Advisory board reviews CS/SB 1344 changes to Chapter 984 and flags local contract impacts

Rob Parkinson and other advisory board members discussed the status of CS/SB 1344 — legislation that the board said would amend chapter 984 (renaming parts of the statute to address children and families in need of services and early truancy intervention) — and the local implications if enacted. Board members noted the bill appeared to be enrolled and headed to the governor at the time of the meeting.

Rob Parkinson summarized the bill and its scope: the measure would rename and expand statutory provisions covering status offenses such as truancy and runaway behavior, emphasize early truancy intervention and require a range of services and informational postings by state agencies. Parkinson said the bill also includes provisions for appointment of counsel in some circumstances and voluntary family services.

Separately, a departmental representative warned of immediate contract changes that will affect local prevention services. A county staff member involved in service contracts said the department was negotiating a July 1 contract with the Florida Network; the draft showed that local "Firex" prevention services for probation youth and intensive case management would not be continued under the new contract. "Our intensive case management services will not be continued in this contract starting July 1," the staff member said, adding that the change would not affect court‑ordered SINCEFENCE (status offense) services.

Board members asked for a briefing at the next meeting on how CS/SB 1344 and the new contract would affect local services, especially given the timing at the start of the school year.

Ending: staff agreed to bring an overview of the bill’s local effects to the next meeting; the board noted the governor’s action on the enrolled bill will determine whether changes take effect.