The Department intends to amend Rule 65C-13.025, F.A.C., to align the information required in the initial licensing unified home study for prospective foster parents with the requirements for adoption applicants.

 

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Family Safety and Preservation Program

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

65C-13.025Initial Licensing and Unified Home Study

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Department intends to amend Rule 65C-13.025, F.A.C., to align the information required in the initial licensing unified home study for prospective foster parents with the requirements for adoption applicants.

SUMMARY: The changes will accomplish the following: (1) The “Authorization for Release of Health and Medical Information” form will be removed; and (2) Prospective foster parents will be required to provide health and mental health records only when a condition is disclosed that would jeopardize a child placed in the home.

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: 409.145(5), 409.175(5)(a), 435.01(2), FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 409.145(2), 409.175(5)(a), (f), (6)(a), (b), 435.04, 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-13.025 Initial Licensing and Unified Home Study.

(1) through (3) No change.

(4) Initial Licensing Unified Home Study. A staff person, certified pursuant to Section 402.40, F.S., from the supervising agency shall perform a thorough assessment of each prospective licensed out-of-home caregiver and document this assessment in the Unified Home Study section of Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN). The assessment shall include:

(a) through (j) No change.

(k) Social History. A description of the following shall be included:

1. through 2. No change.

3. Health. Applicants will be required to fully disclose health history for themselves and each member of the household, to include current physical, mental or emotional health status, any condition that is progressive and debilitating in its course, and any past and current treatment and services received for such condition. A current physical shall not be required unless the applicant has disclosed a physical, mental or emotional condition that jeopardizes the safety and permanency of the child’s placement; Medical History. Medical history including physical and mental health treatments for all household members shall be assessed. This assessment shall include any debilitating, communicable or progressive diseases or conditions. The applicant must supply recent medical and mental health reports and evaluations upon request of the supervising agency or department. Health concerns relating to the applicant and household members, including any history of alcohol or other substance abuse, shall be documented in the home study.

a. Current smoking and alcohol use by household members;

b. Any history of alcohol or substance abuse.

4. through 6. No change.

(l) through (n) No change.

(5) Application File Submission and Approval Process.

(a) No change.

(b) A traditional licensing application file shall consist of the following documentation:

1. through 2. No change.

3. “Authorization for Release of Health and Medical Information for Prospective Foster or Adoptive Parents,” CF-FSP 5230, February 2013, incorporated by reference and available at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-03566, and www.dcf.state.fl.us/publications/;

4. through 15. renumbered 3. through 14. No change.

(6) through (10) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 409.145(5), 409.175(5)(a), 435.01(2) FS. Law Implemented 409.145(2), 409.175(5)(a), (f), (6)(a), (b), 435.04 FS. History–New 4-6-08, Amended 3-6-14, 3-6-18, ___.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Teanna Houston

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Rebecca Kapusta

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: November 9, 2018

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 15, 2018