The Florida Senate
HOUSE MESSAGE SUMMARY
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
[2024s00536.hms.cf.docx]
BILL: CS/CS/CS/HB 536, 1
st
Eng.
INTRODUCER: Committee on Fiscal Policy; Appropriations Committee on Health and Human
Services; Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; and Senator
Garcia
SUBJECT: Community-based Child Welfare Agencies
DATE: March 4, 2024
I.Amendments Contained in Message:
House Amendment – 126347 (body with title)
II.Summary of Amendments Contained in Message:
House Amendment – 126347 (body with title)
The Amendment changes the Senate bill language to match the House bill. Specifically, the
amendment:
Removes the requirement that a Community Based Care lead agency (CBC) post a fidelity
bond to cover potential penalties related to conflicts of interest.
Removes "parent entity” and “associate firm" from the definition of “related party” as well as
exemption language for related parties if they hold more than one lead agency contract.
Removes the requirement for a board members removal as a penalty for failing to disclose a
known conflict of interest.
Removes the requirement for CBC contracts with unrelated entities for officer-level or
director-level staffing to adhere to the executive compensation cap.
Removes the annual renewal request with reporting for the 35% threshold waiver.
Requires the contract between the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and CBC to
delineate the rights and obligations concerning the acquisition, transfer, or other disposition
of real property. Only applying this provision prospectively for contracts after July 1, 2024.
Requires only contracts between the DCF and CBC for the provision of child protection and
welfare services to delineate rights and obligations of acquisition, transfer, or other
disposition of real property, and requires this for contracts after July 1, 2024.
Limits the compensation cap calculation to include only community-based care contracts
with the DCF, instead of all contracts with DCF.
Reverts any funds from penalties assessed to the CBC back to the state, instead of to the DCF
to be used for services in the geographic service are of the CBC.
Adds a new section, creating a CBC contracting and funding working group.