The Department intends to amend Rule 65C-16.021, Adoption Benefits for State Employees and Other Eligible Applicants, to comport with changes made to Section 409. 1664, F.S., and to ensure payments are made prior to the ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Family Safety and Preservation Program

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

65C-16.021Adoption Benefits for Qualifying Employees of State Agencies and Other Eligible Applicants

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Department intends to amend Rule 65C-16.021, Adoption Benefits for State Employees and Other Eligible Applicants, to comport with changes made to Section 409. 1664, F.S., and to ensure payments are made prior to the end of the fiscal year.

SUMMARY: The amendments to the application will require a copy of the applicant’s driver’s license and, for applicants employed in an OPS position, specification of the number of years employed as such. Further, the rule changes the dates of enrollment and no longer requires a new application when a previous application has been rejected due to lack of funding.

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: 409.1664(6), FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 409.1664, 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-16.021 Adoption Benefits for Qualifying Employees of State Agencies and Other Eligible Applicants.

(1) No change.

(2) The Department shall hold an annual open enrollment period for submission of applications between the first business day of January March and the last business day of March April. To apply for this benefit, the applicant shall use the “Adoption Benefits For State Employees And Other Eligible Applicants,” form CF-FSP 5327, (insert date) September 2017, incorporated by reference and available at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref- XXX 08857.

(a) through (e) No change.

(3) The Department shall review all timely applications and determine who is eligible to receive the benefit.

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) Eligible applicants who are denied a benefit due to lack of funds do not have to must submit a new application during the next annual open enrollment period.  These eligible applicants will automatically be considered , if they desire consideration for payment of the benefit from later appropriations.

Rulemaking Authority 409.1664(6) FS. Law Implemented 409.1664 FS. History‒New 11-22-15, Amended 1-2-18,____.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Shevanda Haywood

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Chad Poppell

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: October 9, 2020

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 16, 2020