HB 563 Summary

• Revises Florida's Foster Children's Bill of Rights by designating rights (rather than goals) for children and young adults in out-of-home care, including rights to safe housing, freedom from abuse, medical services, family contact, education, and participation in case planning.

• Creates an autonomous children's ombudsman position within the Department of Children and Families to resolve complaints from children in out-of-home care, investigate alleged violations, and collect and post complaint data on the department's website.

• Requires the ombudsman to develop standardized, age-appropriate information about children's rights by January 1, 2023, and establish a statewide toll-free telephone number for children to report issues without fear of retribution.

• Mandates that case managers provide verbal and written instructions explaining rights to children entering out-of-home care, with instructions reviewed every 6 months and upon each placement change.

• Authorizes school districts to establish educational programs for students ages 5-18 about identifying and reporting abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

• Takes effect October 1, 2022.