985.01  Purposes and intent; personnel standards and screening.

985.02  Legislative intent for the juvenile justice system.

985.03  Definitions.

985.04  Oaths; records; confidential information.

985.05  Court records.

985.06  Statewide information-sharing system; interagency workgroup.

985.08  Information systems.

985.01  Purposes and intent; personnel standards and screening.--

(1)  The purposes of this chapter are:

(a)  To provide judicial and other procedures to assure due process through which children and other interested parties are assured fair hearings by a respectful and respected court or other tribunal and the recognition, protection, and enforcement of their constitutional and other legal rights, while ensuring that public safety interests and the authority and dignity of the courts are adequately protected.

(b)  To provide for the care, safety, and protection of children in an environment that fosters healthy social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development; to ensure secure and safe custody; and to promote the health and well-being of all children under the state's care.

(c)  To ensure the protection of society, by providing for a comprehensive standardized assessment of the child's needs so that the most appropriate control, discipline, punishment, and treatment can be administered consistent with the seriousness of the act committed, the community's long-term need for public safety, the prior record of the child, and the specific rehabilitation needs of the child, while also providing whenever possible restitution to the victim of the offense.

(d)  To preserve and strengthen the child's family ties whenever possible, by providing for removal of the child from parental custody only when his or her welfare or the safety and protection of the public cannot be adequately safeguarded without such removal; and, when the child is removed from his or her own family, to secure custody, care, and discipline for the child as nearly as possible equivalent to that which should have been given by the parents; and to assure, in all cases in which a child must be permanently removed from parental custody, that the child be placed in an approved family home, adoptive home, independent living program, or other placement that provides the most stable and permanent living arrangement for the child, as determined by the court.

(e)1.  To assure that the adjudication and disposition of a child alleged or found to have committed a violation of Florida law be exercised with appropriate discretion and in keeping with the seriousness of the offense and the need for treatment services, and that all findings made under this chapter be based upon facts presented at a hearing that meets the constitutional standards of fundamental fairness and due process.

2.  To assure that the sentencing and placement of a child tried as an adult be appropriate and in keeping with the seriousness of the offense and the child's need for rehabilitative services, and that the proceedings and procedures applicable to such sentencing and placement be applied within the full framework of constitutional standards of fundamental fairness and due process.

(f)  To provide children committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice with training in life skills, including career education.

(2)  The Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services, as appropriate, may contract with the Federal Government, other state departments and agencies, county and municipal governments and agencies, public and private agencies, and private individuals and corporations in carrying out the purposes of, and the responsibilities established in, this chapter.

(a)  When the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services contracts with a provider for any program for children, all personnel, including owners, operators, employees, and volunteers, in the facility must be of good moral character. Each contract entered into by either department for services delivered on an appointment or intermittent basis by a provider that does not have regular custodial responsibility for children and each contract with a school for before or aftercare services must ensure that the owners, operators, and all personnel who have direct contact with children are of good moral character. A volunteer who assists on an intermittent basis for less than 40 hours per month need not be screened if the volunteer is under direct and constant supervision by persons who meet the screening requirements.

(b)  The Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Children and Family Services shall require employment screening pursuant to chapter 435, using the level 2 standards set forth in that chapter for personnel in programs for children or youths.

(c)  The Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services may grant exemptions from disqualification from working with children as provided in s. 435.07.

(3)  It is the intent of the Legislature that this chapter be liberally interpreted and construed in conformity with its declared purposes.

History.--s. 1, ch. 97-238; s. 12, ch. 2001-125.

985.02  Legislative intent for the juvenile justice system.--

(1)  GENERAL PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN.--It is a purpose of the Legislature that the children of this state be provided with the following protections:

(a)  Protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

(b)  A permanent and stable home.

(c)  A safe and nurturing environment which will preserve a sense of personal dignity and integrity.

(d)  Adequate nutrition, shelter, and clothing.

(e)  Effective treatment to address physical, social, and emotional needs, regardless of geographical location.

(f)  Equal opportunity and access to quality and effective education, which will meet the individual needs of each child, and to recreation and other community resources to develop individual abilities.

(g)  Access to preventive services.

(h)  An independent, trained advocate when intervention is necessary, and a skilled guardian or caretaker in a safe environment when alternative placement is necessary.

(2)  SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES.--The Legislature finds that children in the care of the state's dependency and delinquency systems need appropriate health care services, that the impact of substance abuse on health indicates the need for health care services to include substance abuse services where appropriate, and that it is in the state's best interest that such children be provided the services they need to enable them to become and remain independent of state care. In order to provide these services, the state's dependency and delinquency systems must have the ability to identify and provide appropriate intervention and treatment for children with personal or family-related substance abuse problems. It is therefore the purpose of the Legislature to provide authority for the state to contract with community substance abuse treatment providers for the development and operation of specialized support and overlay services for the dependency and delinquency systems, which will be fully implemented and utilized as resources permit.

(3)  JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION.--It is the policy of the state with respect to juvenile justice and delinquency prevention to first protect the public from acts of delinquency. In addition, it is the policy of the state to:

(a)  Develop and implement effective methods of preventing and reducing acts of delinquency, with a focus on maintaining and strengthening the family as a whole so that children may remain in their homes or communities.

(b)  Develop and implement effective programs to prevent delinquency, to divert children from the traditional juvenile justice system, to intervene at an early stage of delinquency, and to provide critically needed alternatives to institutionalization and deep-end commitment.

(c)  Provide well-trained personnel, high-quality services, and cost-effective programs within the juvenile justice system.

(d)  Increase the capacity of local governments and public and private agencies to conduct rehabilitative treatment programs and to provide research, evaluation, and training services in the field of juvenile delinquency prevention.

The Legislature intends that detention care, in addition to providing secure and safe custody, will promote the health and well-being of the children committed thereto and provide an environment that fosters their social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development.

(4)  DETENTION.--

(a)  The Legislature finds that there is a need for a secure placement for certain children alleged to have committed a delinquent act. The Legislature finds that detention under part II should be used only when less restrictive interim placement alternatives prior to adjudication and disposition are not appropriate. The Legislature further finds that decisions to detain should be based in part on a prudent assessment of risk and be limited to situations where there is clear and convincing evidence that a child presents a risk of failing to appear or presents a substantial risk of inflicting bodily harm on others as evidenced by recent behavior; presents a history of committing a serious property offense prior to adjudication, disposition, or placement; has acted in direct or indirect contempt of court; or requests protection from imminent bodily harm.

(b)  The Legislature intends that a juvenile found to have committed a delinquent act understands the consequences and the serious nature of such behavior. Therefore, the Legislature finds that secure detention is appropriate to provide punishment that discourages further delinquent behavior. The Legislature also finds that certain juveniles have committed a sufficient number of criminal acts, including acts involving violence to persons, to represent sufficient danger to the community to warrant sentencing and placement within the adult system. It is the intent of the Legislature to establish clear criteria in order to identify these juveniles and remove them from the juvenile justice system.

(5)  SERIOUS OR HABITUAL JUVENILE OFFENDERS.--The Legislature finds that fighting crime effectively requires a multipronged effort focusing on particular classes of delinquent children and the development of particular programs. This state's juvenile justice system has an inadequate number of beds for serious or habitual juvenile offenders and an inadequate number of community and residential programs for a significant number of children whose delinquent behavior is due to or connected with illicit substance abuse. In addition, a significant number of children have been adjudicated in adult criminal court and placed in this state's prisons where programs are inadequate to meet their rehabilitative needs and where space is needed for adult offenders. Recidivism rates for each of these classes of offenders exceed those tolerated by the Legislature and by the citizens of this state.

(6)  SITING OF FACILITIES.--

(a)  The Legislature finds that timely siting and development of needed residential facilities for juvenile offenders is critical to the public safety of the citizens of this state and to the effective rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.

(b)  It is the purpose of the Legislature to guarantee that such facilities are sited and developed within reasonable timeframes after they are legislatively authorized and appropriated.

(c)  The Legislature further finds that such facilities must be located in areas of the state close to the home communities of the children they house in order to ensure the most effective rehabilitation efforts and the most intensive postrelease supervision and case management.

(d)  It is the intent of the Legislature that all other departments and agencies of the state shall cooperate fully with the Department of Juvenile Justice to accomplish the siting of facilities for juvenile offenders.

The supervision, counseling, rehabilitative treatment, and punitive efforts of the juvenile justice system should avoid the inappropriate use of correctional programs and large institutions. The Legislature finds that detention services should exceed the primary goal of providing safe and secure custody pending adjudication and disposition.

(7)  PARENTAL, CUSTODIAL, AND GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITIES.--Parents, custodians, and guardians are deemed by the state to be responsible for providing their children with sufficient support, guidance, and supervision to deter their participation in delinquent acts. The state further recognizes that the ability of parents, custodians, and guardians to fulfill those responsibilities can be greatly impaired by economic, social, behavioral, emotional, and related problems. It is therefore the policy of the Legislature that it is the state's responsibility to ensure that factors impeding the ability of caretakers to fulfill their responsibilities are identified through the delinquency intake process and that appropriate recommendations to address those problems are considered in any judicial or nonjudicial proceeding. Nonetheless, as it is also the intent of the Legislature to preserve and strengthen the child's family ties, it is the policy of the Legislature that the emotional, legal, and financial responsibilities of the caretaker with regard to the care, custody, and support of the child continue while the child is in the physical or legal custody of the department.

History.--s. 2, ch. 97-238; s. 13, ch. 2001-125.

985.03  Definitions.--When used in this chapter, the term:

(1)  "Addictions receiving facility" means a substance abuse service provider as defined in chapter 397.

(2)  "Adjudicatory hearing" means a hearing for the court to determine whether or not the facts support the allegations stated in the petition, as is provided for under s. 985.228 in delinquency cases.

(3)  "Adult" means any natural person other than a child.

(4)  "Arbitration" means a process whereby a neutral third person or panel, called an arbitrator or an arbitration panel, considers the facts and arguments presented by the parties and renders a decision which may be binding or nonbinding.

(5)  "Authorized agent" or "designee" of the department means a person or agency assigned or designated by the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services, as appropriate, to perform duties or exercise powers pursuant to this chapter and includes contract providers and their employees for purposes of providing services to and managing cases of children in need of services and families in need of services.

(6)  "Child" or "juvenile" or "youth" means any unmarried person under the age of 18 who has not been emancipated by order of the court and who has been found or alleged to be dependent, in need of services, or from a family in need of services; or any married or unmarried person who is charged with a violation of law occurring prior to the time that person reached the age of 18 years.

(7)  "Child eligible for an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age" means a child who has been found to have committed a delinquent act or a violation of law in the case currently before the court and who meets at least one of the following criteria:

(a)  The child is less than 13 years of age at the time of the disposition for the current offense and has been adjudicated on the current offense for:

1.  Arson;

2.  Sexual battery;

3.  Robbery;

4.  Kidnapping;

5.  Aggravated child abuse;

6.  Aggravated assault;

7.  Aggravated stalking;

8.  Murder;

9.  Manslaughter;

10.  Unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb;

11.  Armed burglary;

12.  Aggravated battery;

13.  Any lewd or lascivious offense committed upon or in the presence of a person less than 16 years of age; or

14.  Carrying, displaying, using, threatening, or attempting to use a weapon or firearm during the commission of a felony.

(b)  The child is less than 13 years of age at the time of the disposition, the current offense is a felony, and the child has previously been committed at least once to a delinquency commitment program.

(c)  The child is less than 13 years of age and is currently committed for a felony offense and transferred from a moderate-risk or high-risk residential commitment placement.

(8)  "Child in need of services" means a child for whom there is no pending investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse, neglect, or abandonment; no pending referral alleging the child is delinquent; or no current supervision by the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services for an adjudication of dependency or delinquency. The child must also, pursuant to this chapter, be found by the court:

(a)  To have persistently run away from the child's parents or legal custodians despite reasonable efforts of the child, the parents or legal custodians, and appropriate agencies to remedy the conditions contributing to the behavior. Reasonable efforts shall include voluntary participation by the child's parents or legal custodians and the child in family mediation, services, and treatment offered by the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services;

(b)  To be habitually truant from school, while subject to compulsory school attendance, despite reasonable efforts to remedy the situation pursuant to ss. 1003.26 and 1003.27 and through voluntary participation by the child's parents or legal custodians and by the child in family mediation, services, and treatment offered by the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services; or

(c)  To have persistently disobeyed the reasonable and lawful demands of the child's parents or legal custodians, and to be beyond their control despite efforts by the child's parents or legal custodians and appropriate agencies to remedy the conditions contributing to the behavior. Reasonable efforts may include such things as good faith participation in family or individual counseling.

(9)  "Child who has been found to have committed a delinquent act" means a child who, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, is found by a court to have committed a violation of law or to be in direct or indirect contempt of court, except that this definition shall not include an act constituting contempt of court arising out of a dependency proceeding or a proceeding pursuant to part III of this chapter.

(10)  "Child support" means a court-ordered obligation, enforced under chapter 61 and ss. 409.2551-409.2597, for monetary support for the care, maintenance, training, and education of a child.

(11)  "Circuit" means any of the 20 judicial circuits as set forth in s. 26.021.

(12)  "Comprehensive assessment" or "assessment" means the gathering of information for the evaluation of a juvenile offender's or a child's physical, psychological, educational, vocational, and social condition and family environment as they relate to the child's need for rehabilitative and treatment services, including substance abuse treatment services, mental health services, developmental services, literacy services, medical services, family services, and other specialized services, as appropriate.

(13)  "Conditional release" means the care, treatment, help, and supervision provided to a juvenile released from a residential commitment program which is intended to promote rehabilitation and prevent recidivism. The purpose of conditional release is to protect the public, reduce recidivism, increase responsible productive behavior, and provide for a successful transition of the youth from the department to the family. Conditional release includes, but is not limited to, nonresidential community-based programs.

(14)  "Court," unless otherwise expressly stated, means the circuit court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter.

(15)(a)  "Delinquency program" means any intake, probation, or similar program; regional detention center or facility; or community-based program, whether owned and operated by or contracted by the Department of Juvenile Justice, or institution owned and operated by or contracted by the Department of Juvenile Justice, which provides intake, supervision, or custody and care of children who are alleged to be or who have been found to be delinquent pursuant to part II.

(b)  "Delinquency program staff" means supervisory and direct care staff of a delinquency program as well as support staff who have direct contact with children in a delinquency program.

(c)  "Delinquency prevention programs" means programs designed for the purpose of reducing the occurrence of delinquency, including youth and street gang activity, and juvenile arrests. The term excludes arbitration, diversionary or mediation programs, and community service work or other treatment available subsequent to a child committing a delinquent act.

(16)  "Department" means the Department of Juvenile Justice.

(17)  "Designated facility" or "designated treatment facility" means any facility designated by the Department of Juvenile Justice to provide treatment to juvenile offenders.

(18)  "Detention care" means the temporary care of a child in secure, nonsecure, or home detention, pending a court adjudication or disposition or execution of a court order. There are three types of detention care, as follows:

(a)  "Secure detention" means temporary custody of the child while the child is under the physical restriction of a detention center or facility pending adjudication, disposition, or placement.

(b)  "Nonsecure detention" means temporary custody of the child while the child is in a residential home in the community in a physically nonrestrictive environment under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice pending adjudication, disposition, or placement.

(c)  "Home detention" means temporary custody of the child while the child is released to the custody of the parent, guardian, or custodian in a physically nonrestrictive environment under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice staff pending adjudication, disposition, or placement.

(19)  "Detention center or facility" means a facility used pending court adjudication or disposition or execution of court order for the temporary care of a child alleged or found to have committed a violation of law. A detention center or facility may provide secure or nonsecure custody. A facility used for the commitment of adjudicated delinquents shall not be considered a detention center or facility.

(20)  "Detention hearing" means a hearing for the court to determine if a child should be placed in temporary custody, as provided for under ss. 985.213 and 985.215 in delinquency cases.

(21)  "Disposition hearing" means a hearing in which the court determines the most appropriate dispositional services in the least restrictive available setting provided for under s. 985.231, in delinquency cases.

(22)  "Family" means a collective of persons, consisting of a child and a parent, guardian, adult custodian, or adult relative, in which:

(a)  The persons reside in the same house or living unit; or

(b)  The parent, guardian, adult custodian, or adult relative has a legal responsibility by blood, marriage, or court order to support or care for the child.

(23)  "Family in need of services" means a family that has a child for whom there is no pending investigation into an allegation of abuse, neglect, or abandonment or no current supervision by the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services for an adjudication of dependency or delinquency. The child must also have been referred to a law enforcement agency or the Department of Juvenile Justice for:

(a)  Running away from parents or legal custodians;

(b)  Persistently disobeying reasonable and lawful demands of parents or legal custodians, and being beyond their control; or

(c)  Habitual truancy from school.

(24)  "Foster care" means care provided a child in a foster family or boarding home, group home, agency boarding home, child care institution, or any combination thereof.

(25)  "Habitually truant" means that:

(a)  The child has 15 unexcused absences within 90 calendar days with or without the knowledge or justifiable consent of the child's parent or legal guardian, is subject to compulsory school attendance under s. 1003.21(1) and (2)(a), and is not exempt under s. 1003.21(3), s. 1003.24, or any other exemptions specified by law or the rules of the State Board of Education.

(b)  Escalating activities to determine the cause, and to attempt the remediation, of the child's truant behavior under ss. 1003.26 and 1003.27 have been completed.


If a child who is subject to compulsory school attendance is responsive to the interventions described in ss. 1003.26 and 1003.27 and has completed the necessary requirements to pass the current grade as indicated in the district pupil progression plan, the child shall not be determined to be habitually truant and shall be passed. If a child within the compulsory school attendance age has 15 unexcused absences within 90 calendar days or fails to enroll in school, the state attorney may file a child-in-need-of-services petition. Prior to filing a petition, the child must be referred to the appropriate agency for evaluation. After consulting with the evaluating agency, the state attorney may elect to file a child-in-need-of-services petition.

(c)  A school representative, designated according to school board policy, and a juvenile probation officer of the Department of Juvenile Justice have jointly investigated the truancy problem or, if that was not feasible, have performed separate investigations to identify conditions that could be contributing to the truant behavior; and if, after a joint staffing of the case to determine the necessity for services, such services were determined to be needed, the persons who performed the investigations met jointly with the family and child to discuss any referral to appropriate community agencies for economic services, family or individual counseling, or other services required to remedy the conditions that are contributing to the truant behavior.

(d)  The failure or refusal of the parent or legal guardian or the child to participate, or make a good faith effort to participate, in the activities prescribed to remedy the truant behavior, or the failure or refusal of the child to return to school after participation in activities required by this subsection, or the failure of the child to stop the truant behavior after the school administration and the Department of Juvenile Justice have worked with the child as described in s. 1003.27(3) shall be handled as prescribed in s. 1003.27.

(26)  "Halfway house" means a community-based residential program for 10 or more committed delinquents at the moderate-risk commitment level which is operated or contracted by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

(27)  "Intake" means the initial acceptance and screening by the Department of Juvenile Justice of a complaint or a law enforcement report or probable cause affidavit of delinquency, family in need of services, or child in need of services to determine the recommendation to be taken in the best interests of the child, the family, and the community. The emphasis of intake is on diversion and the least restrictive available services. Consequently, intake includes such alternatives as:

(a)  The disposition of the complaint, report, or probable cause affidavit without court or public agency action or judicial handling when appropriate.

(b)  The referral of the child to another public or private agency when appropriate.

(c)  The recommendation by the juvenile probation officer of judicial handling when appropriate and warranted.

(28)  "Judge" means the circuit judge exercising jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter.

(29)  "Juvenile justice continuum" includes, but is not limited to, delinquency prevention programs and services designed for the purpose of preventing or reducing delinquent acts, including criminal activity by youth gangs, and juvenile arrests, as well as programs and services targeted at children who have committed delinquent acts, and children who have previously been committed to residential treatment programs for delinquents. The term includes children-in-need-of-services and families-in-need-of-services programs; conditional release; substance abuse and mental health programs; educational and vocational programs; recreational programs; community services programs; community service work programs; and alternative dispute resolution programs serving children at risk of delinquency and their families, whether offered or delivered by state or local governmental entities, public or private for-profit or not-for-profit organizations, or religious or charitable organizations.

(30)  "Juvenile probation officer" means the authorized agent of the Department of Juvenile Justice who performs the intake, case management, or supervision functions.

(31)  "Juvenile sexual offender" means:

(a)  A juvenile who has been found by the court pursuant to s. 985.228 to have committed a violation of chapter 794, chapter 796, chapter 800, s. 827.071, or s. 847.0133;

(b)  A juvenile found to have committed any felony violation of law or delinquent act involving juvenile sexual abuse. "Juvenile sexual abuse" means any sexual behavior which occurs without consent, without equality, or as a result of coercion. For purposes of this subsection, the following definitions apply:

1.  "Coercion" means the exploitation of authority, use of bribes, threats of force, or intimidation to gain cooperation or compliance.

2.  "Equality" means two participants operating with the same level of power in a relationship, neither being controlled nor coerced by the other.

3.  "Consent" means an agreement including all of the following:

a.  Understanding what is proposed based on age, maturity, developmental level, functioning, and experience.

b.  Knowledge of societal standards for what is being proposed.

c.  Awareness of potential consequences and alternatives.

d.  Assumption that agreement or disagreement will be accepted equally.

e.  Voluntary decision.

f.  Mental competence.

Juvenile sexual offender behavior ranges from noncontact sexual behavior such as making obscene phone calls, exhibitionism, voyeurism, and the showing or taking of lewd photographs to varying degrees of direct sexual contact, such as frottage, fondling, digital penetration, rape, fellatio, sodomy, and various other sexually aggressive acts.

(32)  "Legal custody or guardian" means a legal status created by court order or letter of guardianship which vests in a custodian of the person or guardian, whether an agency or an individual, the right to have physical custody of the child and the right and duty to protect, train, and discipline the child and to provide him or her with food, shelter, education, and ordinary medical, dental, psychiatric, and psychological care.

(33)  "Licensed child-caring agency" means a person, society, association, or agency licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services to care for, receive, and board children.

(34)  "Licensed health care professional" means a physician licensed under chapter 458, an osteopathic physician licensed under chapter 459, a nurse licensed under part I of chapter 464, a physician assistant licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459, or a dentist licensed under chapter 466.

(35)  "Likely to injure oneself" means that, as evidenced by violent or other actively self-destructive behavior, it is more likely than not that within a 24-hour period the child will attempt to commit suicide or inflict serious bodily harm on himself or herself.

(36)  "Likely to injure others" means that it is more likely than not that within a 24-hour period the child will inflict serious and unjustified bodily harm on another person.

(37)  "Mediation" means a process whereby a neutral third person called a mediator acts to encourage and facilitate the resolution of a dispute between two or more parties. It is an informal and nonadversarial process with the objective of helping the disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable and voluntary agreement. In mediation, decisionmaking authority rests with the parties. The role of the mediator includes, but is not limited to, assisting the parties in identifying issues, fostering joint problem solving, and exploring settlement alternatives.

(38)  "Necessary medical treatment" means care which is necessary within a reasonable degree of medical certainty to prevent the deterioration of a child's condition or to alleviate immediate pain of a child.

(39)  "Next of kin" means an adult relative of a child who is the child's brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or first cousin.

(40)  "Parent" means a woman who gives birth to a child and a man whose consent to the adoption of the child would be required under s. 63.062(1). If a child has been legally adopted, the term "parent" means the adoptive mother or father of the child. The term does not include an individual whose parental relationship to the child has been legally terminated, or an alleged or prospective parent, unless the parental status falls within the terms of either s. 39.503(1) or s. 63.062(1).

(41)  "Preliminary screening" means the gathering of preliminary information to be used in determining a child's need for further evaluation or assessment or for referral for other substance abuse services through means such as psychosocial interviews; urine and breathalyzer screenings; and reviews of available educational, delinquency, and dependency records of the child.

(42)  "Preventive services" means social services and other supportive and rehabilitative services provided to the parent of the child, the legal guardian of the child, or the custodian of the child and to the child for the purpose of averting the removal of the child from the home or disruption of a family which will or could result in the placement of a child in foster care. Social services and other supportive and rehabilitative services shall promote the child's need for a safe, continuous, stable living environment and shall promote family autonomy and shall strengthen family life as the first priority whenever possible.

(43)  "Probation" means the legal status of probation created by law and court order in cases involving a child who has been found to have committed a delinquent act. Probation is an individualized program in which the freedom of the child is limited and the child is restricted to noninstitutional quarters or restricted to the child's home in lieu of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Youth on probation may be assessed and classified for placement in day-treatment probation programs designed for youth who represent a minimum risk to themselves and public safety and do not require placement and services in a residential setting. Program types in this more intensive and structured day-treatment probation option include vocational programs, marine programs, juvenile justice alternative schools, training and rehabilitation programs, and gender-specific programs.

(44)  "Relative" means a grandparent, great-grandparent, sibling, first cousin, aunt, uncle, great-aunt, great-uncle, niece, or nephew, whether related by the whole or half blood, by affinity, or by adoption. The term does not include a stepparent.

(45)  "Residential commitment level" means the level of security provided by programs that service the supervision, custody, care, and treatment needs of committed children. Sections 985.3141 and 985.404(11) apply to children placed in programs at any residential commitment level. The levels of residential commitment are as follows:

(a)  Low-risk residential.--Programs or program models at this commitment level are residential but may allow youth to have unsupervised access to the community. Youth assessed and classified for placement in programs at this commitment level represent a low risk to themselves and public safety but do require placement and services in residential settings. Children who have been found to have committed delinquent acts that involve firearms, delinquent acts that are sexual offenses, or delinquent acts that would be life felonies or first degree felonies if committed by an adult shall not be committed to a program at this level.

(b)  Moderate-risk residential.--Programs or program models at this commitment level are residential but may allow youth to have supervised access to the community. Facilities are either environmentally secure, staff secure, or are hardware-secure with walls, fencing, or locking doors. Facilities shall provide 24-hour awake supervision, custody, care, and treatment of residents. Youth assessed and classified for placement in programs at this commitment level represent a moderate risk to public safety and require close supervision. The staff at a facility at this commitment level may seclude a child who is a physical threat to himself or herself or others. Mechanical restraint may also be used when necessary.

(c)  High-risk residential.--Programs or program models at this commitment level are residential and shall not allow youth to have access to the community. Facilities are hardware-secure with perimeter fencing and locking doors. Facilities shall provide 24-hour awake supervision, custody, care, and treatment of residents. Youth assessed and classified for this level of placement require close supervision in a structured residential setting. Placement in programs at this level is prompted by a concern for public safety that outweighs placement in programs at lower commitment levels. The staff at a facility at this commitment level may seclude a child who is a physical threat to himself or herself or others. Mechanical restraint may also be used when necessary. The facility may provide for single cell occupancy.

(d)  Maximum-risk residential.--Programs or program models at this commitment level include juvenile correctional facilities and juvenile prisons. The programs are long-term residential and shall not allow youth to have access to the community. Facilities are maximum-custody hardware-secure with perimeter security fencing and locking doors. Facilities shall provide 24-hour awake supervision, custody, care, and treatment of residents. The staff at a facility at this commitment level may seclude a child who is a physical threat to himself or herself or others. Mechanical restraint may also be used when necessary. The facility shall provide for single cell occupancy, except that youth may be housed together during prerelease transition. Youth assessed and classified for this level of placement require close supervision in a maximum security residential setting. Placement in a program at this level is prompted by a demonstrated need to protect the public.

(46)  "Respite" means a placement that is available for the care, custody, and placement of a youth charged with domestic violence as an alternative to secure detention or for placement of a youth when a shelter bed for a child in need of services or a family in need of services is unavailable.

(47)  "Secure detention center or facility" means a physically restricting facility for the temporary care of children, pending adjudication, disposition, or placement.

(48)  "Serious or habitual juvenile offender," for purposes of commitment to a residential facility and for purposes of records retention, means a child who has been found to have committed a delinquent act or a violation of law, in the case currently before the court, and who meets at least one of the following criteria:

(a)  The youth is at least 13 years of age at the time of the disposition for the current offense and has been adjudicated on the current offense for:

1.  Arson;

2.  Sexual battery;

3.  Robbery;

4.  Kidnapping;

5.  Aggravated child abuse;

6.  Aggravated assault;

7.  Aggravated stalking;

8.  Murder;

9.  Manslaughter;

10.  Unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb;

11.  Armed burglary;

12.  Aggravated battery;

13.  Any lewd or lascivious offense committed upon or in the presence of a person less than 16 years of age; or

14.  Carrying, displaying, using, threatening, or attempting to use a weapon or firearm during the commission of a felony.

(b)  The youth is at least 13 years of age at the time of the disposition, the current offense is a felony, and the child has previously been committed at least two times to a delinquency commitment program.

(c)  The youth is at least 13 years of age and is currently committed for a felony offense and transferred from a moderate-risk or high-risk residential commitment placement.

(49)  "Serious or habitual juvenile offender program" means the program established in s. 985.31.

(50)  "Shelter" means a place for the temporary care of a child who is alleged to be or who has been found to be delinquent.

(51)  "Shelter hearing" means a hearing provided for under s. 984.14 in family-in-need-of-services cases or child-in-need-of-services cases.

(52)  "Staff-secure shelter" means a facility in which a child is supervised 24 hours a day by staff members who are awake while on duty. The facility is for the temporary care and assessment of a child who has been found to be dependent, who has violated a court order and been found in contempt of court, or whom the Department of Children and Family Services is unable to properly assess or place for assistance within the continuum of services provided for dependent children.

(53)  "Substance abuse" means using, without medical reason, any psychoactive or mood-altering drug, including alcohol, in such a manner as to induce impairment resulting in dysfunctional social behavior.

(54)  "Taken into custody" means the status of a child immediately when temporary physical control over the child is attained by a person authorized by law, pending the child's release, detention, placement, or other disposition as authorized by law.

(55)  "Temporary legal custody" means the relationship that a juvenile court creates between a child and an adult relative of the child, adult nonrelative approved by the court, or other person until a more permanent arrangement is ordered. Temporary legal custody confers upon the custodian the right to have temporary physical custody of the child and the right and duty to protect, train, and discipline the child and to provide the child with food, shelter, and education, and ordinary medical, dental, psychiatric, and psychological care, unless these rights and duties are otherwise enlarged or limited by the court order establishing the temporary legal custody relationship.

(56)  "Temporary release" means the terms and conditions under which a child is temporarily released from a commitment facility or allowed home visits. If the temporary release is from a moderate-risk residential facility, a high-risk residential facility, or a maximum-risk residential facility, the terms and conditions of the temporary release must be approved by the child, the court, and the facility. The term includes periods during which the child is supervised pursuant to a conditional release program or a period during which the child is supervised by a juvenile probation officer or other nonresidential staff of the department or staff employed by an entity under contract with the department.

(57)  "Training school" means one of the following facilities: the Arthur G. Dozier School or the Eckerd Youth Development Center.

(58)  "Violation of law" or "delinquent act" means a violation of any law of this state, the United States, or any other state which is a misdemeanor or a felony or a violation of a county or municipal ordinance which would be punishable by incarceration if the violation were committed by an adult.

(59)  "Waiver hearing" means a hearing provided for under s. 985.226(3).

History.--s. 4, ch. 97-234; s. 3, ch. 97-238; s. 1, ch. 97-276; s. 13, ch. 98-49; s. 7, ch. 98-207; s. 78, ch. 98-280; s. 169, ch. 98-403; s. 58, ch. 99-7; s. 14, ch. 99-201; s. 9, ch. 99-284; s. 18, ch. 2000-135; s. 150, ch. 2000-318; s. 35, ch. 2001-3; s. 14, ch. 2001-125; s. 119, ch. 2002-1; s. 1050, ch. 2002-387.

985.04  Oaths; records; confidential information.--

(1)  Authorized agents of the Department of Juvenile Justice may administer oaths and affirmations.

(2)  Records maintained by the Department of Juvenile Justice, including copies of records maintained by the court, which pertain to a child found to have committed a delinquent act which, if committed by an adult, would be a crime specified in ss. 435.03 and 435.04 may not be destroyed pursuant to this section for a period of 25 years after the youth's final referral to the department, except in cases of the death of the child. Such records, however, shall be sealed by the court for use only in meeting the screening requirements for personnel in s. 402.3055 and the other sections cited above, or pursuant to departmental rule; however, current criminal history information must be obtained from the Department of Law Enforcement in accordance with s. 943.053. The information shall be released to those persons specified in the above cited sections for the purposes of complying with those sections. The court may punish by contempt any person who releases or uses the records for any unauthorized purpose.

(3)(a)  Except as provided in subsections (2), (4), (5), and (6), and s. 943.053, all information obtained under this part in the discharge of official duty by any judge, any employee of the court, any authorized agent of the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Parole Commission, the Department of Corrections, the juvenile justice circuit boards, any law enforcement agent, or any licensed professional or licensed community agency representative participating in the assessment or treatment of a juvenile is confidential and may be disclosed only to the authorized personnel of the court, the Department of Juvenile Justice and its designees, the Department of Corrections, the Parole Commission, law enforcement agents, school superintendents and their designees, any licensed professional or licensed community agency representative participating in the assessment or treatment of a juvenile, and others entitled under this chapter to receive that information, or upon order of the court. Within each county, the sheriff, the chiefs of police, the district school superintendent, and the department shall enter into an interagency agreement for the purpose of sharing information about juvenile offenders among all parties. The agreement must specify the conditions under which summary criminal history information is to be made available to appropriate school personnel, and the conditions under which school records are to be made available to appropriate department personnel. Such agreement shall require notification to any classroom teacher of assignment to the teacher's classroom of a juvenile who has been placed in a probation or commitment program for a felony offense. The agencies entering into such agreement must comply with s. 943.0525, and must maintain the confidentiality of information that is otherwise exempt from s. 119.07(1), as provided by law.

(b)  The department shall disclose to the school superintendent the presence of any child in the care and custody or under the jurisdiction or supervision of the department who has a known history of criminal sexual behavior with other juveniles; is an alleged juvenile sex offender, as defined in s. 39.01; or has pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or has been found to have committed, a violation of chapter 794, chapter 796, chapter 800, s. 827.071, or s. 847.0133, regardless of adjudication. Any employee of a district school board who knowingly and willfully discloses such information to an unauthorized person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(4)(a)  Records in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice regarding children are not open to inspection by the public. Such records may be inspected only upon order of the Secretary of Juvenile Justice or his or her authorized agent by persons who have sufficient reason and upon such conditions for their use and disposition as the secretary or his or her authorized agent deems proper. The information in such records may be disclosed only to other employees of the Department of Juvenile Justice who have a need therefor in order to perform their official duty; to other persons as authorized by rule of the Department of Juvenile Justice; and, upon request, to the Department of Corrections. The secretary or his or her authorized agent may permit properly qualified persons to inspect and make abstracts from records for statistical purposes under whatever conditions upon their use and disposition the secretary or his or her authorized agent deems proper, provided adequate assurances are given that children's names and other identifying information will not be disclosed by the applicant.

(b)  The destruction of records pertaining to children committed to or supervised by the Department of Juvenile Justice pursuant to a court order, which records are retained until a child reaches the age of 24 years or until a serious or habitual delinquent child reaches the age of 26 years, shall be subject to chapter 943.

(5)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part, the name, photograph, address, and crime or arrest report of a child:

(a)  Taken into custody if the child has been taken into custody by a law enforcement officer for a violation of law which, if committed by an adult, would be a felony;

(b)  Found by a court to have committed three or more violations of law which, if committed by an adult, would be misdemeanors;

(c)  Transferred to the adult system pursuant to s. 985.227, indicted pursuant to s. 985.225, or waived pursuant to s. 985.226;

(d)  Taken into custody by a law enforcement officer for a violation of law subject to the provisions of s. 985.227(2)(b) or (d); or

(e)  Transferred to the adult system but sentenced to the juvenile system pursuant to s. 985.233

shall not be considered confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) solely because of the child's age.

(6)  This part does not prohibit the release of the juvenile offense report by a law enforcement agency to the victim of the offense. However, information gained by the victim pursuant to this chapter, including the next of kin of a homicide victim, regarding any case handled in juvenile court, must not be revealed to any outside party, except as is reasonably necessary in pursuit of legal remedies.

(7)(a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, when a child of any age is taken into custody by a law enforcement officer for an offense that would have been a felony if committed by an adult, or a crime of violence, the law enforcement agency must notify the superintendent of schools that the child is alleged to have committed the delinquent act.

(b)  Notwithstanding paragraph (a) or any other provision of this section, when a child of any age is formally charged by a state attorney with a felony or a delinquent act that would be a felony if committed by an adult, the state attorney shall notify the superintendent of the child's school that the child has been charged with such felony or delinquent act. The information obtained by the superintendent of schools pursuant to this section must be released within 48 hours after receipt to appropriate school personnel, including the principal of the school of the child. The principal must immediately notify the child's immediate classroom teachers. Upon notification, the principal is authorized to begin disciplinary actions pursuant to s. 1006.09(1)-(4).

(8)  Criminal history information made available to governmental agencies by the Department of Law Enforcement or other criminal justice agencies shall not be used for any purpose other than that specified in the provision authorizing the releases.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 14, ch. 91-57; s. 14, ch. 93-39; s. 2, ch. 93-196; s. 6, ch. 93-200; s. 23, ch. 93-230; s. 33, ch. 94-209; s. 1344, ch. 95-147; s. 117, ch. 95-418; s. 17, ch. 96-369; s. 18, ch. 96-388; s. 26, ch. 97-234; s. 4, ch. 97-238; s. 8, ch. 98-158; s. 128, ch. 99-3; s. 11, ch. 99-284; s. 19, ch. 2000-135; s. 15, ch. 2001-125; s. 120, ch. 2002-1; s. 1051, ch. 2002-387.

Note.--Former s. 39.045.

985.05  Court records.--

(1)  The clerk of the court shall make and keep records of all cases brought before it pursuant to this part. The court shall preserve the records pertaining to a child charged with committing a delinquent act or violation of law until the child reaches 24 years of age or reaches 26 years of age if he or she is a serious or habitual delinquent child, until 5 years after the last entry was made, or until 3 years after the death of the child, whichever is earlier, and may then destroy them, except that records made of traffic offenses in which there is no allegation of delinquency may be destroyed as soon as this can be reasonably accomplished. The court shall make official records of all petitions and orders filed in a case arising pursuant to this part and of any other pleadings, certificates, proofs of publication, summonses, warrants, and writs that are filed pursuant to the case.

(2)  The clerk shall keep all official records required by this section separate from other records of the circuit court, except those records pertaining to motor vehicle violations, which shall be forwarded to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Except as provided in ss. 943.053 and 985.04(4), official records required by this part are not open to inspection by the public, but may be inspected only upon order of the court by persons deemed by the court to have a proper interest therein, except that a child and the parents, guardians, or legal custodians of the child and their attorneys, law enforcement agencies, the Department of Juvenile Justice and its designees, the Parole Commission, and the Department of Corrections shall always have the right to inspect and copy any official record pertaining to the child. The court may permit authorized representatives of recognized organizations compiling statistics for proper purposes to inspect, and make abstracts from, official records under whatever conditions upon the use and disposition of such records the court may deem proper and may punish by contempt proceedings any violation of those conditions.

(3)  All orders of the court entered pursuant to this part must be in writing and signed by the judge, except that the clerk or deputy clerk may sign a summons or notice to appear.

(4)  A court record of proceedings under this part is not admissible in evidence in any other civil or criminal proceeding, except that:

(a)  Orders transferring a child for trial as an adult are admissible in evidence in the court in which he or she is tried, but create no presumption as to the guilt of the child; nor may such orders be read to, or commented upon in the presence of, the jury in any trial.

(b)  Orders binding an adult over for trial on a criminal charge, made by the judge as a committing magistrate, are admissible in evidence in the court to which the adult is bound over.

(c)  Records of proceedings under this part forming a part of the record on appeal must be used in the appellate court in the manner provided in s. 985.234.

(d)  Records are admissible in evidence in any case in which a person is being tried upon a charge of having committed perjury, to the extent such records are necessary to prove the charge.

(e)  Records of proceedings under this part may be used to prove disqualification pursuant to ss. 110.1127, 393.0655, 394.457, 397.451, 402.305, 402.313, 409.175, 409.176, and 985.407.

History.--s. 5, ch. 97-238; s. 116, ch. 2000-349.

985.06  Statewide information-sharing system; interagency workgroup.--

(1)  The Department of Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Law Enforcement shall create an information-sharing workgroup for the purpose of developing and implementing a workable statewide system of sharing information among school districts, state and local law enforcement agencies, providers, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Education. The system shall build on processes previously authorized in statute and on any revisions to federal statutes on confidentiality. The information to be shared shall focus on youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system, youth who have been tried as adults and found guilty of felonies, and students who have been serious discipline problems in schools. The participating agencies shall implement improvements that maximize the sharing of information within applicable state and federal statutes and rules and that utilize statewide databases and data delivery systems to streamline access to the information needed to provide joint services to disruptive, violent, and delinquent youth.

(2)  The interagency workgroup shall be coordinated through the Department of Education and shall include representatives from the state agencies specified in subsection (1), school superintendents, school district information system directors, principals, teachers, juvenile court judges, police chiefs, county sheriffs, clerks of the circuit court, the Department of Children and Family Services, providers of juvenile services including a provider from a juvenile substance abuse program, and circuit juvenile justice managers.

(3)  The interagency workgroup shall, at a minimum, address the following:

(a)  The use of the Florida Information Resource Network and other statewide information access systems as means of delivering information to school personnel or providing an initial screening for purposes of determining whether further access to information is warranted.

(b)  A statewide information delivery system that will provide local access by participating agencies and schools.

(c)  The need for cooperative agreements among agencies which may access information.

(d)  Legal considerations and the need for legislative action necessary for accessing information by participating agencies.

(e)  Guidelines for how the information shall be accessed, used, and disseminated.

(f)  The organizational level at which information may be accessed and shared.

(g)  The specific information to be maintained and shared through the system.

(h)  The cost implications of an improved system.

(4)  The Department of Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Law Enforcement shall implement improvements leading to the statewide information access and delivery system, to the extent feasible, and shall develop a cooperative agreement specifying their roles in such a system.

(5)  Members of the interagency workgroup shall serve without added compensation and each participating agency shall support the travel, per diem, and other expenses of its representatives.

History.--s. 61, ch. 95-267; s. 5, ch. 97-101; s. 6, ch. 97-238; s. 77, ch. 99-5; s. 20, ch. 2000-135.

Note.--Former s. 39.0573.

985.08  Information systems.--

(1)(a)  For the purpose of assisting in law enforcement administration and decisionmaking, such as juvenile diversion from continued involvement with the law enforcement and judicial systems, the sheriff of the county in which juveniles are taken into custody is encouraged to maintain a central identification file on serious habitual juvenile offenders and on juveniles who are at risk of becoming serious habitual juvenile offenders by virtue of having an arrest record.

(b)  The central identification file shall contain, but not be limited to, pertinent dependency record information maintained by the Department of Children and Family Services and delinquency record information maintained by the Department of Juvenile Justice; pertinent school records, including information on behavior, attendance, and achievement; pertinent information on delinquency and dependency maintained by law enforcement agencies and the state attorney; and pertinent information on delinquency and dependency maintained by those agencies charged with screening, assessment, planning, and treatment responsibilities. The information obtained shall be used to develop a multiagency information sheet on serious habitual juvenile offenders or juveniles who are at risk of becoming serious habitual juvenile offenders. The agencies and persons specified in this paragraph shall cooperate with the law enforcement agency or county in providing needed information and in developing the multiagency information sheet to the greatest extent possible.

(c)  As used in this section, "a juvenile who is at risk of becoming a serious habitual juvenile offender" means a juvenile who has been adjudicated delinquent and who meets one or more of the following criteria:

1.  Is arrested for a capital, life, or first degree felony offense or sexual battery.

2.  Has five or more arrests, at least three of which are for felony offenses. Three of such arrests must have occurred within the preceding 12-month period.

3.  Has 10 or more arrests, at least 2 of which are for felony offenses. Three of such arrests must have occurred within the preceding 12-month period.

4.  Has four or more arrests, at least one of which is for a felony offense and occurred within the preceding 12-month period.

5.  Has 10 or more arrests, at least 8 of which are for any of the following offenses:

a.  Petit theft;

b.  Misdemeanor assault;

c.  Possession of a controlled substance;

d.  Weapon or firearm violation; or

e.  Substance abuse.

Four of such arrests must have occurred within the preceding 12-month period.

6.  Meets at least one of the criteria for youth and street gang membership.

(2)(a)  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, confidentiality of records information does not apply to juveniles who have been arrested for an offense that would be a crime if committed by an adult, regarding the sharing of the information on the juvenile with the law enforcement agency or county and any agency or person providing information for the development of the multiagency information sheet as well as the courts, the child, the parents or legal custodians of the child, their attorneys, or any other person authorized by the court to have access. A public or private educational agency shall provide pertinent records to and cooperate with the law enforcement agency or county in providing needed information and developing the multiagency information sheet to the greatest extent possible. Neither these records provided to the law enforcement agency or county nor the records developed from these records for serious habitual juvenile offenders nor the records provided or developed from records provided to the law enforcement agency or county on juveniles at risk of becoming serious habitual juvenile offenders shall be available for public disclosure and inspection under s. 119.07.

(b)  The department shall notify the sheriffs of both the prior county of residence and the new county of residence immediately upon learning of the move or other relocation of a juvenile offender who has been adjudicated or had adjudication withheld for a violent misdemeanor or violent felony.

(3)  In order to assist in the integration of the information to be shared, the sharing of information obtained, the joint planning on diversion and early intervention strategies for juveniles at risk of becoming serious habitual juvenile offenders, and the intervention strategies for serious habitual juvenile offenders, a multiagency task force should be organized and utilized by the law enforcement agency or county in conjunction with the initiation of the information system described in subsections (1) and (2). The multiagency task force shall be composed of representatives of those agencies and persons providing information for the central identification file and the multiagency information sheet.

(4)  This multiagency task force shall develop a plan for the information system that includes measures which identify and address any disproportionate representation of ethnic or racial minorities in the information systems and shall develop strategies that address the protection of individual constitutional rights.

(5)  Any law enforcement agency, or county which implements a juvenile offender information system and the multiagency task force which maintain the information system must annually provide any information gathered during the previous year to the delinquency and gang prevention council of the judicial circuit in which the county is located. This information shall include the number, types, and patterns of delinquency tracked by the juvenile offender information system.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 5, ch. 92-287; s. 4, ch. 93-196; s. 4, ch. 93-230; s. 49, ch. 94-209; s. 17, ch. 95-267; s. 19, ch. 96-388; s. 166, ch. 97-101; s. 8, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.0585.

985.201  Jurisdiction.

985.202  Legal representation for delinquency cases.

985.203  Right to counsel.

985.204  Powers with respect to certain children.

985.205  Opening hearings.

985.206  Rights of victims; juvenile proceedings.

985.2065  Sheltering unmarried minors; aiding unmarried minor runaways; violations.

985.2066  Children locked out of the home; interagency cooperation.

985.207  Taking a child into custody.

985.2075  Youth custody officer.

985.208  Detention of escapee on authority of the department.

985.209  Juvenile assessment centers.

985.21  Intake and case management.

985.211  Release or delivery from custody.

985.212  Fingerprinting and photographing.

985.213  Use of detention.

985.214  Prohibited uses of detention.

985.215  Detention.

985.216  Punishment for contempt of court; alternative sanctions.

985.218  Petition.

985.219  Process and service.

985.22  Threatening or dismissing an employee prohibited.

985.221  Court and witness fees.

985.222  No answer to petition required.

985.223  Incompetency in juvenile delinquency cases.

985.224  Medical, psychiatric, psychological, substance abuse, and educational examination and treatment.

985.225  Indictment of a juvenile.

985.226  Criteria for waiver of juvenile court jurisdiction; hearing on motion to transfer for prosecution as an adult.

985.227  Prosecution of juveniles as adults by the direct filing of an information in the criminal division of the circuit court; discretionary criteria; mandatory criteria.

985.228  Adjudicatory hearings; withheld adjudications; orders of adjudication.

985.229  Predisposition report; other evaluations.

985.23  Disposition hearings in delinquency cases.

985.231  Powers of disposition in delinquency cases.

985.232  Form of commitment; certified copy of charge attached.

985.233  Sentencing powers; procedures; alternatives for juveniles prosecuted as adults.

985.234  Appeal.

985.235  Additional grounds for appeal by the state; time for taking.

985.236  Order or decision when state appeals.

985.201  Jurisdiction.--

(1)  The circuit court has exclusive original jurisdiction of proceedings in which a child is alleged to have committed a delinquent act or violation of law.

(2)  During the prosecution of any violation of law against any person who has been presumed to be an adult, if it is shown that the person was a child at the time the offense was committed and that the person does not meet the criteria for prosecution and sentencing as an adult, the court shall immediately transfer the case, together with the physical custody of the person and all physical evidence, papers, documents, and testimony, original and duplicate, connected therewith, to the appropriate court for proceedings under this chapter. The circuit court is exclusively authorized to assume jurisdiction over any juvenile offender who is arrested and charged with violating a federal law or a law of the District of Columbia, who is found or is living or domiciled in a county in which the circuit court is established, and who is surrendered to the circuit court as provided in 18 U.S.C. s. 5001.

(3)(a)  Petitions filed under this part shall be filed in the county where the delinquent act or violation of law occurred, but the circuit court for that county may transfer the case to the circuit court of the circuit in which the child resides or will reside at the time of detention or placement for dispositional purposes. A child who has been detained shall be transferred to the appropriate detention center or facility or other placement directed by the receiving court.

(b)  The jurisdiction to be exercised by the court when a child is taken into custody before the filing of a petition under s. 985.219(8) shall be exercised by the circuit court for the county in which the child is taken into custody, which court shall have personal jurisdiction of the child and the child's parent or legal guardian. Upon the filing of a petition in the appropriate circuit court, the court that is exercising initial jurisdiction of the person of the child shall, if the child has been detained, immediately order the child to be transferred to the detention center or facility or other placement as ordered by the court having subject matter jurisdiction of the case.

(4)(a)  Notwithstanding ss. 743.07, 985.229, 985.23, and 985.231, and except as provided in ss. 985.31 and 985.313, when the jurisdiction of any child who is alleged to have committed a delinquent act or violation of law is obtained, the court shall retain jurisdiction, unless relinquished by its order, until the child reaches 19 years of age, with the same power over the child that the court had prior to the child becoming an adult.

(b)1.  The court may retain jurisdiction over a child committed to the department for placement in a juvenile prison or in a high-risk or maximum-risk residential commitment program to allow the child to participate in a juvenile conditional release program pursuant to s. 985.316. In no case shall the jurisdiction of the court be retained beyond the child's 22nd birthday. However, if the child is not successful in the conditional release program, the department may use the transfer procedure under s. 985.404.

2.  The court may retain jurisdiction over a child committed to the department for placement in an intensive residential treatment program for 10-year-old to 13-year-old offenders, in the residential commitment program in a juvenile prison, in a residential sex offender program, or in a program for serious or habitual juvenile offenders as provided in s. 985.311 or s. 985.31 until the child reaches the age of 21. If the court exercises this jurisdiction retention, it shall do so solely for the purpose of the child completing the intensive residential treatment program for 10-year-old to 13-year-old offenders, in the residential commitment program in a juvenile prison, in a residential sex offender program, or the program for serious or habitual juvenile offenders. Such jurisdiction retention does not apply for other programs, other purposes, or new offenses.

(c)  The court may retain jurisdiction over a child and the child's parent or legal guardian whom the court has ordered to pay restitution until the restitution order is satisfied or until the court orders otherwise. If the court retains such jurisdiction after the date upon which the court's jurisdiction would cease under this section, it shall do so solely for the purpose of enforcing the restitution order. The terms of the restitution order are subject to the provisions of s. 775.089(5).

(d)  This subsection does not prevent the exercise of jurisdiction by any court having jurisdiction of the child if the child, after becoming an adult, commits a violation of law.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 12, ch. 92-287; s. 2, ch. 93-37; s. 19, ch. 94-209; s. 21, ch. 94-342; s. 2, ch. 95-160; s. 9, ch. 97-238; s. 33, ch. 99-284; s. 5, ch. 2000-134; s. 36, ch. 2001-64.

Note.--Former s. 39.022.

985.202  Legal representation for delinquency cases.--For cases arising under this chapter, the state attorney shall represent the state.

History.--s. 2, ch. 92-170; s. 13, ch. 94-209; s. 1334, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 97-101; s. 10, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.014.

985.203  Right to counsel.--

(1)  A child is entitled to representation by legal counsel at all stages of any proceedings under this part. If the child and the parents or other legal guardian are indigent and unable to employ counsel for the child, the court shall appoint counsel pursuant to s. 27.52. Determination of indigency and costs of representation shall be as provided by ss. 27.52 and 938.29. Legal counsel representing a child who exercises the right to counsel shall be allowed to provide advice and counsel to the child at any time subsequent to the child's arrest, including prior to a detention hearing while in secure detention care. A child shall be represented by legal counsel at all stages of all court proceedings unless the right to counsel is freely, knowingly, and intelligently waived by the child. If the child appears without counsel, the court shall advise the child of his or her rights with respect to representation of court-appointed counsel.

(2)  If the parents or legal guardian of an indigent child are not indigent but refuse to employ counsel, the court shall appoint counsel pursuant to s. 27.52(2)(d) to represent the child at the detention hearing and until counsel is provided. Costs of representation shall be assessed as provided by ss. 27.52(2)(d) and 938.29. Thereafter, the court shall not appoint counsel for an indigent child with nonindigent parents or legal guardian but shall order the parents or legal guardian to obtain private counsel. A parent or legal guardian of an indigent child who has been ordered to obtain private counsel for the child and who willfully fails to follow the court order shall be punished by the court in civil contempt proceedings.

(3)  An indigent child with nonindigent parents or legal guardian may have counsel appointed pursuant to s. 27.52(2)(d) if the parents or legal guardian have willfully refused to obey the court order to obtain counsel for the child and have been punished by civil contempt and then still have willfully refused to obey the court order. Costs of representation shall be assessed as provided by ss. 27.52(2)(d) and 938.29.

(4)  Notwithstanding any provision of this section or any other law to the contrary, if a child is transferred for criminal prosecution pursuant to this chapter, a nonindigent or indigent-but-able-to-contribute parent or legal guardian of the child pursuant to s. 27.52 is liable for necessary legal fees and costs incident to the criminal prosecution of the child as an adult.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 220, ch. 95-147; s. 4, ch. 96-232; s. 11, ch. 97-238; s. 30, ch. 97-271; s. 129, ch. 99-3.

Note.--Former s. 39.041.

985.204  Powers with respect to certain children.--In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the court may order the parent or legal guardian of a child adjudicated dependent, a child in need of services, or a delinquent child to attend a course of instruction in parenting skills, to accept counseling, or to receive other assistance from any agency in the community which notifies the clerk of the court of the availability of its services. Where appropriate, the court shall order both parents or guardians to receive such parental assistance.

History.--s. 38, ch. 94-209; s. 12, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.0476.

985.205  Opening hearings.--

(1)  All hearings, except as provided in this section, must be open to the public, and no person may be excluded except on special order of the court. The court, in its discretion, may close any hearing to the public when the public interest and the welfare of the child are best served by so doing. Hearings involving more than one child may be held simultaneously when the children were involved in the same transactions.

(2)  Except as provided in subsection (1), nothing in this section shall prohibit the publication of proceedings in a hearing.

History.--s. 13, ch. 97-238.

985.206  Rights of victims; juvenile proceedings.--Nothing in this chapter prohibits:

(1)  The victim of the offense;

(2)  The victim's parent or guardian if the victim is a minor;

(3)  The lawful representative of the victim or of the victim's parent or guardian if the victim is a minor; or

(4)  The next of kin if the victim is a homicide victim,

from the right to be informed of, to be present during, and to be heard when relevant at, all crucial stages of the proceedings involving the juvenile offender, to the extent that such rights do not interfere with the constitutional rights of the juvenile offender. A person enumerated in this section may not reveal to any outside party any confidential information obtained pursuant to this paragraph regarding a case involving a juvenile offense, except as is reasonably necessary to pursue legal remedies.

History.--s. 1, ch. 92-66; s. 14, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.0515.

¹985.2065  Sheltering unmarried minors; aiding unmarried minor runaways; violations.--

(1)(a)  A person who is not an authorized agent of the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services may not knowingly shelter an unmarried minor for more than 24 hours without the consent of the minor's parent or guardian or without notifying a law enforcement officer of the minor's name and the fact that the minor is being provided shelter.

(b)  A person may not knowingly provide aid to an unmarried minor who has run away from home without first contacting the minor's parent or guardian or notifying a law enforcement officer. The aid prohibited under this paragraph includes assisting the minor in obtaining shelter, such as hotel lodgings.

(2)  A person who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

History.--s. 14, ch. 97-281.

¹Note.--Also published at s. 984.085.

¹985.2066  Children locked out of the home; interagency cooperation.--The Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Children and Family Services shall encourage interagency cooperation within each circuit and shall develop comprehensive agreements between the staff and providers for each department in order to coordinate the services provided to children who are locked out of the home and the families of those children.

History.--s. 15, ch. 97-281; s. 21, ch. 2000-135.

¹Note.--Also published at s. 984.086.

985.207  Taking a child into custody.--

(1)  A child may be taken into custody under the following circumstances:

(a)  Pursuant to an order of the circuit court issued under this part, based upon sworn testimony, either before or after a petition is filed.

(b)  For a delinquent act or violation of law, pursuant to Florida law pertaining to a lawful arrest. If such delinquent act or violation of law would be a felony if committed by an adult or involves a crime of violence, the arresting authority shall immediately notify the district school superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, of the school district with educational jurisdiction of the child. Such notification shall include other education providers such as the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, university developmental research schools, and private elementary and secondary schools. The information obtained by the superintendent of schools pursuant to this section must be released within 48 hours after receipt to appropriate school personnel, including the principal of the child's school, or as otherwise provided by law. The principal must immediately notify the child's immediate classroom teachers. Information provided by an arresting authority pursuant to this paragraph may not be placed in the student's permanent record and shall be removed from all school records no later than 9 months after the date of the arrest.

(c)  By a law enforcement officer for failing to appear at a court hearing after being properly noticed.

(d)  By a law enforcement officer who has probable cause to believe that the child is in violation of the conditions of the child's probation, home detention, postcommitment probation, or conditional release supervision or has escaped from commitment.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to allow the detention of a child who does not meet the detention criteria in s. 985.215.

(2)  When a child is taken into custody as provided in this section, the person taking the child into custody shall attempt to notify the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the child. The person taking the child into custody shall continue such attempt until the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the child is notified or the child is delivered to a juvenile probation officer pursuant to s. 985.21, whichever occurs first. If the child is delivered to a juvenile probation officer before the parent, guardian, or legal custodian is notified, the juvenile probation officer shall continue the attempt to notify until the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the child is notified. Following notification, the parent or guardian must provide identifying information, including name, address, date of birth, social security number, and driver's license number or identification card number of the parent or guardian to the person taking the child into custody or the juvenile probation officer.

(3)  Taking a child into custody is not an arrest except for the purpose of determining whether the taking into custody or the obtaining of any evidence in conjunction therewith is lawful.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 3, ch. 92-130; s. 7, ch. 92-287; s. 26, ch. 94-209; s. 1340, ch. 95-147; s. 7, ch. 95-267; s. 15, ch. 97-238; s. 8, ch. 98-207; s. 12, ch. 99-284; s. 6, ch. 2000-134; s. 22, ch. 2000-135; s. 16, ch. 2001-125.

Note.--Former s. 39.037.

985.2075  Youth custody officer.--

(1)  There is created within the Department of Juvenile Justice the position of youth custody officer. The duties of each youth custody officer shall be to take youth into custody if the officer has probable cause to believe that the youth has violated the conditions of probation, home detention, conditional release, or postcommitment probation, or has failed to appear in court after being properly noticed. The authority of the youth custody officer to take youth into custody is specifically limited to this purpose.

(2)  A youth custody officer must meet the minimum qualifications for employment or appointment, be certified under chapter 943, and comply with the requirements for continued employment required by s. 943.135. The Department of Juvenile Justice must comply with the responsibilities provided for an employing agency under s. 943.133 for each youth custody officer.

(3)  A youth custody officer shall inform appropriate local law enforcement agencies of his or her activities under this section.

History.--s. 58, ch. 2000-135.

985.208  Detention of escapee on authority of the department.--

(1)  If an authorized agent of the department has reasonable grounds to believe that any delinquent child committed to the department has escaped from a facility of the department or from being lawfully transported thereto or therefrom, the agent may take the child into active custody and may deliver the child to the facility or, if it is closer, to a detention center for return to the facility. However, a child may not be held in detention longer than 24 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, unless a special order so directing is made by the judge after a detention hearing resulting in a finding that detention is required based on the criteria in s. 985.215(2). The order shall state the reasons for such finding. The reasons shall be reviewable by appeal or in habeas corpus proceedings in the district court of appeal.

(2)  Any sheriff or other law enforcement officer, upon the request of the secretary of the department or duly authorized agent, shall take a child who has escaped or absconded from a department facility for committed delinquent children, or from being lawfully transported thereto or therefrom, into custody and deliver the child to the appropriate juvenile probation officer of the department.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 7, ch. 92-287; s. 54, ch. 94-209; s. 16, ch. 97-238; s. 9, ch. 98-207; s. 13, ch. 99-284.

Note.--Former s. 39.064.

985.209  Juvenile assessment centers.--

(1)  As used in this section, "center" means a juvenile assessment center comprising community operated facilities and programs which provide collocated central intake and screening services for youth referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

(2)  The department shall work cooperatively with substance abuse programs, mental health providers, law enforcement agencies, schools, health service providers, state attorneys, public defenders, and other agencies serving youth to establish juvenile assessment centers. Each current and newly established center shall be developed and modified through the local initiative of community agencies and local governments and shall provide a broad array of youth-related services appropriate to the needs of the community where the center is located.

(3)  Each center shall be managed and governed by the participating agencies, consistent with respective statutory requirements of each agency, through an advisory committee and interagency agreements established with participating entities. The advisory committee shall guide the center's operation and ensure that appropriate and relevant agencies are collaboratively participating in and providing services at the center. Each participating state agency shall have operational oversight of only those individual service components located and provided at the center for which the state agency has statutory authority and responsibility.

(4)  Each center shall provide collocated central intake and screening services for youth referred to the department. The center shall provide sufficient services needed to facilitate the initial screening of and case processing for youth, including, at a minimum, delinquency intake; positive identification of the youth; detention admission screening; needs assessment; substance abuse screening and assessments; physical and mental health screening; and diagnostic testing as appropriate. The department shall provide sufficient staff and resources at a center to provide detention screening and intake services.

(5)  Each center is authorized and encouraged to establish truancy programs. A truancy program may serve as providing the central intake and screening of truant children for a specific geographic area based upon written agreements between the center, local law enforcement agencies, and local school boards. A center may work cooperatively with any truancy program operating in the area serving the center.

(6)  Each center must provide for the coordination and sharing of information among the participating agencies to facilitate the screening of and case processing for youth referred to the department.

(7)  The department may utilize juvenile assessment centers to the fullest extent possible for the purpose of conducting predisposition assessments and evaluations of youth. Assessments and evaluations may be conducted by juvenile assessment center staff on a youth while he or she is in a juvenile detention center awaiting placement in a residential commitment facility. If feasible, a youth may be transported from a juvenile detention center to a juvenile assessment center for the purpose of conducting an assessment or evaluation. Such assessments and evaluations may include, but are not limited to, needs assessment; substance abuse evaluations; physical and mental health evaluations; psychological evaluations; behavioral assessments; educational assessments; aptitude testing; and vocational testing. To the extent possible, the youth's parents or guardians and other family members should be involved in the assessment and evaluation process. All information, conclusions, treatment recommendations, and reports derived from any assessment and evaluation performed on a youth shall be included as a part of the youth's commitment packet and shall accompany the youth to the residential commitment facility in which the youth is placed.

History.--s. 36, ch. 94-209; s. 17, ch. 97-238; s. 10, ch. 98-207; s. 4, ch. 2000-327.

Note.--Former s. 39.0471.

985.21  Intake and case management.--

(1)(a)  During the intake process, the juvenile probation officer shall screen each child or shall cause each child to be screened in order to determine:

1.  Appropriateness for release, referral to a diversionary program including, but not limited to, a teen-court program, referral for community arbitration, or referral to some other program or agency for the purpose of nonofficial or nonjudicial handling.

2.  The presence of medical, psychiatric, psychological, substance abuse, educational, or vocational problems, or other conditions that may have caused the child to come to the attention of law enforcement or the Department of Juvenile Justice. The child shall also be screened to determine whether the child poses a danger to himself or herself or others in the community. The results of this screening shall be made available to the court and to court officers. In cases where such conditions are identified, and a nonjudicial handling of the case is chosen, the juvenile probation officer shall attempt to refer the child to a program or agency, together with all available and relevant assessment information concerning the child's precipitating condition.

3.  The Department of Juvenile Justice shall develop an intake and a case management system whereby a child brought into intake is assigned a juvenile probation officer if the child was not released, referred to a diversionary program, referred for community arbitration, or referred to some other program or agency for the purpose of nonofficial or nonjudicial handling, and shall make every reasonable effort to provide case management services for the child; provided, however, that case management for children committed to residential programs may be transferred as provided in s. 985.316.

4.  In addition to duties specified in other sections and through departmental rules, the assigned juvenile probation officer shall be responsible for the following:

a.  Ensuring that a risk assessment instrument establishing the child's eligibility for detention has been accurately completed and that the appropriate recommendation was made to the court.

b.  Inquiring as to whether the child understands his or her rights to counsel and against self-incrimination.

c.  Performing the preliminary screening and making referrals for comprehensive assessment regarding the child's need for substance abuse treatment services, mental health services, retardation services, literacy services, or other educational or treatment services.

d.  Coordinating the multidisciplinary assessment when required, which includes the classification and placement process that determines the child's priority needs, risk classification, and treatment plan. When sufficient evidence exists to warrant a comprehensive assessment and the child fails to voluntarily participate in the assessment efforts, it is the responsibility of the juvenile probation officer to inform the court of the need for the assessment and the refusal of the child to participate in such assessment. This assessment, classification, and placement process shall develop into the predisposition report.

e.  Making recommendations for services and facilitating the delivery of those services to the child, including any mental health services, educational services, family counseling services, family assistance services, and substance abuse services. The juvenile probation officer shall serve as the primary case manager for the purpose of managing, coordinating, and monitoring the services provided to the child. Each program administrator within the Department of Children and Family Services shall cooperate with the primary case manager in carrying out the duties and responsibilities described in this section.

The Department of Juvenile Justice shall annually advise the Legislature and the Executive Office of the Governor of the resources needed in order for the intake and case management system to maintain a staff-to-client ratio that is consistent with accepted standards and allows the necessary supervision and services for each child. The intake process and case management system shall provide a comprehensive approach to assessing the child's needs, relative risks, and most appropriate handling, and shall be based on an individualized treatment plan.

(b)  The intake and case management system shall facilitate consistency in the recommended placement of each child, and in the assessment, classification, and placement process, with the following purposes:

1.  An individualized, multidisciplinary assessment process that identifies the priority needs of each individual child for rehabilitation and treatment and identifies any needs of the child's parents or guardians for services that would enhance their ability to provide adequate support, guidance, and supervision for the child. This process shall begin with the detention risk assessment instrument and decision, shall include the intake preliminary screening and comprehensive assessment for substance abuse treatment services, mental health services, retardation services, literacy services, and other educational and treatment services as components, additional assessment of the child's treatment needs, and classification regarding the child's risks to the community and, for a serious or habitual delinquent child, shall include the assessment for placement in a serious or habitual delinquent children program pursuant to s. 985.31. The completed multidisciplinary assessment process shall result in the predisposition report.

2.  A classification system that assigns a relative risk to the child and the community based upon assessments including the detention risk assessment results when available to classify the child's risk as it relates to placement and supervision alternatives.

3.  An admissions process that facilitates for each child the utilization of the treatment plan and setting most appropriate to meet the child's programmatic needs and provide the minimum program security needed to ensure public safety.

(2)  The intake process shall be performed by the department through a case management system. The purpose of the intake process is to assess the child's needs and risks and to determine the most appropriate treatment plan and setting for the child's programmatic needs and risks. The intake process shall result in choosing the most appropriate services through a balancing of the interests and needs of the child with those of the family and the public. The juvenile probation officer is responsible for making informed decisions and recommendations to other agencies, the state attorney, and the courts so that the child and family may receive the least intrusive service alternative throughout the judicial process. The department shall establish uniform procedures for the juvenile probation officer to provide, prior to the filing of a petition or as soon as possible thereafter and prior to a disposition hearing, a preliminary screening of the child and family for substance abuse and mental health services.

(3)  A report, affidavit, or complaint alleging that a child has committed a delinquent act or violation of law shall be made to the intake office operating in the county in which the child is found or in which the delinquent act or violation of law occurred. Any person or agency having knowledge of the facts may make such a written report, affidavit, or complaint and shall furnish to the intake office facts sufficient to establish the jurisdiction of the court and to support a finding by the court that the child has committed a delinquent act or violation of law.

(4)  The juvenile probation officer shall make a preliminary determination as to whether the report, affidavit, or complaint is complete, consulting with the state attorney as may be necessary. In any case where the juvenile probation officer or the state attorney finds that the report, affidavit, or complaint is insufficient by the standards for a probable cause affidavit, the juvenile probation officer or state attorney shall return the report, affidavit, or complaint, without delay, to the person or agency originating the report, affidavit, or complaint or having knowledge of the facts or to the appropriate law enforcement agency having investigative jurisdiction of the offense, and shall request, and the person or agency shall promptly furnish, additional information in order to comply with the standards for a probable cause affidavit.

(a)  The juvenile probation officer, upon determining that the report, affidavit, or complaint is complete, pursuant to uniform procedures established by the department, shall:

1.  When indicated by the preliminary screening, provide for a comprehensive assessment of the child and family for substance abuse problems, using community-based licensed programs with clinical expertise and experience in the assessment of substance abuse problems.

2.  When indicated by the preliminary screening, provide for a comprehensive assessment of the child and family for mental health problems, using community-based psychologists, psychiatrists, or other licensed mental health professionals with clinical expertise and experience in the assessment of mental health problems.

When indicated by the comprehensive assessment, the department is authorized to contract within appropriated funds for services with a local nonprofit community mental health or substance abuse agency licensed or authorized under chapter 394, or chapter 397, or other authorized nonprofit social service agency providing related services. The determination of mental health or substance abuse services shall be conducted in coordination with existing programs providing mental health or substance abuse services in conjunction with the intake office. Client information resulting from the screening and evaluation shall be documented pursuant to rules established by the department and shall serve to assist the juvenile probation officer in providing the most appropriate services and recommendations in the least intrusive manner. Such client information shall be used in the multidisciplinary assessment and classification of the child, but such information, and any information obtained directly or indirectly through the assessment process, is inadmissible in court prior to the disposition hearing, unless the child's written consent is obtained. At the disposition hearing, documented client information shall serve to assist the court in making the most appropriate custody, adjudicatory, and dispositional decision. If the screening and assessment indicate that the interest of the child and the public will be best served thereby, the juvenile probation officer, with the approval of the state attorney, may refer the child for care, diagnostic and evaluation services, substance abuse treatment services, mental health services, retardation services, a diversionary or arbitration or mediation program, community service work, or other programs or treatment services voluntarily accepted by the child and the child's parents or legal guardians. The victim, if any, and the law enforcement agency which investigated the offense shall be notified immediately by the state attorney of the action taken under this paragraph. Whenever a child volunteers to participate in any work program under this chapter or volunteers to work in a specified state, county, municipal, or community service organization supervised work program or to work for the victim, the child shall be considered an employee of the state for the purposes of liability. In determining the child's average weekly wage, unless otherwise determined by a specific funding program, all remuneration received from the employer is considered a gratuity, and the child is not entitled to any benefits otherwise payable under s. 440.15, regardless of whether the child may be receiving wages and remuneration from other employment with another employer and regardless of the child's future wage-earning capacity.

(b)  The juvenile probation officer, upon determining that the report, affidavit, or complaint complies with the standards of a probable cause affidavit and that the interest of the child and the public will be best served, may recommend that a delinquency petition not be filed. If such a recommendation is made, the juvenile probation officer shall advise in writing the person or agency making the report, affidavit, or complaint, the victim, if any, and the law enforcement agency having investigative jurisdiction of the offense of the recommendation and the reasons therefor; and that the person or agency may submit, within 10 days after the receipt of such notice, the report, affidavit, or complaint to the state attorney for special review. The state attorney, upon receiving a request for special review, shall consider the facts presented by the report, affidavit, or complaint, and by the juvenile probation officer who made the recommendation that no petition be filed, before making a final decision as to whether a petition or information should or should not be filed.

(c)  Subject to the interagency agreement authorized under this paragraph, the juvenile probation officer for each case in which a child is alleged to have committed a violation of law or delinquent act and is not detained shall submit a written report to the state attorney, including the original report, complaint, or affidavit, or a copy thereof, including a copy of the child's prior juvenile record, within 20 days after the date the child is taken into custody. In cases in which the child is in detention, the intake office report must be submitted within 24 hours after the child is placed into detention. The intake office report may include a recommendation that a petition or information be filed or that no petition or information be filed, and may set forth reasons for the recommendation. The State Attorney and the Department of Juvenile Justice may, on a district-by-district basis, enter into interagency agreements denoting the cases that will require a recommendation and those for which a recommendation is unnecessary.

(d)  The state attorney may in all cases take action independent of the action or lack of action of the juvenile probation officer, and shall determine the action which is in the best interest of the public and the child. If the child meets the criteria requiring prosecution as an adult pursuant to s. 985.226, the state attorney shall request the court to transfer and certify the child for prosecution as an adult or shall provide written reasons to the court for not making such request. In all other cases, the state attorney may:

1.  File a petition for dependency;

2.  File a petition pursuant to chapter 984;

3.  File a petition for delinquency;

4.  File a petition for delinquency with a motion to transfer and certify the child for prosecution as an adult;

5.  File an information pursuant to s. 985.227;

6.  Refer the case to a grand jury;

7.  Refer the child to a diversionary, pretrial intervention, arbitration, or mediation program, or to some other treatment or care program if such program commitment is voluntarily accepted by the child or the child's parents or legal guardians; or

8.  Decline to file.

(e)  In cases in which a delinquency report, affidavit, or complaint is filed by a law enforcement agency and the state attorney determines not to file a petition, the state attorney shall advise the clerk of the circuit court in writing that no petition will be filed thereon.

(5)  Prior to requesting that a delinquency petition be filed or prior to filing a dependency petition, the juvenile probation officer may request the parent or legal guardian of the child to attend a course of instruction in parenting skills, training in conflict resolution, and the practice of nonviolence; to accept counseling; or to receive other assistance from any agency in the community which notifies the clerk of the court of the availability of its services. Where appropriate, the juvenile probation officer shall request both parents or guardians to receive such parental assistance. The juvenile probation officer may, in determining whether to request that a delinquency petition be filed, take into consideration the willingness of the parent or legal guardian to comply with such request. The parent or guardian must provide the juvenile probation officer with identifying information, including the parent's or guardian's name, address, date of birth, social security number, and driver's license number or identification card number in order to comply with ss. 985.215(6), 985.231(1)(b), and 985.233(4)(d).

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 8, ch. 92-287; s. 16, ch. 93-39; s. 7, ch. 93-230; s. 35, ch. 94-209; s. 1346, ch. 95-147; s. 12, ch. 95-267; s. 2, ch. 96-234; s. 163, ch. 97-101; s. 18, ch. 97-238; s. 11, ch. 98-207; s. 2, ch. 99-257; s. 34, ch. 99-284; s. 23, ch. 2000-135; s. 17, ch. 2001-125.

Note.--Former s. 39.047.

985.211  Release or delivery from custody.--

(1)  A child taken into custody shall be released from custody as soon as is reasonably possible.

(2)  Unless otherwise ordered by the court pursuant to s. 985.215, and unless there is a need to hold the child, a person taking a child into custody shall attempt to release the child as follows:

(a)  To the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian or, if the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian is unavailable, unwilling, or unable to provide supervision for the child, to any responsible adult. Prior to releasing the child to a responsible adult, other than the parent, guardian, or legal custodian, the person taking the child into custody may conduct a criminal history background check of the person to whom the child is to be released. If the person has a prior felony conviction, or a conviction for child abuse, drug trafficking, or prostitution, that person is not a responsible adult for the purposes of this section. The person to whom the child is released shall agree to inform the department or the person releasing the child of the child's subsequent change of address and to produce the child in court at such time as the court may direct, and the child shall join in the agreement.

(b)  Contingent upon specific appropriation, to a shelter approved by the department or to an authorized agent pursuant to s. 39.401(2)(b).

(c)  If the child is believed to be suffering from a serious physical condition which requires either prompt diagnosis or prompt treatment, to a law enforcement officer who shall deliver the child to a hospital for necessary evaluation and treatment.

(d)  If the child is believed to be mentally ill as defined in s. 394.463(1), to a law enforcement officer who shall take the child to a designated public receiving facility as defined in s. 394.455 for examination pursuant to the provisions of s. 394.463.

(e)  If the child appears to be intoxicated and has threatened, attempted, or inflicted physical harm on himself or herself or another, or is incapacitated by substance abuse, to a law enforcement officer who shall deliver the child to a hospital, addictions receiving facility, or treatment resource.

(f)  If available, to a juvenile assessment center equipped and staffed to assume custody of the child for the purpose of assessing the needs of the child in custody. The center may then release or deliver the child pursuant to this section with a copy of the assessment.

(3)  If the child is released, the person taking the child into custody shall make a written report or probable cause affidavit to the appropriate juvenile probation officer within 24 hours after such release, stating the facts and the reason for taking the child into custody. Such written report or probable cause affidavit shall:

(a)  Identify the child, the parents, guardian, or legal custodian, and the person to whom the child was released.

(b)  Contain sufficient information to establish the jurisdiction of the court and to make a prima facie showing that the child has committed a violation of law or a delinquent act.

(4)  A person taking a child into custody who determines, pursuant to s. 985.215, that the child should be detained or released to a shelter designated by the department, shall make a reasonable effort to immediately notify the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the child and shall, without unreasonable delay, deliver the child to the appropriate juvenile probation officer or, if the court has so ordered pursuant to s. 985.215, to a detention center or facility. Upon delivery of the child, the person taking the child into custody shall make a written report or probable cause affidavit to the appropriate juvenile probation officer. Such written report or probable cause affidavit must:

(a)  Identify the child and, if known, the parents, guardian, or legal custodian.

(b)  Establish that the child was legally taken into custody, with sufficient information to establish the jurisdiction of the court and to make a prima facie showing that the child has committed a violation of law.

(5)  Upon taking a child into custody, a law enforcement officer may deliver the child, for temporary custody not to exceed 6 hours, to a secure booking area of a jail or other facility intended or used for the detention of adults, for the purpose of fingerprinting or photographing the child or awaiting appropriate transport to the department or as provided in subsection (4), provided no regular sight and sound contact between the child and adult inmates or trustees is permitted and the receiving facility has adequate staff to supervise and monitor the child's activities at all times.

(6)(a)  A copy of the probable cause affidavit or written report made by the person taking the child into custody shall be filed, by the law enforcement agency which employs the person making such affidavit or written report, with the clerk of the circuit court for the county in which the child is taken into custody or in which the affidavit or report is made within 24 hours after the affidavit or report is made, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. Such affidavit or report is a case for the purpose of assigning a uniform case number pursuant to this subsection.

(b)  Upon the filing of a copy of a probable cause affidavit or written report by a law enforcement agency with the clerk of the circuit court, the clerk shall immediately assign a uniform case number to the affidavit or report, forward a copy to the state attorney, and forward a copy to the intake office of the department which serves the county in which the case arose.

(c)  Each letter of recommendation, written notice, report, or other paper required by law pertaining to the case shall bear the uniform case number of the case, and a copy shall be filed with the clerk of the circuit court by the issuing agency. The issuing agency shall furnish copies to the juvenile probation officer and the state attorney.

(d)  Upon the filing of a petition based on the allegations of a previously filed probable cause affidavit or written report, the agency filing the petition shall include the appropriate uniform case number on the petition.

(7)  Nothing in this section shall prohibit the proper use of law enforcement diversion programs. Law enforcement agencies may initiate and conduct diversion programs designed to divert a child from the need for department custody or judicial handling. Such programs may be cooperative projects with local community service agencies.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 9, ch. 92-287; s. 27, ch. 94-209; s. 1341, ch. 95-147; s. 19, ch. 97-238; s. 12, ch. 98-207; s. 7, ch. 2000-134.

Note.--Former s. 39.038.

985.212  Fingerprinting and photographing.--

(1)(a)  A child who is charged with or found to have committed an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult shall be fingerprinted and the fingerprints must be submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement as provided in s. 943.051(3)(a).

(b)  A child who is charged with or found to have committed one of the following offenses shall be fingerprinted, and the fingerprints shall be submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement as provided in s. 943.051(3)(b):

1.  Assault, as defined in s. 784.011.

2.  Battery, as defined in s. 784.03.

3.  Carrying a concealed weapon, as defined in s. 790.01(1).

4.  Unlawful use of destructive devices or bombs, as defined in s. 790.1615(1).

5.  Negligent treatment of children, as defined in former s. 827.05.

6.  Assault on a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, or other specified officers, as defined in s. 784.07(2)(a).

7.  Open carrying of a weapon, as defined in s. 790.053.

8.  Exposure of sexual organs, as defined in s. 800.03.

9.  Unlawful possession of a firearm, as defined in s. 790.22(5).

10.  Petit theft, as defined in s. 812.014.

11.  Cruelty to animals, as defined in s. 828.12(1).

12.  Arson, resulting in bodily harm to a firefighter, as defined in s. 806.031(1).

13.  Unlawful possession or discharge of a weapon or firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property as defined in s. 790.115.

A law enforcement agency may fingerprint and photograph a child taken into custody upon probable cause that such child has committed any other violation of law, as the agency deems appropriate. Such fingerprint records and photographs shall be retained by the law enforcement agency in a separate file, and these records and all copies thereof must be marked "Juvenile Confidential." These records are not available for public disclosure and inspection under s. 119.07(1) except as provided in ss. 943.053 and 985.04(5), but shall be available to other law enforcement agencies, criminal justice agencies, state attorneys, the courts, the child, the parents or legal custodians of the child, their attorneys, and any other person authorized by the court to have access to such records. In addition, such records may be submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement for inclusion in the state criminal history records and used by criminal justice agencies for criminal justice purposes. These records may, in the discretion of the court, be open to inspection by anyone upon a showing of cause. The fingerprint and photograph records shall be produced in the court whenever directed by the court. Any photograph taken pursuant to this section may be shown by a law enforcement officer to any victim or witness of a crime for the purpose of identifying the person who committed such crime.

(c)  The court shall be responsible for the fingerprinting of any child at the disposition hearing if the child has been adjudicated or had adjudication withheld for any felony in the case currently before the court.

(2)  If the child is not referred to the court, or if the child is found not to have committed a violation of law, the court may, after notice to the law enforcement agency involved, order the originals and copies of the fingerprints and photographs destroyed. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, if the child is found to have committed an offense which would be a felony if it had been committed by an adult, then the law enforcement agency having custody of the fingerprint and photograph records shall retain the originals and immediately thereafter forward adequate duplicate copies to the court along with the written offense report relating to the matter for which the child was taken into custody. Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the clerk of the court, after the disposition hearing on the case, shall forward duplicate copies of the fingerprints and photographs, together with the child's name, address, date of birth, age, and sex, to:

(a)  The sheriff of the county in which the child was taken into custody, in order to maintain a central child identification file in that county.

(b)  The law enforcement agency of each municipality having a population in excess of 50,000 persons and located in the county of arrest, if so requested specifically or by a general request by that agency.

(3)  This section does not prohibit the fingerprinting or photographing of child traffic violators. All records of such traffic violations shall be kept in the full name of the violator and shall be open to inspection and publication in the same manner as adult traffic violations. This section does not apply to the photographing of children by the Department of Juvenile Justice or the Department of Children and Family Services.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 6, ch. 93-204; s. 28, ch. 94-209; s. 8, ch. 95-267; s. 2, ch. 96-293; s. 20, ch. 96-322; s. 17, ch. 96-388; s. 13, ch. 96-406; s. 162, ch. 97-101; s. 20, ch. 97-238; s. 14, ch. 99-284; s. 2, ch. 2002-51.

Note.--Former s. 39.039.

985.213  Use of detention.--

(1)  All determinations and court orders regarding the use of secure, nonsecure, or home detention shall be based primarily upon findings that the child:

(a)  Presents a substantial risk of not appearing at a subsequent hearing;

(b)  Presents a substantial risk of inflicting bodily harm on others as evidenced by recent behavior;

(c)  Presents a history of committing a property offense prior to adjudication, disposition, or placement;

(d)  Has committed contempt of court by:

1.  Intentionally disrupting the administration of the court;

2.  Intentionally disobeying a court order; or

3.  Engaging in a punishable act or speech in the court's presence which shows disrespect for the authority and dignity of the court; or

(e)  Requests protection from imminent bodily harm.

(2)(a)  All determinations and court orders regarding placement of a child into detention care shall comply with all requirements and criteria provided in this part and shall be based on a risk assessment of the child, unless the child is placed into detention care as provided in subparagraph (b)3.

(b)1.  The risk assessment instrument for detention care placement determinations and orders shall be developed by the Department of Juvenile Justice in agreement with representatives appointed by the following associations: the Conference of Circuit Judges of Florida, the Prosecuting Attorneys Association, the Public Defenders Association, the Florida Sheriffs Association, and the Florida Association of Chiefs of Police. Each association shall appoint two individuals, one representing an urban area and one representing a rural area. The parties involved shall evaluate and revise the risk assessment instrument as is considered necessary using the method for revision as agreed by the parties. The risk assessment instrument shall take into consideration, but need not be limited to, prior history of failure to appear, prior offenses, offenses committed pending adjudication, any unlawful possession of a firearm, theft of a motor vehicle or possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and probation status at the time the child is taken into custody. The risk assessment instrument shall also take into consideration appropriate aggravating and mitigating circumstances, and shall be designed to target a narrower population of children than s. 985.215(2). The risk assessment instrument shall also include any information concerning the child's history of abuse and neglect. The risk assessment shall indicate whether detention care is warranted, and, if detention care is warranted, whether the child should be placed into secure, nonsecure, or home detention care.

2.  If, at the detention hearing, the court finds a material error in the scoring of the risk assessment instrument, the court may amend the score to reflect factual accuracy.

3.  A child who is charged with committing an offense of domestic violence as defined in s. 741.28 and who does not meet detention criteria may be held in secure detention if the court makes specific written findings that:

a.  Respite care for the child is not available; and

b.  It is necessary to place the child in secure detention in order to protect the victim from injury.

The child may not be held in secure detention under this subparagraph for more than 48 hours unless ordered by the court. After 48 hours, the court shall hold a hearing if the state attorney or victim requests that secure detention be continued. The child may continue to be held in detention care if the court makes a specific, written finding that detention care is necessary to protect the victim from injury. However, the child may not be held in detention care beyond the time limits set forth in s. 985.215.

4.  For a child who is under the supervision of the department through probation, home detention, nonsecure detention, conditional release, postcommitment probation, or commitment and who is charged with committing a new offense, the risk assessment instrument may be completed and scored based on the underlying charge for which the child was placed under the supervision of the department and the new offense.

(3)(a)  While a child who is currently enrolled in school is in nonsecure or home detention care, the child shall continue to attend school unless otherwise ordered by the court.

(b)  While a child is in secure detention care, the child shall receive education commensurate with his or her grade level and educational ability.

(4)  The Department of Juvenile Justice shall continue to identify alternatives to secure detention care and shall develop such alternatives and annually submit them to the Legislature for authorization and appropriation.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 7, ch. 92-287; s. 21, ch. 93-230; s. 3, ch. 93-408; s. 29, ch. 94-209; s. 1342, ch. 95-147; s. 9, ch. 95-267; s. 21, ch. 97-238; s. 79, ch. 98-280; s. 8, ch. 2000-134; s. 18, ch. 2001-125; s. 16, ch. 2002-55.

Note.--Former s. 39.042.

985.214  Prohibited uses of detention.--

(1)  A child alleged to have committed a delinquent act or violation of law may not be placed into secure, nonsecure, or home detention care for any of the following reasons:

(a)  To allow a parent to avoid his or her legal responsibility.

(b)  To permit more convenient administrative access to the child.

(c)  To facilitate further interrogation or investigation.

(d)  Due to a lack of more appropriate facilities.

(2)  A child alleged to be dependent under ¹part II of chapter 39 may not, under any circumstances, be placed into secure detention care.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 30, ch. 94-209; s. 22, ch. 97-238; s. 80, ch. 98-280.

¹Note.--Provisions comprising part II of chapter 39 were, for the most part, repealed or transferred to other locations by ch. 98-403.

Note.--Former s. 39.043.

985.215  Detention.--

(1)  The juvenile probation officer shall receive custody of a child who has been taken into custody from the law enforcement agency and shall review the facts in the law enforcement report or probable cause affidavit and make such further inquiry as may be necessary to determine whether detention care is required.

(a)  During the period of time from the taking of the child into custody to the date of the detention hearing, the initial decision as to the child's placement into secure detention care, nonsecure detention care, or home detention care shall be made by the juvenile probation officer pursuant to ss. 985.213 and 985.214.

(b)  The juvenile probation officer shall base the decision whether or not to place the child into secure detention care, home detention care, or nonsecure detention care on an assessment of risk in accordance with the risk assessment instrument and procedures developed by the Department of Juvenile Justice under s. 985.213. However, a child charged with possessing or discharging a firearm on school property in violation of s. 790.115 shall be placed in secure detention care.

(c)  If the juvenile probation officer determines that a child who is eligible for detention based upon the results of the risk assessment instrument should be released, the juvenile probation officer shall contact the state attorney, who may authorize release. If detention is not authorized, the child may be released by the juvenile probation officer in accordance with s. 985.211.

Under no circumstances shall the juvenile probation officer or the state attorney or law enforcement officer authorize the detention of any child in a jail or other facility intended or used for the detention of adults, without an order of the court.

(2)  Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), a child taken into custody and placed into nonsecure or home detention care or detained in secure detention care prior to a detention hearing may continue to be detained by the court if:

(a)  The child is alleged to be an escapee or an absconder from a commitment program, a probation program, or conditional release supervision, or is alleged to have escaped while being lawfully transported to or from such program or supervision.

(b)  The child is wanted in another jurisdiction for an offense which, if committed by an adult, would be a felony.

(c)  The child is charged with a delinquent act or violation of law and requests in writing through legal counsel to be detained for protection from an imminent physical threat to his or her personal safety.

(d)  The child is charged with committing an offense of domestic violence as defined in s. 741.28 and is detained as provided in s. 985.213(2)(b)3.

(e)  The child is charged with possession or discharging a firearm on school property in violation of s. 790.115.

(f)  The child is charged with a capital felony, a life felony, a felony of the first degree, a felony of the second degree that does not involve a violation of chapter 893, or a felony of the third degree that is also a crime of violence, including any such offense involving the use or possession of a firearm.

(g)  The child is charged with any second degree or third degree felony involving a violation of chapter 893 or any third degree felony that is not also a crime of violence, and the child:

1.  Has a record of failure to appear at court hearings after being properly notified in accordance with the Rules of Juvenile Procedure;

2.  Has a record of law violations prior to court hearings;

3.  Has already been detained or has been released and is awaiting final disposition of the case;

4.  Has a record of violent conduct resulting in physical injury to others; or

5.  Is found to have been in possession of a firearm.

(h)  The child is alleged to have violated the conditions of the child's probation or conditional release supervision. However, a child detained under this paragraph may be held only in a consequence unit as provided in s. 985.231(1)(a)1.c. If a consequence unit is not available, the child shall be placed on home detention with electronic monitoring.

(i)  The child is detained on a judicial order for failure to appear and has previously willfully failed to appear, after proper notice, for an adjudicatory hearing on the same case regardless of the results of the risk assessment instrument. A child may be held in secure detention for up to 72 hours in advance of the next scheduled court hearing pursuant to this paragraph. The child's failure to keep the clerk of court and defense counsel informed of a current and valid mailing address where the child will receive notice to appear at court proceedings does not provide an adequate ground for excusal of the child's nonappearance at the hearings.

(j)  The child is detained on a judicial order for failure to appear and has previously willfully failed to appear, after proper notice, at two or more court hearings of any nature on the same case regardless of the results of the risk assessment instrument. A child may be held in secure detention for up to 72 hours in advance of the next scheduled court hearing pursuant to this paragraph. The child's failure to keep the clerk of court and defense counsel informed of a current and valid mailing address where the child will receive notice to appear at court proceedings does not provide an adequate ground for excusal of the child's nonappearance at the hearings.

A child who meets any of these criteria and who is ordered to be detained pursuant to this subsection shall be given a hearing within 24 hours after being taken into custody. The purpose of the detention hearing is to determine the existence of probable cause that the child has committed the delinquent act or violation of law with which he or she is charged and the need for continued detention. Unless a child is detained under paragraph (d) or paragraph (e), the court shall utilize the results of the risk assessment performed by the juvenile probation officer and, based on the criteria in this subsection, shall determine the need for continued detention. A child placed into secure, nonsecure, or home detention care may continue to be so detained by the court pursuant to this subsection. If the court orders a placement more restrictive than indicated by the results of the risk assessment instrument, the court shall state, in writing, clear and convincing reasons for such placement. Except as provided in s. 790.22(8) or in subparagraph (10)(a)2., paragraph (10)(b), paragraph (10)(c), or paragraph (10)(d), when a child is placed into secure or nonsecure detention care, or into a respite home or other placement pursuant to a court order following a hearing, the court order must include specific instructions that direct the release of the child from such placement no later than 5 p.m. on the last day of the detention period specified in paragraph (5)(b) or paragraph (5)(c), or subparagraph (10)(a)1., whichever is applicable, unless the requirements of such applicable provision have been met or an order of continuance has been granted pursuant to paragraph (5)(f).

(3)  Except in emergency situations, a child may not be placed into or transported in any police car or similar vehicle that at the same time contains an adult under arrest, unless the adult is alleged or believed to be involved in the same offense or transaction as the child.

(4)  The court shall order the delivery of a child to a jail or other facility intended or used for the detention of adults:

(a)  When the child has been transferred or indicted for criminal prosecution as an adult pursuant to this part, except that the court may not order or allow a child alleged to have committed a misdemeanor who is being transferred for criminal prosecution pursuant to either s. 985.226 or s. 985.227 to be detained or held in a jail or other facility intended or used for the detention of adults; however, such child may be held temporarily in a detention facility; or

(b)  When a child taken into custody in this state is wanted by another jurisdiction for prosecution as an adult.

The child shall be housed separately from adult inmates to prohibit a child from having regular contact with incarcerated adults, including trustees. "Regular contact" means sight and sound contact. Separation of children from adults shall permit no more than haphazard or accidental contact. The receiving jail or other facility shall contain a separate section for children and shall have an adequate staff to supervise and monitor the child's activities at all times. Supervision and monitoring of children includes physical observation and documented checks by jail or receiving facility supervisory personnel at intervals not to exceed 15 minutes. This paragraph does not prohibit placing two or more children in the same cell. Under no circumstances shall a child be placed in the same cell with an adult.

(5)(a)  A child may not be placed into or held in secure, nonsecure, or home detention care for longer than 24 hours unless the court orders such detention care, and the order includes specific instructions that direct the release of the child from such detention care, in accordance with subsection (2). The order shall be a final order, reviewable by appeal pursuant to s. 985.234 and the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure. Appeals of such orders shall take precedence over other appeals and other pending matters.

(b)  The arresting law enforcement agency shall complete and present its investigation of an offense under this subsection to the appropriate state attorney's office within 8 days after placement of the child in secure detention. The investigation shall include, but is not limited to, police reports and supplemental police reports, witness statements, and evidence collection documents. The failure of a law enforcement agency to complete and present its investigation within 8 days shall not entitle a juvenile to be released from secure detention or to a dismissal of any charges.

(c)  Except as provided in paragraph (g), a child may not be held in secure, nonsecure, or home detention care under a special detention order for more than 21 days unless an adjudicatory hearing for the case has been commenced in good faith by the court.

(d)  Except as provided in paragraph (g), a child may not be held in secure, nonsecure, or home detention care for more than 15 days following the entry of an order of adjudication.

(e)  A child who was not in secure detention at the time of the adjudicatory hearing, but for whom residential commitment is anticipated or recommended, may be placed under a special detention order for a period not to exceed 72 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays, for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive evaluation as provided in s. 985.229(1). Motions for the issuance of such special detention order may be made subsequent to a finding of delinquency. Upon said motion, the court shall conduct a hearing to determine the appropriateness of such special detention order and shall order the least restrictive level of detention necessary to complete the comprehensive evaluation process that is consistent with public safety. Such special detention order may be extended for an additional 72 hours upon further order of the court.

(f)  The time limits in paragraphs (c) and (d) do not include periods of delay resulting from a continuance granted by the court for cause on motion of the child or his or her counsel or of the state. Upon the issuance of an order granting a continuance for cause on a motion by either the child, the child's counsel, or the state, the court shall conduct a hearing at the end of each 72-hour period, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, to determine the need for continued detention of the child and the need for further continuance of proceedings for the child or the state.

(g)  Upon good cause being shown that the nature of the charge requires additional time for the prosecution or defense of the case, the court may extend the time limits for detention specified in paragraph (c) an additional 9 days if the child is charged with an offense that would be, if committed by an adult, a capital felony, a life felony, a felony of the first degree, or a felony of the second degree involving violence against any individual.

(6)(a)  When any child is placed into secure, nonsecure, or home detention care or into other placement pursuant to a court order following a detention hearing, the court shall order the parents or guardians of such child to pay to the Department of Juvenile Justice fees in the amount of $5 per day that the child is under the care or supervision of the department in order to partially offset the cost of the care, support, maintenance, and other usual and ordinary obligations of parents to provide for the needs of their children, unless the court makes a finding on the record that the parent or guardian of the child is indigent.

(b)  At the time of the detention hearing, the department shall report to the court, verbally or in writing, any available information concerning the ability of the parent or guardian of the child to pay such fee. If the court makes a finding of indigency, the parent or guardian shall pay to the department a nominal subsistence fee of $2 per day that the child is securely detained outside the home or $1 per day if the child is otherwise detained in lieu of other fees related to the parent's obligation for the child's cost of care. The nominal subsistence fee may only be waived or reduced if the court makes a finding that such payment would constitute a significant financial hardship. Such finding shall be in writing and shall contain a detailed description of the facts that led the court to make both the finding of indigency and the finding of significant financial hardship.

(c)  In addition, the court may reduce the fees or waive the fees as to each parent or guardian if the court makes a finding on the record that the parent or guardian was the victim of the delinquent act or violation of law for which the child is detained and that the parent or guardian is cooperating in the investigation of the offense.

(d)  The court must include specific findings in the detention order as to what fees are ordered, reduced, or waived. If the court fails to enter an order as required by this subsection, it shall be presumed that the court intended the parent or guardian to pay to the department the fee of $5 per day that the child remains in detention care.

(e)  With respect to a child who has been found to have committed a delinquent act or violation of law, whether or not adjudication is withheld, and whose parent or guardian receives public assistance for any portion of that child's care, the department must seek a federal waiver to garnish or otherwise order the payments of the portion of the public assistance relating to that child to offset the costs of providing care, custody, maintenance, rehabilitation, intervention, or corrective services to the child. When the order affects the guardianship estate, a certified copy of the order shall be delivered to the judge having jurisdiction of the guardianship estate.

(f)  The clerk of the circuit court shall act as a depository for these fees. Upon each payment received, the clerk of the circuit court shall receive a fee from the total payment of 3 percent of any payment made except that no fee shall be less than $1 nor more than $5 per payment made. This fee shall serve as a service charge for the administration, management, and maintenance of each payment. At the end of each month, the clerk of the circuit court shall send all money collected under this section to the state Grants and Donations Trust Fund.

(g)  The parent or guardian shall provide to the department the parent's or guardian's name, address, social security number, date of birth, and driver's license number or identification card number and sufficient financial information for the department to be able to determine the parent's or guardian's ability to pay. If the parent or guardian refuses to provide the department with any identifying information or financial information, the court shall order the parent to comply and may pursue contempt of court sanctions for failure to comply.

(h)  The department may employ a collection agency for the purpose of receiving, collecting, and managing the payment of unpaid and delinquent fees. The collection agency must be registered and in good standing under chapter 559. The department may pay to the collection agency a fee from the amount collected under the claim or may authorize the agency to deduct the fee from the amount collected. The department may also pay for collection services from available authorized funds.

(i)  The department may enter into agreements with parents or guardians to establish a schedule of periodic payments if payment of the obligation in full presents an undue hardship. Any such agreement may provide for payment of interest consistent with prevailing loan rates.

(j)  The Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide to the payor documentation of any amounts paid by the payor to the Department of Juvenile Justice on behalf of the child. All payments received by the department pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the state Grants and Donations Trust Fund. Neither the court nor the department may extend the child's length of stay in detention care solely for the purpose of collecting fees.

(7)  If a child is detained and a petition for delinquency is filed, the child shall be arraigned in accordance with the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure within 48 hours after the filing of the petition for delinquency.

(8)  If a child is detained pursuant to this section, the Department of Juvenile Justice may transfer the child from nonsecure or home detention care to secure detention care only if significantly changed circumstances warrant such transfer.

(9)  If a child is on release status and not detained pursuant to this section, the child may be placed into secure, nonsecure, or home detention care only pursuant to a court hearing in which the original risk assessment instrument, rescored based on newly discovered evidence or changed circumstances with the results recommending detention, is introduced into evidence.

(10)(a)1.  When a child is committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice awaiting dispositional placement, removal of the child from detention care shall occur within 5 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. Any child held in secure detention during the 5 days must meet detention admission criteria pursuant to this section. If the child is committed to a moderate-risk residential program, the department may seek an order from the court authorizing continued detention for a specific period of time necessary for the appropriate residential placement of the child. However, such continued detention in secure detention care may not exceed 15 days after commitment, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, and except as otherwise provided in this subsection.

2.  The court must place all children who are adjudicated and awaiting placement in a residential commitment program in detention care. Children who are in home detention care or nonsecure detention care may be placed on electronic monitoring.

(b)  A child who is placed in home detention care, nonsecure detention care, or home or nonsecure detention care with electronic monitoring, while awaiting placement in a low-risk or moderate-risk program, may be held in secure detention care for 5 days, if the child violates the conditions of the home detention care, the nonsecure detention care, or the electronic monitoring agreement. For any subsequent violation, the court may impose an additional 5 days in secure detention care.

(c)  If the child is committed to a high-risk residential program, the child must be held in detention care until placement or commitment is accomplished.

(d)  If the child is committed to a maximum-risk residential program, the child must be held in detention care until placement or commitment is accomplished.

(e)  Upon specific appropriation, the department may obtain comprehensive evaluations, including, but not limited to, medical, academic, psychological, behavioral, sociological, and vocational needs of a youth with multiple arrests for all level criminal acts or a youth committed to a minimum-risk or low-risk commitment program.

(f)  Regardless of detention status, a child being transported by the department to a commitment facility of the department may be placed in secure detention overnight, not to exceed a 24-hour period, for the specific purpose of ensuring the safe delivery of the child to his or her commitment program, court, appointment, transfer, or release.

(11)(a)  When a juvenile sexual offender is placed in detention, detention staff shall provide appropriate monitoring and supervision to ensure the safety of other children in the facility.

(b)  When a juvenile sexual offender, pursuant to this subsection, is released from detention or transferred to home detention or nonsecure detention, detention staff shall immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency and school personnel.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 4, ch. 92-79; s. 6, ch. 92-287; s. 31, ch. 94-209; s. 1343, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 95-266; ss. 10, 42, 44, ch. 95-267; s. 51, ch. 96-175; s. 5, ch. 96-398; s. 23, ch. 97-238; s. 2, ch. 97-281; s. 13, ch. 98-207; s. 4, ch. 99-284; s. 9, ch. 2000-134; s. 24, ch. 2000-135; s. 5, ch. 2000-327; s. 37, ch. 2001-64; ss. 19, 20, ch. 2001-125; s. 17, ch. 2002-55.

Note.--Former s. 39.044.

985.216  Punishment for contempt of court; alternative sanctions.--

(1)  CONTEMPT OF COURT; LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--The court may punish any child for contempt for interfering with the court or with court administration, or for violating any provision of this chapter or order of the court relative thereto. It is the intent of the Legislature that the court restrict and limit the use of contempt powers with respect to commitment of a child to a secure facility. A child who commits direct contempt of court or indirect contempt of a valid court order may be taken into custody and ordered to serve an alternative sanction or placed in a secure facility, as authorized in this section, by order of the court.

(2)  PLACEMENT IN A SECURE FACILITY.--A child may be placed in a secure facility for purposes of punishment for contempt of court if alternative sanctions are unavailable or inappropriate, or if the child has already been ordered to serve an alternative sanction but failed to comply with the sanction.

(a)  A delinquent child who has been held in direct or indirect contempt may be placed in a secure detention facility not to exceed 5 days for a first offense and not to exceed 15 days for a second or subsequent offense.

(b)  A child in need of services who has been held in direct contempt or indirect contempt may be placed, not to exceed 5 days for a first offense and not to exceed 15 days for a second or subsequent offense, in a staff-secure shelter or a staff-secure residential facility solely for children in need of services if such placement is available, or, if such placement is not available, the child may be placed in an appropriate mental health facility or substance abuse facility for assessment. In addition to disposition under this paragraph, a child in need of services who is held in direct contempt or indirect contempt may be placed in a physically secure facility as provided under s. 984.226 if conditions of eligibility are met.

(3)  ALTERNATIVE SANCTIONS.--Each judicial circuit shall have an alternative sanctions coordinator who shall serve under the chief administrative judge of the juvenile division of the circuit court, and who shall coordinate and maintain a spectrum of contempt sanction alternatives in conjunction with the circuit plan implemented in accordance with s. 790.22(4)(c). Upon determining that a child has committed direct contempt of court or indirect contempt of a valid court order, the court may immediately request the alternative sanctions coordinator to recommend the most appropriate available alternative sanction and shall order the child to perform up to 50 hours of community-service manual labor or a similar alternative sanction, unless an alternative sanction is unavailable or inappropriate, or unless the child has failed to comply with a prior alternative sanction. Alternative contempt sanctions may be provided by local industry or by any nonprofit organization or any public or private business or service entity that has entered into a contract with the Department of Juvenile Justice to act as an agent of the state to provide voluntary supervision of children on behalf of the state in exchange for the manual labor of children and limited immunity in accordance with s. 768.28(11).

(4)  CONTEMPT OF COURT SANCTIONS; PROCEDURE AND DUE PROCESS.--

(a)  If a child is charged with direct contempt of court, including traffic court, the court may impose an authorized sanction immediately.

(b)  If a child is charged with indirect contempt of court, the court must hold a hearing within 24 hours to determine whether the child committed indirect contempt of a valid court order. At the hearing, the following due process rights must be provided to the child:

1.  Right to a copy of the order to show cause alleging facts supporting the contempt charge.

2.  Right to an explanation of the nature and the consequences of the proceedings.

3.  Right to legal counsel and the right to have legal counsel appointed by the court if the juvenile is indigent, pursuant to s. 985.203.

4.  Right to confront witnesses.

5.  Right to present witnesses.

6.  Right to have a transcript or record of the proceeding.

7.  Right to appeal to an appropriate court.

The child's parent or guardian may address the court regarding the due process rights of the child. The court shall review the placement of the child every 72 hours to determine whether it is appropriate for the child to remain in the facility.

(c)  The court may not order that a child be placed in a secure facility for punishment for contempt unless the court determines that an alternative sanction is inappropriate or unavailable or that the child was initially ordered to an alternative sanction and did not comply with the alternative sanction. The court is encouraged to order a child to perform community service, up to the maximum number of hours, where appropriate before ordering that the child be placed in a secure facility as punishment for contempt of court.

(d)  In addition to any other sanction imposed under this section, the court may direct the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to withhold issuance of, or suspend, a child's driver's license or driving privilege. The court may order that a child's driver's license or driving privilege be withheld or suspended for up to 1 year for a first offense of contempt and up to 2 years for a second or subsequent offense. If the child's driver's license or driving privilege is suspended or revoked for any reason at the time the sanction for contempt is imposed, the court shall extend the period of suspension or revocation by the additional period ordered under this paragraph. If the child's driver's license is being withheld at the time the sanction for contempt is imposed, the period of suspension or revocation ordered under this paragraph shall begin on the date on which the child is otherwise eligible to drive. For a child in need of services whose driver's license or driving privilege is suspended under this paragraph, the court may direct the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to issue the child a license for driving privileges restricted to business or employment purposes only, as defined in s. 322.271, or for the purpose of completing court-ordered community service, if the child is otherwise qualified for a license. However, the department may not issue a restricted license unless specifically ordered to do so by the court.

(5)  ALTERNATIVE SANCTIONS COORDINATOR.--There is created the position of alternative sanctions coordinator within each judicial circuit, pursuant to subsection (3). Each alternative sanctions coordinator shall serve under the direction of the chief administrative judge of the juvenile division as directed by the chief judge of the circuit. The alternative sanctions coordinator shall act as the liaison between the judiciary, local department officials, district school board employees, and local law enforcement agencies. The alternative sanctions coordinator shall coordinate within the circuit community-based alternative sanctions, including nonsecure detention programs, community service projects, and other juvenile sanctions, in conjunction with the circuit plan implemented in accordance with s. 790.22(4)(c).

History.--s. 14, ch. 94-209; s. 4, ch. 95-267; s. 24, ch. 97-238; s. 1, ch. 97-281; s. 15, ch. 98-207; s. 10, ch. 2000-134; s. 25, ch. 2000-135.

Note.--Former s. 39.0145.

985.218  Petition.--

(1)  All proceedings seeking a finding that a child has committed a delinquent act or violation of law shall be initiated by the state by the filing of a petition for delinquency by the state attorney.

(2)  The petition shall be in writing and shall be signed by the state attorney under oath.

(3)  The state attorney shall represent the state in all proceedings in which a petition alleges delinquency.

(4)  When a petition has been filed and the child or his or her counsel has advised the state attorney that the truth of the allegations is admitted and that no contest is to be made of the allegations in the petition, the state attorney may request that the case be set for an adjudicatory hearing. If the child changes the plea at the adjudicatory hearing, the court shall continue the hearing to permit the state attorney to prepare and present the case for the state.

(5)  The form of the petition and its contents shall be determined by rules of procedure adopted by the Supreme Court.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 14, ch. 93-230; s. 221, ch. 95-147; s. 26, ch. 97-238; s. 81, ch. 98-280; s. 36, ch. 99-284.

Note.--Former s. 39.048.

985.219  Process and service.--

(1)  Personal appearance of any person in a hearing before the court obviates the necessity of serving process on that person.

(2)  Upon the filing of a petition containing allegations of facts which, if true, would establish that the child committed a delinquent act or violation of law, and upon the request of the petitioner, the clerk or deputy clerk shall issue a summons.

(3)  The summons shall have a copy of the petition attached and shall require the person on whom it is served to appear for a hearing at a time and place specified. Except in cases of medical emergency, the time may not be less than 24 hours after service of the summons. If the child is not detained by an order of the court, the summons shall require the custodian of the child to produce the child at the said time and place.

(4)  Law enforcement agencies shall act upon subpoenas received and serve process within 7 days after arraignment or as soon thereafter as is possible, except that no service shall be made on Sundays.

(5)  The summons shall be directed to, and shall be served upon, the following persons:

(a)  The child, in the same manner as an adult;

(b)  The parents of the child; and

(c)  Any legal custodians, actual custodians, guardians, and guardians ad litem of the child.

(6)  If the petition alleges that the child has committed a delinquent act or violation of law and the judge deems it advisable to do so, pursuant to the criteria of s. 985.215, the judge may, by endorsement upon the summons and after the entry of an order in which valid reasons are specified, order the child to be taken into custody immediately, and in such case the person serving the summons shall immediately take the child into custody.

(7)  If the identity or residence of the parents, custodians, or guardians of the child is unknown after a diligent search and inquiry, if the parents, custodians, or guardians are residents of a state other than Florida, or if the parents, custodians, or guardians evade service, the person who made the search and inquiry shall file in the case a certificate of those facts, and the court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for the child, if appropriate. If the parent, custodian, or guardian of the child fails to obey a summons, the court may, by endorsement upon the summons and after the entry of an order in which valid reasons are specified, order the parent, custodian, or guardian to be taken into custody immediately to show cause why the parent, guardian, or custodian should not be held in contempt for failing to obey the summons. The court may appoint a guardian ad litem for the child, if appropriate.

(8)  The jurisdiction of the court shall attach to the child and the case when the summons is served upon the child and a parent or legal or actual custodian or guardian of the child, or when the child is taken into custody with or without service of summons and before or after the filing of a petition, whichever first occurs, and thereafter the court may control the child and the case in accordance with this part.

(9)  Upon the application of the child or the state attorney, the clerk or deputy clerk shall issue, and the court on its own motion may issue, subpoenas requiring attendance and testimony of witnesses and production of records, documents, or other tangible objects at any hearing.

(10)  All process and orders issued by the court shall be served or executed as other process and orders of the circuit court and, in addition, may be served or executed by authorized agents of the Department of Juvenile Justice at the department's discretion.

(11)  Subpoenas may be served within the state by any person over 18 years of age who is not a party to the proceeding.

(12)  No fee shall be paid for service of any process or other papers by an agent of the department. If any process, orders, or other papers are served or executed by any sheriff, the sheriff's fees shall be paid by the county.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 7, ch. 92-287; s. 39, ch. 94-209; s. 1347, ch. 95-147; s. 27, ch. 97-238; s. 11, ch. 2000-134.

Note.--Former s. 39.049.

985.22  Threatening or dismissing an employee prohibited.--

(1)  An employer, or the employer's agent, may not dismiss from employment an employee who is summoned to appear before the court under s. 985.219 solely because of the nature of the summons or because the employee complies with the summons.

(2)  If an employer, or the employer's agent, threatens an employee with dismissal, or dismisses an employee, who is summoned to appear under s. 985.219, the court may hold the employer in contempt.

History.--s. 40, ch. 94-209; s. 1348, ch. 95-147; s. 28, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.0495.

985.221  Court and witness fees.--In any proceeding under this chapter, court fees shall not be charged against, nor witness fees allowed to, any party to a delinquency petition or any parent or legal guardian or custodian or child named in a summons. Other witnesses shall be paid the witness fees fixed by law.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 29, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.073.

985.222  No answer to petition required.--No answer to the petition alleging that a child has committed a delinquent act or violation of law need be filed by any child or his or her parent, legal custodian, or guardian. Any matters which might be set forth in an answer or other pleading may be pleaded orally before the court. An answer admitting the allegations of the petition may be filed by the child joined by a parent or the child's counsel. The answer must acknowledge that the child has been advised of the right to counsel, of the right to remain silent, and of the possible dispositions available to the court. It shall provide for a waiver of the adjudicatory hearing, a statement of consent to an order of adjudication, and an authorization for the court to proceed with a disposition hearing. Upon the filing of such an order, a disposition hearing shall be set at the earliest practicable time that will allow for the completion of the assessment and classification process resulting in the predisposition report.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 222, ch. 95-147; s. 30, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.051.

985.223  Incompetency in juvenile delinquency cases.--

(1)  If, at any time prior to or during a delinquency case, the court has reason to believe that the child named in the petition may be incompetent to proceed with the hearing, the court on its own motion may, or on the motion of the child's attorney or state attorney must, stay all proceedings and order an evaluation of the child's mental condition.

(a)  Any motion questioning the child's competency to proceed must be served upon the child's attorney, the state attorney, the attorneys representing the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the attorneys representing the Department of Children and Family Services. Thereafter, any motion, notice of hearing, order, or other legal pleading relating to the child's competency to proceed with the hearing must be served upon the child's attorney, the state attorney, the attorneys representing the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the attorneys representing the Department of Children and Family Services.

(b)  All determinations of competency shall be made at a hearing, with findings of fact based on an evaluation of the child's mental condition made by not less than two nor more than three experts appointed by the court. The basis for the determination of incompetency must be specifically stated in the evaluation. In addition, a recommendation as to whether residential or nonresidential treatment or training is required must be included in the evaluation. Experts appointed by the court to determine the mental condition of a child shall be allowed reasonable fees for services rendered. State employees may be paid expenses pursuant to s. 112.061. The fees shall be taxed as costs in the case.

(c)  All court orders determining incompetency must include specific written findings by the court as to the nature of the incompetency and whether the child requires secure or nonsecure treatment or training environments.

(d)  For incompetency evaluations related to mental illness, the Department of Children and Family Services shall annually provide the courts with a list of mental health professionals who have completed a training program approved by the Department of Children and Family Services to perform the evaluations.

(e)  For incompetency evaluations related to mental retardation, the court shall order the Developmental Disabilities Program Office within the Department of Children and Family Services to examine the child to determine if the child meets the definition of "retardation" in s. 393.063 and, if so, whether the child is competent to proceed with delinquency proceedings.

(f)  A child is competent to proceed if the child has sufficient present ability to consult with counsel with a reasonable degree of rational understanding and the child has a rational and factual understanding of the present proceedings. The report must address the child's capacity to:

1.  Appreciate the charges or allegations against the child.

2.  Appreciate the range and nature of possible penalties that may be imposed in the proceedings against the child, if applicable.

3.  Understand the adversarial nature of the legal process.

4.  Disclose to counsel facts pertinent to the proceedings at issue.

5.  Display appropriate courtroom behavior.

6.  Testify relevantly.

(g)  Immediately upon the filing of the court order finding a child incompetent to proceed, the clerk of the court shall notify the Department of Children and Family Services and fax or hand deliver to the Department of Children and Family Services a referral packet which includes, at a minimum, the court order, the charging documents, the petition, and the court-appointed evaluator's reports.

(h)  After placement of the child in the appropriate setting, the Department of Children and Family Services must, within 30 days after the Department of Children and Family Services places the child, prepare and submit to the court a treatment plan for the child's restoration of competency. A copy of the treatment plan must be served upon the child's attorney, the state attorney, and the attorneys representing the Department of Juvenile Justice.

(2)  A child who is mentally ill or retarded, who is adjudicated incompetent to proceed, and who has committed a delinquent act or violation of law, either of which would be a felony if committed by an adult, must be committed to the Department of Children and Family Services for treatment or training. A child who has been adjudicated incompetent to proceed because of age or immaturity, or for any reason other than for mental illness or retardation, must not be committed to the department or to the Department of Children and Family Services for restoration-of-competency treatment or training services. For purposes of this section, a child who has committed a delinquent act or violation of law, either of which would be a misdemeanor if committed by an adult, may not be committed to the department or to the Department of Children and Family Services for restoration-of-competency treatment or training services.

(3)  If the court finds that a child is mentally ill or retarded and adjudicates the child incompetent to proceed, the court must also determine whether the child meets the criteria for secure placement. A child may be placed in a secure facility or program if the court makes a finding by clear and convincing evidence that:

(a)  The child is mentally ill and because of the mental illness; or the child is mentally retarded and because of the mental retardation:

1.  The child is manifestly incapable of surviving with the help of willing and responsible family or friends, including available alternative services, and without treatment or training the child is likely to either suffer from neglect or refuse to care for self, and such neglect or refusal poses a real and present threat of substantial harm to the child's well-being; or

2.  There is a substantial likelihood that in the near future the child will inflict serious bodily harm on self or others, as evidenced by recent behavior causing, attempting, or threatening such harm; and

(b)  All available less restrictive alternatives, including treatment or training in community residential facilities or community settings which would offer an opportunity for improvement of the child's condition, are inappropriate.

(4)  A child who is determined to be mentally ill or retarded, who has been adjudicated incompetent to proceed, and who meets the criteria set forth in subsection (3), must be committed to the Department of Children and Family Services, and the Department of Children and Family Services must treat or train the child in a secure facility or program which is the least restrictive alternative consistent with public safety. Any placement of a child to a secure residential program must be separate from adult forensic programs. If the child attains competency, then custody, case management, and supervision of the child will be transferred to the department in order to continue delinquency proceedings; however, the court retains authority to order the Department of Children and Family Services to provide continued treatment to maintain competency.

(a)  A child adjudicated incompetent due to mental retardation may be ordered into a secure program or facility designated by the Department of Children and Family Services for retarded children.

(b)  A child adjudicated incompetent due to mental illness may be ordered into a secure program or facility designated by the Department of Children and Family Services for mentally ill children.

(c)  Whenever a child is placed in a secure residential facility, the department will provide transportation to the secure residential facility for admission and from the secure residential facility upon discharge.

(d)  The purpose of the treatment or training is the restoration of the child's competency to proceed.

(e)  The service provider must file a written report with the court pursuant to the applicable Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure not later than 6 months after the date of commitment, or at the end of any period of extended treatment or training, and at any time the Department of Children and Family Services, through its service provider determines the child has attained competency or no longer meets the criteria for secure placement, or at such shorter intervals as ordered by the court. A copy of a written report evaluating the child's competency must be filed by the provider with the court and with the state attorney, the child's attorney, the department, and the Department of Children and Family Services.

(5)(a)  If a child is determined to be incompetent to proceed, the court shall retain jurisdiction of the child for up to 2 years after the date of the order of incompetency, with reviews at least every 6 months to determine competency.

(b)  Whenever the provider files a report with the court informing the court that the child will never become competent to proceed, the Department of Children and Family Services will develop a discharge plan for the child prior to any hearing determining whether the child will ever become competent to proceed. The Department of Children and Family Services must send the proposed discharge plan to the court, the state attorney, the child's attorney, and the attorneys representing the Department of Juvenile Justice. The provider will continue to provide services to the child until the court issues the order finding the child will never become competent to proceed.

(c)  If the court determines at any time that the child will never become competent to proceed, the court may dismiss the delinquency petition. If, at the end of the 2-year period following the date of the order of incompetency, the child has not attained competency and there is no evidence that the child will attain competency within a year, the court must dismiss the delinquency petition. If appropriate, the court may order that proceedings under chapter 393 or chapter 394 be instituted. Such proceedings must be instituted not less than 60 days prior to the dismissal of the delinquency petition.

(6)(a)  If a child is determined to be mentally ill or retarded and is found to be incompetent to proceed but does not meet the criteria set forth in subsection (3), the court shall commit the child to the Department of Children and Family Services and shall order the Department of Children and Family Services to provide appropriate treatment and training in the community. The purpose of the treatment or training is the restoration of the child's competency to proceed.

(b)  All court-ordered treatment or training must be the least restrictive alternative that is consistent with public safety. Any placement by the Department of Children and Family Services to a residential program must be separate from adult forensic programs.

(c)  If a child is ordered to receive competency restoration services, the services shall be provided by the Department of Children and Family Services. The department shall continue to provide case management services to the child and receive notice of the competency status of the child.

(d)  The service provider must file a written report with the court pursuant to the applicable Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure, not later than 6 months after the date of commitment, at the end of any period of extended treatment or training, and at any time the service provider determines the child has attained competency or will never attain competency, or at such shorter intervals as ordered by the court. A copy of a written report evaluating the child's competency must be filed by the provider with the court, the state attorney, the child's attorney, the Department of Children and Family Services, and the department.

(7)  The provisions of this section shall be implemented only subject to specific appropriation.

History.--s. 4, ch. 96-398; s. 164, ch. 97-101; s. 31, ch. 97-238; s. 16, ch. 98-207; s. 72, ch. 2000-139.

Note.--Former s. 39.0517.

985.224  Medical, psychiatric, psychological, substance abuse, and educational examination and treatment.--

(1)  After a detention petition or a petition for delinquency has been filed, the court may order the child named in the petition to be examined by a physician. The court may also order the child to be evaluated by a psychiatrist or a psychologist, by a district school board educational needs assessment team, or, if a developmental disability is suspected or alleged, by the developmental disabilities diagnostic and evaluation team of the Department of Children and Family Services. If it is necessary to place a child in a residential facility for such evaluation, the criteria and procedures established in chapter 393, chapter 394, or chapter 397, whichever is applicable, shall be used.

(2)  Whenever a child has been found to have committed a delinquent act, or before such finding with the consent of any parent or legal custodian of the child, the court may order the child to be treated by a physician. The court may also order the child to receive mental health, substance abuse, or retardation services from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other appropriate service provider. If it is necessary to place the child in a residential facility for such services, the procedures and criteria established in chapter 393, chapter 394, or chapter 397, whichever is applicable, shall be used. After a child has been adjudicated delinquent, if an educational needs assessment by the district school board or the Department of Children and Family Services has been previously conducted, the court shall order the report of such needs assessment included in the child's court record in lieu of a new assessment. For purposes of this section, an educational needs assessment includes, but is not limited to, reports of intelligence and achievement tests, screening for learning disabilities and other handicaps, and screening for the need for alternative education.

(3)  When any child is detained pending a hearing, the person in charge of the detention center or facility or his or her designated representative may authorize a triage examination as a preliminary screening device to determine if the child is in need of medical care or isolation or provide or cause to be provided such medical or surgical services as may be deemed necessary by a physician.

(4)  Whenever a child found to have committed a delinquent act is placed by order of the court within the care and custody or under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice and it appears to the court that there is no parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis who is capable of authorizing or willing to authorize medical, surgical, dental, or other remedial care or treatment for the child, the court may, after due notice to the parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis, if any, order that a representative of the Department of Juvenile Justice may authorize such medical, surgical, dental, or other remedial care for the child by licensed practitioners as may from time to time appear necessary.

(5)  A physician shall be immediately notified by the person taking the child into custody or the person having custody if there are indications of physical injury or illness, or the child shall be taken to the nearest available hospital for emergency care. A child may be provided mental health, substance abuse, or retardation services, in emergency situations, pursuant to chapter 393, chapter 394, or chapter 397, whichever is applicable. After a hearing, the court may order the custodial parent or parents, guardian, or other custodian, if found able to do so, to reimburse the county or state for the expense involved in such emergency treatment or care.

(6)  Nothing in this section shall be deemed to eliminate the right of the parents or the child to consent to examination or treatment for the child, except that consent of a parent shall not be required if the physician determines there is an injury or illness requiring immediate treatment and the child consents to such treatment or an ex parte court order is obtained authorizing treatment.

(7)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the permanent sterilization of any child unless such sterilization is the result of or incidental to medically necessary treatment to protect or preserve the life of the child.

(8)  Except as provided in this section, nothing in this section shall be deemed to preclude a court from ordering services or treatment to be provided to a child by a duly accredited practitioner who relies solely on spiritual means for healing in accordance with the tenets and practices of a church or religious organization, when requested by the child.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 15, ch. 93-39; s. 34, ch. 94-209; s. 1345, ch. 95-147; s. 3, ch. 97-101; s. 32, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.046.

985.225  Indictment of a juvenile.--

(1)  A child of any age who is charged with a violation of state law punishable by death or by life imprisonment is subject to the jurisdiction of the court as set forth in s. 985.219(8) unless and until an indictment on the charge is returned by the grand jury. When such indictment is returned, the petition for delinquency, if any, must be dismissed and the child must be tried and handled in every respect as an adult:

(a)  On the offense punishable by death or by life imprisonment; and

(b)  On all other felonies or misdemeanors charged in the indictment which are based on the same act or transaction as the offense punishable by death or by life imprisonment or on one or more acts or transactions connected with the offense punishable by death or by life imprisonment.

(2)  An adjudicatory hearing may not be held until 21 days after the child is taken into custody and charged with having committed an offense punishable by death or by life imprisonment, unless the state attorney advises the court in writing that he or she does not intend to present the case to the grand jury, or has presented the case to the grand jury and the grand jury has not returned an indictment. If the court receives such a notice from the state attorney, or if the grand jury fails to act within the 21-day period, the court may proceed as otherwise authorized under this part.

(3)  If the child is found to have committed the offense punishable by death or by life imprisonment, the child shall be sentenced as an adult. If the juvenile is not found to have committed the indictable offense but is found to have committed a lesser included offense or any other offense for which he or she was indicted as a part of the criminal episode, the court may sentence pursuant to s. 985.233.

(4)(a)  Once a child has been indicted pursuant to this subsection and has been found to have committed any offense for which he or she was indicted as a part of the criminal episode, the child shall be handled thereafter in every respect as if an adult for any subsequent violation of state law, unless the court imposes juvenile sanctions under s. 985.233.

(b)  When a child has been indicted pursuant to this subsection the court shall immediately transfer and certify to the adult circuit court all felony cases pertaining to the child, for prosecution of the child as an adult, which have not yet resulted in a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or in which a finding of guilt has not been made. If the child is acquitted of all charged offenses or lesser included offenses contained in the indictment case, all felony cases that were transferred to adult court pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to the same penalties such cases were subject to before being transferred to adult court.

History.--s. 33, ch. 97-238; s. 35, ch. 99-284; s. 38, ch. 2001-64.

985.226  Criteria for waiver of juvenile court jurisdiction; hearing on motion to transfer for prosecution as an adult.--

(1)  VOLUNTARY WAIVER.--The court shall transfer and certify a child's criminal case for trial as an adult if the child is alleged to have committed a violation of law and, prior to the commencement of an adjudicatory hearing, the child, joined by a parent or, in the absence of a parent, by the guardian or guardian ad litem, demands in writing to be tried as an adult. Once a child has been transferred for criminal prosecution pursuant to a voluntary waiver hearing and has been found to have committed the presenting offense or a lesser included offense, the child shall be handled thereafter in every respect as an adult for any subsequent violation of state law, unless the court imposes juvenile sanctions under s. 985.233(4)(b).

(2)  INVOLUNTARY WAIVER.--

(a)  Discretionary waiver.--Except as provided in paragraph (b), the state attorney may file a motion requesting the court to transfer the child for criminal prosecution if the child was 14 years of age or older at the time the alleged delinquent act or violation of law was committed.

(b)  Mandatory waiver.--

1.  If the child was 14 years of age or older, and if the child has been previously adjudicated delinquent for an act classified as a felony, which adjudication was for the commission of, attempt to commit, or conspiracy to commit murder, sexual battery, armed or strong-armed robbery, carjacking, home-invasion robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, or burglary with an assault or battery, and the child is currently charged with a second or subsequent violent crime against a person; or

2.  If the child was 14 years of age or older at the time of commission of a fourth or subsequent alleged felony offense and the child was previously adjudicated delinquent or had adjudication withheld for or was found to have committed, or to have attempted or conspired to commit, three offenses that are felony offenses if committed by an adult, and one or more of such felony offenses involved the use or possession of a firearm or violence against a person;

the state attorney shall request the court to transfer and certify the child for prosecution as an adult or shall provide written reasons to the court for not making such request, or proceed pursuant to s. 985.227(1). Upon the state attorney's request, the court shall either enter an order transferring the case and certifying the case for trial as if the child were an adult or provide written reasons for not issuing such an order.

(3)  WAIVER HEARING.--

(a)  Within 7 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after the date a petition alleging that a child has committed a delinquent act or violation of law has been filed, or later with the approval of the court, but before an adjudicatory hearing and after considering the recommendation of the juvenile probation officer, the state attorney may file a motion requesting the court to transfer the child for criminal prosecution.

(b)  After the filing of the motion of the state attorney, summonses must be issued and served in conformity with s. 985.219. A copy of the motion and a copy of the delinquency petition, if not already served, must be attached to each summons.

(c)  The court shall conduct a hearing on all transfer request motions for the purpose of determining whether a child should be transferred. In making its determination, the court shall consider:

1.  The seriousness of the alleged offense to the community and whether the protection of the community is best served by transferring the child for adult sanctions.

2.  Whether the alleged offense was committed in an aggressive, violent, premeditated, or willful manner.

3.  Whether the alleged offense was against persons or against property, greater weight being given to offenses against persons, especially if personal injury resulted.

4.  The probable cause as found in the report, affidavit, or complaint.

5.  The desirability of trial and disposition of the entire offense in one court when the child's associates in the alleged crime are adults or children who are to be tried as adults.

6.  The sophistication and maturity of the child.

7.  The record and previous history of the child, including:

a.  Previous contacts with the department, the Department of Corrections, the former Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, the Department of Children and Family Services, other law enforcement agencies, and courts;

b.  Prior periods of probation;

c.  Prior adjudications that the child committed a delinquent act or violation of law, greater weight being given if the child has previously been found by a court to have committed a delinquent act or violation of law involving an offense classified as a felony or has twice previously been found to have committed a delinquent act or violation of law involving an offense classified as a misdemeanor; and

d.  Prior commitments to institutions.

8.  The prospects for adequate protection of the public and the likelihood of reasonable rehabilitation of the child, if the child is found to have committed the alleged offense, by the use of procedures, services, and facilities currently available to the court.

(d)  Prior to a hearing on the transfer request motion by the state attorney, a study and report to the court relevant to the factors in paragraph (c) must be made in writing by an authorized agent of the department. The child and the child's parents or legal guardians and counsel and the state attorney shall have the right to examine these reports and to question the parties responsible for them at the hearing.

(e)  Any decision to transfer a child for criminal prosecution must be in writing and include consideration of, and findings of fact with respect to, all criteria in paragraph (c). The court shall render an order including a specific finding of fact and the reasons for a decision to impose adult sanctions. The order shall be reviewable on appeal under s. 985.234 and the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure.

(4)  EFFECT OF ORDER WAIVING JURISDICTION.--

(a)  Once a child has been transferred for criminal prosecution pursuant to an involuntary waiver hearing and has been found to have committed the presenting offense or a lesser included offense, the child shall thereafter be handled in every respect as an adult for any subsequent violation of state law, unless the court imposes juvenile sanctions under s. 985.233.

(b)  When a child is transferred for criminal prosecution as an adult, the court shall immediately transfer and certify to the adult circuit court all felony cases pertaining to the child, for prosecution of the child as an adult, which have not yet resulted in a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or in which a finding of guilt has not been made. If the child is acquitted of all charged offenses or lesser included offenses contained in the original case transferred to adult court, all felony cases that were transferred to adult court pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to the same penalties such cases were subject to before being transferred to adult court.

History.--s. 34, ch. 97-238; s. 17, ch. 98-207; s. 37, ch. 99-284; s. 4, ch. 2000-119; s. 26, ch. 2000-135.

985.227  Prosecution of juveniles as adults by the direct filing of an information in the criminal division of the circuit court; discretionary criteria; mandatory criteria.--

(1)  DISCRETIONARY DIRECT FILE; CRITERIA.--

(a)  With respect to any child who was 14 or 15 years of age at the time the alleged offense was committed, the state attorney may file an information when in the state attorney's judgment and discretion the public interest requires that adult sanctions be considered or imposed and when the offense charged is for the commission of, attempt to commit, or conspiracy to commit:

1.  Arson;

2.  Sexual battery;

3.  Robbery;

4.  Kidnapping;

5.  Aggravated child abuse;

6.  Aggravated assault;

7.  Aggravated stalking;

8.  Murder;

9.  Manslaughter;

10.  Unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb;

11.  Armed burglary in violation of s. 810.02(2)(b) or specified burglary of a dwelling or structure in violation of s. 810.02(2)(c), or burglary with an assault or battery in violation of s. 810.02(2)(a);

12.  Aggravated battery;

13.  Any lewd or lascivious offense committed upon or in the presence of a person less than 16 years of age;

14.  Carrying, displaying, using, threatening, or attempting to use a weapon or firearm during the commission of a felony;

15.  Grand theft in violation of s. 812.014(2)(a);

16.  Possessing or discharging any weapon or firearm on school property in violation of s. 790.115;

17.  Home invasion robbery;

18.  Carjacking; or

19.  Grand theft of a motor vehicle in violation of s. 812.014(2)(c)6. or grand theft of a motor vehicle valued at $20,000 or more in violation of s. 812.014(2)(b) if the child has a previous adjudication for grand theft of a motor vehicle in violation of s. 812.014(2)(c)6. or s. 812.014(2)(b).

(b)  With respect to any child who was 16 or 17 years of age at the time the alleged offense was committed, the state attorney may file an information when in the state attorney's judgment and discretion the public interest requires that adult sanctions be considered or imposed. However, the state attorney may not file an information on a child charged with a misdemeanor, unless the child has had at least two previous adjudications or adjudications withheld for delinquent acts, one of which involved an offense classified as a felony under state law.

(2)  MANDATORY DIRECT FILE.--

(a)  With respect to any child who was 16 or 17 years of age at the time the alleged offense was committed, the state attorney shall file an information if the child has been previously adjudicated delinquent for an act classified as a felony, which adjudication was for the commission of, attempt to commit, or conspiracy to commit murder, sexual battery, armed or strong-armed robbery, carjacking, home-invasion robbery, aggravated battery, or aggravated assault, and the child is currently charged with a second or subsequent violent crime against a person.

(b)  With respect to any child 16 or 17 years of age at the time an offense classified as a forcible felony, as defined in s. 776.08, was committed, the state attorney shall file an information if the child has previously been adjudicated delinquent or had adjudication withheld for three acts classified as felonies each of which occurred at least 45 days apart from each other. This paragraph does not apply when the state attorney has good cause to believe that exceptional circumstances exist which preclude the just prosecution of the juvenile in adult court.

(c)  The state attorney must file an information if a child, regardless of the child's age at the time the alleged offense was committed, is alleged to have committed an act that would be a violation of law if the child were an adult, that involves stealing a motor vehicle, including, but not limited to, a violation of s. 812.133, relating to carjacking, or s. 812.014(2)(c)6., relating to grand theft of a motor vehicle, and while the child was in possession of the stolen motor vehicle the child caused serious bodily injury to or the death of a person who was not involved in the underlying offense. For purposes of this section, the driver and all willing passengers in the stolen motor vehicle at the time such serious bodily injury or death is inflicted shall also be subject to mandatory transfer to adult court. "Stolen motor vehicle," for the purposes of this section, means a motor vehicle that has been the subject of any criminal wrongful taking. For purposes of this section, "willing passengers" means all willing passengers who have participated in the underlying offense.

(d)1.  With respect to any child who was 16 or 17 years of age at the time the alleged offense was committed, the state attorney shall file an information if the child has been charged with committing or attempting to commit an offense listed in s. 775.087(2)(a)1.a.-q., and, during the commission of or attempt to commit the offense, the child:

a.  Actually possessed a firearm or destructive device, as those terms are defined in s. 790.001.

b.  Discharged a firearm or destructive device, as described in s. 775.087(2)(a)2.

c.  Discharged a firearm or destructive device, as described in s. 775.087(2)(a)3., and, as a result of the discharge, death or great bodily harm was inflicted upon any person.

2.  Upon transfer, any child who is:

a.  Charged pursuant to sub-subparagraph 1.a. and who has been previously adjudicated or had adjudication withheld for a forcible felony offense or any offense involving a firearm, or who has been previously placed in a residential commitment program, shall be subject to sentencing under s. 775.087(2)(a), notwithstanding s. 985.233.

b.  Charged pursuant to sub-subparagraph 1.b. or sub-subparagraph 1.c., shall be subject to sentencing under s. 775.087(2)(a), notwithstanding s. 985.233.

3.  Upon transfer, any child who is charged pursuant to this paragraph, but who does not meet the requirements specified in subparagraph 2., shall be sentenced pursuant to s. 985.233; however, if the court imposes a juvenile sanction, the court must commit the child to a high-risk or maximum-risk juvenile facility.

4.  This paragraph shall not apply if the state attorney has good cause to believe that exceptional circumstances exist which preclude the just prosecution of the child in adult court.

5.  The Department of Corrections shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that any child 16 or 17 years of age who is convicted and sentenced under this paragraph be completely separated such that there is no physical contact with adult offenders in the facility, to the extent that it is consistent with chapter 958.

(3)  EFFECT OF DIRECT FILE.--

(a)  Once a child has been transferred for criminal prosecution pursuant to an information and has been found to have committed the presenting offense or a lesser included offense, the child shall be handled thereafter in every respect as if an adult for any subsequent violation of state law, unless the court imposes juvenile sanctions under s. 985.233.

(b)  When a child is transferred for criminal prosecution as an adult, the court shall immediately transfer and certify to the adult circuit court all felony cases pertaining to the child, for prosecution of the child as an adult, which have not yet resulted in a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or in which a finding of guilt has not been made. If a child is acquitted of all charged offenses or lesser included offenses contained in the original case transferred to adult court, all felony cases that were transferred to adult court as a result of this paragraph shall be subject to the same penalties to which such cases would have been subject before being transferred to adult court.

(c)  When a child has been transferred for criminal prosecution as an adult and has been found to have committed a violation of state law, the disposition of the case may be made under s. 985.233 and may include the enforcement of any restitution ordered in any juvenile proceeding.

(4)  DIRECT-FILE POLICIES AND GUIDELINES.--Each state attorney shall develop written policies and guidelines to govern determinations for filing an information on a juvenile, to be submitted to the Executive Office of the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives not later than January 1 of each year.

(5)  An information filed pursuant to this section may include all charges that are based on the same act, criminal episode, or transaction as the primary offenses.

History.--s. 35, ch. 97-238; s. 130, ch. 99-3; s. 15, ch. 99-201; s. 1, ch. 99-257; s. 26, ch. 99-284; s. 2, ch. 2000-119; s. 27, ch. 2000-135; s. 1, ch. 2000-136; s. 21, ch. 2001-125; s. 4, ch. 2001-185.

985.228  Adjudicatory hearings; withheld adjudications; orders of adjudication.--

(1)  The adjudicatory hearing must be held as soon as practicable after the petition alleging that a child has committed a delinquent act or violation of law is filed and in accordance with the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure; but reasonable delay for the purpose of investigation, discovery, or procuring counsel or witnesses shall be granted. If the child is being detained, the time limitations provided for in s. 985.215(5)(c) and (d) apply.

(2)  Adjudicatory hearings shall be conducted without a jury by the court, applying in delinquency cases the rules of evidence in use in criminal cases; adjourning the hearings from time to time as necessary; and conducting a fundamentally fair hearing in language understandable, to the fullest extent practicable, to the child before the court.

(a)  In a hearing on a petition alleging that a child has committed a delinquent act or violation of law, the evidence must establish the findings beyond a reasonable doubt.

(b)  The child is entitled to the opportunity to introduce evidence and otherwise be heard in the child's own behalf and to cross-examine witnesses.

(c)  A child charged with a delinquent act or violation of law must be afforded all rights against self-incrimination. Evidence illegally seized or obtained may not be received to establish the allegations against the child.

(3)  If the court finds that the child named in a petition has not committed a delinquent act or violation of law, it shall enter an order so finding and dismissing the case.

(4)  If the court finds that the child named in the petition has committed a delinquent act or violation of law, it may, in its discretion, enter an order stating the facts upon which its finding is based but withholding adjudication of delinquency and placing the child in a probation program under the supervision of the department or under the supervision of any other person or agency specifically authorized and appointed by the court. The court may, as a condition of the program, impose as a penalty component restitution in money or in kind, community service, a curfew, urine monitoring, revocation or suspension of the driver's license of the child, or other nonresidential punishment appropriate to the offense, and may impose as a rehabilitative component a requirement of participation in substance abuse treatment, or school or other educational program attendance. If the child is attending public school and the court finds that the victim or a sibling of the victim in the case was assigned to attend or is eligible to attend the same school as the child, the court order shall include a finding pursuant to the proceedings described in s. 985.23(1)(d). If the court later finds that the child has not complied with the rules, restrictions, or conditions of the community-based program, the court may, after a hearing to establish the lack of compliance, but without further evidence of the state of delinquency, enter an adjudication of delinquency and shall thereafter have full authority under this chapter to deal with the child as adjudicated.

(5)  If the court finds that the child named in a petition has committed a delinquent act or violation of law, but elects not to proceed under subsection (4), it shall incorporate that finding in an order of adjudication of delinquency entered in the case, briefly stating the facts upon which the finding is made, and the court shall thereafter have full authority under this chapter to deal with the child as adjudicated.

(6)  Except as the term "conviction" is used in chapter 322, and except for use in a subsequent proceeding under this chapter, an adjudication of delinquency by a court with respect to any child who has committed a delinquent act or violation of law shall not be deemed a conviction; nor shall the child be deemed to have been found guilty or to be a criminal by reason of that adjudication; nor shall that adjudication operate to impose upon the child any of the civil disabilities ordinarily imposed by or resulting from conviction or to disqualify or prejudice the child in any civil service application or appointment, with the exception of the use of records of proceedings under this part as provided in s. 985.05(4).

(7)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an adjudication of delinquency for an offense classified as a felony shall disqualify a person from lawfully possessing a firearm until such person reaches 24 years of age.

History.--s. 36, ch. 97-238; s. 38, ch. 99-284; s. 28, ch. 2000-135; s. 39, ch. 2001-64; s. 22, ch. 2001-125.

985.229  Predisposition report; other evaluations.--

(1)  Upon a finding that the child has committed a delinquent act, the court may order a predisposition report regarding the eligibility of the child for disposition other than by adjudication and commitment to the department or for disposition of adjudication, commitment to the department, and, if appropriate, assignment of a residential commitment level. The predisposition report shall be the result of the multidisciplinary assessment when such assessment is needed, and of the classification and placement process, and it shall indicate and report the child's priority needs, recommendations as to a classification of risk for the child in the context of his or her program and supervision needs, and a plan for treatment that recommends the most appropriate placement setting to meet the child's needs with the minimum program security that reasonably ensures public safety. A predisposition report shall be ordered for any child for whom a residential commitment disposition is anticipated or recommended by an officer of the court or by the department. A comprehensive evaluation for physical health, mental health, substance abuse, academic, educational, or vocational problems shall be ordered for any child for whom a residential commitment disposition is anticipated or recommended by an officer of the court or by the department. If a comprehensive evaluation is ordered, the predisposition report shall include a summary of the comprehensive evaluation. The predisposition report shall be submitted to the court upon completion of the report but no later than 48 hours prior to the disposition hearing. The predisposition report shall not be reviewed by the court without the consent of the child and his or her legal counsel until the child has been found to have committed a delinquent act.

(2)  The court shall consider the child's entire assessment and predisposition report and shall review the records of earlier judicial proceedings prior to making a final disposition of the case. The court may, by order, require additional evaluations and studies to be performed by the department, by the county school system, or by any social, psychological, or psychiatric agencies of the state. The court shall order the educational needs assessment completed pursuant to s. 985.224(2) to be included in the assessment and predisposition report.

(3)  The predisposition report, together with all other reports and evaluations used by the department in preparing the predisposition report, shall be made available to the child, the child's parents or legal guardian, the child's legal counsel, and the state attorney upon completion of the report and at a reasonable time prior to the disposition hearing.

History.--s. 37, ch. 97-238; s. 29, ch. 2000-135.

985.23  Disposition hearings in delinquency cases.--When a child has been found to have committed a delinquent act, the following procedures shall be applicable to the disposition of the case:

(1)  Before the court determines and announces the disposition to be imposed, it shall:

(a)  State clearly, using common terminology, the purpose of the hearing and the right of persons present as parties to comment at the appropriate time on the issues before the court;

(b)  Discuss with the child his or her compliance with any home release plan or other plan imposed since the date of the offense;

(c)  Discuss with the child his or her feelings about the offense committed, the harm caused to the victim or others, and what penalty he or she should be required to pay for such transgression; and

(d)  Give all parties present at the hearing an opportunity to comment on the issue of disposition and any proposed rehabilitative plan. Parties to the case shall include the parents, legal custodians, or guardians of the child; the child's counsel; the state attorney; representatives of the department; the victim if any, or his or her representative; representatives of the school system; and the law enforcement officers involved in the case. If the child is attending or is eligible to attend public school and the court finds that the victim or a sibling of the victim in the case is attending or may attend the same school as the child, the court shall, on its own motion or upon the request of any party or any parent or legal guardian of the victim, determine whether it is appropriate to enter a no contact order in favor of the victim or a sibling of the victim. If appropriate and acceptable to the victim and the victim's parent or parents or legal guardian, the court may reflect in the written disposition order that the victim or the victim's parent stated in writing or in open court that he or she did not object to the offender being permitted to attend the same school or ride on the same school bus as the victim or a sibling of the victim.

(2)  The first determination to be made by the court is a determination of the suitability or nonsuitability for adjudication and commitment of the child to the department. This determination shall include consideration of the recommendations of the department, which may include a predisposition report. The predisposition report shall include, whether as part of the child's multidisciplinary assessment, classification, and placement process components or separately, evaluation of the following criteria:

(a)  The seriousness of the offense to the community. If the court determines that the child was a member of a criminal street gang at the time of the commission of the offense, which determination shall be made pursuant to chapter 874, the seriousness of the offense to the community shall be given great weight.

(b)  Whether the protection of the community requires adjudication and commitment to the department.

(c)  Whether the offense was committed in an aggressive, violent, premeditated, or willful manner.

(d)  Whether the offense was against persons or against property, greater weight being given to offenses against persons, especially if personal injury resulted.

(e)  The sophistication and maturity of the child.

(f)  The record and previous criminal history of the child, including without limitations:

1.  Previous contacts with the department, the former Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Corrections, other law enforcement agencies, and courts;

2.  Prior periods of probation;

3.  Prior adjudications of delinquency; and

4.  Prior commitments to institutions.

(g)  The prospects for adequate protection of the public and the likelihood of reasonable rehabilitation of the child if committed to a community services program or facility.

(h)  The child's educational status, including, but not limited to, the child's strengths, abilities, and unmet and special educational needs. The report shall identify appropriate educational and vocational goals for the child. Examples of appropriate goals include:

1.  Attainment of a high school diploma or its equivalent.

2.  Successful completion of literacy course(s).

3.  Successful completion of vocational course(s).

4.  Successful attendance and completion of the child's current grade if enrolled in school.

5.  Enrollment in an apprenticeship or a similar program.

At the time of disposition, the court may make recommendations to the department as to specific treatment approaches to be employed.

(3)(a)  If the court determines that the child should be adjudicated as having committed a delinquent act and should be committed to the department, such determination shall be in writing or on the record of the hearing. The determination shall include a specific finding of the reasons for the decision to adjudicate and to commit the child to the department, including any determination that the child was a member of a criminal street gang.

(b)  If the court determines that commitment to the department is appropriate, the juvenile probation officer shall recommend to the court the most appropriate placement and treatment plan, specifically identifying the restrictiveness level most appropriate for the child. If the court has determined that the child was a member of a criminal street gang, that determination shall be given great weight in identifying the most appropriate restrictiveness level for the child. The court shall consider the department's recommendation in making its commitment decision.

(c)  The court shall commit the child to the department at the restrictiveness level identified or may order placement at a different restrictiveness level. The court shall state for the record the reasons which establish by a preponderance of the evidence why the court is disregarding the assessment of the child and the restrictiveness level recommended by the department. Any party may appeal the court's findings resulting in a modified level of restrictiveness pursuant to this paragraph.

(d)  The court may also require that the child be placed in a probation program following the child's discharge from commitment. Community-based sanctions pursuant to subsection (4) may be imposed by the court at the disposition hearing or at any time prior to the child's release from commitment.

(e)  The court shall be responsible for the fingerprinting of any child at the disposition hearing if the child has been adjudicated or had adjudication withheld for any felony in the case currently before the court.

(4)  If the court determines not to adjudicate and commit to the department, then the court shall determine what community-based sanctions it will impose in a probation program for the child. Community-based sanctions may include, but are not limited to, participation in substance abuse treatment, a day-treatment probation program, restitution in money or in kind, a curfew, revocation or suspension of the driver's license of the child, community service, and appropriate educational programs as determined by the district school board.

(5)  After appropriate sanctions for the offense are determined, the court shall develop, approve, and order a plan of probation which will contain rules, requirements, conditions, and rehabilitative programs, including the option of a day-treatment probation program, which are designed to encourage responsible and acceptable behavior and to promote both the rehabilitation of the child and the protection of the community.

(6)  The court may receive and consider any other relevant and material evidence, including other written or oral reports or statements, in its effort to determine the appropriate disposition to be made with regard to the child. The court may rely upon such evidence to the extent of its probative value, even though such evidence may not be technically competent in an adjudicatory hearing.

(7)  The court shall notify any victim of the offense, if such person is known and within the jurisdiction of the court, of the hearing and shall notify and summon or subpoena, if necessary, the parents, legal custodians, or guardians of the child to attend the disposition hearing if they reside in the state.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the criteria set forth in subsection (2) are general guidelines to be followed at the discretion of the court and not mandatory requirements of procedure. It is not the intent of the Legislature to provide for the appeal of the disposition made pursuant to this section.

History.--s. 38, ch. 97-238; s. 18, ch. 98-207; s. 131, ch. 99-3; s. 30, ch. 2000-135; s. 40, ch. 2001-64; s. 23, ch. 2001-125.

985.231  Powers of disposition in delinquency cases.--

(1)(a)  The court that has jurisdiction of an adjudicated delinquent child may, by an order stating the facts upon which a determination of a sanction and rehabilitative program was made at the disposition hearing:

1.  Place the child in a probation program or a postcommitment probation program under the supervision of an authorized agent of the Department of Juvenile Justice or of any other person or agency specifically authorized and appointed by the court, whether in the child's own home, in the home of a relative of the child, or in some other suitable place under such reasonable conditions as the court may direct. A probation program for an adjudicated delinquent child must include a penalty component such as restitution in money or in kind, community service, a curfew, revocation or suspension of the driver's license of the child, or other nonresidential punishment appropriate to the offense and must also include a rehabilitative program component such as a requirement of participation in substance abuse treatment or in school or other educational program. If the child is attending or is eligible to attend public school and the court finds that the victim or a sibling of the victim in the case is attending or may attend the same school as the child, the court placement order shall include a finding pursuant to the proceedings described in s. 985.23(1)(d). Upon the recommendation of the department at the time of disposition, or subsequent to disposition pursuant to the filing of a petition alleging a violation of the child's conditions of postcommitment probation, the court may order the child to submit to random testing for the purpose of detecting and monitoring the use of alcohol or controlled substances.

a.  A restrictiveness level classification scale for levels of supervision shall be provided by the department, taking into account the child's needs and risks relative to probation supervision requirements to reasonably ensure the public safety. Probation programs for children shall be supervised by the department or by any other person or agency specifically authorized by the court. These programs must include, but are not limited to, structured or restricted activities as described in this subparagraph, and shall be designed to encourage the child toward acceptable and functional social behavior. If supervision or a program of community service is ordered by the court, the duration of such supervision or program must be consistent with any treatment and rehabilitation needs identified for the child and may not exceed the term for which sentence could be imposed if the child were committed for the offense, except that the duration of such supervision or program for an offense that is a misdemeanor of the second degree, or is equivalent to a misdemeanor of the second degree, may be for a period not to exceed 6 months. When restitution is ordered by the court, the amount of restitution may not exceed an amount the child and the parent or guardian could reasonably be expected to pay or make. A child who participates in any work program under this part is considered an employee of the state for purposes of liability, unless otherwise provided by law.

b.  The court may conduct judicial review hearings for a child placed on probation for the purpose of fostering accountability to the judge and compliance with other requirements, such as restitution and community service. The court may allow early termination of probation for a child who has substantially complied with the terms and conditions of probation.

c.  If the conditions of the probation program or the postcommitment probation program are violated, the department or the state attorney may bring the child before the court on a petition alleging a violation of the program. Any child who violates the conditions of probation or postcommitment probation must be brought before the court if sanctions are sought. A child taken into custody under s. 985.207 for violating the conditions of probation or postcommitment probation shall be held in a consequence unit if such a unit is available. The child shall be afforded a hearing within 24 hours after being taken into custody to determine the existence of probable cause that the child violated the conditions of probation or postcommitment probation. A consequence unit is a secure facility specifically designated by the department for children who are taken into custody under s. 985.207 for violating probation or postcommitment probation, or who have been found by the court to have violated the conditions of probation or postcommitment probation. If the violation involves a new charge of delinquency, the child may be detained under s. 985.215 in a facility other than a consequence unit. If the child is not eligible for detention for the new charge of delinquency, the child may be held in the consequence unit pending a hearing and is subject to the time limitations specified in s. 985.215. If the child denies violating the conditions of probation or postcommitment probation, the court shall appoint counsel to represent the child at the child's request. Upon the child's admission, or if the court finds after a hearing that the child has violated the conditions of probation or postcommitment probation, the court shall enter an order revoking, modifying, or continuing probation or postcommitment probation. In each such case, the court shall enter a new disposition order and, in addition to the sanctions set forth in this paragraph, may impose any sanction the court could have imposed at the original disposition hearing. If the child is found to have violated the conditions of probation or postcommitment probation, the court may:

(I)  Place the child in a consequence unit in that judicial circuit, if available, for up to 5 days for a first violation, and up to 15 days for a second or subsequent violation.

(II)  Place the child on home detention with electronic monitoring. However, this sanction may be used only if a residential consequence unit is not available.

(III)  Modify or continue the child's probation program or postcommitment probation program.

(IV)  Revoke probation or postcommitment probation and commit the child to the department.

d.  Notwithstanding s. 743.07 and paragraph (d), and except as provided in s. 985.31, the term of any order placing a child in a probation program must be until the child's 19th birthday unless he or she is released by the court, on the motion of an interested party or on its own motion.

2.  Commit the child to a licensed child-caring agency willing to receive the child, but the court may not commit the child to a jail or to a facility used primarily as a detention center or facility or shelter.

3.  Commit the child to the Department of Juvenile Justice at a residential commitment level defined in s. 985.03. Such commitment must be for the purpose of exercising active control over the child, including, but not limited to, custody, care, training, urine monitoring, and treatment of the child and release of the child into the community in a postcommitment nonresidential conditional release program. If the child is eligible to attend public school following residential commitment and the court finds that the victim or a sibling of the victim in the case is or may be attending the same school as the child, the commitment order shall include a finding pursuant to the proceedings described in s. 985.23(1)(d). If the child is not successful in the conditional release program, the department may use the transfer procedure under s. 985.404. Notwithstanding s. 743.07 and paragraph (d), and except as provided in s. 985.31, the term of the commitment must be until the child is discharged by the department or until he or she reaches the age of 21.

4.  Revoke or suspend the driver's license of the child.

5.  Require the child and, if the court finds it appropriate, the child's parent or guardian together with the child, to render community service in a public service program.

6.  As part of the probation program to be implemented by the Department of Juvenile Justice, or, in the case of a committed child, as part of the community-based sanctions ordered by the court at the disposition hearing or before the child's release from commitment, order the child to make restitution in money, through a promissory note cosigned by the child's parent or guardian, or in kind for any damage or loss caused by the child's offense in a reasonable amount or manner to be determined by the court. The clerk of the circuit court shall be the receiving and dispensing agent. In such case, the court shall order the child or the child's parent or guardian to pay to the office of the clerk of the circuit court an amount not to exceed the actual cost incurred by the clerk as a result of receiving and dispensing restitution payments. The clerk shall notify the court if restitution is not made, and the court shall take any further action that is necessary against the child or the child's parent or guardian. A finding by the court, after a hearing, that the parent or guardian has made diligent and good faith efforts to prevent the child from engaging in delinquent acts absolves the parent or guardian of liability for restitution under this subparagraph.

7.  Order the child and, if the court finds it appropriate, the child's parent or guardian together with the child, to participate in a community work project, either as an alternative to monetary restitution or as part of the rehabilitative or probation program.

8.  Commit the child to the Department of Juvenile Justice for placement in a program or facility for serious or habitual juvenile offenders in accordance with s. 985.31. Any commitment of a child to a program or facility for serious or habitual juvenile offenders must be for an indeterminate period of time, but the time may not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment that an adult may serve for the same offense. The court may retain jurisdiction over such child until the child reaches the age of 21, specifically for the purpose of the child completing the program.

9.  In addition to the sanctions imposed on the child, order the parent or guardian of the child to perform community service if the court finds that the parent or guardian did not make a diligent and good faith effort to prevent the child from engaging in delinquent acts. The court may also order the parent or guardian to make restitution in money or in kind for any damage or loss caused by the child's offense. The court shall determine a reasonable amount or manner of restitution, and payment shall be made to the clerk of the circuit court as provided in subparagraph 6.

10.  Subject to specific appropriation, commit the juvenile sexual offender to the Department of Juvenile Justice for placement in a program or facility for juvenile sexual offenders in accordance with s. 985.308. Any commitment of a juvenile sexual offender to a program or facility for juvenile sexual offenders must be for an indeterminate period of time, but the time may not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment that an adult may serve for the same offense. The court may retain jurisdiction over a juvenile sexual offender until the juvenile sexual offender reaches the age of 21, specifically for the purpose of completing the program.

(b)1.  When any child is adjudicated by the court to have committed a delinquent act and temporary legal custody of the child has been placed with a licensed child-caring agency or the Department of Juvenile Justice, the court shall order the parents of such child to pay fees to the department in the amount of $5 per day that the child is under the care or supervision of the department in order to partially offset the cost of the care, support, maintenance, and other usual and ordinary obligations of parents to provide for the needs of their children while in the recommended residential commitment level, unless the court makes a finding on the record that the parent or guardian of the child is indigent.

2.  No later than the disposition hearing, the department shall provide the court with information concerning the actual cost of care, support, and maintenance of the child in the recommended residential commitment level and concerning the ability of the parent or guardian of the child to pay any fees. If the court makes a finding of indigency, the parent or guardianship shall pay to the department a nominal subsistence fee of $2 per day that the child is committed outside the home or $1 per day if the child is otherwise supervised in lieu of other fees related to the parents' obligation for the child's cost of care. The nominal subsistence fee may only be waived or reduced if the court makes a finding that such payment would constitute a significant financial hardship. Such finding shall be in writing and shall contain a detailed description of the facts that led the court to make both the finding of indigency and the finding of significant financial hardship.

3.  In addition, the court may reduce the fees or waive the fees as to each parent or guardian if the court makes a finding on the record that the parent or guardian was the victim of the delinquent act or violation of law for which the child is subject to placement under this section and that the parent or guardian has cooperated in the investigation and prosecution of the offense.

4.  All orders committing a child to a residential commitment program shall include specific findings as to what fees are ordered, reduced, or waived. If the court fails to enter an order as required by this paragraph, it shall be presumed that the court intended the parent or guardian to pay fees to the department in an amount of $5 per day related to the care, support, and maintenance of the child. With regard to a child who reaches the age of 18 prior to the disposition hearing, the court may elect to direct an order required by this paragraph to such child, rather than the parent or guardian. With regard to a child who reaches the age of 18 while in the custody of the department, the court may, upon proper motion of any party, hold a hearing as to whether any party should be further obligated respecting the payment of fees. When the order affects the guardianship estate, a certified copy of the order shall be delivered to the judge having jurisdiction of the guardianship estate.

5.  The clerk of the circuit court shall act as a depository for these fees. Upon each payment received, the clerk of the circuit court shall receive a fee from the total payment of 3 percent of any payment made except that no fee shall be less than $1 nor more than $5 per payment made. This fee shall serve as a service charge for the administration, management, and maintenance of each payment. At the end of each month, the clerk of the circuit court shall send all money collected under this section to the state Grants and Donations Trust Fund.

6.  The parent or guardian shall provide to the department the parent or guardian's name, address, social security number, state of birth, and driver's license number or identification card number and sufficient financial information for the department to be able to determine the parent or guardian's ability to pay. If the parent or guardian refuses to provide the department with any identifying information or financial information, the court shall order the parent to comply and may pursue contempt of court sanctions for failure to comply.

7.  The department may employ a collection agency for the purpose of receiving, collecting, and managing the payment of unpaid and delinquent fees. The collection agency must be registered and in good standing under chapter 559. The department may pay to the collection agency a fee from the amount collected under the claim or may authorize the agency to deduct the fee from the amount collected. The department may also pay for collection services from available authorized funds.

8.  The department may enter into agreements with parents or guardians to establish a schedule of periodic payments if payment of the obligation in full presents an undue hardship. Any such agreement may provide for payment of interests consistent with prevailing loan rates.

9.  The Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide to the payor documentation of any amounts paid by the payor to the Department of Juvenile Justice on behalf of the child. All payments received by the department pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the state Grants and Donations Trust Fund.

10.  Neither the court nor the department may extend the child's length of stay in placement care solely for the purpose of collecting fees.

(c)  Any order made pursuant to paragraph (a) shall be in writing as prepared by the clerk of court and may thereafter be modified or set aside by the court.

(d)  Any commitment of a delinquent child to the Department of Juvenile Justice must be for an indeterminate period of time, which may include periods of temporary release, but the time may not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment that an adult may serve for the same offense. The duration of the child's placement in a residential commitment program of any level shall be based on objective performance-based treatment planning. The child's treatment plan progress and adjustment-related issues shall be reported to the court each month. The child's length of stay in a residential commitment program may be extended if the child fails to comply with or participate in treatment activities. The child's length of stay in such program shall not be extended for purposes of sanction or punishment. Any temporary release from such program must be approved by the court. Any child so committed may be discharged from institutional confinement or a program upon the direction of the department with the concurrence of the court. The child's treatment plan progress and adjustment-related issues must be communicated to the court at the time the department requests the court to consider releasing the child from the residential commitment program. Notwithstanding s. 743.07 and this subsection, and except as provided in ss. 985.201 and 985.31, a child may not be held under a commitment from a court pursuant to this section after becoming 21 years of age. The department shall give the court that committed the child to the department reasonable notice, in writing, of its desire to discharge the child from a commitment facility. The court that committed the child may thereafter accept or reject the request. If the court does not respond within 10 days after receipt of the notice, the request of the department shall be deemed granted. This section does not limit the department's authority to revoke a child's temporary release status and return the child to a commitment facility for any violation of the terms and conditions of the temporary release.

(e)  In carrying out the provisions of this part, the court may order the natural parents or legal custodian or guardian of a child who is found to have committed a delinquent act to participate in family counseling and other professional counseling activities deemed necessary for the rehabilitation of the child or to enhance their ability to provide the child with adequate support, guidance, and supervision. The court may also order that the parent, custodian, or guardian support the child and participate with the child in fulfilling a court-imposed sanction. In addition, the court may use its contempt powers to enforce a court-imposed sanction.

(f)  The court may at any time enter an order ending its jurisdiction over any child.

(g)  Whenever a child is required by the court to participate in any work program under this part or whenever a child volunteers to work in a specified state, county, municipal, or community service organization supervised work program or to work for the victim, either as an alternative to monetary restitution or as a part of the rehabilitative or probation program, the child is an employee of the state for the purposes of liability. In determining the child's average weekly wage unless otherwise determined by a specific funding program, all remuneration received from the employer is a gratuity, and the child is not entitled to any benefits otherwise payable under s. 440.15, regardless of whether the child may be receiving wages and remuneration from other employment with another employer and regardless of the child's future wage-earning capacity.

(h)  The court may, upon motion of the child or upon its own motion, within 60 days after imposition of a disposition of commitment, suspend the further execution of the disposition and place the child in a probation program upon such terms and conditions as the court may require. The department shall forward to the court all relevant material on the child's progress while in custody not later than 3 working days prior to the hearing on the motion to suspend the disposition.

(i)  The nonconsent of the child to commitment or treatment in a substance abuse treatment program in no way precludes the court from ordering such commitment or treatment.

(j)  If the offense committed by the child was grand theft of a motor vehicle, the court:

1.  Upon a first adjudication for a grand theft of a motor vehicle, may place the youth in a boot camp, unless the child is ineligible pursuant to s. 985.309, and shall order the youth to complete a minimum of 50 hours of community service.

2.  Upon a second adjudication for grand theft of a motor vehicle which is separate and unrelated to the previous adjudication, may place the youth in a boot camp, unless the child is ineligible pursuant to s. 985.309, and shall order the youth to complete a minimum of 100 hours of community service.

3.  Upon a third adjudication for grand theft of a motor vehicle which is separate and unrelated to the previous adjudications, shall place the youth in a boot camp or other treatment program, unless the child is ineligible pursuant to s. 985.309, and shall order the youth to complete a minimum of 250 hours of community service.

(2)  Following a delinquency adjudicatory hearing pursuant to s. 985.228 and a delinquency disposition hearing pursuant to s. 985.23 which results in a commitment determination, the court shall, on its own or upon request by the state or the department, determine whether the protection of the public requires that the child be placed in a program for serious or habitual juvenile offenders and whether the particular needs of the child would be best served by a program for serious or habitual juvenile offenders as provided in s. 985.31. The determination shall be made pursuant to ss. 985.03(48) and 985.23(3).

(3)  Following a delinquency adjudicatory hearing pursuant to s. 985.228, the court may on its own or upon request by the state or the department and subject to specific appropriation, determine whether a juvenile sexual offender placement is required for the protection of the public and what would be the best approach to address the treatment needs of the juvenile sexual offender. When the court determines that a juvenile has no history of a recent comprehensive assessment focused on sexually deviant behavior, the court may, subject to specific appropriation, order the department to conduct or arrange for an examination to determine whether the juvenile sexual offender is amenable to community-based treatment.

(a)  The report of the examination shall include, at a minimum, the following:

1.  The juvenile sexual offender's account of the incident and the official report of the investigation.

2.  The juvenile sexual offender's offense history.

3.  A multidisciplinary assessment of the sexually deviant behaviors, including an assessment by a certified psychologist, therapist, or psychiatrist.

4.  An assessment of the juvenile sexual offender's family, social, educational, and employment situation. The report shall set forth the sources of the evaluator's information.

(b)  The report shall assess the juvenile sexual offender's amenability to treatment and relative risk to the victim and the community.

(c)  The department shall provide a proposed plan to the court that shall include, at a minimum:

1.  The frequency and type of contact between the offender and therapist.

2.  The specific issues and behaviors to be addressed in the treatment and description of planned treatment methods.

3.  Monitoring plans, including any requirements regarding living conditions, school attendance and participation, lifestyle, and monitoring by family members, legal guardians, or others.

4.  Anticipated length of treatment.

5.  Recommended crime-related prohibitions and curfew.

6.  Reasonable restrictions on the contact between the juvenile sexual offender and either the victim or alleged victim.

(d)  After receipt of the report on the proposed plan of treatment, the court shall consider whether the community and the offender will benefit from use of juvenile sexual offender community-based treatment alternative disposition and consider the opinion of the victim or the victim's family as to whether the offender should receive a community-based treatment alternative disposition under this subsection.

(e)  If the court determines that this juvenile sexual offender community-based treatment alternative is appropriate, the court may place the offender on community supervision for up to 3 years. As a condition of community treatment and supervision, the court may order the offender to:

1.  Undergo available outpatient juvenile sexual offender treatment for up to 3 years. A program or provider may not be used for such treatment unless it has an appropriate program designed for sexual offender treatment. The department shall not change the treatment provider without first notifying the state attorney's office.

2.  Remain within described geographical boundaries and notify the court or the department counselor prior to any change in the offender's address, educational program, or employment.

3.  Comply with all requirements of the treatment plan.

(f)  The juvenile sexual offender treatment provider shall submit quarterly reports on the respondent's progress in treatment to the court and the parties to the proceedings. The juvenile sexual offender reports shall reference the treatment plan and include, at a minimum, the following:

1.  Dates of attendance.

2.  The juvenile sexual offender's compliance with the requirements of treatment.

3.  A description of the treatment activities.

4.  The sexual offender's relative progress in treatment.

5.  The offender's family support of the treatment objectives.

6.  Any other material specified by the court at the time of the disposition.

(g)  At the disposition hearing, the court may set case review hearings as the court considers appropriate.

(h)  If the juvenile sexual offender violates any condition of the disposition or the court finds that the juvenile sexual offender is failing to make satisfactory progress in treatment, the court may revoke the community-based treatment alternative and order commitment to the department pursuant to subsection (1).

(i)  If the court determines that the juvenile sexual offender is not amenable to community-based treatment, the court shall proceed with a juvenile sexual offender disposition hearing pursuant to subsection (1).

History.--s. 39, ch. 97-238; s. 3, ch. 97-281; s. 1, ch. 98-55; s. 14, ch. 98-207; s. 82, ch. 98-280; s. 132, ch. 99-3; s. 15, ch. 99-284; s. 12, ch. 2000-134; s. 31, ch. 2000-135; ss. 24, 25, ch. 2001-125; s. 121, ch. 2002-1.

985.232  Form of commitment; certified copy of charge attached.--

(1)  When any child is committed to the department, the commitment form to be used by the judge of the committing court shall be as prescribed by the department.

(2)  The clerk of each court committing a child to the department shall prepare and attach to each commitment form a certified copy of the petition upon which the child is being committed to the department.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 40, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.078.

985.233  Sentencing powers; procedures; alternatives for juveniles prosecuted as adults.--

(1)  POWERS OF DISPOSITION.--

(a)  A child who is found to have committed a violation of law may, as an alternative to adult dispositions, be committed to the department for treatment in an appropriate program for children outside the adult correctional system or be placed on juvenile probation.

(b)  In determining whether to impose juvenile sanctions instead of adult sanctions, the court shall consider the following criteria:

1.  The seriousness of the offense to the community and whether the community would best be protected by juvenile or adult sanctions.

2.  Whether the offense was committed in an aggressive, violent, premeditated, or willful manner.

3.  Whether the offense was against persons or against property, with greater weight being given to offenses against persons, especially if personal injury resulted.

4.  The sophistication and maturity of the offender.

5.  The record and previous history of the offender, including:

a.  Previous contacts with the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the former Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, the Department of Children and Family Services, law enforcement agencies, and the courts.

b.  Prior periods of probation.

c.  Prior adjudications that the offender committed a delinquent act or violation of law as a child.

d.  Prior commitments to the Department of Juvenile Justice, the former Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, the Department of Children and Family Services, or other facilities or institutions.

6.  The prospects for adequate protection of the public and the likelihood of deterrence and reasonable rehabilitation of the offender if assigned to services and facilities of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

7.  Whether the Department of Juvenile Justice has appropriate programs, facilities, and services immediately available.

8.  Whether adult sanctions would provide more appropriate punishment and deterrence to further violations of law than the imposition of juvenile sanctions.

(2)  PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORT.--

(a)  Upon a plea of guilty, the court may refer the case to the department for investigation and recommendation as to the suitability of its programs for the child.

(b)  Upon completion of the presentence investigation report, it must be made available to the child's counsel and the state attorney by the department prior to the sentencing hearing.

(3)  SENTENCING HEARING.--

(a)  At the sentencing hearing the court shall receive and consider a presentence investigation report by the Department of Corrections regarding the suitability of the offender for disposition as an adult or as a juvenile. The presentence investigation report must include a comments section prepared by the Department of Juvenile Justice, with its recommendations as to disposition. This report requirement may be waived by the offender.

(b)  After considering the presentence investigation report, the court shall give all parties present at the hearing an opportunity to comment on the issue of sentence and any proposed rehabilitative plan. Parties to the case include the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the offender; the offender's counsel; the state attorney; representatives of the Department of Corrections and the Department of Juvenile Justice; the victim or victim's representative; representatives of the school system; and the law enforcement officers involved in the case.

(c)  The court may receive and consider any other relevant and material evidence, including other reports, written or oral, in its effort to determine the action to be taken with regard to the child, and may rely upon such evidence to the extent of its probative value even if the evidence would not be competent in an adjudicatory hearing.

(d)  The court shall notify any victim of the offense of the hearing and shall notify, or subpoena if appropriate, the parents, guardians, or legal custodians of the child to attend the disposition hearing.

(4)  SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES.--

(a)  Sentencing to adult sanctions.--

1.  Cases prosecuted on indictment.--If the child is found to have committed the offense punishable by death or life imprisonment, the child shall be sentenced as an adult. If the juvenile is not found to have committed the indictable offense but is found to have committed a lesser included offense or any other offense for which he or she was indicted as a part of the criminal episode, the court may sentence as follows:

a.  As an adult;

b.  Pursuant to chapter 958; or

c.  As a juvenile pursuant to this section.

2.  Other cases.--If a child who has been transferred for criminal prosecution pursuant to information or waiver of juvenile court jurisdiction is found to have committed a violation of state law or a lesser included offense for which he or she was charged as a part of the criminal episode, the court may sentence as follows:

a.  As an adult;

b.  Pursuant to chapter 958; or

c.  As a juvenile pursuant to this section.

3.  Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, if the state attorney is required to file a motion to transfer and certify the juvenile for prosecution as an adult pursuant to s. 985.226(2)(b) and that motion is granted, or if the state attorney is required to file an information pursuant to s. 985.227(2)(a) or (b), the court must impose adult sanctions.

4.  Any sentence imposing adult sanctions is presumed appropriate, and the court is not required to set forth specific findings or enumerate the criteria in this subsection as any basis for its decision to impose adult sanctions.

5.  When a child has been transferred for criminal prosecution as an adult and has been found to have committed a violation of state law, the disposition of the case may include the enforcement of any restitution ordered in any juvenile proceeding.

(b)  Sentencing to juvenile sanctions.--For juveniles transferred to adult court but who do not qualify for such transfer pursuant to s. 985.226(2)(b) or s. 985.227(2)(a) or (b), the court may impose juvenile sanctions under this paragraph. If juvenile sentences are imposed, the court shall, pursuant to this paragraph, adjudge the child to have committed a delinquent act. Adjudication of delinquency shall not be deemed a conviction, nor shall it operate to impose any of the civil disabilities ordinarily resulting from a conviction. The court shall impose an adult sanction or a juvenile sanction and may not sentence the child to a combination of adult and juvenile punishments. An adult sanction or a juvenile sanction may include enforcement of an order of restitution or probation previously ordered in any juvenile proceeding. However, if the court imposes a juvenile sanction and the department determines that the sanction is unsuitable for the child, the department shall return custody of the child to the sentencing court for further proceedings, including the imposition of adult sanctions. Upon adjudicating a child delinquent under subsection (1), the court may:

1.  Place the child in a probation program under the supervision of the department for an indeterminate period of time until the child reaches the age of 19 years or sooner if discharged by order of the court.

2.  Commit the child to the department for treatment in an appropriate program for children for an indeterminate period of time until the child is 21 or sooner if discharged by the department. The department shall notify the court of its intent to discharge no later than 14 days prior to discharge. Failure of the court to timely respond to the department's notice shall be considered approval for discharge.

3.  Order disposition pursuant to s. 985.231 as an alternative to youthful offender or adult sentencing if the court determines not to impose youthful offender or adult sanctions.

(c)  Imposition of adult sanctions upon failure of juvenile sanctions.--If a child proves not to be suitable to a commitment program, in a juvenile probation program, or treatment program under the provisions of paragraph (b), the department shall provide the sentencing court with a written report outlining the basis for its objections to the juvenile sanction and shall simultaneously provide a copy of the report to the state attorney and the defense counsel. The department shall schedule a hearing within 30 days. Upon hearing, the court may revoke the previous adjudication, impose an adjudication of guilt, and impose any sentence which it may lawfully impose, giving credit for all time spent by the child in the department. The court may also classify the child as a youthful offender pursuant to s. 958.04, if appropriate. For purposes of this paragraph, a child may be found not suitable to a commitment program, community control program, or treatment program under the provisions of paragraph (b) if the child commits a new violation of law while under juvenile sanctions, if the child commits any other violation of the conditions of juvenile sanctions, or if the child's actions are otherwise determined by the court to demonstrate a failure of juvenile sanctions.

(d)  Recoupment of cost of care in juvenile justice facilities.--

1.  When the court orders commitment of a child to the Department of Juvenile Justice for treatment in any of the department's programs for children, the court shall order the parents of such child to pay fees in the amount of $5 per day that the child is under the care or supervision of the department in order to partially offset the cost of the care, support, maintenance, and other usual and ordinary obligations of parents to provide for the needs of their children, unless the court makes a finding on the record that the parent or legal guardian of the child is indigent.

2.  Prior to commitment, the department shall provide the court with information concerning the actual cost of care in the recommended residential commitment level and concerning the ability of the parent or guardian of the child to pay specified fees. If the court makes a finding of indigency, the parent or guardian shall pay to the department a nominal subsistence fee of $2 per day that the child is committed outside the home or $1 per day if the child is otherwise supervised in lieu of other fees related to the parent's obligation for the child's cost of care. The nominal subsistence fee may only be waived or reduced if the court makes a finding that such payment would constitute a significant financial hardship. Such finding shall be in writing and shall contain a detailed description of the facts that led the court to make both the finding of indigency and the finding of significant financial hardship.

3.  In addition, the court may reduce the fees or waive the fees as to each parent or guardian if the court makes a finding on the record that the parent or guardian was the victim of the delinquent act or violation of law for which the child is subject to commitment under this section and that the parent or guardian has cooperated in the investigation and prosecution of the offense. When the order affects the guardianship estate, a certified copy of the order shall be delivered to the judge having jurisdiction of the guardianship estate.

4.  All orders committing a child to a residential commitment program shall include specific findings as to what fees are ordered, reduced, or waived. If the court fails to enter an order as required by this paragraph, it shall be presumed that the court intended the parent or guardian to pay fees to the department in an amount of $5 per day related to the care, support, and maintenance of the child. With regard to a child who reaches the age of 18 prior to the disposition hearing, the court may elect to direct an order required by this paragraph to such child, rather than the parent or guardian. With regard to a child who reaches the age of 18 while in the custody of the department, the court may, upon proper motion of any party, hold a hearing as to whether any party should be further obligated respecting the payment of fees.

5.  The clerk of the circuit court shall act as a depository for these fees. Upon each payment received, the clerk of the circuit court shall receive a fee from the total payment of 3 percent of any payment made except that no fee shall be less than $1 nor more than $5 per payment made. This fee shall serve as a service charge for the administration, management, and maintenance of each payment. At the end of each month, the clerk of the circuit court shall send all money collected under this section to the state Grants and Donations Trust Fund.

6.  The parent or guardian shall provide to the department the parent or guardian's name, address, social security number, date of birth, and driver's license number or identification card number and sufficient financial information for the department to be able to determine the parent or guardian's ability to pay. If the parent or guardian refuses to provide the department with any identifying information or financial information, the court shall order the parent to comply and may pursue contempt of court sanctions for failure to comply.

7.  The department may employ a collection agency for the purpose of receiving, collecting, and managing the payment of unpaid and delinquent fees. The collection agency must be registered and in good standing under chapter 559. The department may pay to the collection agency a fee from the amount collected under the claim or may authorize the agency to deduct the fee from the amount collected. The department may also pay for collection services from available authorized funds. The Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide to the payor documentation of any amounts paid by the payor to the Department of Juvenile Justice on behalf of the child. All payments received by the department pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the state Grants and Donations Trust Fund.

8.  Neither the court nor the department may extend the child's length of stay in commitment care solely for the purpose of collecting fees.

(e)  Further proceedings heard in adult court.--When a child is sentenced to juvenile sanctions, further proceedings involving those sanctions shall continue to be heard in the adult court.

(f)  School attendance.--If the child is attending or is eligible to attend public school and the court finds that the victim or a sibling of the victim in the case is attending or may attend the same school as the child, the court placement order shall include a finding pursuant to the proceeding described in s. 985.23(1)(d).

It is the intent of the Legislature that the criteria and guidelines in this subsection are mandatory and that a determination of disposition under this subsection is subject to the right of the child to appellate review under s. 985.234.

History.--s. 1, ch. 97-69; s. 41, ch. 97-238; s. 3, ch. 2000-119; s. 13, ch. 2000-134; s. 32, ch. 2000-135; ss. 26, 27, ch. 2001-125.

985.234  Appeal.--

(1)  An appeal from an order of the court affecting a party to a case involving a child pursuant to this part may be taken to the appropriate district court of appeal within the time and in the manner prescribed by s. 924.051 and the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure by:

(a)  Any child, and any parent or legal guardian or custodian of any child.

(b)  The state, which may appeal from:

1.  An order dismissing a petition or any section thereof;

2.  An order granting a new adjudicatory hearing;

3.  An order arresting judgment;

4.  A ruling on a question of law when the child is adjudicated delinquent and appeals from the judgment;

5.  The disposition, on the ground that it is illegal;

6.  A judgment discharging a child on habeas corpus;

7.  An order adjudicating a child insane under the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure; and

8.  All other preadjudicatory hearings, except that the state may not take more than one appeal under this subsection in any case.

In the case of an appeal by the state, the notice of appeal shall be filed by the appropriate state attorney or his or her authorized assistant pursuant to the provisions of s. 27.18. Such an appeal shall embody all assignments of error in each preadjudicatory hearing order that the state seeks to have reviewed. The state shall pay all costs of the appeal except for the child's attorney's fee.

(2)  The Department of Legal Affairs shall represent the state upon appeal and shall be notified of the appeal by the clerk when the notice of appeal is filed in the circuit court.

(3)  The taking of an appeal shall not operate as a supersedeas in any case unless pursuant to an order of the court.

(4)  The case on appeal shall be docketed, and any papers filed in the appellate court shall be entitled, with the initials but not the name of the child and the court case number, and the papers shall remain sealed in the office of the clerk of the appellate court when not in use by the appellate court and shall not be open to public inspection. The decision of the appellate court shall be likewise entitled and shall refer to the child only by initials and court case number.

(5)  The original order of the appellate court, with all papers filed in the case on appeal, shall remain in the office of the clerk of the court, sealed and not open to inspection except by order of the appellate court. The clerk of the appellate court shall return to the circuit court all papers transmitted to the appellate court from the circuit court, together with a certified copy of the order of the appellate court.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 225, ch. 95-147; s. 42, ch. 97-238; s. 31, ch. 99-284.

Note.--Former s. 39.069.

985.235  Additional grounds for appeal by the state; time for taking.--

(1)  The state may appeal from a preadjudicatory hearing order dismissing a search warrant, suppressing evidence obtained by search and seizure, or suppressing a confession or admission made by a child. The appeal must be taken before the adjudicatory hearing.

(2)  An appeal by the state from a preadjudicatory hearing order shall stay the case against a child upon whose application the order was made until the appeal is determined. If the court from which the appeal is taken determines that the evidence, confession, or admission that is the subject of the order would materially assist the state in proving its case against another child and that the prosecuting attorney intends to use it for that purpose, the court shall stay the case of that child until the appeal is determined. The trial court in its discretion may release a child whose case is stayed pending appeal. A child who is not released from custody pending appeal may petition the appellate court for expedited consideration of the appeal.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 43, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.0711.

985.236  Order or decision when state appeals.--

(1)  When the state appeals from an order dismissing a delinquency petition, or a count thereof, or an order granting a new adjudicatory hearing, and the order is affirmed, the appellate court shall direct the court from which the appeal was taken to implement the order. If an order dismissing a delinquency petition, or a count thereof, is reversed, the appellate court shall direct the court from which the appeal is taken to permit the child to be tried on the reinstated petition or count thereof. If an order granting a new trial is reversed, the appellate court shall direct that judgment of adjudication be entered against the child.

(2)  When the state appeals from a ruling on a question of law adverse to the state, the appellate court shall decide the question.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 44, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.072.

985.301  Civil citation.

985.303  Neighborhood restorative justice.

985.304  Community arbitration.

985.3045  Prevention service program; monitoring; report; uniform performance measures.

985.3046  Agencies and entities providing prevention services; collection of performance data; reporting requirements.

985.305  Early delinquency intervention program; criteria.

985.306  Delinquency pretrial intervention program.

985.3065  Prearrest or postarrest diversion programs.

985.308  Juvenile sexual offender commitment programs; sexual abuse intervention networks.

985.309  Boot camp for children.

985.31  Serious or habitual juvenile offender.

985.311  Intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age.

985.312  Intensive residential treatment programs for offenders less than 13 years of age; prerequisite for commitment.

985.313  Juvenile correctional facilities or juvenile prison.

985.314  Commitment programs for juvenile felony offenders.

985.3141  Escapes from secure detention or residential commitment facility.

985.315  Educational/technical and vocational work-related programs.

985.3155  Multiagency plan for vocational education.

985.316  Conditional release.

985.317  Literacy programs for juvenile offenders.

985.301  Civil citation.--

(1)  There is established a juvenile civil citation process for the purpose of providing an efficient and innovative alternative to custody by the Department of Juvenile Justice of children who commit nonserious delinquent acts and to ensure swift and appropriate consequences. The civil citation program may be established at the local level with the concurrence of the chief judge of the circuit, state attorney, public defender, and the head of each local law enforcement agency involved. Under such a juvenile civil citation program, any law enforcement officer, upon making contact with a juvenile who admits having committed a misdemeanor, may issue a civil citation assessing not more than 50 community service hours, and may require participation in intervention services appropriate to identified needs of the juvenile, including family counseling, urinalysis monitoring, and substance abuse and mental health treatment services. A copy of each citation issued under this section shall be provided to the department, and the department shall enter appropriate information into the juvenile offender information system.

(2)  Upon issuing such citation, the law enforcement officer shall send a copy to the county sheriff, state attorney, the appropriate intake office of the department, the community service performance monitor designated by the department, the parent or guardian of the child, and the victim.

(3)  The child shall report to the community service performance monitor within 7 working days after the date of issuance of the citation. The work assignment shall be accomplished at a rate of not less than 5 hours per week. The monitor shall advise the intake office immediately upon reporting by the child to the monitor, that the child has in fact reported and the expected date upon which completion of the work assignment will be accomplished.

(4)  If the juvenile fails to report timely for a work assignment, complete a work assignment, or comply with assigned intervention services within the prescribed time, or if the juvenile commits a third or subsequent misdemeanor, the law enforcement officer shall issue a report alleging the child has committed a delinquent act, at which point a juvenile probation officer shall perform a preliminary determination as provided under s. 985.21(4).

(5)  At the time of issuance of the citation by the law enforcement officer, such officer shall advise the child that the child has the option to refuse the citation and to be referred to the intake office of the department. That option may be exercised at any time prior to completion of the work assignment.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 1, ch. 92-20; s. 23, ch. 94-209; s. 45, ch. 97-238; s. 19, ch. 98-207.

Note.--Former s. 39.0255.

985.303  Neighborhood restorative justice.--

(1)  DEFINITIONS.--For purposes of this section, the term:

(a)  "Board" means a Restorative Justice Board established by the state attorney pursuant to subsection (3).

(b)  "Center" means a Neighborhood Restorative Justice Center established by the state attorney pursuant to subsection (2).

(c)  "First-time, nonviolent juvenile offender" means a minor who allegedly has committed a delinquent act or violation of law that would not be a crime of violence providing grounds for detention or incarceration and who does not have a previous record of being found to have committed a criminal or delinquent act or other violation of law.

(2)  NEIGHBORHOOD RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CENTER.--

(a)  The state attorney may establish at least one Neighborhood Restorative Justice Center in designated geographical areas in the county for the purposes of operating a deferred prosecution program for first-time, nonviolent juvenile offenders.

(b)  The state attorney may refer any first-time, nonviolent juvenile offender accused of committing a delinquent act to a Neighborhood Restorative Justice Center.

(3)  RESTORATIVE JUSTICE BOARD.--

(a)  The state attorney may establish Restorative Justice Boards consisting of five volunteer members, of which: two are appointed by the state attorney; two are appointed by the public defender; and one is appointed by the chief judge of the circuit. The state attorney shall appoint a chair for each board.

(b)  The board has jurisdiction to hear all matters involving first-time, nonviolent juvenile offenders who are alleged to have committed a delinquent act within the geographical area covered by the board.

(4)  DEFERRED PROSECUTION PROGRAM; PROCEDURES.--

(a)  The participation by a juvenile in the deferred prosecution program through a Neighborhood Restorative Justice Center is voluntary. To participate in the deferred prosecution program, the juvenile who is referred to a Neighborhood Restorative Justice Center must take responsibility for the actions which led to the current accusation. The juvenile and the juvenile's parent or legal guardian must waive the juvenile's right to a speedy trial and the right to be represented by a public defender while in the Neighborhood Restorative Justice program. This waiver and acknowledgment of responsibility shall not be construed as an admission of guilt in future proceedings. The board or the board's representative must inform the juvenile and the parent or legal guardian of the juvenile's legal rights prior to the signing of the waiver.

(b)  If the state attorney refers a juvenile matter to a Neighborhood Restorative Justice Center, the board shall convene a meeting within 15 days after receiving the referral.

(c)  The board shall require the parent or legal guardian of the juvenile who is referred to a Neighborhood Restorative Justice Center to appear with the juvenile before the board at the time set by the board. In scheduling board meetings, the board shall be cognizant of a parent's or legal guardian's other obligations. The failure of a parent or legal guardian to appear at the scheduled board meeting with his or her child or ward may be considered by the juvenile court as an act of child neglect as defined by s. 39.01, and the board may refer the matter to the Department of Children and Family Services for investigation under the provisions of chapter 39.

(d)  The board shall serve notice of a board meeting on the juvenile referred to the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Center, the juvenile's parent or guardian, and the victim or family of the victim of the alleged offense. These persons and their representatives have the right to appear and participate in any meeting conducted by the board relative to the alleged offense in which they were the alleged juvenile offender or parent or guardian of the alleged juvenile offender, or victim or family of the victim of the alleged juvenile offender. The victim or a person representing the victim may vote with the board.

(5)  SANCTIONS.--After holding a meeting pursuant to paragraph (4)(d), the board may impose any of the following sanctions alone or in any combination:

(a)  Require the juvenile to make restitution to the victim.

(b)  Require the juvenile to perform work for the victim.

(c)  Require the juvenile to make restitution to the community.

(d)  Require the juvenile to perform work for the community.

(e)  Recommend that the juvenile participate in counseling, education, or treatment services that are coordinated by the state attorney.

(f)  Require the juvenile to surrender the juvenile's driver's license and forward a copy of the board's resolution to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The department, upon receipt of the license, shall suspend the driving privileges of the juvenile, or the juvenile may be restricted to travel between the juvenile's home, school, and place of employment during specified periods of time according to the juvenile's school and employment schedule.

(g)  Refer the matter to the state attorney for the filing of a petition with the juvenile court.

(h)  Impose any other sanction except detention that the board determines is necessary to fully and fairly resolve the matter.

(6)  WRITTEN CONTRACT.--

(a)  The board, on behalf of the community, and the juvenile, the juvenile's parent or guardian, and the victim or representative of the victim, shall sign a written contract in which the parties agree to the board's resolution of the matter and in which the juvenile's parent or guardian agrees to ensure that the juvenile complies with the contract. The contract may provide that the parent or guardian shall post a bond payable to this state to secure the performance of any sanction imposed upon the juvenile pursuant to subsection (5).

(b)  A breach of the contract by any party may be sanctioned by the juvenile court as it deems appropriate upon motion by any party.

(c)  If the juvenile disagrees with the resolution of the board, the juvenile may file a notice with the board within 3 working days after the board makes its resolution that the juvenile has rejected the board's resolution. After receiving notice of the juvenile's rejection, the state attorney shall file a petition in juvenile court.

(7)  COMPLETION OF SANCTIONS.--

(a)  If the juvenile accepts the resolution of the board and successfully completes the sanctions imposed by the board, the state attorney shall not file a petition in juvenile court and the board's resolution shall not be used against the juvenile in any further proceeding and is not an adjudication of delinquency. The resolution of the board is not a conviction of a crime, does not impose any civil disabilities ordinarily resulting from a conviction, and does not disqualify the juvenile in any civil service application or appointment.

(b)  If the juvenile accepts the resolution reached by the board but fails to successfully complete the sanctions imposed by it, the state attorney may file the matter with the juvenile court.

(c)  Upon successful completion of the sanctions imposed by the board, the juvenile shall submit to the board proof of completion. The board shall determine the form and manner in which a juvenile presents proof of completion.

(8)  CONSTRUCTION.--This section shall not be construed to diminish, impair, or otherwise affect any rights conferred on victims of crimes under chapter 960, relating to victim assistance, or any other provisions of law.

History.--s. 8, ch. 96-398; s. 24, ch. 97-96; s. 161, ch. 97-101; s. 47, ch. 97-238; s. 170, ch. 98-403; s. 2, ch. 2000-327.

Note.--Former s. 39.0361.

985.304  Community arbitration.--

(1)  PURPOSE.--The purpose of community arbitration is to provide a system by which children who commit delinquent acts may be dealt with in a speedy and informal manner at the community or neighborhood level, in an attempt to reduce the ever-increasing instances of delinquent acts and permit the judicial system to deal effectively with cases which are more serious in nature.

(2)  PROGRAMS.--

(a)  Each county may establish community arbitration programs designed to complement the department's intake process provided in this chapter. Community arbitration programs shall provide one or more community arbitrators or community arbitration panels to hear informally cases which involve alleged commissions of certain delinquent acts by children.

(b)  Cases which may be referred to a community arbitrator or community arbitration panel are limited to those which involve violations of local ordinances, those which involve misdemeanors, and those which involve third degree felonies, exclusive of third degree felonies involving personal violence, grand theft auto, or the use of a weapon.

(c)  A child who has been the subject of at least one prior adjudication or adjudication withheld for any first or second degree felony offense, any third degree felony offense involving personal violence, grand theft auto, or the use of a weapon, or any other offense not eligible for arbitration, shall not be eligible for resolution of any current offense through community arbitration.

(d)  Cases resolved through community arbitration shall be limited pursuant to this subsection.

1.  For each child referred to community arbitration, the primary offense shall be assigned a point value.

a.  Misdemeanor offenses shall be assigned two points for a misdemeanor of the second degree, four points for a nonviolent misdemeanor of the first degree, and six points for a misdemeanor of the first degree involving violence.

b.  Eligible third degree felony offenses shall be assigned eight points.

2.  There is not a restriction on the limit of separate incidents for which a law enforcement officer may refer a child to community arbitration, but a child who has accrued a point value of 12 or more points through community arbitration prior to the current offense shall no longer be eligible for community arbitration.

3.  The point values provided in this paragraph shall also be assigned to a child's prior adjudications or adjudications withheld on eligible offenses for cases not referred to community arbitration.

(3)  COMMUNITY ARBITRATORS.--The chief judge of each judicial circuit shall maintain a list of qualified persons who have agreed to serve as community arbitrators for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this part. Community arbitrators shall meet the qualification and training requirements adopted in rule by the Supreme Court. Whenever possible, qualified volunteers shall be used as community arbitrators.

(a)  Each community arbitrator or member of a community arbitration panel shall be selected by the chief judge of the circuit, the senior circuit court judge assigned to juvenile cases in the circuit, and the state attorney. A community arbitrator or, in the case of a panel, the chief arbitrator shall have such powers as are necessary to conduct the proceedings in a fair and expeditious manner.

(b)  A community arbitrator or member of a community arbitration panel shall be trained or experienced in juvenile causes and shall be:

1.  Either a graduate of an accredited law school or of an accredited school with a degree in behavioral social work or trained in conflict resolution techniques; and

2.  A person of the temperament necessary to deal properly with cases involving children and with the family crises likely to be presented to him or her.

(4)  PROCEDURE FOR INITIATING CASES FOR COMMUNITY ARBITRATION.--

(a)  Any law enforcement officer may issue a complaint, along with a recommendation for community arbitration, against any child who such officer has reason to believe has committed any offense that is eligible for community arbitration. The complaint shall specify the offense and the reasons why the law enforcement officer feels that the offense should be handled by community arbitration. Any juvenile probation officer or, at the request of the child's parent or legal custodian or guardian, the state attorney or the court having jurisdiction, with the concurrence of the state attorney, may refer a complaint to be handled by community arbitration when appropriate. A copy of the complaint shall be forwarded to the appropriate juvenile probation officer and the parent or legal custodian or guardian of the child within 48 hours after issuance of the complaint. In addition to the complaint, the child and the parent or legal custodian or guardian shall be informed of the objectives of the community arbitration process; the conditions, procedures, and timeframes under which it will be conducted; and the fact that it is not obligatory. The juvenile probation officer shall contact the child and the parent or legal custodian or guardian within 2 days after the date on which the complaint was received. At this time, the child or the parent or legal custodian or guardian shall inform the juvenile probation officer of the decision to approve or reject the handling of the complaint through community arbitration.

(b)  The juvenile probation officer shall verify accurate identification of the child and determine whether or not the child has any prior adjudications or adjudications withheld for an offense eligible for community arbitration for consideration in the point value structure. If the child has at least one prior adjudication or adjudication withheld for an offense which is not eligible for community arbitration, or if the child has already surpassed the accepted level of points on prior community arbitration resolutions, the juvenile probation officer shall consult with the state attorney regarding the filing of formal juvenile proceedings.

(c)  If the child or the parent or legal custodian or guardian rejects the handling of the complaint through community arbitration, the juvenile probation officer shall consult with the state attorney for the filing of formal juvenile proceedings.

(d)  If the child or the parent or legal custodian or guardian accepts the handling of the complaint through community arbitration, the juvenile probation officer shall provide copies of the complaint to the arbitrator or panel within 24 hours.

(e)  The community arbitrator or community arbitration panel shall, upon receipt of the complaint, set a time and date for a hearing within 7 days and shall inform the child's parent or legal custodian or guardian, the complaining witness, and any victims of the time, date, and place of the hearing.

(5)  HEARINGS.--

(a)  The law enforcement officer who issued the complaint need not appear at the scheduled hearing. However, prior to the hearing, the officer shall file with the community arbitrator or the community arbitration panel a comprehensive report setting forth the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegation.

(b)  Records and reports submitted by interested agencies and parties, including, but not limited to, complaining witnesses and victims, may be received in evidence before the community arbitrator or the community arbitration panel without the necessity of formal proof.

(c)  The testimony of the complaining witness and any alleged victim may be received when available.

(d)  Any statement or admission made by the child appearing before the community arbitrator or the community arbitration panel relating to the offense for which he or she was cited is privileged and may not be used as evidence against the child either in a subsequent juvenile proceeding or in any subsequent civil or criminal action.

(e)  If a child fails to appear on the original hearing date, the matter shall be referred back to the juvenile probation officer who shall consult with the state attorney regarding the filing of formal juvenile proceedings.

(6)  DISPOSITION OF CASES.--

(a)  Subsequent to any hearing held as provided in subsection (5), the community arbitrator or community arbitration panel may:

1.  Recommend that the state attorney decline to prosecute the child.

2.  Issue a warning to the child or the child's family and recommend that the state attorney decline to prosecute the child.

3.  Refer the child for placement in a community-based nonresidential program.

4.  Refer the child or the family to community counseling.

5.  Refer the child to a safety and education program related to delinquent children.

6.  Refer the child to a work program related to delinquent children and require up to 100 hours of work by the child.

7.  Refer the child to a nonprofit organization for volunteer work in the community and require up to 100 hours of work by the child.

8.  Order restitution in money or in kind in a case involving property damage; however, the amount of restitution shall not exceed the amount of actual damage to property.

9.  Continue the case for further investigation.

10.  Require the child to undergo urinalysis monitoring.

11.  Impose any other restrictions or sanctions that are designed to encourage responsible and acceptable behavior and are agreed upon by the participants of the community arbitration proceedings.

The community arbitrator or community arbitration panel shall determine an appropriate timeframe in which the disposition must be completed. The community arbitrator or community arbitration panel shall report the disposition of the case to the juvenile probation officer.

(b)  Any person or agency to whom a child is referred pursuant to this section shall periodically report the progress of the child to the referring community arbitrator or community arbitration panel in the manner prescribed by such arbitrator or panel.

(c)  Any child who is referred by the community arbitrator or community arbitration panel to a work program related to delinquent children or to a nonprofit organization for volunteer work in the community, and who is also ordered to pay restitution to the victim, may be paid a reasonable hourly wage for work, to the extent that funds are specifically appropriated or authorized for this purpose; provided, however, that such payments shall not, in total, exceed the amount of restitution ordered and that such payments shall be turned over by the child to the victim.

(d)  If a child consents to an informal resolution and, in the presence of the parent or legal custodian or guardian and the community arbitrator or community arbitration panel, agrees to comply with any disposition suggested or ordered by such arbitrator or panel and subsequently fails to abide by the terms of such agreement, the community arbitrator or community arbitration panel may, after a careful review of the circumstances, forward the case back to the juvenile probation officer, who shall consult with the state attorney regarding the filing of formal juvenile proceedings.

(7)  REVIEW.--Any child or his or her parent or legal custodian or guardian who is dissatisfied with the disposition provided by the community arbitrator or the community arbitration panel may request a review of the disposition to the appropriate juvenile probation officer within 15 days after the community arbitration hearing. Upon receipt of the request for review, the juvenile probation officer shall consult with the state attorney who shall consider the request for review and may file formal juvenile proceedings or take such other action as may be warranted.

(8)  FUNDING.--Funding for the provisions of community arbitration may be provided through appropriations from the state or from local governments, through federal or other public or private grants, through any appropriations as authorized by the county participating in the community arbitration program, and through donations.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 48, ch. 97-238; s. 20, ch. 98-207; s. 133, ch. 99-3.

Note.--Former s. 39.026.

985.3045  Prevention service program; monitoring; report; uniform performance measures.--

(1)  The department's prevention service program shall monitor all state-funded programs, grants, appropriations, or activities that are designed to prevent juvenile crime, delinquency, gang membership, or status offense behaviors and all state-funded programs, grants, appropriations, or activities that are designed to prevent a child from becoming a "child in need of services," as defined in chapter 984, in order to inform the Governor and the Legislature concerning efforts designed to further the policy of the state concerning juvenile justice and delinquency prevention, consistent with ss. 984.02 and 985.02.

(2)  No later than January 31, 2001, the prevention service program shall submit a report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate concerning the implementation of a statewide multiagency plan to coordinate the efforts of all state-funded programs, grants, appropriations, or activities that are designed to prevent juvenile crime, delinquency, gang membership, or status offense behaviors and all state-funded programs, grants, appropriations, or activities that are designed to prevent a child from becoming a "child in need of services," as defined in chapter 984. The report shall include a proposal for a statewide coordinated multiagency juvenile delinquency prevention policy. In preparing the report, the department shall coordinate with and receive input from each state agency or entity that receives or uses state appropriations to fund programs, grants, appropriations, or activities that are designed to prevent juvenile crime, delinquency, gang membership, status offense, or that are designed to prevent a child from becoming a "child in need of services," as defined in chapter 984. The report shall identify whether legislation will be needed to effect a statewide plan to coordinate the efforts of all state-funded programs, grants, appropriations, or activities that are designed to prevent juvenile crime, delinquency, gang membership, or status offense behaviors and all state-funded programs, grants, appropriations, or activities that are designed to prevent a child from becoming a "child in need of services," as defined in chapter 984. The report shall consider the potential impact of requiring such state-funded efforts to target at least one of the following strategies designed to prevent youth from entering or reentering the juvenile justice system and track the associated outcome data:

(a)  Encouraging youth to attend school, which may include special assistance and tutoring to address deficiencies in academic performance; outcome data to reveal the number of days youth attended school while participating in the program.

(b)  Engaging youth in productive and wholesome activities during nonschool hours that build positive character or instill positive values, or that enhance educational experiences; outcome data to reveal the number of youth who are arrested during nonschool hours while participating in the program.

(c)  Encouraging youth to avoid the use of violence; outcome data to reveal the number of youth who are arrested for crimes involving violence while participating in the program.

(d)  Assisting youth to acquire skills needed to find meaningful employment, which may include assistance in finding a suitable employer for the youth; outcome data to reveal the number of youth who obtain and maintain employment for at least 180 days.

The department is encouraged to identify additional strategies which may be relevant to preventing youth from becoming children in need of services and to preventing juvenile crime, delinquency, gang membership and status offense behaviors. The report shall consider the feasibility of developing uniform performance measures and methodology for collecting such outcome data to be utilized by all state-funded programs, grants, appropriations, or activities that are designed to prevent juvenile crime, delinquency, gang membership, or status offense behaviors and all state-funded programs, grants, appropriations, or activities that are designed to prevent a child from becoming a "child in need of services," as defined in chapter 984. The prevention service program is encouraged to identify other issues that may be of critical importance to preventing a child from becoming a child in need of services, as defined in chapter 984, or to preventing juvenile crime, delinquency, gang membership, or status offense behaviors.

(3)  The department shall expend funds related to the prevention of juvenile delinquency in a manner consistent with the policies expressed in ss. 984.02 and 985.02. The department shall expend said funds in a manner that maximizes public accountability and ensures the documentation of outcomes.

(a)  All entities that receive or use state moneys to fund juvenile delinquency prevention services through contracts or grants with the department shall design the programs providing such services to further one or more of the strategies specified in paragraphs (2)(a)-(d).

(b)  The department shall develop an outcome measure for each program strategy specified in paragraphs (2)(a)-(d) that logically relates to the risk factor addressed by the strategy.

(c)  All entities that receive or use state moneys to fund the juvenile delinquency prevention services through contracts or grants with the department shall, as a condition of receipt of state funds, provide the department with personal demographic information concerning all participants in the service sufficient to allow the department to verify criminal or delinquent history information, school attendance or academic information, employment information, or other requested performance information.

History.--s. 33, ch. 2000-135.

985.3046  Agencies and entities providing prevention services; collection of performance data; reporting requirements.--Each state agency or entity that receives or uses state appropriations to fund programs, grants, appropriations, or activities that are designed to prevent juvenile crime, delinquency, gang membership, status offense, or that are designed to prevent a child from becoming a "child in need of services," as defined in chapter 984, shall collect data relative to the performance of such activities and shall provide said data to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House no later than January 31st of each year for the preceding fiscal year, beginning in 2002. Further, each state agency or entity that receives or uses state appropriations to fund programs, grants, appropriations, or activities that are designed to prevent juvenile crime, delinquency, gang membership, status offense, or that are designed to prevent a child from becoming a "child in need of services," as defined in chapter 984, shall cooperate with the Department of Juvenile Justice with regard to the report described in s. 985.3045(2).

History.--s. 34, ch. 2000-135.

985.305  Early delinquency intervention program; criteria.--

(1)  The Department of Juvenile Justice shall, contingent upon specific appropriation and with the cooperation of local law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, district school board personnel, the office of the state attorney, the office of the public defender, the Department of Children and Family Services, and community service agencies that work with children, establish an early delinquency intervention program, the components of which shall include, but not be limited to:

(a)  Case management services.

(b)  Treatment modalities, including substance abuse treatment services, mental health services, and retardation services.

(c)  Prevocational education and career education services.

(d)  Diagnostic evaluation services.

(e)  Educational services.

(f)  Self-sufficiency planning.

(g)  Independent living skills.

(h)  Parenting skills.

(i)  Recreational and leisure time activities.

(j)  Program evaluation.

(k)  Medical screening.

(2)  The early delinquency intervention program shall consist of intensive residential treatment in a secure facility for 7 days to 6 weeks, followed by 6 to 9 months of additional services. An early delinquency intervention program facility shall be designed to accommodate the placement of a maximum of 10 children, except that the facility may accommodate up to 2 children in excess of that maximum if the additional children have previously been released from the residential portion of the program and are later found to need additional residential treatment.

(3)  A copy of the arrest report of any child 15 years of age or younger who is taken into custody for committing a delinquent act or any violation of law shall be forwarded to the local operating circuit office of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Upon receiving the second arrest report of any such child from the judicial circuit in which the program is located, the Department of Juvenile Justice shall initiate an intensive review of the child's social and educational history to determine the likelihood of further significant delinquent behavior. In making this determination, the Department of Juvenile Justice shall consider, without limitation, the following factors:

(a)  Any prior allegation that the child is dependent or a child in need of services.

(b)  The physical, emotional, and intellectual status and developmental level of the child.

(c)  The child's academic history, including school attendance, school achievements, grade level, and involvement in school-sponsored activities.

(d)  The nature and quality of the child's peer group relationships.

(e)  The child's history of substance abuse or behavioral problems.

(f)  The child's family status, including the capability of the child's family members to participate in a family-centered intervention program.

(g)  The child's family history of substance abuse or criminal activity.

(h)  The supervision that is available in the child's home.

(i)  The nature of the relationship between the parents and the child and any siblings and the child.

(4)  Upon determination that a child is likely to continue to exhibit significant delinquent behavior, the department may recommend to the court that the child be placed in an early delinquency intervention program, and the court may order the program as the dispositional placement for the child. At the discretion of the department or its designee, or upon order of the court, a child who is 11 years of age or younger may be excused from the residential portion of treatment.

(5)  Not later than 18 months after the initiation of an early delinquency intervention program, the department shall prepare and submit a progress report to the chairs of the appropriate House and Senate fiscal committees and the appropriate House and Senate substantive committees on the development and implementation of the program, including:

(a)  Factors determining placement of a child in the program.

(b)  Services provided in each component of the program.

(c)  Costs associated with each component of the program.

(d)  Problems or difficulties encountered in the implementation and operation of the program.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 21, ch. 93-200; s. 44, ch. 94-209; s. 4, ch. 97-101; s. 49, ch. 97-238; s. 35, ch. 2000-135; s. 28, ch. 2001-125.

Note.--Former s. 39.055.

985.306  Delinquency pretrial intervention program.--

(1)(a)  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a child who is charged under chapter 893 with a felony of the second or third degree for purchase or possession of a controlled substance, and who has not previously been adjudicated for a felony nor been admitted to a delinquency pretrial intervention program under this section, is eligible for admission into a delinquency pretrial substance abuse education and treatment intervention program approved by the chief judge or alternative sanctions coordinator of the circuit to the extent that funded programs are available, for a period of not less than 1 year in duration, upon motion of either party or the court's own motion. If the state attorney believes that the facts and circumstances of the case suggest the child's involvement in the dealing and selling of controlled substances, the court shall hold a preadmission hearing. If the state attorney establishes by a preponderance of the evidence at such hearing that the child was involved in the dealing and selling of controlled substances, the court shall deny the child's admission into a delinquency pretrial intervention program.

(b)  At the end of the delinquency pretrial intervention period, the court shall consider the recommendation of the state attorney and the program administrator as to disposition of the pending charges. The court shall determine, by written finding, whether the child has successfully completed the delinquency pretrial intervention program.

(c)1.  If the court finds that the child has not successfully completed the delinquency pretrial intervention program, the court may order the child to continue in an education, treatment, or urine monitoring program if resources and funding are available or order that the charges revert to normal channels for prosecution.

2.  The court may dismiss the charges upon a finding that the child has successfully completed the delinquency pretrial intervention program.

(d)  Any entity, whether public or private, providing pretrial substance abuse education, treatment intervention, and a urine monitoring program under this section must contract with the county or appropriate governmental entity, and the terms of the contract must include, but need not be limited to, the requirements established for private entities under s. 948.15(3). It is the intent of the Legislature that public or private entities providing substance abuse education and treatment intervention programs involve the active participation of parents, schools, churches, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and the department or its contract providers.

(2)  The chief judge in each circuit may appoint an advisory committee for the delinquency pretrial intervention program composed of the chief judge or designee, who shall serve as chair; the state attorney, the public defender, and the program administrator, or their designees; and such other persons as the chair deems appropriate. The committee may also include persons representing any other agencies to which children released to the delinquency pretrial intervention program may be referred.

History.--s. 3, ch. 93-196; s. 37, ch. 94-209; s. 13, ch. 95-267; s. 50, ch. 97-238; s. 83, ch. 98-280.

Note.--Former s. 39.0475.

985.3065  Prearrest or postarrest diversion programs.--

(1)  A law enforcement agency or school district, in cooperation with the state attorney, may establish a prearrest or postarrest diversion program.

(2)  As part of the prearrest or postarrest diversion program, a child who is alleged to have committed a delinquent act may be required to surrender his or her driver's license, or refrain from applying for a driver's license, for not more than 90 days. If the child fails to comply with the requirements of the program, the state attorney may notify the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in writing to suspend the child's driver's license for a period that may not exceed 90 days.

(3)  The prearrest or postarrest diversion program may, upon agreement of the agencies that establish the program, provide for the expunction of the nonjudicial arrest record of a minor who successfully completes such a program pursuant to s. 943.0582.

History.--s. 1, ch. 99-267; s. 29, ch. 2001-125; s. 11, ch. 2001-127.

985.308  Juvenile sexual offender commitment programs; sexual abuse intervention networks.--

(1)  In order to provide intensive treatment and psychological services to a juvenile sexual offender committed to the department, it is the intent of the Legislature to establish programs and strategies to effectively respond to juvenile sexual offenders. In designing programs for juvenile sexual offenders, it is the further intent of the Legislature to implement strategies that include:

(a)  Developing adequate commitment programs and facilities to ensure appropriate and effective treatment and ensure that decisions to release juvenile sexual offenders into the community are not made on the basis of inadequate space.

(b)  Providing an adequate number of well-trained staff to address the treatment needs of juvenile sexual offenders.

(c)  Providing intensive postcommitment supervision of juvenile sexual offenders who are released into the community with terms and conditions which may include electronic monitoring of a juvenile sexual offender for the purpose of enhancing public safety.

(d)  Providing notification to the school to which the juvenile sexual offender is returning, the parents or legal guardians of the victim, and law enforcement, when a juvenile sexual offender returns into the community.

(2)  Contingent upon a specific appropriation, the department shall implement and operate programs to provide intensive educational and psychological services and other treatment for juvenile sexual offenders.

(3)  Subject to specific appropriation, a child may be placed in a juvenile sexual offender program when committed to the department.

(4)  The program shall include educational components, life management training, substance abuse treatment, and intensive psychological treatment provided by appropriate mental health professionals. Juvenile sexual offenders shall be required to participate in all programs and treatment.

(5)  Based on assessed need for conditional release, the department shall provide an intensive conditional release component for monitoring and assisting the transition of a juvenile sexual offender into the community with terms and conditions that may include electronic monitoring of the juvenile sexual offender.

(6)  The department shall establish protocol and procedures to notify schools, the appropriate law enforcement agencies, and the court when a juvenile sexual offender returns to the community.

(7)  The department may contract with private organizations for the operation of a juvenile sexual offender program and conditional release.

(8)  The Juvenile Justice Standards and Training Commission shall establish criteria for training all contract and department staff or provide a special training program for contract and department staff to effectively manage and provide services and treatment to a juvenile sexual offender in a juvenile sexual offender program.

(9)  The department shall conduct inspections of and quality assurance activities for each juvenile sexual offender program operated by or under contract with the department, based on standards specifically developed for these types of programs, to determine whether the program complies with department rules for continued operation of the program.

(10)  The department shall maintain records and other information necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of each juvenile sexual offender program and other outcome evaluation requirements.

(11)  A child protection team or the state attorney in any judicial circuit may establish a sexual abuse intervention network to assist in identifying, investigating, prosecuting, treating, and preventing sexual abuse with special emphasis on juvenile sexual offenders and victims of sexual abuse.

(12)  Membership of a sexual abuse intervention network shall include, but is not limited to, representatives from:

(a)  Local law enforcement agencies;

(b)  Local school boards;

(c)  Child protective investigators;

(d)  The office of the state attorney;

(e)  The office of the public defender;

(f)  The juvenile division of the circuit court;

(g)  Professionals licensed under chapter 458, chapter 459, s. 490.0145, or s. 491.0144 providing treatment for juvenile sexual offenders or their victims;

(h)  The guardian ad litem program;

(i)  The Department of Juvenile Justice; and

(j)  The Department of Children and Family Services.

(13)  Each sexual abuse intervention network shall develop a cooperative working agreement describing the roles and responsibilities of all members towards the identification, investigation, prosecution, treatment, and reintegration of juvenile sexual offenders and the treatment of their victims.

(14)  Subject to specific appropriation, availability of funds, or receipt of appropriate grant funds, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or local juvenile justice councils shall award grants to sexual abuse intervention networks that apply for such grants. The grants may be used for training, treatment, conditional release, evaluation, public awareness, and other specified community needs that are identified by the network. A grant shall be awarded based on the applicant's level of local funding, level of collaboration, number of juvenile sexual offenders to be served, number of victims to be served, and level of unmet needs.

History.--s. 6, ch. 95-266; s. 48, ch. 95-267; s. 52, ch. 97-238; s. 9, ch. 98-158; s. 16, ch. 99-284; s. 36, ch. 2000-135.

Note.--Former s. 39.0571.

985.309  Boot camp for children.--

(1)  Contingent upon specific appropriation, local funding, or specific appropriation and local funding, the department or a county or municipal government may implement and operate a boot camp program to provide an intensive educational and physical training and rehabilitative program for appropriate children. Boot camps implemented and operated by a sheriff shall be under his or her supervisory jurisdiction and authority as determined by a contract between the department and the sheriff.

(2)  A child may be placed in a boot camp program if he or she is at least 14 years of age but less than 18 years of age at the time of adjudication and has been committed to the department for any offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a felony, other than a capital felony, a life felony, or a violent felony of the first degree.

(3)  A child committed to the department and eligible for placement in a boot camp shall be placed in a boot camp in or nearest to the judicial circuit in which the child was adjudicated, unless such a placement would not be in the best interest of the child or the boot camp was unable to accept the child.

(4)  The department, county, or municipality operating the boot camp program shall screen children sent to the boot camp program, so that only those children who have medical and psychological profiles conducive to successfully completing an intensive work, educational, and disciplinary program may be admitted to the program. The department shall adopt rules for use by the department, county, or municipality operating the boot camp program for screening such admissions.

(5)  The program shall include educational assignments, work assignments, and physical training exercises. Children shall be required to participate in educational, vocational, and substance abuse programs and to receive additional training in techniques of appropriate decisionmaking, as well as in life skills and job skills. The program shall include counseling that is directed at replacing the criminal thinking, beliefs, and values of the child with moral thinking, beliefs, and values.

(6)  A boot camp operated by the department, a county, or a municipality must provide for the following minimum periods of participation:

(a)  A participant in a low-risk residential program must spend at least 2 months in the boot camp component of the program. Conditional release assessment and services shall be provided in accordance with s. 985.316.

(b)  A participant in a moderate-risk residential program must spend at least 4 months in the boot camp component of the program. Conditional release assessment and services shall be provided in accordance with s. 985.316.

This subsection does not preclude the operation of a program that requires the participants to spend more than 4 months in the boot camp component of the program or that requires the participants to complete two sequential programs of 4 months each in the boot camp component of the program.

(7)  The department shall adopt rules for use by the department, county, or municipality operating the boot camp program which provide for disciplinary sanctions and restrictions on the privileges of the general population of children in the program.

(8)  The department shall conduct quarterly inspections and evaluations of each department, county, or municipal government boot camp program to determine whether the program complies with department rules for continued operation of the program. If a county or municipal government boot camp program fails to pass the department's quarterly inspection and evaluation, such failure shall cause the department to terminate the program unless the program complies with department rules within 3 months or unless there are documented extenuating circumstances.

(9)  If a department-operated boot camp fails to pass the department's quarterly inspection and evaluation, the department must take necessary and sufficient steps to ensure and document program changes to achieve compliance with department rules. If the department-operated boot camp fails to achieve compliance with department rules within 3 months and if there are no documented extenuating circumstances, the department must notify the Executive Office of the Governor and the Legislature of the corrective action taken. Appropriate corrective action may include, but is not limited to:

(a)  Contracting out for the operation of the boot camp;

(b)  Initiating appropriate disciplinary action against all employees whose conduct or performance is deemed to have materially contributed to the program's failure to meet department rules;

(c)  Redesigning the program; or

(d)  Realigning the program.

(10)  The department shall keep records and monitor criminal activity, educational progress, and employment placement of all boot camp program participants in department, county, and municipal boot camp programs after their release from the program. The department must publish an outcome evaluation study of each boot camp program within 18 months after the fourth platoon has graduated.

(11)  A child in any boot camp program who becomes unmanageable or medically or psychologically ineligible must be removed from the program.

(12)(a)  The department may contract with private organizations for the operation of its boot camp program and conditional release.

(b)  A county or municipality may contract with private organizations for the operation of its boot camp program and conditional release.

(13)(a)  The Juvenile Justice Standards and Training Commission shall either establish criteria for training all contract staff or provide a special training program for department, county, and municipal boot camp program staff, which shall include appropriate methods of dealing with children who have been placed in such a stringent program.

(b)  Administrative staff must successfully complete a minimum of 120 contact hours of commission-approved training. Staff who have direct contact with children must successfully complete a minimum of 200 contact hours of commission-approved training, which must include training in the counseling techniques that are used in the boot camp program, basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and choke-relief, and the control of aggression.

(c)  All training courses must be taught by persons who are certified as instructors by the Division of Criminal Justice Standards and Training of the Department of Law Enforcement and who have prior experience in a juvenile boot camp program. A training course in counseling techniques need not be taught by a certified instructor but must be taught by a person who has at least a bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field.

(d)  A person may not have direct contact with a child in the boot camp program until he or she has successfully completed the training requirements specified in paragraph (b), unless he or she is under the direct supervision of a certified drill instructor or camp commander.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 28, ch. 92-287; s. 17, ch. 93-230; s. 46, ch. 94-209; s. 1351, ch. 95-147; s. 53, ch. 97-238; s. 1, ch. 98-282; s. 37, ch. 2000-135.

Note.--Former s. 39.057.

985.31  Serious or habitual juvenile offender.--

(1)  ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT SERVICES.--Pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and the establishment of appropriate program guidelines and standards, contractual instruments, which shall include safeguards of all constitutional rights, shall be developed as follows:

(a)  The department shall provide for:

1.  The oversight of implementation of assessment and treatment approaches.

2.  The identification and prequalification of appropriate individuals or not-for-profit organizations, including minority individuals or organizations when possible, to provide assessment and treatment services to serious or habitual delinquent children.

3.  The monitoring and evaluation of assessment and treatment services for compliance with the provisions of this chapter and all applicable rules and guidelines pursuant thereto.

4.  The development of an annual report on the performance of assessment and treatment to be presented to the Governor, the Attorney General, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Auditor General no later than January 1 of each year.

(b)  Assessment shall generally comprise the first 30 days of treatment and be provided by the same provider as treatment, but assessment and treatment services may be provided by separate providers, where warranted. Providers shall be selected who have the capacity to assess and treat the unique problems presented by children with different racial and ethnic backgrounds. The department shall retain contractual authority to reject any assessment or treatment provider for lack of qualification.

(2)  SERIOUS OR HABITUAL JUVENILE OFFENDER PROGRAM.--

(a)  There is created the serious or habitual juvenile offender program. The program shall consist of at least 9 months of intensive secure residential treatment. Conditional release assessment and services shall be provided in accordance with s. 985.316. The components of the program shall include, but not be limited to:

1.  Diagnostic evaluation services.

2.  Appropriate treatment modalities, including substance abuse intervention, mental health services, and sexual behavior dysfunction interventions and gang-related behavior interventions.

3.  Prevocational and vocational services.

4.  Job training, job placement, and employability-skills training.

5.  Case management services.

6.  Educational services, including special education and pre-GED literacy.

7.  Self-sufficiency planning.

8.  Independent living skills.

9.  Parenting skills.

10.  Recreational and leisure time activities.

11.  Community involvement opportunities commencing, where appropriate, with the direct and timely payment of restitution to the victim.

12.  Intensive conditional release supervision.

13.  Graduated reentry into the community.

14.  A diversity of forms of individual and family treatment appropriate to and consistent with the child's needs.

15.  Consistent and clear consequences for misconduct.

(b)  The department is authorized to contract with private companies to provide some or all of the components indicated in paragraph (a).

(c)  The department shall involve local law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, school board personnel, the office of the state attorney, the office of the public defender, and community service agencies interested in or currently working with juveniles, in planning and developing this program.

(d)  The department is authorized to accept funds or in-kind contributions from public or private sources to be used for the purposes of this section.

(3)  PRINCIPLES AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT.--

(a)  Assessment and treatment shall be conducted by treatment professionals with expertise in specific treatment procedures, which professionals shall exercise all professional judgment independently of the department.

(b)  Treatment provided to children in designated facilities shall be suited to the assessed needs of each individual child and shall be administered safely and humanely, with respect for human dignity.

(c)  The department may promulgate rules for the implementation and operation of programs and facilities for serious or habitual juvenile offenders.

(d)  Any provider who acts in good faith is immune from civil or criminal liability for his or her actions in connection with the assessment, treatment, or transportation of a serious or habitual juvenile offender under the provisions of this chapter.

(e)  After a child has been adjudicated delinquent pursuant to s. 985.228, the court shall determine whether the child meets the criteria for a serious or habitual juvenile offender pursuant to s. 985.03(48). If the court determines that the child does not meet such criteria, the provisions of s. 985.231(1) shall apply.

(f)  After a child has been transferred for criminal prosecution, a circuit court judge may direct a juvenile probation officer to consult with designated staff from an appropriate serious or habitual juvenile offender program for the purpose of making recommendations to the court regarding the child's placement in such program.

(g)  Recommendations as to a child's placement in a serious or habitual juvenile offender program shall be presented to the court within 72 hours after the adjudication or conviction, and may be based on a preliminary screening of the child at appropriate sites, considering the child's location while court action is pending, which may include the nearest regional detention center or facility or jail.

(h)  Based on the recommendations of the multidisciplinary assessment, the juvenile probation officer shall make the following recommendations to the court:

1.  For each child who has not been transferred for criminal prosecution, the juvenile probation officer shall recommend whether placement in such program is appropriate and needed.

2.  For each child who has been transferred for criminal prosecution, the juvenile probation officer shall recommend whether the most appropriate placement for the child is a juvenile justice system program, including a serious or habitual juvenile offender program or facility, or placement in the adult correctional system.

If treatment provided by a serious or habitual juvenile offender program or facility is determined to be appropriate and needed and placement is available, the juvenile probation officer and the court shall identify the appropriate serious or habitual juvenile offender program or facility best suited to the needs of the child.

(i)  The treatment and placement recommendations shall be submitted to the court for further action pursuant to this paragraph:

1.  If it is recommended that placement in a serious or habitual juvenile offender program or facility is inappropriate, the court shall make an alternative disposition pursuant to s. 985.309 or other alternative sentencing as applicable, utilizing the recommendation as a guide.

2.  If it is recommended that placement in a serious or habitual juvenile offender program or facility is appropriate, the court may commit the child to the department for placement in the restrictiveness level designated for serious or habitual delinquent children programs.

(j)  The following provisions shall apply to children in serious or habitual juvenile offender programs and facilities:

1.  A child shall begin participation in the conditional release component of the program based upon a determination made by the treatment provider and approved by the department.

2.  A child shall begin participation in the community supervision component of conditional release based upon a determination made by the treatment provider and approved by the department. The treatment provider shall give written notice of the determination to the circuit court having jurisdiction over the child. If the court does not respond with a written objection within 10 days, the child shall begin the conditional release component.

3.  A child shall be discharged from the program based upon a determination made by the treatment provider with the approval of the department.

4.  In situations where the department does not agree with the decision of the treatment provider, a reassessment shall be performed, and the department shall utilize the reassessment determination to resolve the disagreement and make a final decision.

(k)  Any commitment of a child to the department for placement in a serious or habitual juvenile offender program or facility shall be for an indeterminate period of time, but the time shall not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment which an adult may serve for the same offense. Notwithstanding the provisions of ss. 743.07 and 985.231(1)(d), a serious or habitual juvenile offender shall not be held under commitment from a court pursuant to this section, s. 985.231, or s. 985.233 after becoming 21 years of age. This provision shall apply only for the purpose of completing the serious or habitual juvenile offender program pursuant to this chapter and shall be used solely for the purpose of treatment.

(4)  ASSESSMENTS, TESTING, RECORDS, AND INFORMATION.--

(a)  Pursuant to the provisions of this section, the department shall implement the comprehensive assessment instrument for the treatment needs of serious or habitual juvenile offenders and for the assessment, which assessment shall include the criteria under s. 985.03(48) and shall also include, but not be limited to, evaluation of the child's:

1.  Amenability to treatment.

2.  Proclivity toward violence.

3.  Tendency toward gang involvement.

4.  Substance abuse or addiction and the level thereof.

5.  History of being a victim of child abuse or sexual abuse, or indication of sexual behavior dysfunction.

6.  Number and type of previous adjudications, findings of guilt, and convictions.

7.  Potential for rehabilitation.

(b)  The department shall contract with multiple individuals or not-for-profit organizations to perform the assessments and treatment, and shall ensure that the staff of each provider are appropriately trained.

(c)  Assessment and treatment providers shall have a written procedure developed, in consultation with licensed treatment professionals, establishing conditions under which a child's blood and urine samples will be tested for substance abuse indications. It is not unlawful for the person receiving the test results to divulge the test results to the relevant facility staff and department personnel. However, such information is exempt from the provisions of ss. 119.01 and 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

(d)  Serologic blood test and urinalysis results obtained pursuant to paragraph (c) are confidential, except that they may be shared with employees or officers of the department, the court, and any assessment or treatment provider and designated facility treating the child. No person to whom the results of a test have been disclosed under this section may disclose the test results to another person not authorized under this section.

(e)  The results of any serologic blood or urine test on a serious or habitual juvenile offender shall become a part of that child's permanent medical file. Upon transfer of the child to any other designated treatment facility, such file shall be transferred in an envelope marked confidential. The results of any test designed to identify the human immunodeficiency virus, or its antigen or antibody, shall be accessible only to persons designated by rule of the department. The provisions of such rule shall be consistent with the guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(f)  A record of the assessment and treatment of each serious or habitual juvenile offender shall be maintained by the provider, which shall include data pertaining to the child's treatment and such other information as may be required under rules of the department. Unless waived by express and informed consent by the child or the guardian or, if the child is deceased, by the child's personal representative or by the person who stands next in line of intestate succession, the privileged and confidential status of the clinical assessment and treatment record shall not be lost by either authorized or unauthorized disclosure to any person, organization, or agency.

(g)  The assessment and treatment record shall not be a public record, and no part of it shall be released, except that:

1.  The record shall be released to such persons and agencies as are designated by the child or the guardian.

2.  The record shall be released to persons authorized by order of court, excluding matters privileged by other provisions of law.

3.  The record or any part thereof shall be disclosed to a qualified researcher, as defined by rule; a staff member of the designated treatment facility; or an employee of the department when the administrator of the facility or the Secretary of Juvenile Justice deems it necessary for treatment of the child, maintenance of adequate records, compilation of treatment data, or evaluation of programs.

4.  Information from the assessment and treatment record may be used for statistical and research purposes if the information is abstracted in such a way as to protect the identity of individuals.

(h)  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, the department may request, receive, and provide assessment and treatment information to facilitate treatment, rehabilitation, and continuity of care of any serious or habitual juvenile offender from any of the following:

1.  The Social Security Administration and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

2.  Law enforcement agencies, state attorneys, defense attorneys, and judges in regard to the child's status.

3.  Personnel in any facility in which the child may be placed.

4.  Community agencies and others expected to provide services to the child upon his or her return to the community.

(i)  Any law enforcement agency, designated treatment facility, governmental or community agency, or other entity that receives information pursuant to this section shall maintain such information as a nonpublic record as otherwise provided herein.

(j)  Any agency, not-for-profit organization, or treatment professional who acts in good faith in releasing information pursuant to this subsection shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability for such release.

(k)  Assessment and treatment records are confidential as described in this paragraph and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

1.  The department shall have full access to the assessment and treatment records to ensure coordination of services to the child.

2.  The principles of confidentiality of records as provided in s. 985.04 shall apply to the assessment and treatment records of serious or habitual juvenile offenders.

(l)  For purposes of effective administration, accurate tracking and recordkeeping, and optimal treatment decisions, each assessment and treatment provider shall maintain a central identification file on the serious or habitual juvenile offenders it treats.

(m)  The file of each serious or habitual juvenile offender shall contain, but is not limited to, pertinent children-in-need-of-services and delinquency record information maintained by the department; pertinent school records information on behavior, attendance, and achievement; and pertinent information on delinquency or children in need of services maintained by law enforcement agencies and the state attorney.

(n)  All providers under this section shall, as part of their contractual duties, collect, maintain, and report to the department all information necessary to comply with mandatory reporting pursuant to the promulgation of rules by the department for the implementation of serious or habitual juvenile offender programs and the monitoring and evaluation thereof.

(o)  The department is responsible for the development and maintenance of a statewide automated tracking system for serious or habitual juvenile offenders.

(5)  DESIGNATED TREATMENT FACILITIES.--

(a)  Designated facilities shall be sited and constructed by the department, directly or by contract, pursuant to departmental rules, to ensure that facility design is compatible with treatment. The department is authorized to contract for the construction of the facilities and may also lease facilities. The number of beds per facility shall not exceed 25. An assessment of need for additional facilities shall be conducted prior to the siting or construction of more than one facility in any judicial circuit.

(b)  Designated facilities for serious or habitual juvenile offenders shall be separate and secure facilities established under the authority of the department for the treatment of such children.

(c)  Security for designated facilities for serious or habitual juvenile offenders shall be determined by the department. The department is authorized to contract for the provision of security.

(d)  With respect to the treatment of serious or habitual juvenile offenders under this section, designated facilities shall be immune from liability for civil damages except in instances when the failure to act in good faith results in serious injury or death, in which case liability shall be governed by s. 768.28.

(e)  Minimum standards and requirements for designated treatment facilities shall be contractually prescribed pursuant to subsection (1).

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 2, ch. 92-287; s. 57, ch. 93-268; s. 223, ch. 95-147; s. 1, ch. 95-152; s. 1, ch. 95-256; s. 3, ch. 96-398; s. 14, ch. 96-406; s. 22, ch. 97-95; s. 54, ch. 97-238; s. 2, ch. 98-55; s. 22, ch. 98-207; s. 134, ch. 99-3; s. 27, ch. 99-284; s. 38, ch. 2000-135; s. 30, ch. 2001-125.

Note.--Former s. 39.058.

985.311  Intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age.--

(1)  ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT SERVICES.--Pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and the establishment of appropriate program guidelines and standards, contractual instruments, which shall include safeguards of all constitutional rights, shall be developed for intensive residential treatment programs for offenders less than 13 years of age as follows:

(a)  The department shall provide for:

1.  The oversight of implementation of assessment and treatment approaches.

2.  The identification and prequalification of appropriate individuals or not-for-profit organizations, including minority individuals or organizations when possible, to provide assessment and treatment services to intensive offenders less than 13 years of age.

3.  The monitoring and evaluation of assessment and treatment services for compliance with the provisions of this chapter and all applicable rules and guidelines pursuant thereto.

4.  The development of an annual report on the performance of assessment and treatment to be presented to the Governor, the Attorney General, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Auditor General, and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability no later than January 1 of each year.

(b)  Assessment shall generally comprise the first 30 days of treatment and be provided by the same provider as treatment, but assessment and treatment services may be provided by separate providers, where warranted. Providers shall be selected who have the capacity to assess and treat the unique problems presented by children with different racial and ethnic backgrounds. The department shall retain contractual authority to reject any assessment or treatment provider for lack of qualification.

(2)  INTENSIVE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR OFFENDERS LESS THAN 13 YEARS OF AGE.--

(a)  There is created the intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age. The program shall consist of at least 9 months of intensive secure residential treatment. Conditional release assessment and services shall be provided in accordance with s. 985.316. The components of the program shall include, but not be limited to:

1.  Diagnostic evaluation services.

2.  Appropriate treatment modalities, including substance abuse intervention, mental health services, and sexual behavior dysfunction interventions and gang-related behavior interventions.

3.  Life skills.

4.  Values clarification.

5.  Case management services.

6.  Educational services, including special and remedial education.

7.  Recreational and leisure time activities.

8.  Community involvement opportunities commencing, where appropriate, with the direct and timely payment of restitution to the victim.

9.  Intensive conditional release supervision.

10.  Graduated reentry into the community.

11.  A diversity of forms of individual and family treatment appropriate to and consistent with the child's needs.

12.  Consistent and clear consequences for misconduct.

(b)  The department is authorized to contract with private companies to provide some or all of the components indicated in paragraph (a).

(c)  The department shall involve local law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, school board personnel, the office of the state attorney, the office of the public defender, and community service agencies interested in or currently working with juveniles, in planning and developing this program.

(d)  The department is authorized to accept funds or in-kind contributions from public or private sources to be used for the purposes of this section.

(e)  The department shall establish quality assurance standards to ensure the quality and substance of mental health services provided to children with mental, nervous, or emotional disorders who may be committed to intensive residential treatment programs. The quality assurance standards shall address the possession of credentials by the mental health service providers.

(3)  PRINCIPLES AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT.--

(a)  Assessment and treatment shall be conducted by treatment professionals with expertise in specific treatment procedures, which professionals shall exercise all professional judgment independently of the department.

(b)  Treatment provided to children in designated facilities shall be suited to the assessed needs of each individual child and shall be administered safely and humanely, with respect for human dignity.

(c)  The department may promulgate rules for the implementation and operation of programs and facilities for children who are eligible for an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age. The department must involve the following groups in the promulgation of rules for services for this population: local law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, school board personnel, the office of the state attorney, the office of the public defender, and community service agencies interested in or currently working with juveniles. When promulgating these rules, the department must consider program principles, components, standards, procedures for intake, diagnostic and assessment activities, treatment modalities, and case management.

(d)  Any provider who acts in good faith is immune from civil or criminal liability for his or her actions in connection with the assessment, treatment, or transportation of an intensive offender less than 13 years of age under the provisions of this chapter.

(e)  After a child has been adjudicated delinquent pursuant to s. 985.228(5), the court shall determine whether the child is eligible for an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age pursuant to s. 985.03(7). If the court determines that the child does not meet the criteria, the provisions of s. 985.231(1) shall apply.

(f)  After a child has been transferred for criminal prosecution, a circuit court judge may direct a juvenile probation officer to consult with designated staff from an appropriate intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age for the purpose of making recommendations to the court regarding the child's placement in such program.

(g)  Recommendations as to a child's placement in an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age may be based on a preliminary screening of the child at appropriate sites, considering the child's location while court action is pending, which may include the nearest regional detention center or facility or jail.

(h)  Based on the recommendations of the multidisciplinary assessment, the juvenile probation officer shall make the following recommendations to the court:

1.  For each child who has not been transferred for criminal prosecution, the juvenile probation officer shall recommend whether placement in such program is appropriate and needed.

2.  For each child who has been transferred for criminal prosecution, the juvenile probation officer shall recommend whether the most appropriate placement for the child is a juvenile justice system program, including a child who is eligible for an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age, or placement in the adult correctional system.

If treatment provided by an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age is determined to be appropriate and needed and placement is available, the juvenile probation officer and the court shall identify the appropriate intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age best suited to the needs of the child.

(i)  The treatment and placement recommendations shall be submitted to the court for further action pursuant to this paragraph:

1.  If it is recommended that placement in an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age is inappropriate, the court shall make an alternative disposition pursuant to s. 985.309 or other alternative sentencing as applicable, utilizing the recommendation as a guide.

2.  If it is recommended that placement in an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age is appropriate, the court may commit the child to the department for placement in the restrictiveness level designated for intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age.

(j)  The following provisions shall apply to children in an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age:

1.  A child shall begin participation in the conditional release component of the program based upon a determination made by the treatment provider and approved by the department.

2.  A child shall begin participation in the community supervision component of conditional release based upon a determination made by the treatment provider and approved by the department. The treatment provider shall give written notice of the determination to the circuit court having jurisdiction over the child. If the court does not respond with a written objection within 10 days, the child shall begin the conditional release component.

3.  A child shall be discharged from the program based upon a determination made by the treatment provider with the approval of the department.

4.  In situations where the department does not agree with the decision of the treatment provider, a reassessment shall be performed, and the department shall utilize the reassessment determination to resolve the disagreement and make a final decision.

(k)  Any commitment of a child to the department for placement in an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age shall be for an indeterminate period of time, but the time shall not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment which an adult may serve for the same offense. Any child who has not completed the residential portion of the intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age by his or her fourteenth birthday may be transferred to another program for committed delinquent offenders.

(4)  ASSESSMENTS, TESTING, RECORDS, AND INFORMATION.--

(a)  Pursuant to the provisions of this section, the department shall implement the comprehensive assessment instrument for the treatment needs of children who are eligible for an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age and for the assessment, which assessment shall include the criteria under s. 985.03(7) and shall also include, but not be limited to, evaluation of the child's:

1.  Amenability to treatment.

2.  Proclivity toward violence.

3.  Tendency toward gang involvement.

4.  Substance abuse or addiction and the level thereof.

5.  History of being a victim of child abuse or sexual abuse, or indication of sexual behavior dysfunction.

6.  Number and type of previous adjudications, findings of guilt, and convictions.

7.  Potential for rehabilitation.

(b)  The department shall contract with multiple individuals or not-for-profit organizations to perform the assessments and treatment, and shall ensure that the staff of each provider are appropriately trained.

(c)  Assessment and treatment providers shall have a written procedure developed, in consultation with licensed treatment professionals, establishing conditions under which a child's blood and urine samples will be tested for substance abuse indications. It is not unlawful for the person receiving the test results to divulge the test results to the relevant facility staff and department personnel. However, such information is exempt from the provisions of ss. 119.01 and 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

(d)  Serologic blood test and urinalysis results obtained pursuant to paragraph (c) are confidential, except that they may be shared with employees or officers of the department, the court, and any assessment or treatment provider and designated facility treating the child. No person to whom the results of a test have been disclosed under this section may disclose the test results to another person not authorized under this section.

(e)  The results of any serologic blood or urine test on a child who is eligible for an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age shall become a part of that child's permanent medical file. Upon transfer of the child to any other designated treatment facility, such file shall be transferred in an envelope marked confidential. The results of any test designed to identify the human immunodeficiency virus, or its antigen or antibody, shall be accessible only to persons designated by rule of the department. The provisions of such rule shall be consistent with the guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(f)  A record of the assessment and treatment of each child who is eligible for an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age shall be maintained by the provider, which shall include data pertaining to the child's treatment and such other information as may be required under rules of the department. Unless waived by express and informed consent by the child or the guardian or, if the child is deceased, by the child's personal representative or by the person who stands next in line of intestate succession, the privileged and confidential status of the clinical assessment and treatment record shall not be lost by either authorized or unauthorized disclosure to any person, organization, or agency.

(g)  The assessment and treatment record shall not be a public record, and no part of it shall be released, except that:

1.  The record shall be released to such persons and agencies as are designated by the child or the guardian.

2.  The record shall be released to persons authorized by order of court, excluding matters privileged by other provisions of law.

3.  The record or any part thereof shall be disclosed to a qualified researcher, as defined by rule; a staff member of the designated treatment facility; or an employee of the department when the administrator of the facility or the Secretary of Juvenile Justice deems it necessary for treatment of the child, maintenance of adequate records, compilation of treatment data, or evaluation of programs.

4.  Information from the assessment and treatment record may be used for statistical and research purposes if the information is abstracted in such a way as to protect the identity of individuals.

(h)  Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, the department may request, receive, and provide assessment and treatment information to facilitate treatment, rehabilitation, and continuity of care of any child who is eligible for an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age from any of the following:

1.  The Social Security Administration and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

2.  Law enforcement agencies, state attorneys, defense attorneys, and judges in regard to the child's status.

3.  Personnel in any facility in which the child may be placed.

4.  Community agencies and others expected to provide services to the child upon his or her return to the community.

(i)  Any law enforcement agency, designated treatment facility, governmental or community agency, or other entity that receives information pursuant to this section shall maintain such information as a nonpublic record as otherwise provided herein.

(j)  Any agency, not-for-profit organization, or treatment professional who acts in good faith in releasing information pursuant to this subsection shall not be subject to civil or criminal liability for such release.

(k)  Assessment and treatment records are confidential as described in this paragraph and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.

1.  The department shall have full access to the assessment and treatment records to ensure coordination of services to the child.

2.  The principles of confidentiality of records as provided in s. 985.05 shall apply to the assessment and treatment records of children who are eligible for an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age.

(l)  For purposes of effective administration, accurate tracking and recordkeeping, and optimal treatment decisions, each assessment and treatment provider shall maintain a central identification file on each child it treats in the intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age.

(m)  The file of each child treated in the intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age shall contain, but is not limited to, pertinent children-in-need-of-services and delinquency record information maintained by the department; pertinent school records information on behavior, attendance, and achievement; and pertinent information on delinquency or children in need of services maintained by law enforcement agencies and the state attorney.

(n)  All providers under this section shall, as part of their contractual duties, collect, maintain, and report to the department all information necessary to comply with mandatory reporting pursuant to the promulgation of rules by the department for the implementation of intensive residential treatment programs for offenders less than 13 years of age and the monitoring and evaluation thereof.

(o)  The department is responsible for the development and maintenance of a statewide automated tracking system for children who are treated in an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age.

(5)  DESIGNATED TREATMENT FACILITIES.--

(a)  Designated facilities shall be sited and constructed by the department, directly or by contract, pursuant to departmental rules, to ensure that facility design is compatible with treatment. The department is authorized to contract for the construction of the facilities and may also lease facilities. The number of beds per facility shall not exceed 25. An assessment of need for additional facilities shall be conducted prior to the siting or construction of more than one facility in any judicial circuit.

(b)  Designated facilities for an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age shall be separate and secure facilities established under the authority of the department for the treatment of such children.

(c)  Security for designated facilities for children who are eligible for an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age shall be determined by the department. The department is authorized to contract for the provision of security.

(d)  With respect to the treatment of children who are eligible for an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age under this section, designated facilities shall be immune from liability for civil damages except in instances when the failure to act in good faith results in serious injury or death, in which case liability shall be governed by s. 768.28.

(e)  Minimum standards and requirements for designated treatment facilities shall be contractually prescribed pursuant to subsection (1).

History.--s. 3, ch. 92-287; s. 58, ch. 93-268; s. 224, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 95-152; s. 2, ch. 95-256; s. 10, ch. 96-398; s. 15, ch. 96-406; s. 23, ch. 97-95; s. 55, ch. 97-238; s. 2, ch. 98-55; s. 23, ch. 98-207; s. 135, ch. 99-3; s. 28, ch. 99-284; s. 39, ch. 2000-135; s. 138, ch. 2001-266.

Note.--Former s. 39.0582.

985.312  Intensive residential treatment programs for offenders less than 13 years of age; prerequisite for commitment.--No child who is eligible for commitment to an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age as established in s. 985.03(7), may be committed to any intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age as established in s. 985.311, unless such program has been established by the department through existing resources or specific appropriation, for such program.

History.--s. 26, ch. 92-287; s. 3, ch. 95-152; s. 16, ch. 95-267; s. 11, ch. 96-398; s. 56, ch. 97-238; s. 29, ch. 99-284; s. 40, ch. 2000-135.

Note.--Former s. 39.0583.

985.313  Juvenile correctional facilities or juvenile prison.--A juvenile correctional facility or juvenile prison is a physically secure residential commitment program with a designated length of stay from 18 months to 36 months, primarily serving children 13 years of age to 19 years of age, or until the jurisdiction of the court expires. The court may retain jurisdiction over the child until the child reaches the age of 21, specifically for the purpose of the child completing the program. Each child committed to this level must meet one of the following criteria:

(1)  The youth is at least 13 years of age at the time of the disposition for the current offense and has been adjudicated on the current offense for:

(a)  Arson;

(b)  Sexual battery;

(c)  Robbery;

(d)  Kidnapping;

(e)  Aggravated child abuse;

(f)  Aggravated assault;

(g)  Aggravated stalking;

(h)  Murder;

(i)  Manslaughter;

(j)  Unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb;

(k)  Armed burglary;

(l)  Aggravated battery;

(m)  Carjacking;

(n)  Home-invasion robbery;

(o)  Burglary with an assault or battery;

(p)  Any lewd or lascivious offense committed upon or in the presence of a person less than 16 years of age; or

(q)  Carrying, displaying, using, threatening to use, or attempting to use a weapon or firearm during the commission of a felony.

(2)  The youth is at least 13 years of age at the time of the disposition, the current offense is a felony, and the child has previously been committed three or more times to a delinquency commitment program.

(3)  The youth is at least 13 years of age and is currently committed for a felony offense and transferred from a moderate-risk or high-risk residential commitment placement.

(4)  The youth is at least 13 years of age at the time of the disposition for the current offense, the youth is eligible for prosecution as an adult for the current offense, and the current offense is ranked at level 7 or higher on the Criminal Punishment Code offense severity ranking chart pursuant to s. 921.0022.

History.--s. 47, ch. 94-209; s. 15, ch. 95-267; s. 9, ch. 96-398; s. 10, ch. 97-194; s. 57, ch. 97-238; s. 16, ch. 99-201; s. 40, ch. 99-284.

Note.--Former s. 39.0581.

985.314  Commitment programs for juvenile felony offenders.--

(1)  Notwithstanding any other law and regardless of the child's age, a child who is adjudicated delinquent, or for whom adjudication is withheld, for an act that would be a felony if committed by an adult, shall be committed to:

(a)  A boot camp program under s. 985.309 if the child has participated in an early delinquency intervention program as provided in s. 985.305.

(b)  A program for serious or habitual juvenile offenders under s. 985.31 or an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age under s. 985.311, if the child has participated in an early delinquency intervention program and has completed a boot camp program.

(c)  A maximum-risk residential program, if the child has participated in an early delinquency intervention program, has completed a boot camp program, and has completed a program for serious or habitual juvenile offenders or an intensive residential treatment program for offenders less than 13 years of age. The commitment of a child to a maximum-risk residential program must be for an indeterminate period, but may not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment that an adult may serve for the same offense.

(2)  In committing a child to the appropriate program, the court may consider an equivalent program of similar intensity as being comparable to a program required under subsection (1).

History.--s. 48, ch. 94-209; s. 12, ch. 96-398; s. 58, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.0584.

985.3141  Escapes from secure detention or residential commitment facility.--An escape from:

(1)  Any secure detention facility maintained for the temporary detention of children, pending adjudication, disposition, or placement;

(2)  Any residential commitment facility described in s. 985.03(45), maintained for the custody, treatment, punishment, or rehabilitation of children found to have committed delinquent acts or violations of law; or

(3)  Lawful transportation to or from any such secure detention facility or residential commitment facility,

constitutes escape within the intent and meaning of s. 944.40 and is a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 13, ch. 92-287; s. 52, ch. 94-209; s. 12, ch. 95-152; s. 3, ch. 96-398; s. 113, ch. 97-238; s. 4, ch. 98-207; s. 59, ch. 98-280; s. 163, ch. 98-403; s. 136, ch. 99-3; s. 30, ch. 99-284; s. 41, ch. 2000-135; s. 41, ch. 2001-64.

Note.--Former s. 39.061; s. 944.401.

985.315  Educational/technical and vocational work-related programs.--

(1)(a)  It is the finding of the Legislature that the educational/technical and vocational work-related programs of the Department of Juvenile Justice are uniquely different from other programs operated or conducted by other departments in that it is essential to the state that these programs provide juveniles with useful information and activities that can lead to meaningful employment after release in order to assist in reducing the return of juveniles to the system.

(b)  It is further the finding of the Legislature that the mission of a juvenile educational/technical and vocational work-related program is, in order of priority:

1.  To provide a joint effort between the department, the juvenile work programs, and educational/technical and vocational training programs to reinforce relevant education, training, and postrelease job placement, and help reduce recommitment.

2.  To serve the security goals of the state through the reduction of idleness of juveniles and the provision of an incentive for good behavior in residential commitment facilities.

3.  To teach youth in juvenile justice programs relevant job skills and the fundamentals of a trade in order to prepare them for placement in the workforce.

(c)  It is further the finding of the Legislature that a program which duplicates as closely as possible free-work production and service operations in order to aid juveniles in adjustment after release and to prepare juveniles for gainful employment is in the best interest of the state, juveniles, and the general public.

(2)(a)  The department is strongly encouraged to require juveniles placed in a high-risk residential, maximum-risk residential, or a serious/habitual offender program to participate in an educational/technical or vocational work-related program 5 hours per day, 5 days per week. All policies developed by the department relating to this requirement must be consistent with applicable federal, state, and local labor laws and standards, including all laws relating to child labor.

(b)  Nothing in this subsection is intended to restore, in whole or in part, the civil rights of any juvenile. No juvenile compensated under this subsection shall be considered as an employee of the state or the department, nor shall such juvenile come within any other provision of the Workers' Compensation Law.

(3)  In adopting or modifying master plans for juvenile work programs and educational/technical and vocational training programs, and in the administration of the Department of Juvenile Justice, it shall be the objective of the department to develop:

(a)  Attitudes favorable to work, the work situation, and a law-abiding life in each juvenile employed in the juvenile work program.

(b)  Education and training opportunities that are reasonably broad, but which develop specific work skills.

(c)  Programs that motivate juveniles to use their abilities.

(d)  Education and training programs that will be of mutual benefit to all governmental jurisdictions of the state by reducing the costs of government to the taxpayers and which integrate all instructional programs into a unified curriculum suitable for all juveniles, but taking account of the different abilities of each juvenile.

(e)  A logical sequence of educational/technical or vocational training, employment by the juvenile work programs, and postrelease job placement for juveniles participating in juvenile work programs.

(4)(a)  The Department of Juvenile Justice shall establish guidelines for the operation of juvenile educational/technical and vocational work-related programs, which shall include the following procedures:

1.  Participation in the educational/technical and vocational work-related programs shall be on a 5-day-per-week, 5-hour-per-day basis.

2.  The education, training, work experience, emotional and mental abilities, and physical capabilities of the juvenile and the duration of the term of placement imposed on the juvenile are to be analyzed before assignment of the juvenile into the various processes best suited for educational/technical or vocational training.

3.  When feasible, the department shall attempt to obtain education or training credit for a juvenile seeking apprenticeship status or a high school diploma or its equivalent.

4.  The juvenile may begin in a general education and work skills program and progress to a specific work skills training program, depending upon the ability, desire, and education and work record of the juvenile.

5.  Modernization and upgrading of equipment and facilities should include greater automation and improved production techniques to expose juveniles to the latest technological procedures to facilitate their adjustment to real work situations.

(b)  Evaluations of juvenile educational/technical and vocational work-related programs shall be conducted according to the following guidelines:

1.  Systematic evaluations and quality assurance monitoring shall be implemented, in accordance with s. 985.412(1), (2), and (5), to determine whether the programs are related to successful postrelease adjustments.

2.  Operations and policies of the programs shall be reevaluated to determine if they are consistent with their primary objectives.

(c)  The department shall seek the advice of private labor and management to:

1.  Assist its work programs in the development of statewide policies aimed at innovation and organizational change.

2.  Obtain technical and practical assistance, information, and guidance.

3.  Encourage the cooperation and involvement of the private sector.

4.  Assist in the placement of youth into meaningful jobs upon release from the residential program.

(d)  The department and providers are strongly encouraged to work in partnership with local businesses and trade groups in the development and operation of educational/technical and vocational programs.

(5)(a)  The Department of Juvenile Justice may adopt and put into effect an agricultural and industrial production and marketing program to provide training facilities for persons placed in serious/habitual offender, high-risk residential, and maximum-risk residential programs and facilities under the control and supervision of the department. The emphasis of this program shall be to provide juveniles with useful work experience and appropriate job skills that will facilitate their reentry into society and provide an economic benefit to the public and the department through effective utilization of juveniles.

(b)  The department is authorized to contract with the private sector for substantial involvement in a juvenile industry program which includes the operation of a direct private sector business within a juvenile facility and the hiring of juvenile workers. The purposes and objectives of this program shall be to:

1.  Increase benefits to the general public by reimbursement to the state for a portion of the costs of juvenile residential care.

2.  Provide purposeful work for juveniles as a means of reducing tensions caused by confinement.

3.  Increase job skills.

4.  Provide additional opportunities for rehabilitation of juveniles who are otherwise ineligible to work outside the facilities, such as maximum security juveniles.

5.  Develop and establish new models for juvenile facility-based businesses which create jobs approximating conditions of private sector employment.

6.  Draw upon the economic base of operations for disposition to the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund.

7.  Substantially involve the private sector with its capital, management skills, and expertise in the design, development, and operation of businesses.

(c)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, including s. 440.15(9), private sector employers shall provide juveniles participating in juvenile work programs under paragraph (b) with workers' compensation coverage, and juveniles shall be entitled to the benefits of such coverage. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to allow juveniles to participate in unemployment compensation benefits.

(6)  The department, working with providers, shall inventory juvenile vocational and work training programs in use in commitment programs across the state. The inventory shall list the commitment program, the type of vocational or work program offered, the relevant job skills provided, and which programs work with the trades industry to place youth in jobs upon release.

History.--s. 35, ch. 96-398; s. 59, ch. 97-238; s. 29, ch. 98-207; s. 32, ch. 99-284; s. 42, ch. 2000-135; s. 90, ch. 2000-158; s. 5, ch. 2001-185; s. 122, ch. 2002-1.

Note.--Former s. 39.05841.

985.3155  Multiagency plan for vocational education.--

(1)  The Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Education shall, in consultation with the statewide Workforce Development Youth Council, school districts, providers, and others, jointly develop a multiagency plan for vocational education that establishes the curriculum, goals, and outcome measures for vocational programs in juvenile commitment facilities. The plan must include:

(a)  Provisions for maximizing appropriate state and federal funding sources, including funds under the Workforce Investment Act and the Perkins Act;

(b)  The responsibilities of both departments and all other appropriate entities; and

(c)  A detailed implementation schedule.

The plan must be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by May 1, 2001.

(2)  The plan must define vocational programming that is appropriate based upon:

(a)  The age and assessed educational abilities and goals of the youth to be served; and

(b)  The typical length of stay and custody characteristics at the commitment program to which each youth is assigned.

(3)  The plan must include a definition of vocational programming that includes the following classifications of commitment facilities that will offer vocational programming by one of the following types:

(a)  Type A.--Programs that teach personal accountability skills and behaviors that are appropriate for youth in all age groups and ability levels and that lead to work habits that help maintain employment and living standards.

(b)  Type B.--Programs that include Type A program content and an orientation to the broad scope of career choices, based upon personal abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Exploring and gaining knowledge of occupation options and the level of effort required to achieve them are essential prerequisites to skill training.

(c)  Type C.--Programs that include Type A program content and the vocational competencies or the prerequisites needed for entry into a specific occupation.

(4)  The plan must also address strategies to facilitate involvement of business and industry in the design, delivery, and evaluation of vocational programming in juvenile justice commitment facilities and conditional release programs, including apprenticeship and work experience programs, mentoring and job shadowing, and other strategies that lead to postrelease employment. Incentives for business involvement, such as tax breaks, bonding, and liability limits should be investigated, implemented where appropriate, or recommended to the Legislature for consideration.

(5)  The Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Education shall each align its respective agency policies, practices, technical manuals, contracts, quality-assurance standards, performance-based-budgeting measures, and outcome measures with the plan in commitment facilities by July 31, 2001. Each agency shall provide a report on the implementation of this section to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by August 31, 2001.

(6)  All provider contracts executed by the Department of Juvenile Justice or the school districts after January 1, 2002, must be aligned with the plan.

(7)  The planning and execution of quality assurance reviews conducted by the Department of Education or the Department of Juvenile Justice after August 1, 2002, must be aligned with the plan.

(8)  Outcome measures reported by the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Department of Education for youth released on or after January 1, 2002, should include outcome measures that conform to the plan.

History.--s. 5, ch. 2000-137; s. 31, ch. 2001-125; s. 123, ch. 2002-1.

985.316  Conditional release.--

(1)  The Legislature finds that:

(a)  Conditional release is the care, treatment, help, and supervision provided juveniles released from residential commitment programs to promote rehabilitation and prevent recidivism.

(b)  Conditional release services can contribute significantly to a successful transition of a juvenile from a residential commitment to the juvenile's home, school, and community. Therefore, the best efforts should be made to provide for a successful transition.

(c)  The purpose of conditional release is to protect safety; reduce recidivism; increase responsible productive behaviors; and provide for a successful transition of care and custody of the youth from the state to the family.

(d)  Accordingly, conditional release should be included in the continuum of care.

(2)  It is the intent of the Legislature that:

(a)  Commitment programs include rehabilitative efforts on preparing committed juveniles for a successful release to the community.

(b)  Conditional release transition planning begins as early in the commitment process as possible.

(c)  Each juvenile committed to a residential commitment program be assessed to determine the need for conditional release services upon release from the commitment program.

(3)  For juveniles referred or committed to the department, the function of the department may include, but shall not be limited to, assessing each committed juvenile to determine the need for conditional release services upon release from a commitment program, supervising the juvenile when released into the community from a residential commitment facility of the department, providing such counseling and other services as may be necessary for the families and assisting their preparations for the return of the child. Subject to specific appropriation, the department shall provide for outpatient sexual offender counseling for any juvenile sexual offender released from a commitment program as a component of conditional release.

(4)  A juvenile under nonresidential commitment placement will continue to be on commitment status and subject to the transfer provision under s. 985.404.

(5)  Participation in the educational program by students of compulsory school attendance age pursuant to s. 1003.21(1) and (2)(a) is mandatory for juvenile justice youth on conditional release or postcommitment probation status. A student of noncompulsory school-attendance age who has not received a high school diploma or its equivalent must participate in the educational program. A youth who has received a high school diploma or its equivalent and is not employed must participate in workforce development or other career or technical education or attend a community college or a university while in the program, subject to available funding.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 55, ch. 94-209; s. 1354, ch. 95-147; s. 5, ch. 95-266; s. 47, ch. 95-267; s. 60, ch. 97-238; s. 17, ch. 99-284; s. 43, ch. 2000-135; s. 6, ch. 2000-137; s. 32, ch. 2001-125; s. 1052, ch. 2002-387.

Note.--Former s. 39.067.

985.317  Literacy programs for juvenile offenders.--

(1)  INTENT.--It is the intent of the Legislature that mandatory literacy programs for juvenile offenders committed by the court and placed in residential commitment programs be established. Juvenile offenders shall have the opportunity to achieve reading and writing skills as a means to further their educational and vocational needs and to assist them in discontinuing a life of crime. The literacy programs shall be of high quality, targeted to the juvenile offender's assessed ability and needs, and use appropriate instructional technology and qualified educational instructors. The programs shall be offered in each residential commitment program operated by or under contract with the department and shall consist of standardized outcomes so that an offender who is transferred to another facility may be able to continue his or her literacy education with minimal disruption.

(2)  JUVENILE OFFENDER LITERACY PROGRAMS.--The Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Juvenile Justice, shall identify and, contingent upon specific appropriations, implement and administer juvenile offender literacy programs for each residential commitment program operated by or under contract with the department. These programs shall promote the reading and writing skills of juvenile offenders.

(a)1.  An offender 16 years of age or younger who meets the criteria of this section shall be required to participate in a literacy program.

2.  An offender 17 years of age or older who is admitted to a residential commitment program on or after July 1, 1998, shall be required to participate in a literacy program. An offender 17 years of age or older who was committed to a residential commitment program before July 1, 1998, may voluntarily participate in a program if the offender otherwise meets the requirements for eligibility.

(b)  An offender is eligible to participate in a program if the offender is unable to read and write at a sixth-grade level and is not exempt under subsection (4).

(c)  In addition to any other requirements determined by the department, a literacy program shall:

1.  Provide for the participation of an offender who may not attain a sixth-grade or higher reading and writing level due to a medical, developmental, or learning disability but who can reasonably be expected to benefit from a literacy program.

2.  Require an eligible offender to participate in a minimum of 240 hours of education per year unless the offender attains a sixth-grade or higher reading and writing level or is released from the commitment facility.

3.  Require counseling for an offender who has not achieved a sixth-grade or higher reading and writing level after participation in a program. The counseling shall address the benefits of continuing in the program.

4.  Include a system of incentives to encourage and reward the performance of an offender in a program.

5.  Include a system of disincentives that may include disciplinary action if an offender refuses or intentionally fails to participate in good faith in a program.

6.  Provide for reports to be maintained in the offender's records and forwarded to the appropriate educational facility upon the offender's release from the commitment facility.

(3)  INITIAL ASSESSMENT.--When an offender is admitted to a residential commitment facility, the department or a provider under contract with the department shall immediately assess whether the offender has achieved a sixth-grade or higher reading and writing level. An assessment may be conducted at a juvenile assessment center as provided in s. 985.209 as a part of the intake process. If the department or a provider determines that an offender has not achieved a sixth-grade or higher reading and writing level, the offender shall participate in a program if the offender meets the criteria for participation.

(4)  OFFENDERS EXEMPT FROM PARTICIPATION.--If an offender is not reasonably expected to benefit from a program as a result of a medical, developmental, or learning disability, the offender may not be required to participate in a program. The determination that an offender should be exempt from a program must be made by an appropriate psychologist, psychiatrist, or physician.

(5)  EVALUATION AND REPORT.--The department, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall develop and implement an evaluation of the literacy program in order to determine the impact of the programs on recidivism. The department shall submit an annual report on the implementation and progress of the programs to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1 of each year.

History.--s. 6, ch. 98-186; s. 137, ch. 99-3; s. 44, ch. 2000-135; s. 6, ch. 2001-185.

985.403  Task Force on Juvenile Sexual Offenders and their Victims.

985.404  Administering the juvenile justice continuum.

985.4041  Juvenile Welfare Trust Fund.

985.4042  Juvenile Care and Maintenance Trust Fund.

985.4045  Sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties.

985.4046  Introduction, removal, or possession of certain articles unlawful; penalty.

985.405  Rules for implementation.

985.406  Juvenile justice training academies established; Juvenile Justice Standards and Training Commission created; Juvenile Justice Training Trust Fund created.

985.407  Departmental contracting powers; personnel standards and screening.

985.4075  One-time startup funding for juvenile justice purposes.

985.408  Consultants.

985.409  Participation of certain programs in the State Risk Management Trust Fund.

985.41  Siting of facilities; study; criteria.

985.411  Administering county and municipal delinquency programs and facilities.

985.412  Quality assurance and cost-effectiveness.

985.4135  Juvenile justice circuit boards and juvenile justice county councils.

985.4145  Direct-support organization; definition; use of property; board of directors; audit.

985.415  Community juvenile justice partnership grants.

985.416  Innovation zones.

985.417  Transfer of children from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

985.418  Transfer to other treatment services.

985.419  Contracts for the transfer of Florida children in federal custody.

985.42  Inspector general; inspectors.

985.422  Maintenance of state-owned facilities.

985.403  Task Force on Juvenile Sexual Offenders and their Victims.--

(1)  The Task Force on Juvenile Sexual Offenders and Victims of Juvenile Sexual Abuse and Crimes as created by s. 111, chapter 94-209, Laws of Florida, is renamed and continued as the Task Force on Juvenile Sexual Offenders and their Victims.

(2)  The task force shall have the expanded duty to:

(a)  Study and recommend standards for specially licensed professionals to work with juvenile sexual offenders and their victims and recommend standards for certifying programs for the treatment of juvenile sexual offenders and their victims. The Juvenile Justice Standards and Training Commission and the Agency for Health Care Administration shall work with the task force to establish these standards.

(b)  Evaluate and make recommendations regarding the use of Medicaid for the delivery of services at all levels of the system of services to eligible clients. These recommendations may include consideration of a change in the state Medicaid plan or the formal request for a waiver from the Federal Government.

(c)  Establish training requirements and curricula for investigators, prosecutors, and judges. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Juvenile Justice Standards and Training Commission shall work with the task force on these training and curriculum requirements.

(d)  Assist communities in establishing recommended community networks.

(e)  Provide an avenue for public awareness regarding the issue of juvenile sexually offending behavior.

(f)  Evaluate and recommend funding sources for services to be provided.

(g)  Recommend quality assurance standards and outcome measures.

(h)  Recommend statutory changes to facilitate prosecution of juvenile sexual offender cases.

History.--s. 10, ch. 95-266; s. 52, ch. 95-267; s. 63, ch. 97-238.

Note.--Former s. 39.0572.

985.404  Administering the juvenile justice continuum.--

(1)  The Department of Juvenile Justice shall plan, develop, and coordinate comprehensive services and programs statewide for the prevention, early intervention, control, and rehabilitative treatment of delinquent behavior.

(2)  The department shall develop and implement an appropriate continuum of care that provides individualized, multidisciplinary assessments, objective evaluations of relative risks, and the matching of needs with placements for all children under its care, and that uses a system of case management to facilitate each child being appropriately assessed, provided with services, and placed in a program that meets the child's needs.

(3)(a)  The department shall develop or contract for diversified and innovative programs to provide rehabilitative treatment, including early intervention and prevention, diversion, comprehensive intake, case management, diagnostic and classification assessments, individual and family counseling, shelter care, diversified detention care emphasizing alternatives to secure detention, diversified probation, halfway houses, foster homes, community-based substance abuse treatment services, community-based mental health treatment services, community-based residential and nonresidential programs, environmental programs, and programs for serious or habitual juvenile offenders. Each program shall place particular emphasis on reintegration and conditional release for all children in the program.

(b)  The Legislature intends that, whenever possible and reasonable, the department make every effort to consider qualified faith-based organizations on an equal basis with other private organizations when selecting contract providers of services to juveniles.

(c)  The department may contract with faith-based organizations on the same basis as any other nongovernmental providers, without impairing the religious character of such organizations. Any faith-based organization may act as a contractor in the delivery of services under any program, on the same basis as any other nongovernmental provider, without impairing the religious character of such organization. A faith-based organization, which has entered into a contract with the department, shall retain its independence from state and local governments with regard to control over the definition, development, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs. The department shall not require a faith-based organization to alter its form of internal government or remove religious art, icons, scripture, or other symbols in order to be eligible to contract as a provider.

(d)  The department may include in any services contract a requirement that providers prepare plans describing their implementation of paragraphs (a) and (c). A failure to deliver such plans, if required, may be considered by the department as a breach of the contract that may result in cancellation of the contract.

(4)  The department may transfer a child, when necessary to appropriately administer the child's commitment, from one facility or program to another facility or program operated, contracted, subcontracted, or designated by the department, including a postcommitment nonresidential conditional release program. The department shall notify the court that committed the child to the department and any attorney of record, in writing, of its intent to transfer the child from a commitment facility or program to another facility or program of a higher or lower restrictiveness level. The court that committed the child may agree to the transfer or may set a hearing to review the transfer. If the court does not respond within 10 days after receipt of the notice, the transfer of the child shall be deemed granted.

(5)  The department shall maintain continuing cooperation with the Department of Education, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Labor and Employment Security, and the Department of Corrections for the purpose of participating in agreements with respect to dropout prevention and the reduction of suspensions, expulsions, and truancy; increased access to and participation in GED, vocational, and alternative education programs; and employment training and placement assistance. The cooperative agreements between the departments shall include an interdepartmental plan to cooperate in accomplishing the reduction of inappropriate transfers of children into the adult criminal justice and correctional systems.

(6)  The department may provide consulting services and technical assistance to courts, law enforcement agencies, and other state agencies, local governments, and public and private organizations, and may develop or assist in developing community interest and action programs relating to intervention against, diversion from, and prevention and treatment of, delinquent behavior.

(7)  In view of the importance of the basic values of work, responsibility, and self-reliance to a child's return to his or her community, the department may pay a child a reasonable sum of money for work performed while employed in any of the department's work programs. The work programs shall be designed so that the work benefits the department or the state, their properties, or the child's community. Funds for payments shall be provided specifically for salaries pursuant to this subsection, and payments shall be made pursuant to a plan approved or rules adopted by the department.

(8)  The department shall administer programs and services for children in need of services and families in need of services and shall coordinate its efforts with those of the Federal Government, state agencies, county and municipal governments, private agencies, and child advocacy groups. The department shall establish standards for, providing technical assistance to, and exercising the requisite supervision of, services and programs for children in all state-supported facilities and programs.

(9)  The department shall ensure that personnel responsible for the care, supervision, and individualized treatment of children are appropriately apprised of the requirements of this part and trained in the specialized areas required to comply with standards established by rule.

(10)(a)  The department shall operate a statewide, regionally administered system of detention services for children, in accordance with a comprehensive plan for the regional administration of all detention services in the state. The plan must provide for the maintenance of adequate availability of detention services for all counties. The plan must cover all the department's operating circuits, with each operating circuit having a secure facility and nonsecure and home detention programs, and the plan may be altered or modified by the Department of Juvenile Justice as necessary.

(b)  The department shall adopt rules prescribing standards and requirements with reference to:

1.  The construction, equipping, maintenance, staffing, programming, and operation of detention facilities;

2.  The treatment, training, and education of children confined in detention facilities;

3.  The cleanliness and sanitation of detention facilities;

4.  The number of children who may be housed in detention facilities per specified unit of floor space;

5.  The quality, quantity, and supply of bedding furnished to children housed in detention facilities;

6.  The quality, quantity, and diversity of food served in detention facilities and the manner in which it is served;

7.  The furnishing of medical attention and health and comfort items in detention facilities; and

8.  The disciplinary treatment administered in detention facilities.

(c)  The rules must provide that the time spent by a child in a detention facility must be devoted to educational training and other types of self-motivation and development. The use of televisions, radios, and audio players shall be restricted to educational programming. However, the manager of a detention facility may allow noneducational programs to be used as a reward for good behavior. Exercise must be structured and calisthenic and aerobic in nature and may include weight lifting.

(d)  Each programmatic, residential, and service contract or agreement entered into by the department must include a cooperation clause for purposes of complying with the department's quality assurance requirements, cost-accounting requirements, and the program outcome evaluation requirements.

(11)  The department shall implement procedures to ensure that educational support activities are provided throughout the juvenile justice continuum. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, mentoring, tutoring, group discussions, homework assistance, library support, designated reading times, independent living, personal finance, and other appropriate educational activities.

(12)  A classification and placement workgroup is established, with minimum membership to be composed of two juvenile court judges, two state attorneys or their designated assistants, two public defenders or their designated assistants, representatives of two law enforcement agencies, and representatives of two providers of juvenile justice services. Other interested parties may also participate. The workgroup shall make recommendations concerning the development of a system for classifying and placing juvenile offenders who are committed to residential programs. At a minimum, the recommended system of classification and placement shall consider the age and gender of the child, the seriousness of the delinquent act for which the child is being committed, whether the child has a history of committing delinquent acts, the child's physical health, the child's mental health, whether the child has a history of substance use or abuse, and the child's academic or vocational needs. The workgroup shall also consider whether other factors are appropriate for inclusion in the recommended classification and placement system, including the appropriateness of graduated sanctions for repeat offenders. The workgroup shall recommend a process for testing and validating the effectiveness of the recommended classification and placement system. The workgroup shall provide a report of these recommendations to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate no later than September 30, 2001.

History.--s. 5, ch. 90-208; s. 3, ch. 91-158; s. 18, ch. 94-209; s. 1335, ch. 95-147; s. 2, ch. 95-212; ss. 40, 43, ch. 96-398; s. 159, ch. 97-101; s. 64, ch. 97-238; s. 7, ch. 98-186; s. 25, ch. 98-207; s. 139, ch. 99-3; s. 18, ch. 99-284; s. 46, ch. 2000-135; ss. 33, 41, ch. 2001-125; s. 7, ch. 2001-185.

Note.--Former s. 39.021.

985.4041  Juvenile Welfare Trust Fund.--

(1)  There is created in the Department of Juvenile Justice the Juvenile Welfare Trust Fund. The fund shall be credited with proceeds from the operation of canteens, vending machines, hobby shops, activity centers, farming projects, donations to a program, contracted telephone commissions, and other such facilities or programs designated as accruing to the Juvenile Welfare Trust Fund. The purpose of the trust fund shall be for the benefit and welfare of juveniles committed to or detained in facilities operated by the department or by private vendors contracting with the department.

(2)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund at the end of the year and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund.

History.--s. 1, ch. 99-327; s. 2, ch. 2002-120.

985.4042  Juvenile Care and Maintenance Trust Fund.--

(1)  There is created in the Department of Juvenile Justice the Juvenile Care and Maintenance Trust Fund. The fund shall be credited with any money or other property received for personal use or benefit of juveniles in the custody of the department. The purpose of the trust fund shall be for the department to act in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of juveniles committed to or detained in facilities operated by the department or by private vendors contracting with the department.

(2)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund at the end of the year and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund.

History.--s. 1, ch. 99-328; s. 2, ch. 2002-121.

985.4045  Sexual misconduct prohibited; reporting required; penalties.--

(1)(a)1.  As used in this subsection, the term:

a.  "Sexual misconduct" means fondling the genital area, groin, inner thighs, buttocks, or breasts of a person; the oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by or union with the sexual organ of another; or the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object. The term does not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose or an internal search conducted in the lawful performance of duty by an employee of the department or an employee of a provider under contract with the department.

b.  "Employee" includes paid staff members, volunteers, and interns who work in a department program or a program operated by a provider under a contract.

2.  An employee who engages in sexual misconduct with a juvenile offender detained or supervised by, or committed to the custody of, the department commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. An employee may be found guilty of violating this subsection without having committed the crime of sexual battery.

3.  The consent of the juvenile offender to any act of sexual misconduct is not a defense to prosecution under this subsection.

4.  This subsection does not apply to an employee of the department, or an employee of a provider under contract with the department, who:

a.  Is legally married to a juvenile offender who is detained or supervised by, or committed to the custody of, the department.

b.  Has no reason to believe that the person with whom the employee engaged in sexual misconduct is a juvenile offender detained or supervised by, or committed to the custody of, the department.

(b)  Notwithstanding prosecution, any violation of this subsection, as determined by the Public Employees Relations Commission, constitutes sufficient cause under s. 110.227 for dismissal from employment with the department, and such person may not again be employed in any capacity in connection with the juvenile justice system.

(2)  An employee of the department, or an employee of a provider under contract with the department, who witnesses sexual misconduct committed against a juvenile offender, or who has reasonable cause to suspect that sexual misconduct has been committed against a juvenile offender, shall immediately report the incident to the department's incident hotline, and prepare, date, and sign an independent report that specifically describes the nature of the sexual misconduct, the location and time of the incident, and the persons involved. The employee shall deliver the report to the supervisor or program director, who is responsible for providing copies to the department's inspector general and the circuit juvenile justice manager. The inspector general shall immediately conduct an appropriate administrative investigation, and, if there is probable cause to believe that a violation of subsection (1) has occurred, the inspector general shall notify the state attorney in the circuit in which the incident occurred.

(3)(a)  Any person who is required to prepare a report under this section and who knowingly or willfully fails to do so, or who knowingly or willfully prevents another person from doing so, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(b)  Any person who knowingly or willfully submits inaccurate, incomplete, or untruthful information with respect to a report required under this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

(c)  Any person who knowingly or willfully coerces or threatens any other person with the intent to alter testimony or a written report regarding an incident of sexual misconduct commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

History.--s. 2, ch. 97-215; s. 47, ch. 2000-135.

985.4046  Introduction, removal, or possession of certain articles unlawful; penalty.--

(1)(a)  Except as authorized through program policy or operating procedure or as authorized by the facility superintendent, program director, or manager, a person may not introduce into or upon the grounds of a juvenile detention facility or commitment program, or take or send, or attempt to take or send, from a juvenile detention facility or commitment program, any of the following articles, which are declared to be contraband under this section:

1.  Any unauthorized article of food or clothing.

2.  Any intoxicating beverage or any beverage that causes or may cause an intoxicating effect.

3.  Any controlled substance, as defined in s. 893.02(4), or any prescription or nonprescription drug that has a hypnotic, stimulating, or depressing effect.

4.  Any firearm or weapon of any kind or any explosive substance.

(b)  A person may not transmit contraband to, cause contraband to be transmitted to or received by, attempt to transmit contraband to, or attempt to cause contraband to be transmitted to or received by, a juvenile offender into or upon the grounds of a juvenile detention facility or commitment program, except as authorized through program policy or operating procedures or as authorized by the facility superintendent, program director, or manager.

(c)  A juvenile offender or any person, while upon the grounds of a juvenile detention facility or commitment program, may not be in actual or constructive possession of any article or thing declared to be contraband under this section, except as authorized through program policy or operating procedures or as authorized by the facility superintendent, program director, or manager.

(2)  Any person who violates this section as it pertains to an article of contraband described in subparagraph (1)(a)1. commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. In all other cases, a person who violates this section commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

History.--s. 3, ch. 97-215.

985.405  Rules for implementation.--The Department of Juvenile Justice shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this chapter. Such rules may not conflict with the Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure. All rules and policies must conform to accepted standards of care and treatment.

History.--s. 65, ch. 97-238; s. 230, ch. 98-200.

985.406  Juvenile justice training academies established; Juvenile Justice Standards and Training Commission created; Juvenile Justice Training Trust Fund created.--

(1)  LEGISLATIVE PURPOSE.--In order to enable the state to provide a systematic approach to staff development and training for judges, state attorneys, public defenders, law enforcement officers, school district personnel, and juvenile justice program staff that will meet the needs of such persons in their discharge of duties while at the same time meeting the requirements for the American Correction Association accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections, it is the purpose of the Legislature to require the department to establish, maintain, and oversee the operation of juvenile justice training academies in the state. The purpose of the Legislature in establishing staff development and training programs is to foster better staff morale and reduce mistreatment and aggressive and abusive behavior in delinquency programs; to positively impact the recidivism of children in the juvenile justice system; and to afford greater protection of the public through an improved level of services delivered by a professionally trained juvenile justice program staff to children who are alleged to be or who have been found to be delinquent.

(2)  JUVENILE JUSTICE STANDARDS AND TRAINING COMMISSION.--

(a)  There is created under the Department of Juvenile Justice the Juvenile Justice Standards and Training Commission, hereinafter referred to as the commission. The 17-member commission shall consist of the Attorney General or designee, the Commissioner of Education or designee, a member of the juvenile court judiciary to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and 14 members to be appointed by the Secretary of Juvenile Justice as follows:

1.  Seven members shall be juvenile justice professionals: a superintendent or a direct care staff member from an institution; a director from a contracted community-based program; a superintendent and a direct care staff member from a regional detention center or facility; a juvenile probation officer supervisor and a juvenile probation officer; and a director of a day treatment or conditional release program. No fewer than three of these members shall be contract providers.

2.  Two members shall be representatives of local law enforcement agencies.

3.  One member shall be an educator from the state's university and community college program of criminology, criminal justice administration, social work, psychology, sociology, or other field of study pertinent to the training of juvenile justice program staff.

4.  One member shall be a member of the public.

5.  One member shall be a state attorney, or assistant state attorney, who has juvenile court experience.

6.  One member shall be a public defender, or assistant public defender, who has juvenile court experience.

7.  One member shall be a representative of the business community.

All appointed members shall be appointed to serve terms of 2 years.

(b)  The composition of the commission shall be broadly reflective of the public and shall include minorities and women. The term "minorities" as used in this paragraph means a member of a socially or economically disadvantaged group that includes blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians.

(c)  The Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide the commission with staff necessary to assist the commission in the performance of its duties.

(d)  The commission shall annually elect its chairperson and other officers. The commission shall hold at least four regular meetings each year at the call of the chairperson or upon the written request of three members of the commission. A majority of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum. Members of the commission shall serve without compensation but are entitled to be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided by s. 112.061 and these expenses shall be paid from the Juvenile Justice Training Trust Fund.

(e)  The powers, duties, and functions of the commission shall be to:

1.  Designate the location of the training academies; develop, implement, maintain, and update the curriculum to be used in the training of juvenile justice program staff; establish timeframes for participation in and completion of training by juvenile justice program staff; develop, implement, maintain, and update job-related examinations; develop, implement, and update the types and frequencies of evaluations of the training academies; approve, modify, or disapprove the budget for the training academies, and the contractor to be selected to organize and operate the training academies and to provide the training curriculum.

2.  Establish uniform minimum job-related training courses and examinations for juvenile justice program staff.

3.  Consult and cooperate with the state or any political subdivision; any private entity or contractor; and with private and public universities, colleges, community colleges, and other educational institutions concerning the development of juvenile justice training and programs or courses of instruction, including, but