Capitol Connection
Today marks the first day of the State of Florida’s Fiscal Year. Along with this near record spending plan many bills take effect today. For information on Florida’s Budget please click here. Below you will also find a list of the bills tracked by the Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils and Trusts that are effective today. 
 
Additionally, as the state is in the midst of campaign season a quarter of legislative members have already been elected to their seats. 
 
 
Continue to follow us on Capitol Connection for periodic updates.
 
Until next time!

Sincerely,

The Florida Alliance of Children's Councils & Trusts
Healthy Development
HB 7065 - Child Welfare
Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee
Effective July 1, 2022
This bill requires the Department of Children and Families and Department of Juvenile Justice to identify and meet the needs of dually-involved children within a specified timeframe; revises information that must be included in a transition plan; requires prenatal and infant health care delivery programs to include certain father engagement activities; requires the Department of Children and Families to contract for the development and implementation of the Responsible Fatherhood Initiative and to provide grants to community-based not-for-profit organizations to offer certain mentorship programs; and designates the month of June as "Responsible Fatherhood Month".
Early Learning
SB 2524 - Education
Appropriations Committee
Effective July 1, 2022
This bill revises the methodology for funding the school readiness program; deletes the requirement that school readiness program funds be used to increase the number of children served; requires an Early Learning Estimating Conference to be held to determine the cost of care for the school readiness program; specifies conference principals; provides division duties; and provides requirements for the conference.
Juvenile Justice
This bill requires the Department of Law Enforcement to expunge the nonjudicial arrest record of certain minors who successfully complete a diversion program for specified felony offenses, rather than only for misdemeanor offenses; authorizes a minor who successfully completes a diversion program for any offense, rather than only for a first-time misdemeanor offense.
This bill provides an exemption from public records requirements for a nonjudicial record of the arrest of a minor who has successfully completed a diversion program; provides for retroactive application; provides for future legislative review and repeal of the exemption; and provides a statement of public necessity.
Child Protection
SB 7034 - Child Welfare
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Effective July 1, 2022
This bill expresses legislative intent to revise laws relating to the welfare of children in Florida.
K-12 Education
Sen. Diaz
Effective July 1, 2022
This bill revises the grade levels for which the coordinated screening and monitoring program measures student progress in the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program; revises requirements for the statewide, standardized comprehensive assessments program, beginning with a specified school year; requires that progress monitoring include both a web-based and mobile device-compatible option; requires 2022-2023 school and school district grades to serve as an informal baseline for schools and school districts; and provides that school improvement ratings will not be calculated for a certain school year.
Children With Disabilities
Sen. Jones
Effective July 1, 2022
This bill ​​revises the definition of the term “exceptional student” to include additional students with developmental delays.
This bill ​​prohibits school personnel from using mechanical restraint on students with disabilities.
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For more information, contact: Sarah Heath - sheath@facct.com