FL H6529

Appropriates $20 million from the General Revenue Fund to compensate C.C. for injuries resulting from the Department of Children and Families' negligence in failing to protect him from his drug-addicted foster parent mother, Anna Highland

C.C. was born addicted to methadone on August 12, 2014, hospitalized for one month with severe withdrawal symptoms, and released to his mother's care despite six child abuse hotline reports within seven months

At 13 months old (September 12, 2015), C.C. overdosed on his mother's methadone, remained in a coma for 2 weeks, and suffered permanent injuries including anoxic brain injury, seizures, strokes, hearing/vision/speech impairments, and cognitive disabilities requiring lifelong care

Payment shall be made to an irrevocable trust created for C.C.'s exclusive benefit, with the trust responsible for paying attorney fees, lobbying fees, and related costs

Total attorney fees, lobbying fees, and similar expenses are capped at 25% of the award amount, and the appropriation represents sole compensation for all present and future claims arising from this incident