Bill Text: FL S0618 | 2011 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Juvenile Justice
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-05-04 - Ordered enrolled -SJ 851 [S0618 Detail]
Download: Florida-2011-S0618-Enrolled.html
ENROLLED 2011 Legislature CS for SB 618 2011618er 1 2 An act relating to juvenile justice; repealing ss. 3 985.02(5), 985.03(48), 985.03(56), 985.47, 985.483, 4 985.486, and 985.636, F.S., relating to, respectively, 5 legislative intent for serious or habitual juvenile 6 offenders in the juvenile justice system, definitions 7 of terms for a training school and the serious or 8 habitual juvenile offender program, the serious or 9 habitual juvenile offender program in the juvenile 10 justice system, the intensive residential treatment 11 program for offenders less than 13 years of age, and 12 the designation of persons holding law enforcement 13 certification within the Office of the Inspector 14 General to act as law enforcement officers; amending 15 s. 985.494, F.S.; requiring a child who is adjudicated 16 delinquent, or for whom adjudication is withheld, to 17 be committed to a maximum-risk residential program for 18 an act that would be a felony if committed by an adult 19 if the child has completed two different high-risk 20 residential commitment programs; repealing s. 985.445, 21 F.S., relating to cases involving grand theft of a 22 motor vehicle committed by a child; amending ss. 23 985.0301, 985.47, and 985.565, F.S.; conforming 24 references to changes made by the act; amending s. 25 985.66, F.S.; removing all references to the Juvenile 26 Justice Standards and Training Commission; requiring 27 the Department of Juvenile Justice to be responsible 28 for staff development and training; specifying the 29 duties and responsibilities of the department for 30 staff development and training; removing obsolete 31 provisions to conform to changes made by the act; 32 repealing s. 985.48(8), F.S., relating to activities 33 of the Juvenile Justice Standards and Training 34 Commission with respect to training and treatment 35 services for juvenile sexual offenders; providing an 36 effective date. 37 38 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 39 40 Section 1. Subsection (5) of section 985.02, Florida 41 Statutes, is repealed. 42 Section 2. Subsection (48) of section 985.03, Florida 43 Statutes, is repealed. 44 Section 3. Subsection (56) of section 985.03, Florida 45 Statutes, is repealed. 46 Section 4. Section 985.47, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 47 Section 5. Section 985.483, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 48 Section 6. Section 985.486, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 49 Section 7. Section 985.636, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 50 Section 8. Section 985.494, Florida Statutes, is amended to 51 read: 52 985.494 Commitment programs for juvenile felony offenders.— 53 (1) Notwithstanding any other law and regardless of the 54 child’s age, a child who is adjudicated delinquent, or for whom 55 adjudication is withheld, for an act that would be a felony if 56 committed by an adult, shall be committed to:57(a) A program for serious or habitual juvenile offenders58under s.985.47or an intensive residential treatment program59for offenders less than 13 years of age under s.985.483, if the60child has participated in an early delinquency intervention61program and has completed a sheriff’s training and respect62program.63(b)a maximum-risk residential program,if the child has 64 completed two different high-risk residential commitment 65 programsparticipated in an early delinquency intervention66program, has completed a sheriff’s training and respect program,67and has completed a program for serious or habitual juvenile68offenders or an intensive residential treatment program for69offenders less than 13 years of age. The commitment of a child 70 to a maximum-risk residential program must be for an 71 indeterminate period, but may not exceed the maximum term of 72 imprisonment that an adult may serve for the same offense. 73 (2) In committing a child to the appropriate program, the 74 court may consider an equivalent program of similar intensity as 75 being comparable to a program required under subsection (1). 76 Section 9. Section 985.445, Florida Statutes, is repealed. 77 Section 10. Paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section 78 985.0301, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 79 985.0301 Jurisdiction.— 80 (5) 81 (c) Notwithstanding ss. 743.07 and 985.455(3), and except 82 as provided in s. 985.47, the term of the commitment must be 83 until the child is discharged by the department or until he or 84 she reaches the age of 21 years. Notwithstanding ss. 743.07, 85 985.435, 985.437, 985.439, 985.441,985.445,985.455, and 86 985.513, and except as provided in this section and s. 985.47, a 87 child may not be held under a commitment from a court under s. 88 985.439, s. 985.441(1)(a) or (b),s.985.445,or s. 985.455 89 after becoming 21 years of age. 90 Section 11. Subsection (2) of section 985.47, Florida 91 Statutes, is amended to read: 92 985.47 Serious or habitual juvenile offender.— 93 (2) DETERMINATION.—After a child has been adjudicated 94 delinquent under s. 985.35, the court shall determine whether 95 the child meets the criteria for a serious or habitual juvenile 96 offender under subsection (1). If the court determines that the 97 child does not meet such criteria, ss. 985.435, 985.437, 98 985.439, 985.441,985.445,985.45, and 985.455 shall apply. 99 Section 12. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section 100 985.565, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 101 985.565 Sentencing powers; procedures; alternatives for 102 juveniles prosecuted as adults.— 103 (4) SENTENCING ALTERNATIVES.— 104 (b) Juvenile sanctions.—For juveniles transferred to adult 105 court but who do not qualify for such transfer under s. 106 985.556(3) or s. 985.557(2)(a) or (b), the court may impose 107 juvenile sanctions under this paragraph. If juvenile sentences 108 are imposed, the court shall, under this paragraph, adjudge the 109 child to have committed a delinquent act. Adjudication of 110 delinquency shall not be deemed a conviction, nor shall it 111 operate to impose any of the civil disabilities ordinarily 112 resulting from a conviction. The court shall impose an adult 113 sanction or a juvenile sanction and may not sentence the child 114 to a combination of adult and juvenile punishments. An adult 115 sanction or a juvenile sanction may include enforcement of an 116 order of restitution or probation previously ordered in any 117 juvenile proceeding. However, if the court imposes a juvenile 118 sanction and the department determines that the sanction is 119 unsuitable for the child, the department shall return custody of 120 the child to the sentencing court for further proceedings, 121 including the imposition of adult sanctions. Upon adjudicating a 122 child delinquent under subsection (1), the court may: 123 1. Place the child in a probation program under the 124 supervision of the department for an indeterminate period of 125 time until the child reaches the age of 19 years or sooner if 126 discharged by order of the court. 127 2. Commit the child to the department for treatment in an 128 appropriate program for children for an indeterminate period of 129 time until the child is 21 or sooner if discharged by the 130 department. The department shall notify the court of its intent 131 to discharge no later than 14 days prior to discharge. Failure 132 of the court to timely respond to the department’s notice shall 133 be considered approval for discharge. 134 3. Order disposition under ss. 985.435, 985.437, 985.439, 135 985.441,985.445,985.45, and 985.455 as an alternative to 136 youthful offender or adult sentencing if the court determines 137 not to impose youthful offender or adult sanctions. 138 139 It is the intent of the Legislature that the criteria and 140 guidelines in this subsection are mandatory and that a 141 determination of disposition under this subsection is subject to 142 the right of the child to appellate review under s. 985.534. 143 Section 13. Section 985.66, Florida Statutes, is amended to 144 read: 145 985.66 Juvenile justice training academies; staff 146 development and training;Juvenile Justice Standards and147Training Commission;Juvenile Justice Training Trust Fund.— 148 (1) LEGISLATIVE PURPOSE.—In order to enable the state to 149 provide a systematic approach to staff development and training 150 for judges, state attorneys, public defenders, law enforcement 151 officers, school district personnel, and juvenile justice 152 program staff that will meet the needs of such persons in their 153 discharge of duties while at the same time meeting the 154 requirements for the American Correction Association 155 accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for 156 Corrections, it is the purpose of the Legislature to require the 157 department to establish, maintain, and oversee the operation of 158 juvenile justice training academies in the state. The purpose of 159 the Legislature in establishing staff development and training 160 programs is to foster better staff morale and reduce 161 mistreatment and aggressive and abusive behavior in delinquency 162 programs; to positively impact the recidivism of children in the 163 juvenile justice system; and to afford greater protection of the 164 public through an improved level of services delivered by a 165 professionally trained juvenile justice program staff to 166 children who are alleged to be or who have been found to be 167 delinquent. 168 (2) STAFF DEVELOPMENTJUVENILE JUSTICE STANDARDSAND 169 TRAININGCOMMISSION.— 170(a) There is created under the Department of Juvenile171Justice the Juvenile Justice Standards and Training Commission,172hereinafter referred to as the commission. The 17-member173commission shall consist of the Attorney General or designee,174the Commissioner of Education or designee, a member of the175juvenile court judiciary to be appointed by the Chief Justice of176the Supreme Court, and 14 members to be appointed by the177Secretary of Juvenile Justice as follows:1781. Seven members shall be juvenile justice professionals: a179superintendent or a direct care staff member from an180institution; a director from a contracted community-based181program; a superintendent and a direct care staff member from a182regional detention center or facility; a juvenile probation183officer supervisor and a juvenile probation officer; and a184director of a day treatment or conditional release program. No185fewer than three of these members shall be contract providers.1862. Two members shall be representatives of local law187enforcement agencies.1883. One member shall be an educator from the state’s189university and community college program of criminology,190criminal justice administration, social work, psychology,191sociology, or other field of study pertinent to the training of192juvenile justice program staff.1934. One member shall be a member of the public.1945. One member shall be a state attorney, or assistant state195attorney, who has juvenile court experience.1966. One member shall be a public defender, or assistant197public defender, who has juvenile court experience.1987. One member shall be a representative of the business199community.200 201All appointed members shall be appointed to serve terms of 2202years.203(b) The composition of the commission shall be broadly204reflective of the public and shall include minorities and women.205The term “minorities” as used in this paragraph means a member206of a socially or economically disadvantaged group that includes207blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians.208(c) The Department of Juvenile Justice shall provide the209commission with staff necessary to assist the commission in the210performance of its duties.211(d) The commission shall annually elect its chairperson and212other officers. The commission shall hold at least four regular213meetings each year at the call of the chairperson or upon the214written request of three members of the commission. A majority215of the members of the commission constitutes a quorum. Members216of the commission shall serve without compensation but are217entitled to be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as218provided by s.112.061and these expenses shall be paid from the219Juvenile Justice Training Trust Fund.220(e)The departmentpowers, duties, and functions of the221commissionshallbe to: 222 (a)1.Designate the location of the training academies; 223 develop, implement, maintain, and update the curriculum to be 224 used in the training of juvenile justice program staff; 225 establish timeframes for participation in and completion of 226 training by juvenile justice program staff; develop, implement, 227 maintain, and update job-related examinations; develop, 228 implement, and update the types and frequencies of evaluations 229 of the training academies; approve, modify, or disapprove the 230 budget for the training academies, and the contractor to be 231 selected to organize and operate the training academies and to 232 provide the training curriculum. 233 (b)2.Establish uniform minimum job-related training 234 courses and examinations for juvenile justice program staff. 235 (c)3.Consult and cooperate with the state or any political 236 subdivision; any private entity or contractor; and with private 237 and public universities, colleges, community colleges, and other 238 educational institutions concerning the development of juvenile 239 justice training and programs or courses of instruction, 240 including, but not limited to, education and training in the 241 areas of juvenile justice. 242 (d)4.Enter intoWith the approval of the department, make243and enter into suchcontracts and agreements with other 244 agencies, organizations, associations, corporations, 245 individuals, or federal agencies asthe commission determines246arenecessary in the execution of theitspowers of the 247 department or the performance of its duties. 2485. Make recommendations to the Department of Juvenile249Justice concerning any matter within the purview of this250section.251 (3) JUVENILE JUSTICE TRAINING PROGRAM.—The department 252commissionshall establish a certifiable program for juvenile 253 justice training pursuant to this section, and all department 254 program staff and providers who deliver direct care services 255 pursuant to contract with the department shall be required to 256 participate in and successfully complete the department-approved 257commission-approvedprogram of training pertinent to their areas 258 of responsibility. Judges, state attorneys, and public 259 defenders, law enforcement officers, and school district 260 personnel may participate in such training program. For the 261 juvenile justice program staff, the departmentcommissionshall, 262 based on a job-task analysis: 263 (a) Design, implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise a 264 basic training program, including a competency-based 265 examination, for the purpose of providing minimum employment 266 training qualifications for all juvenile justice personnel. All 267 program staff of the department and providers who deliver 268 direct-care services who are hired after October 1, 1999, must 269 meet the following minimum requirements: 270 1. Be at least 19 years of age. 271 2. Be a high school graduate or its equivalent as 272 determined by the departmentcommission. 273 3. Not have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor 274 involving perjury or a false statement, or have received a 275 dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the 276 United States. Any person who, after September 30, 1999, pleads 277 guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of any felony or 278 a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement is not 279 eligible for employment, notwithstanding suspension of sentence 280 or withholding of adjudication. Notwithstanding this 281 subparagraph, any person who pled nolo contendere to a 282 misdemeanor involving a false statement before October 1, 1999, 283 and who has had such record of that plea sealed or expunged is 284 not ineligible for employment for that reason. 285 4. Abide by all the provisions of s. 985.644(1) regarding 286 fingerprinting and background investigations and other screening 287 requirements for personnel. 288 5. Execute and submit to the department an affidavit-of 289 application form, adopted by the department, attesting to his or 290 her compliance with subparagraphs 1.-4. The affidavit must be 291 executed under oath and constitutes an official statement under 292 s. 837.06. The affidavit must include conspicuous language that 293 the intentional false execution of the affidavit constitutes a 294 misdemeanor of the second degree. The employing agency shall 295 retain the affidavit. 296 (b) Design, implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise an 297 advanced training program, including a competency-based 298 examination for each training course, which is intended to 299 enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities related to job 300 performance. 301 (c) Design, implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise a 302 career development training program, including a competency 303 based examination for each training course. Career development 304 courses are intended to prepare personnel for promotion. 305 (d) The departmentcommissionis encouraged to design, 306 implement, maintain, evaluate, and revise juvenile justice 307 training courses, or to enter into contracts for such training 308 courses, that are intended to provide for the safety and well 309 being of both citizens and juvenile offenders. 310 (4) JUVENILE JUSTICE TRAINING TRUST FUND.— 311 (a) There is created within the State Treasury a Juvenile 312 Justice Training Trust Fund to be used by the departmentof313Juvenile Justicefor the purpose of funding the development and 314 updating of a job-task analysis of juvenile justice personnel; 315 the development, implementation, and updating of job-related 316 training courses and examinations; and the cost ofcommission317approvedjuvenile justice training courses; and reimbursement318for expenses as provided in s.112.061for members of the319commission and staff. 320 (b) One dollar from every noncriminal traffic infraction 321 collected pursuant to ss. 318.14(10)(b) and 318.18 shall be 322 deposited into the Juvenile Justice Training Trust Fund. 323 (c) In addition to the funds generated by paragraph (b), 324 the trust fund may receive funds from any other public or 325 private source. 326 (d) Funds that are not expended by the end of the budget 327 cycle or through a supplemental budget approved by the 328 department shall revert to the trust fund. 329 (5) ESTABLISHMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE TRAINING ACADEMIES. 330 The number, location, and establishment of juvenile justice 331 training academies shall be determined by the department 332commission. 333 (6) SCHOLARSHIPS AND STIPENDS.— 334 (a) By rule, the departmentcommissionshall establish 335 criteria to award scholarships or stipends to qualified juvenile 336 justice personnel who are residents of the state who want to 337 pursue a bachelor’s or associate in arts degree in juvenile 338 justice or a related field. The department shall handle the 339 administration of the scholarship or stipend. The Department of 340 Education shall handle the notes issued for the payment of the 341 scholarships or stipends. All scholarship and stipend awards 342 shall be paid from the Juvenile Justice Training Trust Fund upon 343 vouchers approved by the Department of Education and properly 344 certified by the Chief Financial Officer. Prior to the award of 345 a scholarship or stipend, the juvenile justice employee must 346 agree in writing to practice her or his profession in juvenile 347 justice or a related field for 1 month for each month of grant 348 or to repay the full amount of the scholarship or stipend 349 together with interest at the rate of 5 percent per annum over a 350 period not to exceed 10 years. Repayment shall be made payable 351 to the state for deposit into the Juvenile Justice Training 352 Trust Fund. 353 (b) The departmentcommissionmay establish the scholarship 354 program by ruleand implement the program on or after July 1,3551996. 356 (7) ADOPTION OF RULES.—The departmentcommissionshall 357 adopt rules as necessary to carry out the provisions of this 358 section. 359 (8) PARTICIPATION OF CERTAIN PROGRAMS IN THE STATE RISK 360 MANAGEMENT TRUST FUND.—Pursuant to s. 284.30, the Division of 361 Risk Management of the Department of Financial Services is 362 authorized to insure a private agency, individual, or 363 corporation operating a state-owned training school under a 364 contract to carry out the purposes and responsibilities of any 365 program of the department. The coverage authorized herein shall 366 be under the same general terms and conditions as the department 367 is insured for its responsibilities under chapter 284. 368(9) The Juvenile Justice Standards and Training Commission369is terminated on June 30, 2001, and such termination shall be370reviewed by the Legislature prior to that date.371 Section 14. Subsection (8) of section 985.48, Florida 372 Statutes, is repealed. 373 Section 15. This act shall take effect July 1, 2011.