FL H1435

Creates a statewide family-finding program requiring the Department of Children and Families, sheriffs' offices, and community-based care lead agencies to identify and engage relatives and fictive kin for children in out-of-home care using diligent search efforts including interviews, genograms, and specialized computer searches.

Establishes kinship navigator programs that community-based care lead agencies may create to help relative caregivers and fictive kin navigate available services through a toll-free hotline, outreach materials, training, and partnerships with public and private agencies.

Requires courts to request parental consent for access to child care records, early education records, and other educational records during shelter hearings, with court authority to issue access orders if parents are unavailable or withhold consent.

Mandates children from birth to school age in out-of-home care or protective supervision be enrolled in licensed early education or child care programs 5 days per week unless the court grants an exception, with specific attendance reporting and site visit requirements.

Establishes educational stability protections allowing children to remain in their pre-removal child care or early education settings unless not in the child's best interest, and requires transition plans involving cooperation among all involved parties that respect the child's developmental needs.