CS/HB 7099 - Child Welfare Summary

• Revises the definition of "institutional child abuse or neglect" to include employees and responsible persons at public or private schools, day care centers, and other institutions.

• Requires the central abuse hotline to accept reports of out-of-state child abuse when the child is being evaluated in a Florida medical facility, and mandates the Department of Children and Families initiate investigations upon reports from emergency room physicians.

• Authorizes psychiatric nurses to prescribe psychotropic medications to children in department custody and extends the court's timeframe for reviewing residential treatment plans from 60 days to 3 months.

• Allows young adults aged 18-21 to return to extended foster care through voluntary placement agreements and provides for continuing care, eligibility for tuition fee exemptions, and Medicaid coverage for Guardianship Assistance Program participants.

• Establishes a direct-support organization to assist the Children and Youth Cabinet with fundraising and public awareness initiatives, and creates a new cabinet position for the director of the Office of Adoption and Child Protection.