Bill Text: FL S0754 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Trauma-informed Services for Children

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2017-05-05 - Died in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs [S0754 Detail]

Download: Florida-2017-S0754-Introduced.html

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       Florida Senate - 2017                                     SB 754
       
       
        
       By Senator Steube
       
       23-01179-17                                            2017754__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to trauma-informed services for
    3         children; amending s. 394.495, F.S.; prohibiting a
    4         child who has suffered sexual exploitation from being
    5         placed in a generic shelter setting when safe-harbor
    6         or trauma-informed housing is not available; requiring
    7         the Department of Children and Families to assemble a
    8         team of specified experts to determine the safest
    9         placement for the child; providing criteria for
   10         placement; providing an effective date.
   11  
   12  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   13  
   14         Section 1. Paragraph (p) of subsection (4) of section
   15  394.495, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
   16         394.495 Child and adolescent mental health system of care;
   17  programs and services.—
   18         (4) The array of services may include, but is not limited
   19  to:
   20         (p) Trauma-informed services for children who have suffered
   21  sexual exploitation as defined in s. 39.01(70)(g). If there is
   22  no safe-harbor or trauma-informed housing available, the child
   23  may not be placed in a generic shelter setting. The department
   24  shall assemble a team consisting of at least two experts in
   25  anti-trafficking and sexual violence and at least one licensed
   26  psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience working with
   27  children who have suffered sexual exploitation. The team shall
   28  determine the safest placement for the child until an
   29  appropriate out-of-home care placement option becomes available.
   30  The child’s placement must match his or her individual needs,
   31  avoid revictimization of the child, and provide safety.
   32         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2017.