HB 1417 Summary

• Requires the Department of Children and Families to establish community alliances in each lead agency service area with specified bylaws and membership composition (up to 20-30 members from local stakeholders)

• Changes family-finding and kinship navigator programs from optional to mandatory, removing resource limitations and requiring family finding to begin immediately when a child enters department custody

• Mandates department treatment of foster parents, kinship caregivers, and nonrelative caregivers with dignity and respect, including providing training, full disclosure of child information (including behavioral health issues), and 24/7 contact access

• Establishes salary caps at 100% of the DCF Secretary's salary for managing entity and lead agency employees receiving state-appropriated funds, with requirement to disclose and obtain board approval for conflicts of interest

• Creates a child and family well-being system to shift focus from child removal to family support, requiring collaboration with lead agencies and the Florida Institute for Child Welfare, with annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature

• Effective date: July 1, 2021