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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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An act relating to licensure of family foster homes; 2
amending s. 409.175, F.S.; requiring the Department of 3
Children and Families to adopt rules to streamline the 4
licensure application process for licensed foster 5
parents who relocate within this state; requiring such 6
rules to include priority review of applications, 7
expedited home studies and background checks, and 8
recognition of prior foster parent training 9
coursework; providing an effective date. 10
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 12
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Section 1. Paragraph (i) of subsection (6) of section 14
409.175, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 15
409.175 Licensure of family foster homes, residenti al 16
child-caring agencies, and child -placing agencies; public 17
records exemption.— 18
(6) 19
(i)1. Upon determination that the applicant meets the state 20
minimum licensing requirements and has obtained a letter from a 21
community-based care lead agency which indi cates that the family 22
foster home meets the criteria established by the lead agency, 23
the department shall issue a license without charge to a 24
specific person or agency at a specific location. A license may 25
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
be issued if all the screening materials have been timely 26
submitted; however, a license may not be issued or renewed if 27
any person at the home or agency has failed the required 28
screening. The license is nontransferable. A copy of the license 29
shall be displayed in a conspicuous place. Except as provided in 30
paragraph (k), the license is valid for 1 year from the date of 31
issuance, unless the license is suspended or revoked by the 32
department or is voluntarily surrendered by the licensee. The 33
license is the property of the department. 34
2. The department shall adopt rules to streamline the 35
licensure application process for a licensed foster parent who 36
is in good standing and relocates within this state. These rules 37
must include, but are not limited to, rules concerning priority 38
review of applications, expedited home studies and background 39
checks, and recognition of prior foster parent training 40
coursework. 41
Section 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2025. 42