FL H0977

Establishes a 3-year pilot program administered by the Department of Children and Families, with contract to a not-for-profit entity, to pay for driver education, licensing costs, and motor vehicle insurance for children in licensed out-of-home foster care who have completed driver education courses.

Creates section 743.047 to remove the disability of nonage for minors age 16 or older who are adjudicated dependent, in out-of-home placement, and have completed driver education, allowing them to execute motor vehicle insurance contracts upon court order.

Requires courts conducting 17-year-old judicial reviews to issue a separate order removing specified disabilities of nonage when in the child's best interest and to ensure children receive information about independent living transition services, Medicaid, birth certificates, social security benefits, and the Road-to-Independence Program.

Amends section 1003.48 to provide preferential enrollment in driver education courses for students in the custody of the Department of Children and Families who maintain appropriate academic progress.

Appropriates $800,000 in recurring General Revenue Fund dollars to the Department of Children and Families for implementation during the 2014-2015 fiscal year; act takes effect July 1, 2014.