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FloridaSB 70122025Senate

Child Welfare

Sponsored By: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Signed by Governor

AppropriationFiscal PolicyHouse Calendar

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Specialized foster homes for high-need children

Subject to funding, Florida must develop a four-year treatment foster-care pilot beginning July 1, 2025, and implement it by January 1, 2026. It serves two judicial circuits selected using removal and placement data. Eligible children need high levels of support in foster care or continued foster care after inpatient residential treatment. The department coordinates placements and pays licensed providers running pilot homes. Placements last up to nine months, with one three-month extension when the department finds the child is not ready for discharge. Each home serves no more than two eligible children and has at least one specially trained foster parent dedicated to care. Homes must provide specialized training, 24-hour crisis help, and services to stabilize placements. An independent evaluation and final report are due January 1, 2030.

Research incentives allowed for state employees

Beginning July 1, 2025, Florida state employees can receive qualifying child-welfare research incentives without violating the specified ethics rules. These incentives also do not require gift reporting under the specified law. The research or evaluation must be required by the Florida Institute for Child Welfare’s legal mission. The law does not require incentives or set their amount.

Emergency approval for domestic violence centers

Florida’s Department of Children and Families can waive the operating-history rule for a new domestic violence center. Normally, centers need 18 consecutive months of operation, including 12 months as an emergency shelter. The waiver requires an emergency local need and no other viable way to keep services available. Centers must meet the remaining criteria for provisional approval. The department can require monitoring, site visits, and a time limit on approval.

Foster-care lead agencies shed one bond

Groups seeking to become Florida community-based care lead agencies no longer need a fidelity bond. That bond covered the cost of choosing a replacement agency and penalties for undisclosed conflicts of interest. Applicants must still show financial responsibility through a plan for regular financial audits and a performance bond.

Foster-care subcontractors gain limited lawsuit protection

Foster-care subcontractors are not liable for actions or failures by their lead agency, Florida’s child-welfare department, or those agencies’ staff. This protection applies to contracts entered into or renewed after July 1, 2025. It limits claims against subcontractors for those other parties’ conduct, but does not shield subcontractors from liability for their own conduct.

Narrower exceptions for child-care and foster-care workers

Florida’s Department of Children and Families can no longer waive certain disqualification rules for work with children or people with developmental disabilities. It can still grant limited exceptions to child-care staff standards and specified foster-care licensing and operating rules. Each exception must name the role or group of people the worker can serve.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Fiscal Policy

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 312 • No: 0

House vote • 5/2/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/1/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 4/30/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 113 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/13/2025

Fiscal Policy Vote

Yes: 18 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2025

Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Vote

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2025-186

    6/26/2025

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/25/2025

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    6/18/2025

  4. Ordered engrossed, then enrolled

    5/2/2025Senate

  5. CS passed as amended; YEAS 98, NAYS 0

    5/2/2025House

  6. Amendment 451310 Concur

    5/2/2025House

  7. Senate Message List

    5/2/2025House

  8. In Messages

    5/1/2025House

  9. CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 1092

    5/1/2025Senate

  10. Concurred in House amendment(s) as amended (646549) -SJ 1092

    5/1/2025Senate

  11. Amendment(s) to House amendment(s) adopted (451310) -SJ 1088

    5/1/2025Senate

  12. In returning messages

    4/30/2025Senate

  13. CS passed as amended; YEAS 113, NAYS 0

    4/30/2025House

  14. Read 3rd time

    4/30/2025House

  15. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    4/30/2025House

  16. Placed on 3rd reading

    4/30/2025House

  17. Amendment 646549 adopted

    4/30/2025House

  18. Read 2nd time

    4/30/2025House

  19. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)

    4/29/2025House

  20. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/30/2025)

    4/29/2025House

  21. Bill referred to House Calendar

    4/29/2025House

  22. In Messages

    3/19/2025House

  23. Immediately certified -SJ 242

    3/19/2025Senate

  24. CS passed; YEAS 39 NAYS 0 -SJ 236

    3/19/2025Senate

  25. Read 3rd time -SJ 236

    3/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

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