FL H0279

Department of Children and Families must provide each child entering out-of-home care with a suitcase, duffel bag, backpack, or similar durable luggage for transporting personal belongings instead of trash bags

Luggage provided becomes the child's personal property and cannot be reclaimed by the department or retained by foster caregivers

Department must maintain decentralized luggage supplies, track instances when trash bags are used, and submit annual reports to the Legislature documenting trash bag usage and inventory management

Funding sources include federal Title IV-E funds, matching grants, donations from community and business entities, and public-private partnerships

Effective date: July 1, 2026