47         petition; amending s. 383.402, F.S.; requiring the
   48         review of all deaths of children which occur in the
   49         state and are reported to the department’s child abuse
   50         hotline; revising the due date for a report; providing
   51         a directive to the Division of Law Revision and
   52         Information; creating part V of ch. 409, F.S.;
   53         creating s. 409.986, F.S.; providing legislative
   54         findings and intent; providing child protection and
   55         child welfare outcome goals; defining terms; creating
   56         s. 409.987, F.S.; providing for the procurement of
   57         community-based care lead agencies; providing
   58         requirements for contracting as a lead agency;
   59         creating s. 409.988, F.S.; providing the duties of a
   60         community-based care lead agency; providing licensure
   61         requirements for a lead agency; creating s. 409.990,
   62         F.S.; providing general funding provisions; providing
   63         for a matching grant program and the maximum amount of
   64         funds that may be awarded; requiring the department to
   65         develop and implement a community-based care risk pool
   66         initiative; providing requirements for the risk pool;
   67         transferring, renumbering, and amending s. 409.16713,
   68         F.S.; transferring provisions relating to the
   69         allocation of funds for community-based lead care
   70         agencies; conforming a cross-reference; creating s.
   71         409.992, F.S.; providing requirements for community
   72         based care lead agency expenditures; creating s.
   73         409.993, F.S.; providing findings; providing for lead
   74         agency and subcontractor liability; providing
   75         limitations on damages; transferring, renumbering, and
   76         amending s. 409.1675, F.S.; transferring provisions
   77         relating to receivership from community-based
   78         providers to lead agencies; conforming cross
   79         references and terminology; creating s. 409.996, F.S.;
   80         providing duties of the department relating to
   81         community-based care and lead agencies; creating s.
   82         409.997, F.S.; providing goals for the department and
   83         specified entities; requiring the department to
   84         maintain a comprehensive, results-oriented
   85         accountability system; providing requirements;
   86         requiring the department to establish a technical
   87         advisory panel; providing requirements for the panel;
   88         requiring the department to make the results of the
   89         system public; requiring a report to the Governor and
   90         the Legislature; creating s. 409.998, F.S.; requiring
   91         the department to establish community-based care
   92         alliances; specifying responsibilities of the
   93         alliance; providing for membership of the alliance;
   94         providing for compensation of and requirements for
   95         alliance members; authorizing the alliance to create a
   96         direct-support organization; providing requirements
   97         for such organization; providing for future repeal of
   98         the authority of the alliance to create a direct
   99         support organization; repealing s. 20.19(4), F.S.,
  100         relating to community alliances; repealing ss.
  101         409.1671, 409.16715, and 409.16745, F.S., relating to
  102         foster care and related services, therapy treatments,
  103         and the community partnership matching grant program,
  104         respectively; amending ss. 39.201, 409.1676, 409.1677,
  105         409.906, 409.912, 409.91211, and 420.628, F.S.;
  106         conforming cross-references; providing an effective
  107         date.
  108          
  109  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
  110  
  111         Section 1. Present subsections (70) through (76) of section
  112  39.01, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (71)
  113  through (77), respectively, and a new subsection (70) is added
  114  to that section, to read:
  115         39.01 Definitions.—When used in this chapter, unless the
  116  context otherwise requires:
  117         (70) “Sibling” means:
  118         (a) A child who shares a birth parent or legal parent with
  119  one or more other children; or
  120         (b) Children who have lived together in a family and
  121  identify themselves as siblings.
  122         Section 2. Section 39.2015, Florida Statutes, is created to
  123  read:
  124         39.2015 Critical incident rapid response team.
  125         (1) The department shall conduct an immediate investigation
  126  of deaths or other serious incidents involving children using
  127  critical incident rapid response teams as provided in subsection
  128  (2). The purpose of such investigation is to identify root
  129  causes and rapidly determine the need to change policies and
  130  practices related to child protection and child welfare.
  131         (2)An immediate onsite investigation conducted by a
  132  critical incident rapid response team is required for all child
  133  deaths reported to the department if the child or another child
  134  in his or her family was the subject of a verified report of
  135  suspected abuse or neglect in the previous 12 months. The
  136  secretary may also direct an immediate investigation for other
  137  cases involving serious injury to a child.
  138         (3)Each investigation shall be conducted by a team of at
  139  least five professionals with expertise in child protection,
  140  child welfare, and organizational management. The team may be
  141  selected from employees of the department, community-based care
  142  lead agencies, other provider organizations, faculty from the
  143  Florida Institute for Child Welfare that consists of public and
  144  private universities offering degrees in social work established
  145  pursuant to s. 1004.615, or any other persons with the required
  146  expertise. The majority of the team must reside in judicial
  147  circuits outside the location of the incident. The secretary
  148  shall appoint a team leader for each group assigned to an
  149  investigation.
  150         (4) An investigation shall be initiated as soon as
  151  possible, but not later than 2 business days after the case is
  152  reported to the department. A preliminary report on each case
  153  shall be provided to the secretary no later than 30 days after
  154  the investigation begins.
  155         (5)Each member of the team is authorized to access all
  156  information in the case file.
  157         (6)All employees of the department or other state agencies
  158  and all personnel from contracted provider organizations are
  159  required to cooperate with the investigation by participating in
  160  interviews and timely responding to any requests for
  161  information.
  162         (7)The secretary shall develop cooperative agreements with
  163  other entities and organizations as may be necessary to
  164  facilitate the work of the team.
  165         (8) The members of the team may be reimbursed by the
  166  department for per diem, mileage, and other reasonable expenses
  167  as provided in s. 112.061. The department may also reimburse the
  168  team member’s employer for the associated salary and benefits
  169  during the time the team member is fulfilling the duties
  170  required under this section.
  171         (9)Upon completion of the investigation, a final report
  172  shall be made available to community-based care lead agencies,
  173  to other organizations involved in the child welfare system, and
  174  to the public through the department’s website.
  175         (10) The secretary, in conjunction with the institute
  176  established pursuant to s. 1004.615, shall develop guidelines
  177  for investigations conducted by critical incident rapid response
  178  teams and provide training to team members. Such guidelines must
  179  direct the teams in the conduct of a root-cause analysis that
  180  identifies, classifies, and attributes responsibility for both
  181  direct and latent causes for the death or other incident,
  182  including organizational factors, preconditions, and specific
  183  acts or omissions resulting from an error or a violation of
  184  procedures.
  185         (11) The secretary shall appoint an advisory committee made
  186  up of experts in child protection and child welfare to make an
  187  independent review of investigative reports from the critical
  188  incident rapid response teams and make recommendations to
  189  improve policies and practices related to child protection and
  190  child welfare services. By October 1 of each year, the advisory
  191  committee shall make an annual report to the secretary,
  192  including findings and recommendations. The secretary shall
  193  submit the report to the Governor, the President of the Senate,
  194  and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
  195         Section 3. Paragraph (o) of subsection (2) of section
  196  39.202, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  197         39.202 Confidentiality of reports and records in cases of
  198  child abuse or neglect.—
  199         (2) Except as provided in subsection (4), access to such
  200  records, excluding the name of the reporter which shall be
  201  released only as provided in subsection (5), shall be granted
  202  only to the following persons, officials, and agencies:
  203         (o) Any person, in the event of the death of a child
  204  reported to the child abuse hotline determined to be a result of
  205  abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Information identifying the
  206  person reporting abuse, abandonment, or neglect may shall not be
  207  released. Any information otherwise made confidential or exempt
  208  by law may shall not be released pursuant to this paragraph. The
  209  information released pursuant to this paragraph must meet the
  210  requirements of s. 39.2022.
  211         Section 4. Section 39.2022, Florida Statutes, is created to
  212  read:
  213         39.2022 Public disclosure of child deaths reported to the
  214  child abuse hotline.—
  215         (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide prompt
  216  disclosure of the basic facts of all deaths of children from
  217  birth through 18 years of age which occur in this state and
  218  which are reported to the department’s child abuse hotline.
  219  Disclosure shall be posted on the department’s public website.
  220  This section does not limit the public access to records under
  221  any other provision of law.
  222         (2) If a child’s death is reported to the child abuse
  223  hotline, the department shall post on its website all of the
  224  following:
  225         (a) Name of the child.
  226         (b)Date of birth, race, and gender of the child.
  227         (c) Date of the child’s death.
  228         (d)Allegations of the cause of death or the preliminary
  229  cause of death.
  230         (e)County and placement of the child at the time of the
  231  incident leading to the child’s death, if applicable.
  232         (f)Name of the community-based care lead agency, case
  233  management agency, or out-of-home licensing agency involved with
  234  the child, family, or licensed caregiver, if applicable.
  235         (g)The relationship of any alleged offender to the child.
  236         (h)Whether the child has been the subject of any prior
  237  verified reports to the department’s child abuse hotline.
  238         (3) The department may not release the following
  239  information concerning a death of a child:
  240         (a) Information about the siblings of the child.
  241         (b) Attorney-client communications.
  242         (c) Any information if the release of such information
  243  would jeopardize a criminal investigation.
  244         (d) Any information that is confidential or exempt under
  245  state or federal law.
  246         (4) If the death of a child is determined to be the result
  247  of abuse, neglect, or abandonment, the department may release
  248  information in the child’s record to any person. Information
  249  identifying the person reporting abuse, abandonment, or neglect
  250  may not be released. Any information otherwise made confidential
  251  or exempt by law may not be released pursuant to this
  252  subsection.
  253         Section 5. Paragraph (h) of subsection (8) and subsection
  254  (9) of section 39.402, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  255         39.402 Placement in a shelter.—
  256         (8)
  257         (h) The order for placement of a child in shelter care must
  258  identify the parties present at the hearing and must contain
  259  written findings:
  260         1. That placement in shelter care is necessary based on the
  261  criteria in subsections (1) and (2).
  262         2. That placement in shelter care is in the best interest
  263  of the child.
  264         3. That continuation of the child in the home is contrary
  265  to the welfare of the child because the home situation presents
  266  a substantial and immediate danger to the child’s physical,
  267  mental, or emotional health or safety which cannot be mitigated
  268  by the provision of preventive services.
  269         4. That based upon the allegations of the petition for
  270  placement in shelter care, there is probable cause to believe
  271  that the child is dependent or that the court needs additional
  272  time, which may not exceed 72 hours, in which to obtain and
  273  review documents pertaining to the family in order to
  274  appropriately determine the risk to the child.
  275         5. That the department has made reasonable efforts to
  276  prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the
  277  home. A finding of reasonable effort by the department to
  278  prevent or eliminate the need for removal may be made and the
  279  department is deemed to have made reasonable efforts to prevent
  280  or eliminate the need for removal if:
  281         a. The first contact of the department with the family
  282  occurs during an emergency;
  283         b. The appraisal of the home situation by the department
  284  indicates that the home situation presents a substantial and
  285  immediate danger to the child’s physical, mental, or emotional
  286  health or safety which cannot be mitigated by the provision of
  287  preventive services;
  288         c. The child cannot safely remain at home, either because
  289  there are no preventive services that can ensure the health and
  290  safety of the child or because, even with appropriate and
  291  available services being provided, the health and safety of the
  292  child cannot be ensured; or
  293         d. The parent or legal custodian is alleged to have
  294  committed any of the acts listed as grounds for expedited
  295  termination of parental rights in s. 39.806(1)(f)-(i).
  296         6. That the department has made reasonable efforts to keep
  297  siblings together if they are removed and placed in out-of-home
  298  care unless such a placement is not in the best interest of each
  299  child. The department shall report to the court its efforts to
  300  place siblings together unless the court finds that such
  301  placement is not in the best interest of a child or his or her
  302  sibling.
  303         7.6. That the court notified the parents, relatives that
  304  are providing out-of-home care for the child, or legal
  305  custodians of the time, date, and location of the next
  306  dependency hearing and of the importance of the active
  307  participation of the parents, relatives that are providing out
  308  of-home care for the child, or legal custodians in all
  309  proceedings and hearings.
  310         8.7. That the court notified the parents or legal
  311  custodians of their right to counsel to represent them at the
  312  shelter hearing and at each subsequent hearing or proceeding,
  313  and the right of the parents to appointed counsel, pursuant to
  314  the procedures set forth in s. 39.013.
  315         9.8. That the court notified relatives who are providing
  316  out-of-home care for a child as a result of the shelter petition
  317  being granted that they have the right to attend all subsequent
  318  hearings, to submit reports to the court, and to speak to the
  319  court regarding the child, if they so desire.
  320         (9)(a) At any shelter hearing, the department shall provide
  321  to the court a recommendation for scheduled contact between the
  322  child and parents, if appropriate. The court shall determine
  323  visitation rights absent a clear and convincing showing that
  324  visitation is not in the best interest of the child. Any order
  325  for visitation or other contact must conform to the provisions
  326  of s. 39.0139. If visitation is ordered but will not commence
  327  within 72 hours of the shelter hearing, the department shall
  328  provide justification to the court.
  329         (b) If siblings who are removed from the home cannot be
  330  placed together, the department shall provide to the court a
  331  recommendation for frequent visitation or other ongoing
  332  interaction between the siblings unless this interaction would
  333  be contrary to a sibling’s safety or well-being. If visitation
  334  among siblings is ordered but will not commence within 72 hours
  335  of the shelter hearing, the department shall provide
  336  justification to the court for the delay.
  337         Section 6. Section 39.5085, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  338  read:
  339         39.5085 Relative Caregiver Program.—
  340         (1) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this
  341  section to:
  342         (a) Provide for the establishment of procedures and
  343  protocols that serve to advance the continued safety of children
  344  by acknowledging the valued resource uniquely available through
  345  grandparents, and relatives of children, and specified
  346  nonrelatives of children pursuant to subparagraph (2)(a)3.
  347         (b) Recognize family relationships in which a grandparent
  348  or other relative is the head of a household that includes a
  349  child otherwise at risk of foster care placement.
  350         (c) Enhance family preservation and stability by
  351  recognizing that most children in such placements with
  352  grandparents and other relatives do not need intensive
  353  supervision of the placement by the courts or by the department.
  354         (d) Recognize that permanency in the best interests of the
  355  child can be achieved through a variety of permanency options,
  356  including permanent guardianship under s. 39.6221 if the
  357  guardian is a relative, by permanent placement with a fit and
  358  willing relative under s. 39.6231, by a relative, guardianship
  359  under chapter 744, or adoption, by providing additional
  360  placement options and incentives that will achieve permanency
  361  and stability for many children who are otherwise at risk of
  362  foster care placement because of abuse, abandonment, or neglect,
  363  but who may successfully be able to be placed by the dependency
  364  court in the care of such relatives.
  365         (e) Reserve the limited casework and supervisory resources
  366  of the courts and the department for those cases in which
  367  children do not have the option for safe, stable care within the
  368  family.
  369         (f) Recognize that a child may have a close relationship
  370  with a person who is not a blood relative or a relative by
  371  marriage and that such person should be eligible for financial
  372  assistance under this section if he or she is able and willing
  373  to care for the child and provide a safe, stable home
  374  environment.
  375         (2)(a) The Department of Children and Families Family
  376  Services shall establish and operate the Relative Caregiver
  377  Program pursuant to eligibility guidelines established in this
  378  section as further implemented by rule of the department. The
  379  Relative Caregiver Program shall, within the limits of available
  380  funding, provide financial assistance to:
  381         1. Relatives who are within the fifth degree by blood or
  382  marriage to the parent or stepparent of a child and who are
  383  caring full-time for that dependent child in the role of
  384  substitute parent as a result of a court’s determination of
  385  child abuse, neglect, or abandonment and subsequent placement
  386  with the relative under this chapter.
  387         2. Relatives who are within the fifth degree by blood or
  388  marriage to the parent or stepparent of a child and who are
  389  caring full-time for that dependent child, and a dependent half
  390  brother or half-sister of that dependent child, in the role of
  391  substitute parent as a result of a court’s determination of
  392  child abuse, neglect, or abandonment and subsequent placement
  393  with the relative under this chapter.
  394         3. Nonrelatives who are willing to assume custody and care
  395  of a dependent child and a dependent half-brother or half-sister
  396  of that dependent child in the role of substitute parent as a
  397  result of a court’s determination of child abuse, neglect, or
  398  abandonment and subsequent placement with the nonrelative
  399  caregiver under this chapter. The court must find that a
  400  proposed placement under this subparagraph is in the best
  401  interest of the child.
  402  
  403  The placement may be court-ordered temporary legal custody to
  404  the relative or nonrelative under protective supervision of the
  405  department pursuant to s. 39.521(1)(b)3., or court-ordered
  406  placement in the home of a relative or nonrelative as a
  407  permanency option under s. 39.6221 or s. 39.6231 or under former
  408  s. 39.622 if the placement was made before July 1, 2006. The
  409  Relative Caregiver Program shall offer financial assistance to
  410  caregivers who are relatives and who would be unable to serve in
  411  that capacity without the relative caregiver payment because of
  412  financial burden, thus exposing the child to the trauma of
  413  placement in a shelter or in foster care.
  414         (b) Caregivers who are relatives and who receive assistance
  415  under this section must be capable, as determined by a home
  416  study, of providing a physically safe environment and a stable,
  417  supportive home for the children under their care, and must
  418  assure that the children’s well-being is met, including, but not
  419  limited to, the provision of immunizations, education, and
  420  mental health services as needed.
  421         (c) Relatives or nonrelatives who qualify for and
  422  participate in the Relative Caregiver Program are not required
  423  to meet foster care licensing requirements under s. 409.175.
  424         (d) Relatives or nonrelatives who are caring for children
  425  placed with them by the court pursuant to this chapter shall
  426  receive a special monthly relative caregiver benefit established
  427  by rule of the department. The amount of the special benefit
  428  payment shall be based on the child’s age within a payment
  429  schedule established by rule of the department and subject to
  430  availability of funding. The statewide average monthly rate for
  431  children judicially placed with relatives or nonrelatives who
  432  are not licensed as foster homes may not exceed 82 percent of
  433  the statewide average foster care rate, and nor may the cost of
  434  providing the assistance described in this section to any
  435  relative caregiver may not exceed the cost of providing out-of
  436  home care in emergency shelter or foster care.
  437         (e) Children receiving cash benefits under this section are
  438  not eligible to simultaneously receive WAGES cash benefits under
  439  chapter 414.
  440         (f) Within available funding, the Relative Caregiver
  441  Program shall provide relative caregivers with family support
  442  and preservation services, flexible funds in accordance with s.
  443  409.165, school readiness, and other available services in order
  444  to support the child’s safety, growth, and healthy development.
  445  Children living with relative caregivers who are receiving
  446  assistance under this section shall be eligible for Medicaid
  447  coverage.
  448         (g) The department may use appropriate available state,
  449  federal, and private funds to operate the Relative Caregiver
  450  Program. The department may develop liaison functions to be
  451  available to relatives or nonrelatives who care for children
  452  pursuant to this chapter to ensure placement stability in
  453  extended family settings.
  454         Section 7. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) and paragraph
  455  (a) of subsection (3) of section 39.701, Florida Statutes, are
  456  amended to read:
  457         39.701 Judicial review.—
  458         (2) REVIEW HEARINGS FOR CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 18 YEARS OF
  459  AGE.—
  460         (c) Review determinations.—The court and any citizen review
  461  panel shall take into consideration the information contained in
  462  the social services study and investigation and all medical,
  463  psychological, and educational records that support the terms of
  464  the case plan; testimony by the social services agency, the
  465  parent, the foster parent or legal custodian, the guardian ad
  466  litem or surrogate parent for educational decisionmaking if one
  467  has been appointed for the child, and any other person deemed
  468  appropriate; and any relevant and material evidence submitted to
  469  the court, including written and oral reports to the extent of
  470  their probative value. These reports and evidence may be
  471  received by the court in its effort to determine the action to
  472  be taken with regard to the child and may be relied upon to the
  473  extent of their probative value, even though not competent in an
  474  adjudicatory hearing. In its deliberations, the court and any
  475  citizen review panel shall seek to determine:
  476         1. If the parent was advised of the right to receive
  477  assistance from any person or social service agency in the
  478  preparation of the case plan.
  479         2. If the parent has been advised of the right to have
  480  counsel present at the judicial review or citizen review
  481  hearings. If not so advised, the court or citizen review panel
  482  shall advise the parent of such right.
  483         3. If a guardian ad litem needs to be appointed for the
  484  child in a case in which a guardian ad litem has not previously
  485  been appointed or if there is a need to continue a guardian ad
  486  litem in a case in which a guardian ad litem has been appointed.
  487         4. Who holds the rights to make educational decisions for
  488  the child. If appropriate, the court may refer the child to the
  489  district school superintendent for appointment of a surrogate
  490  parent or may itself appoint a surrogate parent under the
  491  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and s. 39.0016.
  492         5. The compliance or lack of compliance of all parties with
  493  applicable items of the case plan, including the parents’
  494  compliance with child support orders.
  495         6. The compliance or lack of compliance with a visitation
  496  contract between the parent and the social service agency for
  497  contact with the child, including the frequency, duration, and
  498  results of the parent-child visitation and the reason for any
  499  noncompliance.
  500         7. The frequency, kind, and duration of sibling contacts
  501  among siblings who have been separated during placement, as well
  502  as any efforts undertaken to reunite separated siblings if doing
  503  so is in the best interest of the child.
  504         8.7. The compliance or lack of compliance of the parent in
  505  meeting specified financial obligations pertaining to the care
  506  of the child, including the reason for failure to comply, if
  507  applicable such is the case.
  508         9.8. Whether the child is receiving safe and proper care
  509  according to s. 39.6012, including, but not limited to, the
  510  appropriateness of the child’s current placement, including
  511  whether the child is in a setting that is as family-like and as
  512  close to the parent’s home as possible, consistent with the
  513  child’s best interests and special needs, and including
  514  maintaining stability in the child’s educational placement, as
  515  documented by assurances from the community-based care provider
  516  that:
  517         a. The placement of the child takes into account the
  518  appropriateness of the current educational setting and the
  519  proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at the
  520  time of placement.
  521         b. The community-based care agency has coordinated with
  522  appropriate local educational agencies to ensure that the child
  523  remains in the school in which the child is enrolled at the time
  524  of placement.
  525         10.9. A projected date likely for the child’s return home
  526  or other permanent placement.
  527         11.10. When appropriate, the basis for the unwillingness or
  528  inability of the parent to become a party to a case plan. The
  529  court and the citizen review panel shall determine if the
  530  efforts of the social service agency to secure party
  531  participation in a case plan were sufficient.
  532         12.11. For a child who has reached 13 years of age but is
  533  not yet 18 years of age, the adequacy of the child’s preparation
  534  for adulthood and independent living.
  535         13.12. If amendments to the case plan are required.
  536  Amendments to the case plan must be made under s. 39.6013.
  537         (3) REVIEW HEARINGS FOR CHILDREN 17 YEARS OF AGE.—
  538         (a) In addition to the review and report required under
  539  paragraphs (1)(a) and (2)(a), respectively, the court shall hold
  540  a judicial review hearing within 90 days after a child’s 17th
  541  birthday. The court shall also issue an order, separate from the
  542  order on judicial review, that the disability of nonage of the
  543  child has been removed pursuant to ss. 743.044, 743.045, and
  544  743.046, and for any of these disabilities that the court finds
  545  is in the child’s best interest to remove. The court s. 743.045
  546  and shall continue to hold timely judicial review hearings. If
  547  necessary, the court may review the status of the child more
  548  frequently during the year before the child’s 18th birthday. At
  549  each review hearing held under this subsection, in addition to
  550  any information or report provided to the court by the foster
  551  parent, legal custodian, or guardian ad litem, the child shall
  552  be given the opportunity to address the court with any
  553  information relevant to the child’s best interest, particularly
  554  in relation to independent living transition services. The
  555  department shall include in the social study report for judicial
  556  review written verification that the child has:
  557         1. A current Medicaid card and all necessary information
  558  concerning the Medicaid program sufficient to prepare the child
  559  to apply for coverage upon reaching the age of 18, if such
  560  application is appropriate.
  561         2. A certified copy of the child’s birth certificate and,
  562  if the child does not have a valid driver license, a Florida
  563  identification card issued under s. 322.051.
  564         3. A social security card and information relating to
  565  social security insurance benefits if the child is eligible for
  566  those benefits. If the child has received such benefits and they
  567  are being held in trust for the child, a full accounting of
  568  these funds must be provided and the child must be informed as
  569  to how to access those funds.
  570         4. All relevant information related to the Road-to
  571  Independence Program, including, but not limited to, eligibility
  572  requirements, information on participation, and assistance in
  573  gaining admission to the program. If the child is eligible for
  574  the Road-to-Independence Program, he or she must be advised that
  575  he or she may continue to reside with the licensed family home
  576  or group care provider with whom the child was residing at the
  577  time the child attained his or her 18th birthday, in another
  578  licensed family home, or with a group care provider arranged by
  579  the department.
  580         5. An open bank account or the identification necessary to
  581  open a bank account and to acquire essential banking and
  582  budgeting skills.
  583         6. Information on public assistance and how to apply for
  584  public assistance.
  585         7. A clear understanding of where he or she will be living
  586  on his or her 18th birthday, how living expenses will be paid,
  587  and the educational program or school in which he or she will be
  588  enrolled.
  589         8. Information related to the ability of the child to
  590  remain in care until he or she reaches 21 years of age under s.
  591  39.013.
  592         9. A letter providing the dates that the child is under the
  593  jurisdiction of the court.
  594         10. A letter stating that the child is in compliance with
  595  financial aid documentation requirements.
  596         11. The child’s educational records.
  597         12. The child’s entire health and mental health records.
  598         13. The process for accessing his or her case file.
  599         14. A statement encouraging the child to attend all
  600  judicial review hearings occurring after the child’s 17th
  601  birthday.
  602         Section 8. Subsection (2) of section 39.802, Florida
  603  Statutes, is amended to read:
  604         39.802 Petition for termination of parental rights; filing;
  605  elements.—
  606         (2) The form of the petition is governed by the Florida
  607  Rules of Juvenile Procedure. The petition must be in writing and
  608  signed by the petitioner under oath stating the petitioner’s
  609  good faith in or, if the department is the petitioner, by an
  610  employee of the department, under oath stating the petitioner’s
  611  good faith in filing the petition.
  612         Section 9. Subsection (1) and paragraph (c) of subsection
  613  (3) of section 383.402, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  614         383.402 Child abuse death review; State Child Abuse Death
  615  Review Committee; local child abuse death review committees.—
  616         (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a
  617  statewide multidisciplinary, multiagency child abuse death
  618  assessment and prevention system that consists of state and
  619  local review committees. The state and local review committees
  620  shall review the facts and circumstances of all deaths of
  621  children from birth through age 18 which occur in this state and
  622  are reported to the child abuse hotline of the Department of
  623  Children and Families as the result of verified child abuse or
  624  neglect. The purpose of the review shall be to:
  625         (a) Achieve a greater understanding of the causes and
  626  contributing factors of deaths resulting from child abuse.
  627         (b) Whenever possible, develop a communitywide approach to
  628  address such cases and contributing factors.
  629         (c) Identify any gaps, deficiencies, or problems in the
  630  delivery of services to children and their families by public
  631  and private agencies which may be related to deaths that are the
  632  result of child abuse.
  633         (d) Make and implement recommendations for changes in law,
  634  rules, and policies, as well as develop practice standards that
  635  support the safe and healthy development of children and reduce
  636  preventable child abuse deaths.
  637         (3) The State Child Abuse Death Review Committee shall:
  638         (c) Prepare an annual statistical report on the incidence
  639  and causes of death resulting from reported child abuse in the
  640  state during the prior calendar year. The state committee shall
  641  submit a copy of the report by October 1 December 31 of each
  642  year to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
  643  Speaker of the House of Representatives. The report must include
  644  recommendations for state and local action, including specific
  645  policy, procedural, regulatory, or statutory changes, and any
  646  other recommended preventive action.
  647         Section 10. The Division of Law Revision and Information is
  648  directed to create part V of chapter 409, Florida Statutes,
  649  consisting of ss. 409.986-409.998, Florida Statutes, to be
  650  titled “Community-Based Child Welfare.”
  651         Section 11. Section 409.986, Florida Statutes, is created
  652  to read:
  653         409.986 Legislative findings, intent, and definitions.—
  654         (1)LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.—
  655         (a)It is the intent of the Legislature that the Department
  656  of Children and Families provide child protection and child
  657  welfare services to children through contracting with community
  658  based care lead agencies. It is further the Legislature’s intent
  659  that communities and other stakeholders in the well-being of
  660  children participate in assuring safety, permanence, and well
  661  being for all children in the state.
  662         (b)The Legislature finds that, when private entities
  663  assume responsibility for the care of children in the child
  664  protection and child welfare system, adequate oversight of the
  665  programmatic, administrative, and fiscal operation of those
  666  entities is essential. The Legislature finds that, ultimately,
  667  the appropriate care of children is the responsibility of the
  668  state and outsourcing the provision of such care does not
  669  relieve the state of its responsibility to ensure that
  670  appropriate care is provided.
  671         (2) CHILD PROTECTION AND CHILD WELFARE OUTCOMES.—It is the
  672  goal of the department to achieve the following outcomes in
  673  conjunction with the community-based care lead agency,
  674  community-based subcontractors, and the community-based care
  675  alliance:
  676         (a) Children are first and foremost protected from abuse
  677  and neglect.
  678         (b) Children are safely maintained in their homes if
  679  possible and appropriate.
  680         (c) Services are provided to protect children and prevent
  681  removal from the home.
  682         (d) Children have permanency and stability in their living
  683  arrangements.
  684         (e) Family relationships and connections are preserved for
  685  children.
  686         (f) Families have enhanced capacity to provide for their
  687  children’s needs.
  688         (g) Children receive appropriate services to meet their
  689  educational needs.
  690         (h) Children receive adequate services to meet their
  691  physical and mental health needs.
  692         (3)DEFINITIONS.—As used in this part, except as otherwise
  693  specifically provided, the term:
  694         (a)“Child” or “children” means has the same meaning as the
  695  term “child” as defined in s. 39.01.
  696         (b) “Dependent child” means a child who has been determined
  697  by the court to be in need of care due to allegations of abuse,
  698  neglect, or abandonment.
  699         (c) “Care” means services of any kind which are designed to
  700  facilitate a child remaining safely in his or her own home,
  701  returning safely to his or her own home if he or she is removed,
  702  or obtaining an alternative permanent home if he or she cannot
  703  remain home or be returned home.
  704         (d)Community-based care alliance” or “alliance” means the
  705  group of stakeholders, community leaders, client
  706  representatives, and funders of human services established to
  707  provide a focal point for community participation and governance
  708  of community-based services.
  709         (e)Community-based care lead agency” or “lead agency”
  710  means a single entity with which the department has a contract
  711  for the provision of care for children in the child protection
  712  and child welfare system in a community that is no smaller than
  713  a county and no larger than two contiguous judicial circuits.
  714  The secretary of the department may authorize more than one
  715  eligible lead agency within a single county if doing so will
  716  result in more effective delivery of services to children.
  717         (f)“Related services” includes, but is not limited to,
  718  family preservation, independent living, emergency shelter,
  719  residential group care, foster care, therapeutic foster care,
  720  intensive residential treatment, foster care supervision, case
  721  management, postplacement supervision, permanent foster care,
  722  and family reunification.
  723         Section 12. Section 409.987, Florida Statutes, is created
  724  to read:
  725         409.987 Lead agency procurement.—
  726         (1) Community-based care lead agencies shall be procured by
  727  the department through a competitive process as required by
  728  chapter 287.
  729         (2) The department shall produce a schedule for the
  730  procurement of community-based care lead agencies and provide
  731  the schedule to the community-based care alliances established
  732  pursuant to s. 409.998.
  733         (3) Notwithstanding s. 287.057, the department shall use 5
  734  year contracts with lead agencies.
  735         (4) In order to compete for a contract to serve as a lead
  736  agency, an entity must:
  737         (a) Be organized as a Florida corporation or a governmental
  738  entity.
  739         (b) Be governed by a board of directors. The membership of
  740  the board of directors must be described in the bylaws or
  741  articles of incorporation of each lead agency. At least 75
  742  percent of the membership of the board of directors must be
  743  composed of persons residing in this state. Of the state
  744  residents, at least 51 percent must also reside within the
  745  service area of the lead agency.
  746         (c) Demonstrate financial responsibility through an
  747  organized plan for regular fiscal audits and the posting of a
  748  performance bond.
  749         (5) The procurement of lead agencies must be done in
  750  consultation with the local community-based care alliances.
  751         Section 13. Section 409.988, Florida Statutes, is created
  752  to read:
  753         409.988 Lead agency duties; general provisions.—
  754         (1)DUTIES.—A lead agency:
  755         (a)Shall serve all children referred as a result of a
  756  report of abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the department’s
  757  child abuse hotline regardless of the level of funding allocated
  758  to the lead agency by the state if all related funding is
  759  transferred.
  760         (b) Shall provide accurate and timely information necessary
  761  for oversight by the department pursuant to the child welfare
  762  results-oriented accountability system required by s. 409.997.
  763         (c)Shall follow the financial guidelines developed by the
  764  department and provide for a regular independent auditing of its
  765  financial activities. Such financial information shall be
  766  provided to the community-based care alliance established under
  767  s. 409.998.
  768         (d)Shall prepare all judicial reviews, case plans, and
  769  other reports necessary for court hearings for dependent
  770  children, except those related to the investigation of a
  771  referral from the department’s child abuse hotline, and shall
  772  provide testimony as required for dependency court proceedings.
  773  This duty does not include the preparation of legal pleadings or
  774  other legal documents, which remain the responsibility of the
  775  department.
  776         (e)Shall ensure that all individuals providing care for
  777  dependent children receive appropriate training and meet the
  778  minimum employment standards established by the department.
  779         (f)Shall maintain eligibility to receive all available
  780  federal child welfare funds.
  781         (g)Shall maintain written agreements with Healthy Families
  782  Florida lead entities in its service area pursuant to s. 409.153
  783  to promote cooperative planning for the provision of prevention
  784  and intervention services.
  785         (h)Shall comply with federal and state statutory
  786  requirements and agency rules in the provision of contractual
  787  services.
  788         (i)May subcontract for the provision of services required
  789  by the contract with the lead agency and the department;
  790  however, the subcontracts must specify how the provider will
  791  contribute to the lead agency meeting the performance standards
  792  established pursuant to the child welfare results-oriented
  793  accountability system required by s. 409.997.
  794         (2)LICENSURE.—
  795         (a)A lead agency must be licensed as a child-caring or
  796  child-placing agency by the department under this chapter.
  797         (b)Each foster home, therapeutic foster home, emergency
  798  shelter, or other placement facility operated by the lead agency
  799  must be licensed by the department under chapter 402 or this
  800  chapter.
  801         (c)Substitute care providers who are licensed under s.
  802  409.175 and who have contracted with a lead agency are also
  803  authorized to provide registered or licensed family day care
  804  under s. 402.313 if such care is consistent with federal law and
  805  if the home has met the requirements of s. 402.313.
  806         (d)A foster home licensed under s. 409.175 may be dually
  807  licensed as a child care home under chapter 402 and may receive
  808  a foster care maintenance payment and, to the extent permitted
  809  under federal law, school readiness funding for the same child.
  810         (e)In order to eliminate or reduce the number of duplicate
  811  inspections by various program offices, the department shall
  812  coordinate inspections required for licensure of agencies under
  813  this subsection.
  814         (f)The department may adopt rules to administer this
  815  subsection.
  816         (3)SERVICES.—A lead agency must serve dependent children
  817  through services that are supported by research or are best
  818  child welfare practices. The agency may also provide innovative
  819  services such as family-centered, cognitive-behavioral
  820  interventions designed to mitigate out-of-home placements.
  821         (4)LEAD AGENCY ACTING AS GUARDIAN.
  822         (a) If a lead agency or other provider has accepted case
  823  management responsibilities for a child who is sheltered or
  824  found to be dependent and who is assigned to the care of the
  825  lead agency or other provider, the agency or provider may act as
  826  the child’s guardian for the purpose of registering the child in
  827  school if a parent or guardian of the child is unavailable and
  828  his or her whereabouts cannot reasonably be ascertained.
  829         (b) The lead agency or other provider may also seek
  830  emergency medical attention for the child, but only if a parent
  831  or guardian of the child is unavailable, the parent’s
  832  whereabouts cannot reasonably be ascertained, and a court order
  833  for such emergency medical services cannot be obtained because
  834  of the severity of the emergency or because it is after normal
  835  working hours.
  836         (c)A lead agency or other provider may not consent to
  837  sterilization, abortion, or termination of life support.
  838         (d)If a child’s parents’ rights have been terminated, the
  839  lead agency shall act as guardian of the child in all
  840  circumstances.
  841         Section 14. Section 409.990, Florida Statutes, is created
  842  to read:
  843         409.990 Funding for lead agencies.A contract established
  844  between the department and a lead agency must be funded by a
  845  grant of general revenue, other applicable state funds, or
  846  applicable federal funding sources.
  847         (1)The method of payment for a fixed-price contract with a
  848  lead agency must provide for a 2-month advance payment at the
  849  beginning of each fiscal year and equal monthly payments
  850  thereafter.
  851         (2)Notwithstanding s. 215.425, all documented federal
  852  funds earned for the current fiscal year by the department and
  853  lead agencies which exceed the amount appropriated by the
  854  Legislature shall be distributed to all entities that
  855  contributed to the excess earnings based on a schedule and
  856  methodology developed by the department and approved by the
  857  Executive Office of the Governor.
  858         (a)Distribution shall be pro rata based on total earnings
  859  and shall be made only to those entities that contributed to
  860  excess earnings.
  861         (b) Excess earnings of lead agencies shall be used only in
  862  the service district in which they were earned.
  863         (c)Additional state funds appropriated by the Legislature
  864  for lead agencies or made available pursuant to the budgetary
  865  amendment process described in s. 216.177 shall be transferred
  866  to the lead agencies.
  867         (d) The department shall amend a lead agency’s contract to
  868  permit expenditure of the funds.
  869         (3)Notwithstanding other provisions in this section, the
  870  amount of the annual contract for a lead agency may be increased
  871  by excess federal funds earned in accordance with s.
  872  216.181(11).
  873         (4)Each contract with a lead agency shall provide for the
  874  payment by the department to the lead agency of a reasonable
  875  administrative cost in addition to funding for the provision of
  876  services.
  877         (5)A lead agency may carry forward documented unexpended
  878  state funds from one fiscal year to the next; however, the
  879  cumulative amount carried forward may not exceed 8 percent of
  880  the total contract. Any unexpended state funds in excess of that
  881  percentage must be returned to the department.
  882         (a)The funds carried forward may not be used in any way
  883  that would create increased recurring future obligations, and
  884  such funds may not be used for any type of program or service
  885  that is not currently authorized by the existing contract with
  886  the department.
  887         (b)Expenditures of funds carried forward must be
  888  separately reported to the department.
  889         (c)Any unexpended funds that remain at the end of the
  890  contract period shall be returned to the department.
  891         (d)Funds carried forward may be retained through any
  892  contract renewals and any new procurements as long as the same
  893  lead agency is retained by the department.
  894         (6)It is the intent of the Legislature to improve services
  895  and local participation in community-based care initiatives by
  896  fostering community support and providing enhanced prevention
  897  and in-home services, thereby reducing the risk otherwise faced
  898  by lead agencies. There is established a community partnership
  899  matching grant program to be operated by the department for the
  900  purpose of encouraging local participation in community-based
  901  care for child welfare. A community-based care alliance direct
  902  support organization, a children’s services council, or another
  903  local entity that makes a financial commitment to a community
  904  based care lead agency may be eligible for a matching grant. The
  905  total amount of the local contribution may be matched on a one
  906  to-one basis up to a maximum annual amount of $500,000 per lead
  907  agency. Awarded matching grant funds may be used for any
  908  prevention or in-home services that can be reasonably expected
  909  to reduce the number of children entering the child welfare
  910  system. Funding available for the matching grant program is
  911  subject to legislative appropriation of nonrecurring funds
  912  provided for this purpose.
  913         (7)(a) The department, in consultation with the Florida
  914  Coalition for Children, Inc., shall develop and implement a
  915  community-based care risk pool initiative to mitigate the
  916  financial risk to eligible lead agencies. This initiative must
  917  include:
  918         1. A risk pool application and protocol developed by the
  919  department which outline submission criteria, including, but not
  920  limited to, financial and program management, descriptive data
  921  requirements, and timeframes for submission of applications.
  922  Requests for funding from risk pool applicants shall be based on
  923  relevant and verifiable service trends and changes that have
  924  occurred during the current fiscal year. The application shall
  925  confirm that expenditure of approved risk pool funds by the lead
  926  agency shall be completed within the current fiscal year.
  927         2. A risk pool peer review committee, appointed by the
  928  secretary and consisting of department staff and representatives
  929  from at least three nonapplicant lead agencies, which reviews
  930  and assesses all risk pool applications. Upon completion of each
  931  application review, the peer review committee shall report its
  932  findings and recommendations to the secretary providing, at a
  933  minimum, the following information:
  934         a. Justification for the specific funding amount required
  935  by the risk pool applicant based on current year service trend
  936  data, including validation that the applicant’s financial need
  937  was caused by circumstances beyond the control of the lead
  938  agency management;
  939         b. Verification that the proposed use of risk pool funds
  940  meets at least one of the criteria in paragraph (c); and
  941         c. Evidence of technical assistance provided in an effort
  942  to avoid the need to access the risk pool and recommendations
  943  for technical assistance to the lead agency to ensure that risk
  944  pool funds are expended effectively and that the agency’s need
  945  for future risk pool funding is diminished.
  946         (b) Upon approval by the secretary of a risk pool
  947  application, the department may request funds from the risk pool
  948  in accordance with s. 216.181(6)(a).
  949         (c) The purposes for which the community-based care risk
  950  pool shall be used include:
  951         1. Significant changes in the number or composition of
  952  clients eligible to receive services.
  953         2. Significant changes in the services that are eligible
  954  for reimbursement.
  955         3. Continuity of care in the event of failure,
  956  discontinuance of service, or financial misconduct by a lead
  957  agency.
  958         4. Significant changes in the mix of available funds.
  959         (d) The department may also request in its annual
  960  legislative budget request, and the Governor may recommend, that
  961  the funding necessary to carry out paragraph (c) be appropriated
  962  to the department. In addition, the department may request the
  963  allocation of funds from the community-based care risk pool in
  964  accordance with s. 216.181(6)(a). Funds from the pool may be
  965  used to match available federal dollars.
  966         1. Such funds shall constitute partial security for
  967  contract performance by lead agencies and shall be used to
  968  offset the need for a performance bond.
  969         2. The department may separately require a bond to mitigate
  970  the financial consequences of potential acts of malfeasance or
  971  misfeasance or criminal violations by the provider.
  972         Section 15. Section 409.16713, Florida Statutes, is
  973  transferred, renumbered as section 409.991, Florida Statutes,
  974  and paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of that section is amended,
  975  to read:
  976         409.991 409.16713 Allocation of funds for community-based
  977  care lead agencies.—
  978         (1) As used in this section, the term:
  979         (a) “Core services funding” means all funds allocated to
  980  community-based care lead agencies operating under contract with
  981  the department pursuant to s. 409.987 s. 409.1671, with the
  982  following exceptions:
  983         1. Funds appropriated for independent living;
  984         2. Funds appropriated for maintenance adoption subsidies;
  985         3. Funds allocated by the department for protective
  986  investigations training;
  987         4. Nonrecurring funds;
  988         5. Designated mental health wrap-around services funds; and
  989         6. Funds for special projects for a designated community
  990  based care lead agency.
  991         Section 16. Section 409.992, Florida Statutes, is created
  992  to read:
  993         409.992 Lead agency expenditures.
  994         (1)The procurement of commodities or contractual services
  995  by lead agencies shall be governed by the financial guidelines
  996  developed by the department which comply with applicable state
  997  and federal law and follow good business practices. Pursuant to
  998  s. 11.45, the Auditor General may provide technical advice in
  999  the development of the financial guidelines.
 1000         (2)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a
 1001  community-based care lead agency may make expenditures for staff
 1002  cellular telephone allowances, contracts requiring deferred
 1003  payments and maintenance agreements, security deposits for
 1004  office leases, related agency professional membership dues other
 1005  than personal professional membership dues, promotional
 1006  materials, and grant writing services. Expenditures for food and
 1007  refreshments, other than those provided to clients in the care
 1008  of the agency or to foster parents, adoptive parents, and
 1009  caseworkers during training sessions, are not allowable.
 1010         (3)A lead community-based care agency and its
 1011  subcontractors are exempt from state travel policies as provided
 1012  in s. 112.061(3)(a) for their travel expenses incurred in order
 1013  to comply with the requirements of this section.
 1014         Section 17. Section 409.993, Florida Statutes, is created
 1015  to read:
 1016         409.993 Lead agencies and subcontractor liability.—
 1017         (1)FINDINGS.—
 1018         (a) The Legislature finds that the state has traditionally
 1019  provided foster care services to children who have been the
 1020  responsibility of the state. As such, foster children have not
 1021  had the right to recover for injuries beyond the limitations
 1022  specified in s. 768.28. The Legislature has determined that
 1023  foster care and related services need to be outsourced pursuant
 1024  to this section and that the provision of such services is of
 1025  paramount importance to the state. The purpose for such
 1026  outsourcing is to increase the level of safety, security, and
 1027  stability of children who are or become the responsibility of
 1028  the state. One of the components necessary to secure a safe and
 1029  stable environment for such children is that private providers
 1030  maintain liability insurance. As such, insurance needs to be
 1031  available and remain available to nongovernmental foster care
 1032  and related services providers without the resources of such
 1033  providers being significantly reduced by the cost of maintaining
 1034  such insurance.
 1035         (b)The Legislature further finds that, by requiring the
 1036  following minimum levels of insurance, children in outsourced
 1037  foster care and related services will gain increased protection
 1038  and rights of recovery in the event of injury as provided for in
 1039  s. 768.28.
 1040         (2)LEAD AGENCY LIABILITY.—
 1041         (a) Other than an entity to which s. 768.28 applies, an
 1042  eligible community-based care lead agency, or its employees or
 1043  officers, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), must,
 1044  as a part of its contract, obtain a minimum of $1 million per
 1045  claim/$3 million per incident in general liability insurance
 1046  coverage. The eligible community-based care lead agency must
 1047  also require that staff who transport client children and
 1048  families in their personal automobiles in order to carry out
 1049  their job responsibilities obtain minimum bodily injury
 1050  liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 per claim,
 1051  $300,000 per incident, on their personal automobiles. In lieu of
 1052  personal motor vehicle insurance, the lead agency’s casualty,
 1053  liability, or motor vehicle insurance carrier may provide
 1054  nonowned automobile liability coverage. Such insurance provides
 1055  liability insurance for automobiles that the provider uses in
 1056  connection with the agency’s business but does not own, lease,
 1057  rent, or borrow. Such coverage includes automobiles owned by the
 1058  employees of the lead agency or a member of the employee’s
 1059  household but only while the automobiles are used in connection
 1060  with the agency’s business. The nonowned automobile coverage for
 1061  the lead agency applies as excess coverage over any other
 1062  collectible insurance. The personal automobile policy for the
 1063  employee of the lead agency must be primary insurance, and the
 1064  nonowned automobile coverage of the agency acts as excess
 1065  insurance to the primary insurance. The lead agency shall
 1066  provide a minimum limit of $1 million in nonowned automobile
 1067  coverage. In a tort action brought against such an eligible
 1068  community-based care lead agency or employee, net economic
 1069  damages shall be limited to $1 million per liability claim and
 1070  $100,000 per automobile claim, including, but not limited to,
 1071  past and future medical expenses, wage loss, and loss of earning
 1072  capacity, offset by any collateral source payment paid or
 1073  payable. In any tort action brought against such an eligible
 1074  community-based care lead agency, noneconomic damages shall be
 1075  limited to $200,000 per claim. A claims bill may be brought on
 1076  behalf of a claimant pursuant to s. 768.28 for any amount
 1077  exceeding the limits specified in this paragraph. Any offset of
 1078  collateral source payments made as of the date of the settlement
 1079  or judgment shall be in accordance with s. 768.76. The
 1080  community-based care lead agency is not liable in tort for the
 1081  acts or omissions of its subcontractors or the officers, agents,
 1082  or employees of its subcontractors.
 1083         (b) The liability of an eligible community-based care lead
 1084  agency described in this section shall be exclusive and in place
 1085  of all other liability of such lead agency. The same immunities
 1086  from liability enjoyed by such lead agencies shall extend as
 1087  well to each employee of the lead agency when such employee is
 1088  acting in furtherance of the agency’s business, including the
 1089  transportation of clients served, as described in this
 1090  subsection, in privately owned vehicles. Such immunities are not
 1091  applicable to a lead agency or an employee who acts in a
 1092  culpably negligent manner or with willful and wanton disregard
 1093  or unprovoked physical aggression if such acts result in injury
 1094  or death or such acts proximately cause such injury or death.
 1095  Such immunities are not applicable to employees of the same lead
 1096  agency when each is operating in the furtherance of the agency’s
 1097  business, but they are assigned primarily to unrelated work
 1098  within private or public employment. The same immunity
 1099  provisions enjoyed by a lead agency also apply to any sole
 1100  proprietor, partner, corporate officer or director, supervisor,
 1101  or other person who in the course and scope of his or her duties
 1102  acts in a managerial or policymaking capacity and the conduct
 1103  that caused the alleged injury arose within the course and scope
 1104  of those managerial or policymaking duties. As used in this
 1105  subsection and subsection (3), the term “culpable negligence
 1106  means reckless indifference or grossly careless disregard of
 1107  human life.
 1108         (3)SUBCONTRACTOR LIABILITY.—
 1109         (a) A subcontractor of an eligible community-based care
 1110  lead agency which is a direct provider of foster care and
 1111  related services to children and families, and its employees or
 1112  officers, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), must,
 1113  as a part of its contract, obtain a minimum of $1 million per
 1114  claim/$3 million per incident in general liability insurance
 1115  coverage. The subcontractor of an eligible community-based care
 1116  lead agency must also require that staff who transport client
 1117  children and families in their personal automobiles in order to
 1118  carry out their job responsibilities obtain minimum bodily
 1119  injury liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 per claim,
 1120  $300,000 per incident, on their personal automobiles. In lieu of
 1121  personal motor vehicle insurance, the subcontractor’s casualty,
 1122  liability, or motor vehicle insurance carrier may provide
 1123  nonowned automobile liability coverage. Such insurance provides
 1124  liability insurance for automobiles that the subcontractor uses
 1125  in connection with the subcontractor’s business but does not
 1126  own, lease, rent, or borrow. Such coverage includes automobiles
 1127  owned by the employees of the subcontractor or a member of the
 1128  employee’s household but only while the automobiles are used in
 1129  connection with the subcontractor’s business. The nonowned
 1130  automobile coverage for the subcontractor applies as excess
 1131  coverage over any other collectible insurance. The personal
 1132  automobile policy for the employee of the subcontractor shall be
 1133  primary insurance, and the nonowned automobile coverage of the
 1134  subcontractor acts as excess insurance to the primary insurance.
 1135  The subcontractor shall provide a minimum limit of $1 million in
 1136  nonowned automobile coverage. In a tort action brought against
 1137  such subcontractor or employee, net economic damages shall be
 1138  limited to $1 million per liability claim and $100,000 per
 1139  automobile claim, including, but not limited to, past and future
 1140  medical expenses, wage loss, and loss of earning capacity,
 1141  offset by any collateral source payment paid or payable. In a
 1142  tort action brought against such subcontractor, noneconomic
 1143  damages shall be limited to $200,000 per claim. A claims bill
 1144  may be brought on behalf of a claimant pursuant to s. 768.28 for
 1145  any amount exceeding the limits specified in this paragraph. Any
 1146  offset of collateral source payments made as of the date of the
 1147  settlement or judgment shall be in accordance with s. 768.76.
 1148         (b) The liability of a subcontractor of an eligible
 1149  community-based care lead agency that is a direct provider of
 1150  foster care and related services as described in this section
 1151  shall be exclusive and in place of all other liability of such
 1152  lead agency. The same immunities from liability enjoyed by such
 1153  subcontractor provider shall extend as well to each employee of
 1154  the subcontractor when such employee is acting in furtherance of
 1155  the subcontractor’s business, including the transportation of
 1156  clients served, as described in this subsection, in privately
 1157  owned vehicles. Such immunities are not applicable to a
 1158  subcontractor or an employee who acts in a culpably negligent
 1159  manner or with willful and wanton disregard or unprovoked
 1160  physical aggression when such acts result in injury or death or
 1161  such acts proximately cause such injury or death. Such
 1162  immunities are not applicable to employees of the same
 1163  subcontractor when each is operating in the furtherance of the
 1164  subcontractor’s business, but they are assigned primarily to
 1165  unrelated works within private or public employment. The same
 1166  immunity provisions enjoyed by a subcontractor also apply to any
 1167  sole proprietor, partner, corporate officer or director,
 1168  supervisor, or other person who in the course and scope of his
 1169  or her duties acts in a managerial or policymaking capacity and
 1170  the conduct that caused the alleged injury arose within the
 1171  course and scope of those managerial or policymaking duties.
 1172         (4) LIMITATIONS ON DAMAGES.—The Legislature is cognizant of
 1173  the increasing costs of goods and services each year and
 1174  recognizes that fixing a set amount of compensation has the
 1175  effect of a reduction in compensation each year. Accordingly,
 1176  the conditional limitations on damages in this section shall be
 1177  increased at the rate of 5 percent each year, prorated from July
 1178  1, 2014, to the date at which damages subject to such
 1179  limitations are awarded by final judgment or settlement.
 1180         Section 18. Section 409.1675, Florida Statutes, is
 1181  transferred and renumbered as section 409.994, Florida Statutes,
 1182  and amended to read:
 1183         409.994 409.1675Lead Community-based care lead agencies
 1184  providers; receivership.—
 1185         (1) The Department of Children and Families Family Services
 1186  may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for the
 1187  appointment of a receiver for a lead community-based care lead
 1188  agency provider established pursuant to s. 409.987 if s.
 1189  409.1671 when any of the following conditions exist:
 1190         (a) The lead agency community-based provider is operating
 1191  without a license as a child-placing agency.
 1192         (b) The lead agency community-based provider has given less
 1193  than 120 days’ notice of its intent to cease operations, and
 1194  arrangements have not been made for another lead agency
 1195  community-based provider or for the department to continue the
 1196  uninterrupted provision of services.
 1197         (c) The department determines that conditions exist in the
 1198  lead agency community-based provider which present an imminent
 1199  danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the dependent
 1200  children under that agency’s provider’s care or supervision.
 1201  Whenever possible, the department shall make a reasonable effort
 1202  to facilitate the continued operation of the program.
 1203         (d) The lead agency community-based provider cannot meet
 1204  its current financial obligations to its employees, contractors,
 1205  or foster parents. Issuance of bad checks or the existence of
 1206  delinquent obligations for payment of salaries, utilities, or
 1207  invoices for essential services or commodities shall constitute
 1208  prima facie evidence that the lead agency community-based
 1209  provider lacks the financial ability to meet its financial
 1210  obligations.
 1211         (2)(a) The petition for receivership shall take precedence
 1212  over other court business unless the court determines that some
 1213  other pending proceeding, having statutory precedence, has
 1214  priority.
 1215         (b) A hearing shall be conducted within 5 days after the
 1216  filing of the petition, at which time interested parties shall
 1217  have the opportunity to present evidence as to whether a
 1218  receiver should be appointed. The department shall give
 1219  reasonable notice of the hearing on the petition to the lead
 1220  agency community-based provider.
 1221         (c) The court shall grant the petition upon finding that
 1222  one or more of the conditions in subsection (1) exists and the
 1223  continued existence of the condition or conditions jeopardizes
 1224  the health, safety, or welfare of dependent children. A receiver
 1225  may be appointed ex parte when the court determines that one or
 1226  more of the conditions in subsection (1) exists. After such
 1227  finding, the court may appoint any person, including an employee
 1228  of the department who is qualified by education, training, or
 1229  experience to carry out the duties of the receiver pursuant to
 1230  this section, except that the court may shall not appoint any
 1231  member of the governing board or any officer of the lead agency
 1232  community-based provider. The receiver may be selected from a
 1233  list of persons qualified to act as receivers which is developed
 1234  by the department and presented to the court with each petition
 1235  of receivership.
 1236         (d) A receiver may be appointed for up to 90 days, and the
 1237  department may petition the court for additional 30-day
 1238  extensions. Sixty days after appointment of a receiver and every
 1239  30 days thereafter until the receivership is terminated, the
 1240  department shall submit to the court an assessment of the lead
 1241  agency’s community-based provider’s ability to ensure the
 1242  health, safety, and welfare of the dependent children under its
 1243  supervision.
 1244         (3) The receiver shall take such steps as are reasonably
 1245  necessary to ensure the continued health, safety, and welfare of
 1246  the dependent children under the supervision of the lead agency
 1247  community-based provider and shall exercise those powers and
 1248  perform those duties set out by the court, including, but not
 1249  limited to:
 1250         (a) Taking such action as is reasonably necessary to
 1251  protect or conserve the assets or property of the lead agency
 1252  community-based provider. The receiver may use the assets and
 1253  property and any proceeds from any transfer thereof only in the
 1254  performance of the powers and duties provided set forth in this
 1255  section and by order of the court.
 1256         (b) Using the assets of the lead agency community-based
 1257  provider in the provision of care and services to dependent
 1258  children.
 1259         (c) Entering into contracts and hiring agents and employees
 1260  to carry out the powers and duties of the receiver under this
 1261  section.
 1262         (d) Having full power to direct, manage, hire, and
 1263  discharge employees of the lead agency community-based provider.
 1264  The receiver shall hire and pay new employees at the rate of
 1265  compensation, including benefits, approved by the court.
 1266         (e) Honoring all leases, mortgages, and contractual
 1267  obligations of the lead agency community-based provider, but
 1268  only to the extent of payments that become due during the period
 1269  of the receivership.
 1270         (4)(a) The receiver shall deposit funds received in a
 1271  separate account and shall use this account for all
 1272  disbursements.
 1273         (b) A payment to the receiver of any sum owing to the lead
 1274  agency community-based provider shall discharge any obligation
 1275  to the provider to the extent of the payment.
 1276         (5) A receiver may petition the court for temporary relief
 1277  from obligations entered into by the lead agency community-based
 1278  provider if the rent, price, or rate of interest required to be
 1279  paid under the agreement was substantially in excess of a
 1280  reasonable rent, price, or rate of interest at the time the
 1281  contract was entered into, or if any material provision of the
 1282  agreement was unreasonable when compared to contracts negotiated
 1283  under similar conditions. Any relief in this form provided by
 1284  the court shall be limited to the life of the receivership,
 1285  unless otherwise determined by the court.
 1286         (6) The court shall set the compensation of the receiver,
 1287  which shall be considered a necessary expense of a receivership
 1288  and may grant to the receiver such other authority necessary to
 1289  ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the children served.
 1290         (7) A receiver may be held liable in a personal capacity
 1291  only for the receiver’s own gross negligence, intentional acts,
 1292  or breaches of fiduciary duty. This section may shall not be
 1293  interpreted to be a waiver of sovereign immunity should the
 1294  department be appointed receiver.
 1295         (8) If the receiver is not the department, the court may
 1296  require a receiver to post a bond to ensure the faithful
 1297  performance of these duties.
 1298         (9) The court may terminate a receivership when:
 1299         (a) The court determines that the receivership is no longer
 1300  necessary because the conditions that gave rise to the
 1301  receivership no longer exist; or
 1302         (b) The department has entered into a contract with a new
 1303  lead agency community-based provider pursuant to s. 409.987 s.
 1304  409.1671, and that contractor is ready and able to assume the
 1305  duties of the previous lead agency provider.
 1306         (10) Within 30 days after the termination, unless this time
 1307  period is extended by the court, the receiver shall give the
 1308  court a complete accounting of all property of which the
 1309  receiver has taken possession, of all funds collected and
 1310  disbursed, and of the expenses of the receivership.
 1311         (11) Nothing in This section does not shall be construed to
 1312  relieve any employee of the lead agency community-based provider
 1313  placed in receivership of any civil or criminal liability
 1314  incurred, or any duty imposed by law, by reason of acts or
 1315  omissions of the employee before prior to the appointment of a
 1316  receiver, and; nor shall anything contained in this section does
 1317  not be construed to suspend during the receivership any
 1318  obligation of the employee for payment of taxes or other
 1319  operating or maintenance expenses of the lead agency community
 1320  based provider or for the payment of mortgages or liens. The
 1321  lead agency community-based provider shall retain the right to
 1322  sell or mortgage any facility under receivership, subject to the
 1323  prior approval of the court that ordered the receivership.
 1324         Section 19. Section 409.996, Florida Statutes, is created
 1325  to read:
 1326         409.996 Duties of the Department of Children and Families.
 1327  The department shall contract for the delivery, administration,
 1328  or management of care for children in the child protection and
 1329  child welfare system. In doing so, the department retains
 1330  responsibility for the quality of contracted services and
 1331  programs and shall ensure that services are delivered in
 1332  accordance with applicable federal and state statutes and
 1333  regulations.
 1334         (1)The department shall enter into contracts with lead
 1335  agencies to perform the duties of a lead agency pursuant to s.
 1336  409.988. At a minimum, the contracts must:
 1337         (a) Provide for the services needed to accomplish the
 1338  duties established in s. 409.988 and provide information to the
 1339  department which is necessary to meet the requirements for a
 1340  quality assurance program pursuant to subsection (18) and the
 1341  child welfare results-oriented accountability system pursuant to
 1342  s. 409.997.
 1343         (b)Provide for graduated penalties for failure to comply
 1344  with contract terms. Such penalties may include financial
 1345  penalties, enhanced monitoring and reporting, corrective action
 1346  plans, and early termination of contracts or other appropriate
 1347  action to ensure contract compliance.
 1348         (c)Ensure that the lead agency shall furnish current and
 1349  accurate information on its activities in all cases in client
 1350  case records in the state’s statewide automated child welfare
 1351  information system.
 1352         (d)Specify the procedures to be used by the parties to
 1353  resolve differences in interpreting the contract or to resolve
 1354  disputes as to the adequacy of the parties’ compliance with
 1355  their respective obligations under the contract.
 1356         (2)The department must adopt written policies and
 1357  procedures for monitoring the contract for delivery of services
 1358  by lead agencies. These policies and procedures must, at a
 1359  minimum, address the evaluation of fiscal accountability and
 1360  program operations, including provider achievement of
 1361  performance standards, provider monitoring of subcontractors,
 1362  and timely follow up of corrective actions for significant
 1363  monitoring findings related to providers and subcontractors.
 1364  These policies and procedures must also include provisions for
 1365  reducing the duplication of the department’s program monitoring
 1366  activities both internally and with other agencies, to the
 1367  extent possible. The department’s written procedures must ensure
 1368  that the written findings, conclusions, and recommendations from
 1369  monitoring the contract for services of lead agencies are
 1370  communicated to the director of the provider agency and the
 1371  community-based care alliance as expeditiously as possible.
 1372         (3)The department shall receive federal and state funds as
 1373  appropriated for the operation of the child welfare system and
 1374  shall transmit these funds to the lead agencies as agreed. The
 1375  department retains responsibility for the appropriate spending
 1376  of these funds. The department shall monitor lead agencies to
 1377  assess compliance with the financial guidelines established
 1378  pursuant to s. 409.992 and other applicable state and federal
 1379  laws.
 1380         (4)The department shall provide technical assistance and
 1381  consultation to lead agencies in the provision of care to
 1382  children in the child protection and child welfare system.
 1383         (5)The department retains the responsibility for the
 1384  review, approval or denial, and issuances of all foster home
 1385  licenses.
 1386         (6)The department shall process all applications submitted
 1387  by lead agencies for the Interstate Compact for Placement of
 1388  Children and the Interstate Compact for Adoption and Medical
 1389  Assistance.
 1390         (7)The department shall assist lead agencies with access
 1391  to and coordination with other service programs within the
 1392  department.
 1393         (8)The department shall determine Medicaid eligibility for
 1394  all referred children and will coordinate services with the
 1395  Agency for Health Care Administration.
 1396         (9)The department shall develop, in cooperation with the
 1397  lead agencies, a standardized competency-based curriculum for
 1398  certification training and for administering the certification
 1399  testing program for child protection staff.
 1400         (10)The department shall maintain the statewide adoptions
 1401  website and provide information and training to the lead
 1402  agencies relating to the website.
 1403         (11)The department shall provide training and assistance
 1404  to lead agencies regarding the responsibility of lead agencies
 1405  relating to children receiving supplemental security income,
 1406  social security, railroad retirement, or veterans benefits.
 1407         (12)With the assistance of a lead agency, the department
 1408  shall develop and implement statewide and local interagency
 1409  agreements needed to coordinate services for children and
 1410  parents involved in the child welfare system who are also
 1411  involved with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the
 1412  Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Education, the
 1413  Department of Health, and other governmental organizations that
 1414  share responsibilities for children or parents in the child
 1415  welfare system.
 1416         (13)With the assistance of a lead agency, the department
 1417  shall develop and implement a working agreement between the lead
 1418  agency and the substance abuse and mental health managing entity
 1419  to integrate services and supports for children and parents
 1420  serviced in the child welfare system.
 1421         (14)The department shall work with the Agency for Health
 1422  Care Administration to provide each child the services of the
 1423  Medicaid early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment
 1424  entitlement including 72-hour screening, periodic child health
 1425  checkups, and prescribed followup for ordered services,
 1426  including medical, dental, and vision care.
 1427         (15)The department shall assist lead agencies in
 1428  developing an array of services in compliance with the Title IV
 1429  E Waiver and shall monitor the provision of those services.
 1430         (16)The department shall provide a mechanism to allow lead
 1431  agencies to request a waiver of department policies and
 1432  procedures that create inefficiencies or inhibit the performance
 1433  of the lead agency duties.
 1434         (17) The department shall directly or through contract
 1435  provide attorneys to prepare and present cases in dependency
 1436  court and shall ensure that the court is provided with adequate
 1437  information for informed decisionmaking in dependency cases,
 1438  including a fact sheet for each case which lists the names and
 1439  contact information for any child protective investigator, child
 1440  protective investigation supervisor, case manager, case manager
 1441  supervisor, and the regional department official responsible for
 1442  the lead agency contract. For the Sixth Judicial Circuit, the
 1443  department shall contract with the state attorney for the
 1444  provision of these services.
 1445         (18) The department, in consultation with lead agencies,
 1446  shall establish a quality assurance program for contracted
 1447  services to dependent children. The quality assurance program
 1448  shall be based on standards established by federal and state law
 1449  and national accrediting organizations.
 1450         (a) The department must evaluate each lead agency under
 1451  contract at least annually. These evaluations shall cover the
 1452  programmatic, operational, and fiscal operations of the lead
 1453  agency and be consistent with the child welfare results-oriented
 1454  accountability system pursuant to s. 409.997. The department
 1455  must consult with the chief judge on the performance of the lead
 1456  agency.
 1457         (b) The department shall, to the extent possible, use
 1458  independent financial audits provided by the lead agency to
 1459  eliminate or reduce the ongoing contract and administrative
 1460  reviews conducted by the department. If the department
 1461  determines that such independent financial audits are
 1462  inadequate, other audits, as necessary, may be conducted by the
 1463  department. This paragraph does not abrogate the requirements of
 1464  s. 215.97.
 1465         (c) The department may suggest additional items to be
 1466  included in such independent financial audits to meet the
 1467  department’s needs.
 1468         (d) The department may outsource programmatic,
 1469  administrative, or fiscal monitoring oversight of lead agencies.
 1470         (e) A lead agency must assure that all subcontractors are
 1471  subject to the same quality assurance activities as the lead
 1472  agency.
 1473         Section 20. Section 409.997, Florida Statutes, is created
 1474  to read:
 1475         409.997 Child welfare results-oriented accountability
 1476  system.
 1477         (1) The department and its contract providers, including
 1478  lead agencies, community-based care providers, and other
 1479  community partners participating in the state’s child protection
 1480  and child welfare system, share the responsibility for achieving
 1481  the outcome goals specified in s. 409.986(2).
 1482         (2) In order to assess the achievement of the goals
 1483  specified in s. 409.986(2), the department shall maintain a
 1484  comprehensive, results-oriented accountability system that
 1485  monitors the use of resources, the quality and amount of
 1486  services provided, and the child and family outcomes through
 1487  data analysis, research review, evaluation, and quality
 1488  improvement. In maintaining the accountability system, the
 1489  department shall:
 1490         (a) Identify valid and reliable outcome measures for each
 1491  of the goals specified in this subsection. The outcome data set
 1492  must consist of a limited number of understandable measures
 1493  using available data to quantify outcomes as children move
 1494  through the system of care. Such measures may aggregate multiple
 1495  variables that affect the overall achievement of the outcome
 1496  goal. Valid and reliable measures must be based on adequate
 1497  sample sizes, be gathered over suitable time periods, reflect
 1498  authentic rather than spurious results, and may not be
 1499  susceptible to manipulation.
 1500         (b) Implement a monitoring system to track the identified
 1501  outcome measures on a statewide, regional, and provider-specific
 1502  basis. The monitoring system must identify trends and chart
 1503  progress toward achievement of the goals specified in this
 1504  section. The requirements of the monitoring system may be
 1505  incorporated into the quality assurance system required under s.
 1506  409.996(18).
 1507         (c) Develop and maintain an analytical system that builds
 1508  on the outcomes monitoring system to assess the statistical
 1509  validity of observed associations between child welfare
 1510  interventions and the measured outcomes. The analysis must use
 1511  quantitative methods to adjust for variations in demographic or
 1512  other conditions. The analysis must include longitudinal studies
 1513  to evaluate longer term outcomes such as continued safety,
 1514  family permanence, and transition to self-sufficiency. The
 1515  analysis may also include qualitative research methods to
 1516  provide insight into statistical patterns.
 1517         (d) Develop and maintain a program of research review to
 1518  identify interventions that are supported by evidence as
 1519  causally linked to improved outcomes.
 1520         (e)Support an ongoing process of evaluation to determine
 1521  the efficacy and effectiveness of various interventions.
 1522  Efficacy evaluation is intended to determine the validity of a
 1523  causal relationship between an intervention and an outcome.
 1524  Effectiveness evaluation is intended to determine the extent to
 1525  which the results can be generalized.
 1526         (f) Develop and maintain an inclusive, interactive, and
 1527  evidence-supported program of quality improvement which promotes
 1528  individual skill building as well as organizational learning.
 1529         (g) Develop and implement a method for making the results
 1530  of the accountability system transparent for all parties
 1531  involved in the child welfare system as well as policymakers and
 1532  the public. The presentation shall provide a comprehensible,
 1533  visual report card for the state and each community-based care
 1534  region, indicating the current status relative to each goal and
 1535  trends in that status over time.
 1536         (3) The department shall establish a technical advisory
 1537  panel consisting of representatives from the Florida Institute
 1538  for Child Welfare established pursuant to s. 1004.615, lead
 1539  agencies, community-based care providers, other contract
 1540  providers, community-based care alliances, and family
 1541  representatives. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of
 1542  the House of Representatives shall each appoint a member to
 1543  serve as a legislative liaison to the panel. The technical
 1544  advisory panel shall advise the department on meeting the
 1545  requirements of this section.
 1546         (4) The accountability system may not rank or compare
 1547  performance among community-based care regions unless adequate
 1548  and specific adjustments are adopted which account for the
 1549  diversity in regions’ demographics, resources, and other
 1550  relevant characteristics.
 1551         (5) The results of the accountability system must provide
 1552  the basis for performance incentives if funds for such payments
 1553  are made available through the General Appropriations Act.
 1554         (6) At least quarterly, the department shall make the
 1555  results of the accountability system available to the public
 1556  through publication on its website. The website must allow for
 1557  custom searches of the performance data.
 1558         (7) The department shall report by October 1 of each year
 1559  the statewide and individual community-based care lead agency
 1560  results for child protection and child welfare systems. The
 1561  department shall use the accountability system and consult with
 1562  the community-based care alliance and the chief judge or judges
 1563  in the community-based care service area to prepare the report
 1564  to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
 1565  the House of Representatives.
 1566         Section 21. Section 409.998, Florida Statutes, is created
 1567  to read:
 1568         409.998 Community-based care alliances.—
 1569         (1)The department shall, in consultation with local
 1570  communities, establish at least one alliance in each community
 1571  based care service area to provide a focal point for community
 1572  participation and governance of child protection and child
 1573  welfare services. The alliance shall be administratively housed
 1574  within the department.
 1575         (2) The primary duty of the alliance is to provide
 1576  independent, community-focused oversight of child welfare
 1577  services and the local system of community-based care. To
 1578  perform this duty, the community alliance shall, with the
 1579  assistance of the department, perform the following activities:
 1580         (a)Conduct a needs assessment and establishment of
 1581  community priorities for child protection and child welfare
 1582  services.
 1583         (b) Advise the department on the programmatic or financial
 1584  performance of the lead agency.
 1585         (c) Recommend a competitive procurement for the lead agency
 1586  if programmatic or financial performance is poor.
 1587         (d) Recommend a contract extension for the lead agency if
 1588  programmatic or financial performance is superior.
 1589         (e) Make recommendations on the development of the
 1590  procurement document. The alliance may suggest specific
 1591  requirements relating to local needs and services.
 1592         (f)Make recommendations to the department on selection of
 1593  a community-based care lead agency.
 1594         (g)Review the programmatic and financial performance of a
 1595  lead agency at least quarterly.
 1596         (h) In partnership with the Florida Institute for Child
 1597  Welfare established under s. 1004.615, develop recommendations
 1598  to the department and the community-based care lead agency to
 1599  improve child protection and child welfare policies and
 1600  practices.
 1601         (i) Promote greater community involvement in community
 1602  based care through participation in community-based care lead
 1603  agency services and activities, solicitation of local financial
 1604  and in-kind resources, recruitment and retention of community
 1605  volunteers, and public awareness efforts.
 1606         (3)The membership of the alliance shall be composed of the
 1607  following:
 1608         (a) A representative from county government chosen by
 1609  mutual agreement by the county boards of commission in the
 1610  service area.
 1611         (b) A representative from the school district chosen by
 1612  mutual agreement by the county school boards in the service
 1613  area.
 1614         (c) A representative from the county sheriff’s office
 1615  chosen by mutual agreement by the county sheriffs in the service
 1616  area.
 1617         (d) A representative from the circuit court chosen by the
 1618  chief judge of the judicial circuit.
 1619         (e) An advocate for persons receiving child protection and
 1620  child welfare services chosen by the secretary.
 1621         (f)One member appointed by the President of the Senate.
 1622         (g) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
 1623  Representatives.
 1624         (h) Three other members chosen by the secretary of the
 1625  department based on their expertise in child protection and
 1626  child welfare.
 1627         (4) A member of the alliance may not receive payment for
 1628  contractual services from the department or a community-based
 1629  care lead agency.
 1630         (5)A member of the alliance shall serve without
 1631  compensation but is entitled to receive reimbursement for per
 1632  diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061. Payment may
 1633  also be authorized for preapproved child care expenses or lost
 1634  wages for members who are consumers of the department’s services
 1635  and for preapproved child care expenses for other members who
 1636  demonstrate hardship.
 1637         (6) A member of the alliance is subject to part III of
 1638  chapter 112, the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and
 1639  Employees.
 1640         (7) Actions taken by an alliance must be consistent with
 1641  department, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
 1642         (8) A member of the alliance shall annually submit a
 1643  disclosure statement of services interests to the department’s
 1644  inspector general. A member who has an interest in a matter
 1645  under consideration by the alliance must abstain from voting on
 1646  that matter.
 1647         (9)(a)Authority to create a direct-support organization.
 1648  The alliance is authorized to create a direct-support
 1649  organization.
 1650         1. The direct-support organization must be a Florida
 1651  corporation, not for profit, incorporated under the provisions
 1652  of chapter 617. The direct-support organization shall be exempt
 1653  from paying fees under s. 617.0122.
 1654         2. The direct-support organization shall be organized and
 1655  operated to conduct programs and activities; raise funds;
 1656  request and receive grants, gifts, and bequests of moneys;
 1657  acquire, receive, hold, invest, and administer, in its own name,
 1658  securities, funds, objects of value, or other property, real or
 1659  personal; and make expenditures to or for the direct or indirect
 1660  benefit of the lead agency.
 1661         3. If the Secretary of Children and Families determines
 1662  that the direct-support organization is operating in a manner
 1663  that is inconsistent with the goals and purposes of community
 1664  based care or not acting in the best interest of the community,
 1665  the secretary may terminate the contract and thereafter the
 1666  organization may not use the name of the community-based care
 1667  alliance.
 1668         (b) Contract.—The direct-support organization shall operate
 1669  under a written contract with the department. The written
 1670  contract must, at a minimum, provide for:
 1671         1. Approval of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of
 1672  the direct-support organization by the secretary.
 1673         2. Submission of an annual budget for the approval by the
 1674  secretary or his or her designee.
 1675         3. The reversion without penalty to the department of all
 1676  moneys and property held in trust by the direct-support
 1677  organization for the community-based care alliance if the
 1678  direct-support organization ceases to exist or if the contract
 1679  is terminated.
 1680         4. The fiscal year of the direct-support organization,
 1681  which must begin July 1 of each year and end June 30 of the
 1682  following year.
 1683         5. The disclosure of material provisions of the contract
 1684  and the distinction between the community-based care alliance
 1685  and the direct-support organization to donors of gifts,
 1686  contributions, or bequests, as well as on all promotional and
 1687  fundraising publications.
 1688         (c) Board of directors.—The secretary or his or her
 1689  designee shall appoint a board of directors for the direct
 1690  support organization. The secretary or his or her designee may
 1691  designate members of the alliance or employees of the department
 1692  and the lead agency to serve on the board of directors. Members
 1693  of the board shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary or his
 1694  or her designee.
 1695         (d) Use of property and services.—The secretary or his or
 1696  her designee may:
 1697         1. Authorize the use of facilities and property other than
 1698  moneys that are owned by the state to be used by the direct
 1699  support organization.
 1700         2. Authorize the use of personal services provided by
 1701  employees of the department. For the purposes of this section,
 1702  the term “personal services” includes full-time personnel and
 1703  part-time personnel as well as payroll processing.
 1704         3. Prescribe the conditions by which the direct-support
 1705  organization may use property, facilities, or personal services
 1706  of the office.
 1707         4. Not authorize the use of property, facilities, or
 1708  personal services of the direct-support organization if the
 1709  organization does not provide equal employment opportunities to
 1710  all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, or
 1711  national origin.
 1712         (e) Moneys.—Moneys of the direct-support organization may
 1713  be held in a separate depository account in the name of the
 1714  direct-support organization and subject to the provisions of the
 1715  contract with the department.
 1716         (f) Annual audit.—The direct-support organization shall
 1717  provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s.
 1718  215.981.
 1719         (g) Limits on the direct-support organization.—The direct
 1720  support organization may not exercise any power under s.
 1721  617.0302(12) or (16). A state employee may not receive
 1722  compensation from the direct-support organization for service on
 1723  the board of directors or for services rendered to the direct
 1724  support organization.
 1725         (h) Repeal.—The authority to create a direct-support
 1726  organization expires October 1, 2019, unless saved from repeal
 1727  by reenactment by the Legislature.
 1728         (10) All alliance meetings are open to the public pursuant
 1729  to s. 286.011 and the public records provision of s. 119.07(1).
 1730         Section 22. Subsection (4) of section 20.19, Florida
 1731  Statutes, is repealed.
 1732         Section 23. Sections 409.1671, 409.16715, and 409.16745,
 1733  Florida Statutes, are repealed.
 1734         Section 24. Paragraph (g) of subsection (1) of section
 1735  39.201, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1736         39.201 Mandatory reports of child abuse, abandonment, or
 1737  neglect; mandatory reports of death; central abuse hotline.—
 1738         (1)
 1739         (g) Nothing in this chapter or in the contracting with
 1740  community-based care providers for foster care and related
 1741  services as specified in s. 409.987 s. 409.1671 shall be
 1742  construed to remove or reduce the duty and responsibility of any
 1743  person, including any employee of the community-based care
 1744  provider, to report a suspected or actual case of child abuse,
 1745  abandonment, or neglect or the sexual abuse of a child to the
 1746  department’s central abuse hotline.
 1747         Section 25. Subsections (1), (3), and (5) of section
 1748  409.1676, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1749         409.1676 Comprehensive residential group care services to
 1750  children who have extraordinary needs.—
 1751         (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide
 1752  comprehensive residential group care services, including
 1753  residential care, case management, and other services, to
 1754  children in the child protection system who have extraordinary
 1755  needs. These services are to be provided in a residential group
 1756  care setting by a not-for-profit corporation or a local
 1757  government entity under a contract with the Department of
 1758  Children and Families Family Services or by a lead agency as
 1759  described in s. 409.986 s. 409.1671. These contracts should be
 1760  designed to provide an identified number of children with access
 1761  to a full array of services for a fixed price. Further, it is
 1762  the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Children
 1763  and Families Family Services and the Department of Juvenile
 1764  Justice establish an interagency agreement by December 1, 2002,
 1765  which describes respective agency responsibilities for referral,
 1766  placement, service provision, and service coordination for
 1767  dependent and delinquent youth who are referred to these
 1768  residential group care facilities. The agreement must require
 1769  interagency collaboration in the development of terms,
 1770  conditions, and performance outcomes for residential group care
 1771  contracts serving the youth referred who have been adjudicated
 1772  both dependent and delinquent.
 1773         (3) The department, in accordance with a specific
 1774  appropriation for this program, shall contract with a not-for
 1775  profit corporation, a local government entity, or the lead
 1776  agency that has been established in accordance with s. 409.987
 1777  s. 409.1671 for the performance of residential group care
 1778  services described in this section. A lead agency that is
 1779  currently providing residential care may provide this service
 1780  directly with the approval of the local community alliance. The
 1781  department or a lead agency may contract for more than one site
 1782  in a county if that is determined to be the most effective way
 1783  to achieve the goals set forth in this section.
 1784         (5) The department may transfer all casework
 1785  responsibilities for children served under this program to the
 1786  entity that provides this service, including case management and
 1787  development and implementation of a case plan in accordance with
 1788  current standards for child protection services. When the
 1789  department establishes this program in a community that has a
 1790  lead agency as described in s. 409.986 s. 409.1671, the casework
 1791  responsibilities must be transferred to the lead agency.
 1792         Section 26. Subsection (2) of section 409.1677, Florida
 1793  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1794         409.1677 Model comprehensive residential services
 1795  programs.—
 1796         (2) The department shall establish a model comprehensive
 1797  residential services program in Manatee and Miami-Dade Counties
 1798  through a contract with the designated lead agency established
 1799  in accordance with s. 409.987 s. 409.1671 or with a private
 1800  entity capable of providing residential group care and home
 1801  based care and experienced in the delivery of a range of
 1802  services to foster children, if no lead agency exists. These
 1803  model programs are to serve that portion of eligible children
 1804  within each county which is specified in the contract, based on
 1805  funds appropriated, to include a full array of services for a
 1806  fixed price. The private entity or lead agency is responsible
 1807  for all programmatic functions necessary to carry out the intent
 1808  of this section.
 1809         Section 27. Subsection (24) of section 409.906, Florida
 1810  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1811         409.906 Optional Medicaid services.—Subject to specific
 1812  appropriations, the agency may make payments for services which
 1813  are optional to the state under Title XIX of the Social Security
 1814  Act and are furnished by Medicaid providers to recipients who
 1815  are determined to be eligible on the dates on which the services
 1816  were provided. Any optional service that is provided shall be
 1817  provided only when medically necessary and in accordance with
 1818  state and federal law. Optional services rendered by providers
 1819  in mobile units to Medicaid recipients may be restricted or
 1820  prohibited by the agency. Nothing in this section shall be
 1821  construed to prevent or limit the agency from adjusting fees,
 1822  reimbursement rates, lengths of stay, number of visits, or
 1823  number of services, or making any other adjustments necessary to
 1824  comply with the availability of moneys and any limitations or
 1825  directions provided for in the General Appropriations Act or
 1826  chapter 216. If necessary to safeguard the state’s systems of
 1827  providing services to elderly and disabled persons and subject
 1828  to the notice and review provisions of s. 216.177, the Governor
 1829  may direct the Agency for Health Care Administration to amend
 1830  the Medicaid state plan to delete the optional Medicaid service
 1831  known as “Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally
 1832  Disabled.” Optional services may include:
 1833         (24) CHILD-WELFARE-TARGETED CASE MANAGEMENT.—The Agency for
 1834  Health Care Administration, in consultation with the Department
 1835  of Children and Families Family Services, may establish a
 1836  targeted case-management project in those counties identified by
 1837  the Department of Children and Families Family Services and for
 1838  all counties with a community-based child welfare project, as
 1839  authorized under s. 409.987 s. 409.1671, which have been
 1840  specifically approved by the department. The covered group of
 1841  individuals who are eligible to receive targeted case management
 1842  include children who are eligible for Medicaid; who are between
 1843  the ages of birth through 21; and who are under protective
 1844  supervision or postplacement supervision, under foster-care
 1845  supervision, or in shelter care or foster care. The number of
 1846  individuals who are eligible to receive targeted case management
 1847  is limited to the number for whom the Department of Children and
 1848  Families Family Services has matching funds to cover the costs.
 1849  The general revenue funds required to match the funds for
 1850  services provided by the community-based child welfare projects
 1851  are limited to funds available for services described under s.
 1852  409.990 s. 409.1671. The Department of Children and Families
 1853  Family Services may transfer the general revenue matching funds
 1854  as billed by the Agency for Health Care Administration.
 1855         Section 28. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section
 1856  409.912, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1857         409.912 Cost-effective purchasing of health care.—The
 1858  agency shall purchase goods and services for Medicaid recipients
 1859  in the most cost-effective manner consistent with the delivery
 1860  of quality medical care. To ensure that medical services are
 1861  effectively utilized, the agency may, in any case, require a
 1862  confirmation or second physician’s opinion of the correct
 1863  diagnosis for purposes of authorizing future services under the
 1864  Medicaid program. This section does not restrict access to
 1865  emergency services or poststabilization care services as defined
 1866  in 42 C.F.R. part 438.114. Such confirmation or second opinion
 1867  shall be rendered in a manner approved by the agency. The agency
 1868  shall maximize the use of prepaid per capita and prepaid
 1869  aggregate fixed-sum basis services when appropriate and other
 1870  alternative service delivery and reimbursement methodologies,
 1871  including competitive bidding pursuant to s. 287.057, designed
 1872  to facilitate the cost-effective purchase of a case-managed
 1873  continuum of care. The agency shall also require providers to
 1874  minimize the exposure of recipients to the need for acute
 1875  inpatient, custodial, and other institutional care and the
 1876  inappropriate or unnecessary use of high-cost services. The
 1877  agency shall contract with a vendor to monitor and evaluate the
 1878  clinical practice patterns of providers in order to identify
 1879  trends that are outside the normal practice patterns of a
 1880  provider’s professional peers or the national guidelines of a
 1881  provider’s professional association. The vendor must be able to
 1882  provide information and counseling to a provider whose practice
 1883  patterns are outside the norms, in consultation with the agency,
 1884  to improve patient care and reduce inappropriate utilization.
 1885  The agency may mandate prior authorization, drug therapy
 1886  management, or disease management participation for certain
 1887  populations of Medicaid beneficiaries, certain drug classes, or
 1888  particular drugs to prevent fraud, abuse, overuse, and possible
 1889  dangerous drug interactions. The Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics
 1890  Committee shall make recommendations to the agency on drugs for
 1891  which prior authorization is required. The agency shall inform
 1892  the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee of its decisions
 1893  regarding drugs subject to prior authorization. The agency is
 1894  authorized to limit the entities it contracts with or enrolls as
 1895  Medicaid providers by developing a provider network through
 1896  provider credentialing. The agency may competitively bid single
 1897  source-provider contracts if procurement of goods or services
 1898  results in demonstrated cost savings to the state without
 1899  limiting access to care. The agency may limit its network based
 1900  on the assessment of beneficiary access to care, provider
 1901  availability, provider quality standards, time and distance
 1902  standards for access to care, the cultural competence of the
 1903  provider network, demographic characteristics of Medicaid
 1904  beneficiaries, practice and provider-to-beneficiary standards,
 1905  appointment wait times, beneficiary use of services, provider
 1906  turnover, provider profiling, provider licensure history,
 1907  previous program integrity investigations and findings, peer
 1908  review, provider Medicaid policy and billing compliance records,
 1909  clinical and medical record audits, and other factors. Providers
 1910  are not entitled to enrollment in the Medicaid provider network.
 1911  The agency shall determine instances in which allowing Medicaid
 1912  beneficiaries to purchase durable medical equipment and other
 1913  goods is less expensive to the Medicaid program than long-term
 1914  rental of the equipment or goods. The agency may establish rules
 1915  to facilitate purchases in lieu of long-term rentals in order to
 1916  protect against fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program as
 1917  defined in s. 409.913. The agency may seek federal waivers
 1918  necessary to administer these policies.
 1919         (4) The agency may contract with:
 1920         (b) An entity that is providing comprehensive behavioral
 1921  health care services to certain Medicaid recipients through a
 1922  capitated, prepaid arrangement pursuant to the federal waiver
 1923  provided for by s. 409.905(5). Such entity must be licensed
 1924  under chapter 624, chapter 636, or chapter 641, or authorized
 1925  under paragraph (c) or paragraph (d), and must possess the
 1926  clinical systems and operational competence to manage risk and
 1927  provide comprehensive behavioral health care to Medicaid
 1928  recipients. As used in this paragraph, the term “comprehensive
 1929  behavioral health care services” means covered mental health and
 1930  substance abuse treatment services that are available to
 1931  Medicaid recipients. The secretary of the Department of Children
 1932  and Families Family Services shall approve provisions of
 1933  procurements related to children in the department’s care or
 1934  custody before enrolling such children in a prepaid behavioral
 1935  health plan. Any contract awarded under this paragraph must be
 1936  competitively procured. In developing the behavioral health care
 1937  prepaid plan procurement document, the agency shall ensure that
 1938  the procurement document requires the contractor to develop and
 1939  implement a plan to ensure compliance with s. 394.4574 related
 1940  to services provided to residents of licensed assisted living
 1941  facilities that hold a limited mental health license. Except as
 1942  provided in subparagraph 5., and except in counties where the
 1943  Medicaid managed care pilot program is authorized pursuant to s.
 1944  409.91211, the agency shall seek federal approval to contract
 1945  with a single entity meeting these requirements to provide
 1946  comprehensive behavioral health care services to all Medicaid
 1947  recipients not enrolled in a Medicaid managed care plan
 1948  authorized under s. 409.91211, a provider service network
 1949  authorized under paragraph (d), or a Medicaid health maintenance
 1950  organization in an AHCA area. In an AHCA area where the Medicaid
 1951  managed care pilot program is authorized pursuant to s.
 1952  409.91211 in one or more counties, the agency may procure a
 1953  contract with a single entity to serve the remaining counties as
 1954  an AHCA area or the remaining counties may be included with an
 1955  adjacent AHCA area and are subject to this paragraph. Each
 1956  entity must offer a sufficient choice of providers in its
 1957  network to ensure recipient access to care and the opportunity
 1958  to select a provider with whom they are satisfied. The network
 1959  shall include all public mental health hospitals. To ensure
 1960  unimpaired access to behavioral health care services by Medicaid
 1961  recipients, all contracts issued pursuant to this paragraph must
 1962  require 80 percent of the capitation paid to the managed care
 1963  plan, including health maintenance organizations and capitated
 1964  provider service networks, to be expended for the provision of
 1965  behavioral health care services. If the managed care plan
 1966  expends less than 80 percent of the capitation paid for the
 1967  provision of behavioral health care services, the difference
 1968  shall be returned to the agency. The agency shall provide the
 1969  plan with a certification letter indicating the amount of
 1970  capitation paid during each calendar year for behavioral health
 1971  care services pursuant to this section. The agency may reimburse
 1972  for substance abuse treatment services on a fee-for-service
 1973  basis until the agency finds that adequate funds are available
 1974  for capitated, prepaid arrangements.
 1975         1. The agency shall modify the contracts with the entities
 1976  providing comprehensive inpatient and outpatient mental health
 1977  care services to Medicaid recipients in Hillsborough, Highlands,
 1978  Hardee, Manatee, and Polk Counties, to include substance abuse
 1979  treatment services.
 1980         2. Except as provided in subparagraph 5., the agency and
 1981  the Department of Children and Families Family Services shall
 1982  contract with managed care entities in each AHCA area except
 1983  area 6 or arrange to provide comprehensive inpatient and
 1984  outpatient mental health and substance abuse services through
 1985  capitated prepaid arrangements to all Medicaid recipients who
 1986  are eligible to participate in such plans under federal law and
 1987  regulation. In AHCA areas where eligible individuals number less
 1988  than 150,000, the agency shall contract with a single managed
 1989  care plan to provide comprehensive behavioral health services to
 1990  all recipients who are not enrolled in a Medicaid health
 1991  maintenance organization, a provider service network authorized
 1992  under paragraph (d), or a Medicaid capitated managed care plan
 1993  authorized under s. 409.91211. The agency may contract with more
 1994  than one comprehensive behavioral health provider to provide
 1995  care to recipients who are not enrolled in a Medicaid capitated
 1996  managed care plan authorized under s. 409.91211, a provider
 1997  service network authorized under paragraph (d), or a Medicaid
 1998  health maintenance organization in AHCA areas where the eligible
 1999  population exceeds 150,000. In an AHCA area where the Medicaid
 2000  managed care pilot program is authorized pursuant to s.
 2001  409.91211 in one or more counties, the agency may procure a
 2002  contract with a single entity to serve the remaining counties as
 2003  an AHCA area or the remaining counties may be included with an
 2004  adjacent AHCA area and shall be subject to this paragraph.
 2005  Contracts for comprehensive behavioral health providers awarded
 2006  pursuant to this section shall be competitively procured. Both
 2007  for-profit and not-for-profit corporations are eligible to
 2008  compete. Managed care plans contracting with the agency under
 2009  subsection (3) or paragraph (d) shall provide and receive
 2010  payment for the same comprehensive behavioral health benefits as
 2011  provided in AHCA rules, including handbooks incorporated by
 2012  reference. In AHCA area 11, the agency shall contract with at
 2013  least two comprehensive behavioral health care providers to
 2014  provide behavioral health care to recipients in that area who
 2015  are enrolled in, or assigned to, the MediPass program. One of
 2016  the behavioral health care contracts must be with the existing
 2017  provider service network pilot project, as described in
 2018  paragraph (d), for the purpose of demonstrating the cost
 2019  effectiveness of the provision of quality mental health services
 2020  through a public hospital-operated managed care model. Payment
 2021  shall be at an agreed-upon capitated rate to ensure cost
 2022  savings. Of the recipients in area 11 who are assigned to
 2023  MediPass under s. 409.9122(2)(k), a minimum of 50,000 of those
 2024  MediPass-enrolled recipients shall be assigned to the existing
 2025  provider service network in area 11 for their behavioral care.
 2026         3. Children residing in a statewide inpatient psychiatric
 2027  program, or in a Department of Juvenile Justice or a Department
 2028  of Children and Families Family Services residential program
 2029  approved as a Medicaid behavioral health overlay services
 2030  provider may not be included in a behavioral health care prepaid
 2031  health plan or any other Medicaid managed care plan pursuant to
 2032  this paragraph.
 2033         4. Traditional community mental health providers under
 2034  contract with the Department of Children and Families Family
 2035  Services pursuant to part IV of chapter 394, child welfare
 2036  providers under contract with the Department of Children and
 2037  Families Family Services in areas 1 and 6, and inpatient mental
 2038  health providers licensed pursuant to chapter 395 must be
 2039  offered an opportunity to accept or decline a contract to
 2040  participate in any provider network for prepaid behavioral
 2041  health services.
 2042         5. All Medicaid-eligible children, except children in area
 2043  1 and children in Highlands County, Hardee County, Polk County,
 2044  or Manatee County of area 6, which that are open for child
 2045  welfare services in the statewide automated child welfare
 2046  information system, shall receive their behavioral health care
 2047  services through a specialty prepaid plan operated by community
 2048  based lead agencies through a single agency or formal agreements
 2049  among several agencies. The agency shall work with the specialty
 2050  plan to develop clinically effective, evidence-based
 2051  alternatives as a downward substitution for the statewide
 2052  inpatient psychiatric program and similar residential care and
 2053  institutional services. The specialty prepaid plan must result
 2054  in savings to the state comparable to savings achieved in other
 2055  Medicaid managed care and prepaid programs. Such plan must
 2056  provide mechanisms to maximize state and local revenues. The
 2057  specialty prepaid plan shall be developed by the agency and the
 2058  Department of Children and Families Family Services. The agency
 2059  may seek federal waivers to implement this initiative. Medicaid
 2060  eligible children whose cases are open for child welfare
 2061  services in the statewide automated child welfare information
 2062  system and who reside in AHCA area 10 shall be enrolled in a
 2063  capitated provider service network or other capitated managed
 2064  care plan, which, in coordination with available community-based
 2065  care providers specified in s. 409.987 s. 409.1671, shall
 2066  provide sufficient medical, developmental, and behavioral health
 2067  services to meet the needs of these children.
 2068  
 2069  Effective July 1, 2012, in order to ensure continuity of care,
 2070  the agency is authorized to extend or modify current contracts
 2071  based on current service areas or on a regional basis, as
 2072  determined appropriate by the agency, with comprehensive
 2073  behavioral health care providers as described in this paragraph
 2074  during the period prior to its expiration. This paragraph
 2075  expires October 1, 2014.
 2076         Section 29. Paragraph (dd) of subsection (3) of section
 2077  409.91211, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 2078         409.91211 Medicaid managed care pilot program.—
 2079         (3) The agency shall have the following powers, duties, and
 2080  responsibilities with respect to the pilot program:
 2081         (dd) To implement service delivery mechanisms within a
 2082  specialty plan in area 10 to provide behavioral health care
 2083  services to Medicaid-eligible children whose cases are open for
 2084  child welfare services in the HomeSafeNet system. These services
 2085  must be coordinated with community-based care providers as
 2086  specified in s. 409.986 s. 409.1671, where available, and be
 2087  sufficient to meet the developmental, behavioral, and emotional
 2088  needs of these children. Children in area 10 who have an open
 2089  case in the HomeSafeNet system shall be enrolled into the
 2090  specialty plan. These service delivery mechanisms must be
 2091  implemented no later than July 1, 2011, in AHCA area 10 in order
 2092  for the children in AHCA area 10 to remain exempt from the
 2093  statewide plan under s. 409.912(4)(b)5. An administrative fee
 2094  may be paid to the specialty plan for the coordination of
 2095  services based on the receipt of the state share of that fee
 2096  being provided through intergovernmental transfers.
 2097         Section 30. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section
 2098  420.628, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 2099         420.628 Affordable housing for children and young adults
 2100  leaving foster care; legislative findings and intent.—
 2101         (1)
 2102         (d) The Legislature intends that the Florida Housing
 2103  Finance Corporation, agencies within the State Housing
 2104  Initiative Partnership Program, local housing finance agencies,
 2105  public housing authorities, and their agents, and other
 2106  providers of affordable housing coordinate with the Department
 2107  of Children and Families Family Services, their agents, and
 2108  community-based care providers who provide services under s.
 2109  409.986 s. 409.1671 to develop and implement strategies and
 2110  procedures designed to make affordable housing available
 2111  whenever and wherever possible to young adults who leave the
 2112  child welfare system.
 2113         Section 31. This act shall take effect July 1, 2014.

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