FL S1442

Creates section 39.01304, F.S., establishing Early Childhood Court programs as specialized dependency court dockets using evidence-based practices and trauma-informed care for children ages 0-3 in out-of-home care.

Requires early childhood courts to include four components: judicial leadership using therapeutic jurisprudence, community coordination services, multidisciplinary court teams, and a continuum of mental health services focused on parent-child relationships.

Directs the Office of the State Courts Administrator to hire and train community coordinators at each program site by August 1, 2018, and contract with university-based centers with infant mental health expertise to provide clinical consultation and training.

Requires the Florida Institute for Child Welfare to evaluate the program's impact on maltreatment recurrence, permanency, reunification, and child welfare re-entry, with results due to the Governor and Legislature by October 1, 2021.

Requires annual status reports to the Governor and Legislature by December 1, 2019 and 2020, with effectiveness contingent on appropriations.