FL H1105

Circuit courts may create early childhood court programs for infants and toddlers in dependency court, with the Office of State Courts Administrator required to contract for program evaluation and provide training assistance.

Department of Children and Families must complete criminal history and records checks within 14 business days and promptly notify courts of abuse hotline reports involving children under court jurisdiction.

Creates new requirements for "parenting partnerships" between foster caregivers and birth/legal parents, mandating cooperation on case plans, communication, and shared participation in medical appointments and educational activities.

Establishes faster timelines for foster home licensing: licensing studies must be completed within 30 days, applications approved or denied within 10 business days of completion, and preliminary home studies for children in DCF custody completed within 30 days.

Lead agencies may exceed the 35% cap on directly providing child welfare services only with local community alliance review and department approval, with specific stakeholder representation required if no alliance exists.