HB 1315 Summary

• Establishes the "Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys and Florida School for Boys at Okeechobee Abuse Victim Certification Act" to certify victims of abuse at these two reform schools that operated between 1940 and 1975.

• Allows living persons who were confined at either school and subjected to physical or sexual abuse by school personnel to apply to the Department of Juvenile Justice for victim certification by October 1, 2018.

• Requires applications to include an affidavit of confinement and abuse, documentation from the State confirming the applicant's confinement dates between 1940 and 1975, and positive proof of identity.

• Mandates the Department process applications within 90 calendar days and certify applicants meeting all requirements, with the department prohibited from denying applications for incomplete submissions unless it timely notified applicants of deficiencies.

• Requires the Department to submit a complete list of all certified victims to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House by March 1, 2019.