FL S1514

Establishes a new Guardianship Assistance Program effective July 1, 2019, providing monthly payments of up to $4,000 annually to relatives, nonrelatives, and fictive kin who obtain legal guardianship of dependent children, with eligibility requirements including prior foster care placement for at least 6 consecutive months.

Terminates the Relative Caregiver Program to new applicants after June 30, 2019, with current participants to continue receiving benefits until the child reaches age 18, and requires new applicants to apply for the Guardianship Assistance Program instead.

Creates an exemption process for household members with physical, developmental, or cognitive disabilities that prevent fingerprinting, requiring departmental assessment and documentation before granting exemptions.

Increases foster care room and board rates effective July 1, 2019: Level I homes receive $333 monthly, and Level II homes receive age-based rates ranging from $448.63 to $538.43 monthly.

Modifies dependency case law by requiring courts to determine whether a child has a strong attachment to a prospective permanent guardian and whether the guardian has strong commitment to permanent care before placement.