HB 431 Summary

• Amends Florida Statutes section 402.40 to revise the definition of "person providing child welfare services" to include Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work students participating in field internship programs under supervisory-level personnel direction.

• Requires third-party credentialing entities seeking Department of Children and Families approval to administer field internship programs and establish professional requirements, ethical standards, disciplinary processes, public databases of certifications, and continuing education programs.

• Creates a Child Welfare Training Trust Fund funded by one dollar from each noncriminal traffic infraction, fees on birth certificates and dissolution of marriage filings, and allows federal Title IV-E matching funds for educational financial support including tuition assistance and stipends.

• Directs the Department of Children and Families to establish supervision policies by October 1, 2014, limiting child protective investigator supervisors to a maximum ratio of 1 supervisor to 5 investigators and limiting persons delivering child welfare services to a 1 to 5 ratio, with provisions for regional variations.

• Requires department-approved credentialing entities to grant reciprocity at no cost to individuals holding current department-issued child welfare certifications in good standing within 12 months of implementing third-party certification programs.