HB 431 Summary: Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Abuse Victim Certification Act

• Establishes a certification process for living persons confined to the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys or Okeechobee School between 1940-1975 who experienced mental, physical, or sexual abuse by school personnel.

• Requires applicants to submit to the Department of State by September 1, 2020, an affidavit of confinement and abuse, documentation from state archives, and current photographic identification.

• Grants the Department of State 30 days to review applications and request corrections; applicants have 15 calendar days to respond, and the department has 90 days to complete processing.

• Prohibits denying applications based on applicant failure to correct errors if the department failed to timely notify the applicant, and requires certification if requirements are met.

• Exempts certified victims from standard crime victim compensation eligibility requirements and allows them to file claims under Chapter 960, Florida Statutes, within 1 year of the act's effective date; requires submission of certified victims list to legislative leaders by December 31, 2020.