FL S0270

Authorizes law enforcement to decline transporting a minor 14 years of age or younger to a mental health or substance abuse evaluation facility if the parent or guardian agrees to transport the minor instead.

Requires parental or guardian consent before a minor 14 years of age or younger may be taken to a receiving facility for involuntary examination, except when reasonable attempts to contact parents fail, the minor poses imminent danger to self or others, the minor is in state custody, or a central abuse hotline report was made.

Mandates that assessment by a service provider for minors 14 years of age or younger be initiated within 8 hours of arrival at a facility, rather than the 12-hour requirement for older individuals.

Requires receiving facilities to immediately notify the minor's parent or guardian of the minor's whereabouts, with the ability to delay notification for up to 24 hours if an abuse report to the central hotline was submitted and deemed necessary for the minor's best interest.

Requires receiving facilities to release a minor 14 years of age or younger to their parent or guardian upon request unless parental consent was not required for the examination, an abuse report was filed, or a petition for involuntary services was filed.