FL H6511

Appropriates $28 million from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Children and Families for the relief of L.P., a minor who was stabbed at least 14 times by her mother within hours after DCF caseworkers negligently left the then-six-year-old in her mother's custody on June 25, 2015, despite warnings about the mother's mental health status.

Directs the Chief Financial Officer to issue a $28 million warrant payable to Sidney and Valerie Carey, L.P.'s grandparents and adoptive parents, to be placed in a special needs trust for the exclusive use and benefit of L.P.

Satisfies a jury verdict of $28 million awarded after a two-week trial in February–March 2022, which was affirmed on appeal by the Second District Court of Appeal; DCF had previously paid only $200,000 under the statutory sovereign immunity cap in s. 768.28, Florida Statutes.

L.P. has incurred over $14 million in unpaid or future medical expenses for lifesaving surgeries, psychological counseling, and related costs, along with $1.5 million in lost earning capacity and over $208,000 in litigation costs.

Limits total attorney fees, lobbying fees, and similar expenses to no more than 25 percent of the total amount awarded, and provides that the combined statutory payment and this appropriation constitute the sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from this incident.