CS/CS/CS/HB 259 Summary

• Creates section 409.1761, F.S., establishing a framework for qualified nonprofit organizations to provide temporary respite care for children through volunteer families without requiring full child welfare system involvement.

• Organizations must register annually with the Department of Children and Families and maintain records including organization information, volunteer family details, personnel screening compliance, and child placement information; the department may inspect records at any time.

• Personnel screening requirements apply to organization employees with direct child contact and volunteer respite family members over age 12 (those 12-18 must be screened for delinquency but not fingerprinted); volunteers assisting fewer than 10 hours per month are exempt if supervised by screened personnel.

• Parents or legal guardians must execute a written contract for care with the volunteer respite family, notarized and signed by both parents (if applicable), two witnesses, and the organization representative; contract duration cannot exceed 6 months and must include detailed information about the child's needs, services provided, contact frequency, medical care authorization, and disciplinary procedures.

• Children removed from parents due to abuse or neglect and placed in departmental custody are ineligible; placement under this section does not constitute abandonment, abuse, or neglect but does not prevent department or law enforcement investigation of such allegations.

• Effective date: July 1, 2016.