FL S0004

Appropriates $20 million from the General Revenue Fund to compensate C.C. for injuries sustained due to negligence by the Department of Children and Families

C.C. was born addicted to methadone on August 12, 2014, to Anna Highland, a licensed foster parent with six child abuse hotline reports filed against her within 7 months

Despite the abuse reports, the department released C.C. to Highland's care in September 2014 with no protective services; at 13 months old, C.C. overdosed on Highland's methadone and was in a coma for 2 weeks

C.C. suffered permanent injuries including anoxic brain injury, seizures, strokes, hearing/vision/speech impairments, cognitive impairment, and motor skill damage requiring lifelong care

Payment will be made to an irrevocable trust for C.C.'s exclusive benefit, with attorney fees, lobbying fees, and related costs capped at 25% of the total award