Florida House Bill H1127

Florida 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/26/25
• Refer: 3/5/25

Caption

Child Welfare

Impact

This bill introduces the establishment of a treatment foster care pilot program aimed at providing highly specialized care for children who demonstrate significant behavioral health needs or those transitioning out of residential treatment settings. The program is to be implemented in two judicial circuits identified as having the highest demand for such services. Furthermore, it aims to improve recruitment and retention within the child welfare workforce, notably focusing on individuals from public safety and service backgrounds to enhance case management capabilities and improve retention rates within the department's workforce.

Summary

House Bill 1127 focuses on improving the state’s child welfare system by amending multiple sections of Florida Statutes to address the needs of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The bill mandates the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to provide annual reports to the Legislature regarding data on child exploitation and the efficacy of interventions. It further compels DCF to maintain detailed data on individual child assessments and placements, ensuring that policymakers have access to necessary information for legislative support and appropriations related to child welfare services.

Contention

While the proposed pilot program and recommendations have garnered support for providing a more tailored approach to child welfare, there are concerns regarding the sustainability of funding and the implementation of program standards. The outlined requirements for evaluation and reporting could generate additional administrative burden for the DCF. Critics may also question the scope and effectiveness of the pilot program, especially considering the complexities inherent in addressing the needs of children who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and require diligent case management.