The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Appropriations
BILL: CS/CS/SB 1120
INTRODUCER: Appropriations Committee; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee; and
Senator Rodriguez
SUBJECT: Child Welfare
DATE: February 25, 2022
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Berger Cox CF Fav/CS
2. Sneed Money AHS Recommend: Favorable
3. Sneed Sadberry AP Fav/CS
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/CS/SB 1120 authorizes the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to place children
who meet the definition of a “child or adolescent who has an emotional disturbance” or a “child
or adolescent who has a serious emotional disturbance or mental illness” in therapeutic group
homes for mental health treatment without prior court approval under certain circumstances.
The DCF has established a process for credentialing existing licensed therapeutic group homes
(TGHs) as a qualified residential treatment program (QRTP). The bill ensures that the
credentialing process the DCF has established will result in placements that are in accordance
with rule and in compliance with federal requirements.
The bill makes a number of changes to definitions in section 39.407, Florida Statutes, relating to
medical, psychiatric, and psychological examinations and treatment of the child, to:
Define the term “therapeutic group home” to mean a residential treatment center that offers a
24-hour residential program providing community-based mental health treatment and mental
health support services in a nonsecure, homelike setting to children who meet the criteria in
section 394.492(5) or (6), Florida Statutes.
Amend the definition of “residential treatment” or “residential treatment program” to include
a therapeutic group home as defined above.
REVISED: BILL: CS/CS/SB 1120 Page 2
Clarify the definition of “suitable for residential treatment” or “suitability” to apply when the
child requires residential treatment program if the child is expected to benefit from mental or
behavioral health treatment.
The bill codifies current practice, requiring the DCF, rather than the Agency for Health Care
Administration (AHCA), to appoint the qualified evaluator to conduct suitability assessments
and modifies the time frame for providing a copy of the assessment to the child’s guardian ad
litem and the court to within 5 days of receipt of the assessment.
The bill requires a qualified evaluator for a TGH or a QRTP to be a licensed clinician with at
least two years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of serious emotional disturbances in
children and adolescents, as opposed to a psychiatrist or a psychologist licensed in Florida with
three years of experience, as required for residential treatment. According to the DCF, this is
expected to increase the pool of qualified evaluators beyond the 18 currently used for suitability
assessments.
1
Additionally, the bill replaces the term “special needs child” with the term “difficult to place
child” and amends the term, in part, to include a child who is a member of a racial group that is
disproportionally represented among children whose permanent custody has been awarded to the
DCF or to a licensed child-placing agency.
The bill does not have a fiscal impact on state or local governments.
The bill takes effect upon becoming a law.
II. Present Situation:
Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)
The FFPSA, included in the 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act,
2
focuses on evidence-based services to
prevent children from entering foster care; limits reimbursement for congregate (group home)
care; and makes changes affecting adoption subsidies, reunification, and extended foster care
supports. This act reforms the federal child welfare financing streams, Title IV-E and Title IV-B
of the Social Security Act, to provide services to families who are at risk of entering the child
welfare system. The bill aims to prevent children from entering foster care by allowing federal
reimbursement for mental health services, substance use treatment, and in-home parenting skill
training. It also seeks to improve the well-being of children already in foster care by
incentivizing states to reduce the placement of children in residential group care. States can now
receive 50 percent reimbursement for specifically approved evidence-based prevention services
that address mental health, substance abuse, family counseling, and parent skills training in an
effort to avoid an out-of-home placement for children. The FFPSA also limits federal funding for
group homes placements.
3
1
The DCF, Agency Analysis for SB 1120, p. 3, (on file with the Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Committee).
2
H.R. 1862 of 2018. Pub.L. 115-123
3
The DCF, The Florida Center for Child Welfare FFPSA Updates, available at Florida's Center for Child Welfare | FFPSA
Updates (usf.edu); see also the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Family First Prevention Services Act, BILL: CS/CS/SB 1120 Page 3
Congress made the FFPSA effective October 1, 2018, but gave states the opportunity to delay
implementation of select provisions of the law.
4
Florida received approval to delay the
implementation of the FFPSA until October 1, 2021.
Mental Health Residential Treatment Programs
Residential Treatment Centers for Children and Adolescents (RTC) are 24 hour residential
programs, including therapeutic group homes, licensed by the AHCA.
5
These centers were
designed to provide mental health treatment and services to children under the age of 18 who
have been diagnosed as having mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.
6
All providers
rendering Florida Medicaid therapeutic group care services to recipients must be in compliance
with the provisions of the Florida Medicaid Therapeutic Group Care Services Coverage Policy,
July 2017.
7
Section 394.4781, F.S., authorizes the DCF to pay a portion of the costs associated with
residential care for children who have been diagnosed with severe emotional disturbance, who
are recommended to need a residential level of mental health treatment by a Florida licensed
psychologist or psychiatrist, and who are not eligible for public or private insurance.
8
Due to
limited funds, the DCF must review applications monthly to approve or deny applications for
treatment according to the following criteria:
9
The severity level of the child’s mental health;
The financial means of the child’s family;
The availability of the needed residential care; and
The funds available to the DCF.
10
Mental health treatment is aimed to assist children to live successfully in their community and
with their families. Placement into a residential mental health treatment center is made only after
careful consideration and assessments. Before a placement, all other avenues of less restrictive
treatment are weighed and must be deemed non appropriate.
11
Only if the needed services cannot
be provided in a less restrictive environment, a residential mental health treatment program is
then considered for the child.
12
available at https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/family-first-prevention-services-act-ffpsa.aspx (all sites last
visited January 18, 2022).
4
The NCSL, Family First Prevention Services Act, available at https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/family-first-
prevention-services-act-ffpsa.aspx (last visited January 18, 2022).
5
See the ACHA, Residential Treatment Centers for Children and Adolescents, available at
https://ahca.myflorida.com/mchq/health_facility_regulation/hospital_outpatient/rtc.shtml (last visited January 20, 2022)
6
Id.
7
Rule 59G-4.295, F.A.C.
8
Section 394.4781, F.S.
9
See the DCF, Children's Mental Health Residential Treatment, available at https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-
programs/samh/childrens-mental-health/residential-treatment.shtml (last visited January 18, 2022).
10
Id.
11
Id.
12
Id. BILL: CS/CS/SB 1120 Page 4
Qualified Residential Treatment Programs
Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP) are a new placement setting created by the
FFPSA, which were implemented in Florida in May 2021.
13
Placement of a child in a QRTP is
for the specific purpose of addressing the child’s emotional and behavioral health needs through
observation, diagnosis, and treatment in a treatment setting.
14
Florida currently has five licensed QRTPs with a total capacity of 50 beds. A QRTP must obtain
a residential treatment center license through the AHCA and a credential from the DCF, which
aligns the QRTP with all federal requirements.
15
Each facility that aims to be a QRTP must meet
the licensing requirements set forth in s. 394.875, F.S., and the credentialing standards set forth
in Rule 65C-46.021, F.A.C.
The DCF states that reimbursement for the service delivery is available for children placed in the
QRTP through the bundled specialized therapeutic group home fee as a result of the state agency
collaborative approach to license and credential a QRTP.
16
The FFPSA requires an assessment using an evidence-based tool within 30 days of placement.
The DCF states it has identified the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) –
Trauma version as the evidence-based tool that has been incorporated into the suitability
assessment.
17
Although Florida law does not contemplate QRTP assessments, any child in need
of placement in a QRTP is required to submit to a suitability assessment to align with s. 39.407,
F.S.
Specific Children In Need of Placement in a RTC or QRTP
RTCs and QRTPS serve children and adolescents with emotional disturbance or serious
emotional disturbance or mental illness. Section 394.492(5), F.S., defines a “child or adolescent
who has an emotional disturbance” to mean a person under 18 years of age who is diagnosed
with a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder of sufficient duration to meet one of the
diagnostic categories specified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, but who does not exhibit behaviors that
substantially interfere with or limit his or her role or ability to function in the family, school, or
community.
18
Additionally, s. 394.492(6), F.S., defines a “child or adolescent who has a serious emotional
disturbance or mental illness” to mean a person under 18 years of age who:
13
The DCF, Agency Analysis for SB 1120, January 21, 2022, p. 2-3 (on file with Senate Committee on Children, Families,
and Elder Affairs) (hereinafter cited “The DCF SB 1120 Analysis”). Florida has defined QRTPs through rulemaking
authority under Rule 65C-28.021, F.A.C.
14
Id.
15
Id.
16
The DCF SB 1120 Analysis, p. 3.
17
Id.
18
The definition further provides that that the emotional disturbance must not be considered to be a temporary response to a
stressful situation. BILL: CS/CS/SB 1120 Page 5
Is diagnosed as having a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder that meets one of the
diagnostic categories specified in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association; and
Exhibits behaviors that substantially interfere with or limit his or her role or ability to
function in the family, school, or community, which behaviors are not considered to be a
temporary response to a stressful situation.
Both of these terms do not include a child or adolescent who meets the criteria for involuntary
placement under s. 394.467(1), F.S., also known as the Baker Act.
19
Licensure of Mental Health Residential Treatment Facilities
Under Rule 65E-4.016 of the Florida Administrative Code, to be licensed as a mental health
residential treatment facility an applicant must provide a long term, homelike residential
environment that provides care, support, assistance and limited supervision in daily living to
adults diagnosed with a serious and persistent major mental illness who do not have another
primary residence.
20
Any facility licensed as a residential treatment facility must sustain a 60 day
average or greater length of stay of residents, except as specifically provided for in s.
394.875(11), F.S.
21
Qualified Evaluators and Suitability Assessments for Placement
Section 39.407(6), F.S., requires the DCF to conduct an examination and suitability assessment if
it is believed that a child needs residential treatment and prior to placing the child in a
Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF/SIPP) or a Therapeutic Group Home (TGH).
22
Currently, the suitability assessment must be conducted by a qualified evaluator appointed by
AHCA.
23
The Department contracts with the Qualified Evaluator Network (QEN) who is responsible for
recruiting qualified evaluators to conduct suitability assessments and render a recommendation
within eleven business days from receipt of the referral.
The Qualified Evaluator Network (QEN) was established by Magellan in July 2001 to provide
assessment services for children in the care and custody of the DCF. The DCF contracts with the
QEN who is responsible for recruiting qualified evaluators to conduct suitability assessments.
Each assessment must provide an independent, professional assessment of suitability for
residential treatment for mental health.
24
QENs are intended to prevent premature or
19
The Baker Act is contained in ch. 394, F.S.
20
Rule 65E-4.016, F.A.C.
21
Id.
22
Section 39.407(6), F.S.
23
See the DCF, Suitability for Residential Placement Guidelines, available at https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-
programs/community-based-care/docs/SuitabilityAssessmentGuidance.pdf (last visited January 20, 2022).
24
See Magellan Healthcare, Qualified Evaluator Network, available at
https://www.magellancompletecareoffl.com/documents/2019/09/florida-qen-
overview.pdf/#:~:text=All%20Qualified%20Evaluators%20are%20required,in%2Dpatient%20or%20STGH%20facility (last
visited January 21, 2022). BILL: CS/CS/SB 1120 Page 6
inappropriate referrals to residential psychiatric placements and utilizing the QEN results in a
return to community-based services as soon as clinically possible.
25
Once a qualified evaluator receives a referral, the contract requires that a recommendation be
rendered within 11 business days from receipt of the referral.
26
The DCF states that at this time
there are only 18 qualified evaluators statewide who are completing assessments within an
average of six business days. Through the implementation of teleconference, the QEN was able
to reduce the time it takes to complete an assessment with final submission by the QEN to the
Community-Based Care lead agency.
27
Initially, the suitability assessment was conducted by a qualified evaluator appointed through a
contract with Magellan procured by the AHCA. During this time, the DCF was the primary
executor the contract, but the AHCA held the rulemaking authority, set the fee schedule for the
evaluators, and maintained the list of providers. However, in 2016, the contract under Magellan
was transferred entirely to the DCF to determine the qualified evaluator requirements.
28
This
contract transfer allotted for a more cohesive execution of services. The DCF currently continues
to contract with this third-party vendor for the management of the QEN.
29
Under s. 39.407(6)(d), F.S., the timeframe to provide the assessments to the guardian ad litem
and the court is “immediately” upon placement.
30
Rulemaking Authority
The rulemaking authority for suitability assessments is currently split between the DCF and
AHCA, specifically requiring:
The DCF to adopt rules for implementing timeframes for the completion of suitability
assessments by qualified evaluators and a procedure that includes timeframes for completing
the 60-day independent review by the qualified evaluators of the child’s progress toward
achieving the goals and objectives of the treatment plan.
The AHCA to adopt rules for the registration of qualified evaluators, the procedure for
selecting the evaluators to conduct the reviews required under s. 39.407, F.S., and a
reasonable, cost-efficient fee schedule for qualified evaluators.
31
Florida Medicaid Program
The Medicaid program is a joint federal-state program that finances health coverage for
individuals, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and
25
Id.
26
The DCF SB 1120 Analysis, p. 2-3.
27
Id., p. 3.
28
See Magellan Complete Care, Am I Eligible, available at https://www.magellancompletecareoffl.com/enrollment-and-
renewal/are-you-eligible/; see also Magellan Complete Care; Qualified Evaluator
Network (QEN), p. 7, available at PowerPoint Presentation (magellanofflorida.com) (all sites last visited January 20, 2022).
29
See Magellan of Florida, QEN Training Manual, available at
https://www.magellanofflorida.com/documents/2019/09/2019-florida-qen-training-manual.pdf/ (last visited January 20,
2022).
30
Section 39.407(6)(d), F.S.
31
Section 39.407(6)(i), F.S. BILL: CS/CS/SB 1120 Page 7
persons with disabilities.
32
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) within the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for administering the
federal Medicaid program. Florida Medicaid is the health care safety net for low-income
Floridians. Florida’s program is administered by the AHCA and financed through state and
federal funds.
33
A Medicaid state plan is an agreement between a state and the federal government describing
how the state administers its Medicaid programs. The state plan establishes groups of individuals
covered under the Medicaid program, services that are provided, payment methodologies, and
other administrative and organizational requirements.
In order to participate in Medicaid, federal law requires states to cover certain population groups
(mandatory eligibility groups) and gives states the flexibility to cover other population groups
(optional eligibility groups).
States set individual eligibility criteria within federal minimum
standards. The AHCA may seek an amendment to the state plan as necessary to comply with
federal or state laws or to implement program changes. States send state plan amendments to the
federal CMS for review and approval.
34
Florida Medicaid enrollees generally receive benefits through one of two service-delivery
systems: fee-for-service (FFS) or managed care. Under FFS, health care providers are paid by the
state Medicaid program for each service provided to a Medicaid enrollee. Under managed care,
the AHCA contracts with private managed care plans for the coordination and payment of
services for Medicaid enrollees. The state pays the managed care plans a capitation payment, or
fixed monthly payment, per recipient enrolled in the managed care plan.
In Florida, the majority of Medicaid recipients receive their services through a managed care
plan contracted with the AHCA under the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program.
The SMMC program has two components, the Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) program
and the Long-term Care program. Florida’s SMMC offers a health care package covering both
acute and long-term care. The SMMC benefits are authorized by federal authority and are
specifically required in ss. 409.973 and 409.98, F.S.
The AHCA contracts with managed care plans on a regional basis to provide services to eligible
recipients. The MMA program, which covers most medical and acute care services for managed
care plan enrollees, was fully implemented in August 2014 and was re-procured for a period
beginning December 2018 and ending in 2023.
Adoption Assistance
Federal law authorizes Title IV-E funds for adoption assistance for foster children with special
needs.
35
A “special needs child” is one for whom the state:
32
Medicaid.gov, Medicaid, available at https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/index.html (last visited January 23, 2022).
33
Section 20.42, F.S.
34
Medicaid.gov, Medicaid State Plan Amendments, available at https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/medicaid-state-plan-
amendments/index.html (last visited January 23, 2022).
35
42 U.S.C. 673. Authority for this adoption assistance began in 1980. BILL: CS/CS/SB 1120 Page 8
Determines the child cannot or should not be returned home to the birth parents (i.e., parental
rights have been terminated).
Finds a specific factor or condition, or combination of factors and conditions, which make
the child more difficult to place for adoption.
Made reasonable efforts to place the child without adoption assistance.
States determine what constitutes “special needs”, but federal law includes examples of
categories for states to use, including age; sibling group status; medical condition; physical,
mental, or emotional disabilities; ethnic background; and membership in a minority group.
Under Florida law, a special needs child is one not likely to be adopted because he or she is:
Age 8 or older,
In a sibling group of any age (if two or more siblings remain together for purposes of
adoption);
Developmentally disabled;
Physical or emotional handicapped; or
Of black or racially mixed percentage.
36
Like Florida, a majority of states use the federal term “special needs” when referring to the
population of children eligible for adoption subsidies in law; however, some states use “hard to
place”. Federal law uses both “special needs” and “difficult to place”. States are not required to
use the federal language in law or rule to draw down Title IV-E funding for adoption assistance.
The following tables include Florida-specific information on the disproportionality of children
free for adoption by racial group as of February 20, 2022, and how many children in each special
needs category were adopted in FY 2019-20 and FY 2020-21.
37
Racial Representation in Children Available for Adoption in Florida
Race 2020 U.S. Census,
Florida Population
Children Available
for Adoption
Native American 0,50% 0.29%
Asian 3.00% 0.27%
Black 16.90% 31.22%
Hawaiian 0.10% 0.10%
White 77.30% 63.35%
Unable to Determine 0.00% .054%
Multi-racial 2.20% 4.24%
36
Section 409.166(2)(a), F.S. Codified in 1976, the special needs definition remains unchanged except that the original
reference to “mentally retarded” was replaced with “developmentally disabled”.
37
Email from John Paul Fiore, Director of Legislative Affairs, Florida Department of Children and Families, Special Need
Adoptions, Feb. 17, 2022 (on file with the Senate Committee on Appropriations). BILL: CS/CS/SB 1120 Page 9
Florida Special Needs Adoptions
Primary
38
Category FY 19-20 FY 20-21
Age 8 or older 316 355
Developmentally disabled 107 72
Physically or emotionally handicapped 1,450 1,269
Of black or racially mixed parentage 1,530 1,330
Sibling group member 1,192 878
Florida adoption assistance for a special needs child is $5,000 annually, unless a different
amount is negotiated by the family; the average subsidy is $6,695 annually.
39
III. Effect of the Bill
QRTPs
The bill amends s. 39.407, F.S, authorizing the DCF to place a child or adolescent who meets the
definition of a “child or adolescent who has an emotional disturbance” or a “child or adolescent
who has a serious emotional disturbance or mental illness” in therapeutic group homes for
mental health treatment without prior court approval, under certain circumstances.
The bill makes a number of changes to definitions to s. 39.407, F.S., relating to medical,
psychiatric, and psychological examination and treatment of child, to:
Add the term “therapeutic group home,” which is not currently defined in ch. 39, F.S., and
define such term to mean a residential treatment center that offers a 24-hour residential
program providing community-based mental health treatment and mental health support
services to children who meet the criteria in s. 394.492(5) or (6), F.S., in a nonsecure,
homelike setting; and
Expand the definition of “suitable for residential treatment” or “suitability” to include if the
child is expected to benefit from behavioral health treatment, in addition to mental health
treatment.
Through the above definitions and the application of such terms throughout s. 39.407, F.S., the
bill ensures that the process the DCF has established for credentialing an existing licensed
therapeutic group home as a QRTP will result in placements that occur in accordance with rule
and in compliance with federal requirements for QRTPs.
The bill also updates the qualified evaluators’ process to reflect current practices providing that
the DCF, rather than the AHCA, must appoint qualified evaluators to conduct suitability
assessments.
The bill requires the qualified evaluator for STGH and QRTP to be a psychiatrist licensed under
chapter 458, F.S., or chapter 459, F.S., psychologist licensed under chapter 490, F.S. or a mental
38
Id. This unduplicated count is based on each child’s primary special needs category, but each child may also fit other
categories.
39
In addition to adoption assistance, families that adopt a special needs foster child also receive a one-time family annual
entrance pass at no charge and a one-time monetary benefit of $10,000 if the adoptive parent is a state employee, veteran, or
service member. Section 258.0142, F.S. BILL: CS/CS/SB 1120 Page 10
health counselor licensed under chapter 491, F.S., with at least two years of experience in the
diagnosis and treatment of serious emotional disturbances in children and adolescents, as
opposed to the stricter requirements for a PRTF/SIPP which requires the evaluator to be a
psychiatrist or a psychologist licensed in Florida with three years of experience.
These changes to the qualifications are expected to expand the pool of qualified evaluators for
conducting suitability assessments for STGH and QRTP placements to more than the 18
currently used for PRTF/SIPP suitability assessments
40
and create a larger recruitment pool for
TGH and QRTP assessors. The third-party vendor contracted by the DCF for the management of
the qualified evaluator network estimates that this change in requirements will increase the pool
of potentially qualified evaluators by approximately 2,000.
The bill also amends s. 39.407, F.S., requiring the DCF to provide the guardian ad litem and the
court with a copy of the assessment by the qualified evaluator within five days after the DCF’s
receipt of the assessment, rather than immediately upon placement as required in current law.
The bill removes the specific rulemaking authority from the DCF and ACHA to administer the
provisions of s. 39.407, F.S., as the qualified evaluator registration and fee schedule provisions
are relocated within the DCF under the bill and the DCF may adopt necessary rules for these
provisions through its broad rulemaking authority under chapter 39, F.S.
Difficult to Place Children
The bill changes terminology from “special needs” to “difficult to place” to refer to a child who
is not likely to be adopted because of certain characteristics. The definition of a “difficult to
place child” is also modified, in part, from a child who is black or of racially mixed parentage to
a member of a racial group that is disproportionally represented among children whose
permanent custody has been awarded to the DCF or to a licensed child-placing agency.
These changes have no effect on eligibility for adoption subsidies and both changes are only
nomenclature changes.
This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
The bill does not appear to require cities and counties to expend funds or limit their
authority to raise revenue or receive state-shared revenues as specified by Article VII,
s. 18 of the Florida Constitution.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
40
The DCF SB 1120 Analysis, p. 3. BILL: CS/CS/SB 1120 Page 11
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
None.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends section 39.407 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
CS/CS by Appropriations on February 24, 2022:
The committee substitute:
Clarifies the criteria for a child to be eligible for residential treatment to children in
need of behavioral health treatment.
Modifies the definition of the term “therapeutic group home”.
Clarifies that the criteria for the qualified evaluators for placement in a residential
treatment center, other than a therapeutic group home, or a hospital remains the same BILL: CS/CS/SB 1120 Page 12
under current law and that the amended criteria for the qualified evaluators applies to
placements in a therapeutic group home.
Replaces term “special needs child” with the term “difficult to place child” and
amends the definition of a “difficult to place child”, in part, to include a child who is
a member of a racial group that is disproportionally represented among children
whose permanent custody has been awarded to the DCF or to a licensed child-placing
agency.
CS by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs on January 25, 2022:
The committee substitute:
Modifies the definition of the term “therapeutic group home” (TGH) to remove the
cross-reference to s. 419.001, F.S., and to remove the limitation of 16 beds for the
TGHs; and
Expands persons who can be qualified evaluators to include psychiatrists licensed
under ch. 459, F.S., in addition to those licensed under ch. 458, F.S.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.