FL H6505

Appropriates $14,926,639.56 from General Revenue to compensate H.H. for catastrophic injuries resulting from Department of Children and Families' negligent failure to investigate child abuse reports in 2017

H.H., an 18-month-old at the time, suffered permanent traumatic brain damage, cerebral palsy, inability to walk or talk, seizures requiring brain surgeries, and requires lifelong care after severe physical abuse by her mother and stepfather

DCF received multiple abuse hotline reports between May and July 2017 but failed to conduct thorough investigations, interview relevant witnesses, or refer the family to services despite knowledge that the stepfather had an extensive violent criminal history with 35+ police incidents

A jury verdict on December 8, 2023 awarded $15 million to H.H.; $200,000 was already paid under sovereign immunity limits, leaving the balance plus $126,639.56 in court costs unpaid

Payment must be made to an irrevocable trust for H.H.'s exclusive benefit, attorney fees are capped at 25% of the award, and all government liens including Medicaid liens are to be waived by the state