FL S0918

Replaces indeterminate commitment periods for juvenile offenders with minimum-term requirements, requiring courts to specify a minimum time the child must remain in the commitment program until completion

Removes the prohibition on extending a child's length of stay in a program for purposes of sanction or punishment, while maintaining that stays cannot exceed the maximum adult sentence for the same offense

Lowers the minimum age from 13 to 10 years old for commitment to maximum-risk residential facilities (18-36 month stays) for children adjudicated for murder or manslaughter

Maintains the age 13 minimum for maximum-risk facility commitment for other serious offenses including arson, sexual battery, robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and armed burglary

Requires children in commitment programs to have objective performance-based treatment plans with quarterly progress reports to the court (or monthly if requested)