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FL S0906
Bill
AI Summary
- Regional counsel offices would be authorized to provide preventative, prepetition legal representation to indigent parents who are subjects of child protective investigations under section 39.301
- Representation may include civil actions for domestic violence injunctions, residential tenancies and housing matters, and determination of parentage, provided they relate to the investigation and the parents' efforts to maintain custody of their children
- Regional counsel must determine indigency within 5 days of initial contact using the same application form and criteria used by the clerk of court, and must withdraw representation if a person is later found to be nonindigent
- Child protective investigators would be required to inform parents or legal custodians of their right to an attorney, including the availability of free representation through the regional counsel office if they cannot afford one, and to explain how information provided during the investigation may be used
- The department's training program for child protective responders must include instruction on informing parents of their right to legal counsel and the availability of regional counsel representation for indigent parents
Legislative Description
Regional Counsel Representation for Child Welfare Matters
Last Action
Died in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
5/5/2023
Full Bill Text
No bill text available