Section 409.175, F.S., requires the Department to adopt and amend licensing rules for child-placing agencies. The proposed amendments concern the child-placing agency’s responsibilities regarding compliance with federal and international ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Family Safety and Preservation Program

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

65C-15.036Intercountry Adoption Services

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Section 409.175, F.S., requires the Department to adopt and amend licensing rules for child-placing agencies. The proposed amendments concern the child-placing agency’s responsibilities regarding compliance with federal and international accreditation standards.

SUMMARY: The amendments (1) Require any child-placing agency which conducts intercountry adoptions and is accredited by the United States Department of State to remain in good standing with the accreditation body; and (2) Provide that if the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption suspends or revokes accreditation of a child-placing agency, the Department will consider the action of the accreditation suspension or revocation grounds for revocation of the child-placing agency’s license.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The Department used a checklist to conduct an economic analysis and determine if there is an adverse impact or regulatory costs associated with this rule that exceeds the criteria in section 120.541(2)(a), F.S. Based upon this analysis, the Department has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 409.175(5)(a), FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 409.175(5)(a), FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Jodi Abramowitz. Jodi can be reached at [phone] or [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

65C-15.036 Intercountry Adoption Services.

(1) No change.

(2) Any child-placing agency which conducts intercountry adoptions and is accredited by the United States Department of State shall remain in good standing with the accreditation body.

(3) If the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption suspends or revokes accreditation of a child-placing agency, the Department will consider the action of the accreditation suspension or revocation grounds for revocation of the child-placing agency’s license.

(4)(2) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 409.175(5)(a) FS. Law Implemented 409.175(5)(a) FS. History–New 10-27-93, Formerly 10M-24.052, Amended 11-14-16,______.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Courtney Smith

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Mike Carroll

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 10, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: March 31, 2017