FL H1055

Requires critical incident rapid response teams investigating child deaths or serious incidents to include a child protection team medical director as a minimum team member.

Establishes qualifications for the Statewide Medical Director for Child Protection (must be board-certified pediatrician with child abuse subspecialty) and district medical directors (must obtain child abuse subspecialty certification or alternative credentialing within 4 years of employment).

Authorizes the Department of Health to approve third-party credentialing entities to administer a professional credentialing program for district medical directors, contingent on appropriations and compliance with specified standards.

Allows physicians and osteopathic physicians holding expert witness certificates to provide expert testimony in criminal child abuse and neglect cases.

Effective date: July 1, 2015.