Dependency Law Finder

Florida's dependency statutes, court rules and DCF operating procedures, with the appellate opinions that apply them

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Chapter 39, Florida Statutes Proceedings Relating to Children

Part I · General Provisions25 sections
§ 39.001 Purposes and intent; personnel standards and screening.formerly 39.002, 39.20 17133 § 39.0014 Responsibilities of public agencies. ––– § 39.00145 Records concerning children. 31– § 39.00146 Case record face sheet. –1– § 39.0016 Education of abused, neglected, and abandoned children; agency agreements; children having or suspected of having a disability. 11– § 39.01 Definitions. 779515 § 39.011 Immunity from liability.formerly 39.455 4–– § 39.012 Rules for implementation. ––1 § 39.0121 Specific rulemaking authority. 131 § 39.013 Procedures and jurisdiction; right to counsel; guardian ad litem.formerly 39.40 91–– § 39.01304 Early childhood court programs. ––– § 39.01305 Appointment of an attorney for a dependent child with certain special needs. 101– § 39.0131 Permanent mailing address and primary e-mail address designation.formerly 39.4057 2–– § 39.0132 Oaths, records, and confidential information.formerly 39.411 29–2 § 39.0133 Court and witness fees.formerly 39.414 7–– § 39.0134 Appointed counsel; compensation.formerly 39.415, 39.474 14–– § 39.0135 Operations and Maintenance Trust Fund.formerly 39.418 ––1 § 39.0136 Time limitations; continuances. 121– § 39.0137 Federal law; rulemaking authority. 221 § 39.01375 Best interest determination for placement. 23– § 39.0138 Criminal history and other records checks; limit on placement of a child. 3113 § 39.0139 Visitation or other contact; restrictions. 8–1 § 39.0141 Missing children; report required. –11 § 39.0142 Notifying law enforcement officers of parent or caregiver names. ––– § 39.0143 Dually-involved children. –––
Part II · Reporting Child Abuse11 sections
Part III · Protective Investigations11 sections
Part IV · Taking Children into Custody and Shelter Hearings15 sections
Part V · Petition, Arraignment, Adjudication, and Disposition13 sections
Part VI · Disposition; Postdisposition Change of Custody4 sections
Part VII · Case Plans9 sections
Part VIII · Permanency6 sections
Part IX · Judicial Reviews3 sections
Part X · Termination of Parental Rights17 sections
Part XI · Guardians ad litem and Guardian Advocates13 sections
Part XII · Domestic Violence9 sections

Chapter 409, Florida Statutes Social and Economic Assistance (child welfare sections)

Part I · Social and Economic Assistance6 topics · 43 sections
Care of Children and Young Adults14 sections
Healthy Families Florida1 section
Alternate Care and Adoption6 sections
Residential Care and Licensure11 sections
Interstate Compacts10 sections
Runaway Youth1 section
Part III · Medicaid Eligibility1 section
Part V · Community-Based Child Welfare10 sections

Chapter 63, Florida Statutes Adoption

Adoption51 sections
§ 63.012 Short title. 4–– § 63.022 Legislative intent. 56–– § 63.032 Definitions. 531– § 63.037 Proceedings applicable to cases resulting from a termination of parental rights under chapter 39. 9–– § 63.039 Duty of adoption entity to prospective adoptive parents; sanctions. 21– § 63.042 Who may be adopted; who may adopt. 311– § 63.0422 Prohibited conditions on adoptions; firearms and ammunition. ––– § 63.0423 Procedures with respect to surrendered infants. ––– § 63.0425 Grandparent’s right to notice. 121– § 63.0427 Agreements for continued communication or contact between adopted child and siblings, parents, and other relatives. 12– § 63.043 Mandatory screening or testing for sickle-cell trait prohibited. ––– § 63.052 Guardians designated; proof of commitment. 6–– § 63.053 Rights and responsibilities of an unmarried biological father; legislative findings. 11–– § 63.054 Actions required by an unmarried biological father to establish parental rights; Florida Putative Father Registry. 22–1 § 63.0541 Public records exemption for the Florida Putative Father Registry. 3–– § 63.062 Persons required to consent to adoption; affidavit of nonpaternity; waiver of venue. 8811 § 63.063 Responsibility of parents for actions; fraud or misrepresentation; contesting termination of parental rights and adoption. 8–– § 63.064 Persons whose consent to an adoption may be waived. 9–– § 63.082 Execution of consent to adoption or affidavit of nonpaternity; family social and medical history; revocation of consent. 572– § 63.085 Disclosure by adoption entity. 511 § 63.087 Proceeding to terminate parental rights pending adoption; general provisions. 39–– § 63.088 Proceeding to terminate parental rights pending adoption; notice and service; diligent search. 20–– § 63.089 Proceeding to terminate parental rights pending adoption; hearing; grounds; dismissal of petition; judgment. 40–– § 63.092 Report to the court of intended placement by an adoption entity; at-risk placement; preliminary study. 971 § 63.093 Adoption of children from the child welfare system. 22– § 63.097 Fees. 71– § 63.102 Filing of petition for adoption or declaratory statement; venue; proceeding for approval of fees and costs. 5–– § 63.112 Petition for adoption; description; report or recommendation, exceptions; mailing. 12–– § 63.122 Notice of hearing on petition. 6–– § 63.125 Final home investigation. 42– § 63.132 Affidavit of expenses and receipts. 1–– § 63.135 Information to be submitted to the court. 1–– § 63.142 Hearing; judgment of adoption. 15–– § 63.152 Application for new birth record. 1–– § 63.162 Hearings and records in adoption proceedings; confidential nature. 2322 § 63.165 State registry of adoption information; duty to inform and explain. –4– § 63.167 State adoption information center. ––– § 63.172 Effect of judgment of adoption. 16–– § 63.182 Statute of repose. 9–– § 63.192 Recognition of foreign judgment or decree affecting adoption. 1–– § 63.202 Authority to license; adoption of rules. 7–– § 63.207 Out-of-state placement. 31– § 63.212 Prohibited acts; penalties for violation. 18–– § 63.213 Preplanned adoption agreement. 1–– § 63.219 Sanctions. ––– § 63.222 Effect on prior adoption proceedings. ––– § 63.232 Duty of person adopting. ––– § 63.2325 Conditions for invalidation of a consent to adoption or affidavit of nonpaternity. 6–– § 63.233 Rulemaking authority. ––– § 63.235 Petitions filed before effective date; governing law. 1–– § 63.236 Petitions filed before July 1, 2008; governing law. –––

Chapter 61, Florida Statutes Dissolution of Marriage; Support; Time-sharing (the UCCJEA only)

Part II · Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act42 sections
§ 61.501 Short title. 14–– § 61.502 Purposes of part; construction of provisions. 4–– § 61.503 Definitions. 15–– § 61.504 Proceedings governed by other law. ––– § 61.505 Application to Indian tribes. ––– § 61.506 International application of part. ––– § 61.507 Effect of child custody determination. 2–– § 61.508 Priority. 2–– § 61.509 Notice to persons outside the state. 2–– § 61.510 Appearance and limited immunity. ––– § 61.511 Communication between courts. 5–– § 61.512 Taking testimony in another state. ––– § 61.513 Cooperation between courts; preservation of records. ––– § 61.514 Initial child custody jurisdiction. 12–– § 61.515 Exclusive, continuing jurisdiction. 2–– § 61.516 Jurisdiction to modify a determination. 7–– § 61.517 Temporary emergency jurisdiction. 9–– § 61.518 Notice; opportunity to be heard; joinder. ––– § 61.519 Simultaneous proceedings. 3–– § 61.520 Inconvenient forum. 7–– § 61.521 Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct. 1–– § 61.522 Information to be submitted to the court. 2–– § 61.523 Appearance of parties and child. ––– § 61.524 Definitions. ––– § 61.525 Enforcement under the Hague Convention. ––– § 61.526 Duty to enforce. ––– § 61.527 Temporary visitation. ––– § 61.528 Registration of child custody determination. ––– § 61.529 Enforcement of registered determination. ––– § 61.530 Simultaneous proceedings. ––– § 61.531 Expedited enforcement of child custody determination. ––– § 61.532 Service of petition and order. ––– § 61.533 Hearing and order. ––– § 61.534 Warrant to take physical custody of child. ––– § 61.535 Costs, fees, and expenses. ––– § 61.536 Recognition and enforcement. ––– § 61.537 Appeals. ––– § 61.538 Role of state attorney. ––– § 61.539 Role of law enforcement officers. ––– § 61.540 Costs and expenses. ––– § 61.541 Application and construction. ––– § 61.542 Transitional provision. 7––

Chapter 743, Florida Statutes Disability of Nonage of Minors Removed

Disability of Nonage of Minors Removed18 sections
§ 743.01 Removal of disabilities of married minors. 5–– § 743.015 Disabilities of nonage; removal. 2–– § 743.04 Removal of disabilities of persons entitled to benefits under the “Home, Farm and Business Loans Act.” ––– § 743.044 Removal of disabilities of minors; executing agreements for depository financial services. 6–– § 743.045 Removal of disabilities of minors; executing contracts for a residential lease. 8–– § 743.046 Removal of disabilities of minors; executing agreements for utility services. 7–– § 743.047 Removal of disabilities of minors; executing agreements for motor vehicle insurance. 5–– § 743.05 Removal of disabilities of minors; borrowing money for educational purposes. ––– § 743.06 Removal of disabilities of minors; donation of blood without parental consent. 1–– § 743.064 Emergency medical care or treatment to minors without parental consent. 112 § 743.0645 Other persons who may consent to medical care or treatment of a minor. 3–2 § 743.065 Unwed pregnant minor or minor mother; consent to medical services for minor or minor’s child valid. 3–– § 743.066 Removal of disability of minors adjudicated as adults. 1–– § 743.067 Certified unaccompanied homeless youths. ––– § 743.07 Rights, privileges, and obligations of persons 18 years of age or older. 22–– § 743.08 Removal of disabilities of minors; artistic or creative services; professional sports contracts; judicial approval. ––– § 743.09 Removal of disabilities of minors; artistic or creative services; professional sports contracts; procedure for court approval; appointment of a guardian ad litem. 2–– § 743.095 Removal of disabilities of minors; artistic or creative services; professional sports contracts; guardianship of the property. –––

Chapter 741, Florida Statutes Marriage; Domestic Violence (marriage of minors only)

Marriage Licenses: Minors1 section

Chapter 1009, Florida Statutes Educational Costs (the tuition and fee exemption and Bright Futures schools only)

Part I · Tuition and Fee Exemptions1 section
Part III · Bright Futures: Eligible Institutions1 section

Former statute numbers cited in older opinions

Numbers not in today's Chapter 39180 numbers

Many are pre-1998 numbers. Where a current section's history note names one, it links to that section; the rest have no stated successor (delinquency, for one, moved to Chapter 985 in 1997). The 409 numbers are child welfare sections no longer in Chapter 409; most of that law moved into Chapter 39 in 1998.

§ 39.02 no stated successorcited 1956–2022 136–– § 39.03 no stated successorcited 1966–1999 63–– § 39.003 no stated successorcited 1979 1–– § 39.04 no stated successorcited 1979–2018 69–– § 39.05 no stated successorcited 1966–2009 105–– § 39.005 no stated successorcited 1993 1–– § 39.06 no stated successorcited 1969–1988 33–– § 39.07 no stated successorcited 1969–1972 2–– § 39.08 no stated successorcited 1965–1985 5–– § 39.09 no stated successorcited 1956–2016 157–– § 39.10 no stated successorcited 1963–2011 48–– § 39.010 no stated successorcited 2007 2–– § 39.11 no stated successorcited 1955–2002 138–– § 39.12 no stated successorcited 1962–1991 17–– § 39.13 no stated successorcited 1962–1984 6–– § 39.14 no stated successorcited 1956–2014 80–– § 39.0015 no stated successorcited 2001–2003 2–– § 39.015 no stated successorcited 2011–2012 2–– § 39.15 no stated successorcited 1969 1–– § 39.016 no stated successorcited 1995 1–– § 39.17 no stated successorcited 1985 1–– § 39.18 no stated successorcited 1953 1–– § 39.018 no stated successorcited 2008 1–– § 39.19 no stated successorcited 1983–1997 4–– § 39.019 no stated successorcited 2015 1–– § 39.021 no stated successorcited 1996–1997 7–– § 39.022 no stated successorcited 1991–2002 32–– § 39.023 no stated successorcited 1992 1–– § 39.24 no stated successorcited 1955 1–– § 39.26 no stated successorcited 1955–1979 2–– § 39.028 no stated successorcited 1992 1–– § 39.031 no stated successorcited 1984 1–– § 39.31 no stated successorcited 1975–1985 2–– § 39.032 no stated successorcited 1979–1996 40–– § 39.33 no stated successorcited 1983 2–– § 39.35 no stated successorcited 1997 1–– § 39.037 no stated successorcited 1990–2009 13–– § 39.37 no stated successorcited 1958 1–– § 39.038 no stated successorcited 1992–1998 4–– § 39.039 no stated successorcited 2012 1–– § 39.041 no stated successorcited 1991–1998 8–– § 39.0041 no stated successorcited 1998 1–– § 39.042 no stated successorcited 1991–2013 24–– § 39.42 no stated successorcited 1991–1998 2–– § 39.043 no stated successorcited 1991–1997 18–– § 39.44 no stated successorcited 1992–1996 2–– § 39.044 no stated successorcited 1990–2006 52–– § 39.45 no stated successorcited 1990–1998 22–– § 39.045 no stated successorcited 1993–2012 4–– § 39.046 no stated successorcited 1993–1996 5–– § 39.047 no stated successorcited 1992–2000 13–– § 39.048 no stated successorcited 1991–2007 22–– § 39.049 no stated successorcited 1994–2001 6–– § 39.51 no stated successorcited 1984–1990 2–– § 39.051 no stated successorcited 2015–2024 3–– § 39.052 no stated successorcited 1991–2009 139–– § 39.053 no stated successorcited 1991–2003 29–– § 39.054 no stated successorcited 1991–2025 111–– § 39.055 no stated successorcited 2000 1–– § 39.057 no stated successorcited 1995–2000 4–– § 39.058 no stated successorcited 1992–2000 10–– § 39.059 no stated successorcited 1991–2017 170–– § 39.60 no stated successorcited 2015 1–– § 39.061 no stated successorcited 1991–2025 68–– § 39.067 no stated successorcited 1996 2–– § 39.069 no stated successorcited 1991–2001 37–– § 39.071 no stated successorcited 1981–1991 5–– § 39.073 no stated successorcited 1994–2006 7–– § 39.074 no stated successorcited 1994 1–– § 39.81 no stated successorcited 2004–2017 3–– § 39.90 no stated successorcited 1964 1–– § 39.91 no stated successorcited 1964 1–– § 39.92 no stated successorcited 1964 1–– § 39.111 no stated successorcited 1979–2018 213–– § 39.112 no stated successorcited 1980–2025 33–– § 39.113 no stated successorcited 1990 1–– § 39.116 no stated successorcited 1981 1–– § 39.0130 no stated successorcited 2009 1–– § 39.0145 no stated successorcited 1995–2003 7–– § 39.145 no stated successorcited 1989 2–– § 39.161 no stated successorcited 2012 1–– § 39.181 no stated successorcited 1957 1–– § 39.0189 no stated successorcited 2011 1–– § 39.0205 no stated successorcited 1991–1996 3–– § 39.0206 no stated successorcited 1996 2–– § 39.0215 no stated successorcited 1993 1–– § 39.0321 no stated successorcited 1990–1996 4–– § 39.331 no stated successorcited 1983 2–– § 39.403 no stated successorcited 1986–1998 3–– § 39.408 no stated successorcited 1980–2013 74–– § 39.412 no stated successorcited 1984–1997 4–– § 39.421 no stated successorcited 1997–1998 4–– § 39.422 no stated successorcited 1988–1998 2–– § 39.424 no stated successorcited 1998 1–– § 39.435 no stated successorcited 1998 1–– § 39.436 no stated successorcited 1993–1998 2–– § 39.437 no stated successorcited 1992–2006 5–– § 39.439 no stated successorcited 1998 1–– § 39.442 no stated successorcited 1991–1993 4–– § 39.445 no stated successorcited 1991 1–– § 39.0445 no stated successorcited 1996 1–– § 39.451 no stated successorcited 1989–1998 14–– § 39.452 no stated successorcited 1992–1998 6–– § 39.454 no stated successorcited 1990–1992 3–– § 39.459 no stated successorcited 1997–1998 3–– § 39.468 no stated successorcited 1991–1998 9–– § 39.0471 no stated successorcited 1998 2–– § 39.475 no stated successorcited 1999 1–– § 39.511 no stated successorcited 1990 1–– § 39.516 no stated successorcited 1988–1990 2–– § 39.0517 no stated successorcited 1997–2003 3–– § 39.0551 no stated successorcited 1996 1–– § 39.552 no stated successorcited 2025 2–– § 39.0581 no stated successorcited 1997–1998 4–– § 39.0582 no stated successorcited 1997 2–– § 39.582 no stated successorcited 2017 1–– § 39.0583 no stated successorcited 1997 2–– § 39.0587 no stated successorcited 1995–2000 3–– § 39.601 no stated successorcited 1999–2010 20–– § 39.622 no stated successorcited 2001–2007 20–– § 39.623 no stated successorcited 2004–2005 3–– § 39.703 no stated successorcited 2000 1–– § 39.0711 no stated successorcited 1995 1–– § 39.0806 no stated successorcited 2009 1–– § 39.820 no stated successorcited 2004–2022 4–– § 39.1105 no stated successorcited 1992 1–– § 39.01114 no stated successorcited 2014 1–– § 39.3065 no stated successorcited 2018 1–– § 39.4031 no stated successorcited 1997–2003 3–– § 39.4086 no stated successorcited 2001–2003 2–– § 39.8063 no stated successorcited 2009–2026 2–– § 39.8269 no stated successorcited 2011 1–– § 39.9221 no stated successorcited 2010 1–– § 61.80 no stated successorcited 2012 1–– § 61.131 no stated successorcited 1981–1985 2–– § 61.132 no stated successorcited 1980–1997 4–– § 61.133 no stated successorcited 1989–2003 3–– § 61.134 no stated successorcited 1992 1–– § 61.1302 no stated successorcited 1978–2004 13–– § 61.1304 no stated successorcited 1985–2003 8–– § 61.1306 no stated successorcited 1980–2017 14–– § 61.1308 no stated successorcited 1980–2004 13–– § 61.1312 no stated successorcited 1993–2004 2–– § 61.1314 no stated successorcited 1989–2004 6–– § 61.1316 no stated successorcited 1992–2004 2–– § 61.1326 no stated successorcited 1985 1–– § 61.1328 no stated successorcited 1985–2003 6–– § 61.1332 no stated successorcited 1989–2003 3–– § 61.1342 no stated successorcited 1992 1–– § 61.1346 no stated successorcited 1991 1–– § 61.1348 no stated successorcited 1980–2004 5–– § 61.5174 no stated successorcited 2016 1–– § 61.13002 no stated successorcited 2009–2015 4–– § 61.13007 no stated successorcited 2007 1–– § 63.061 no stated successorcited 2010 1–– § 63.072 no stated successorcited 1977–2018 34–– § 63.091 no stated successorcited 1975 1–– § 63.0125 no stated successorcited 2002 1–– § 63.127 no stated successorcited 1980 1–– § 63.185 no stated successorcited 1996–2004 4–– § 63.802 no stated successorcited 2019 1–– § 63.13001 no stated successorcited 2011 1–– § 409.03 no stated successorcited 1962 1–– § 409.05 no stated successorcited 1958–1979 2–– § 409.026 no stated successorcited 1995–2005 3–– § 409.029 no stated successorcited 1989–1990 2–– § 409.055 no stated successorcited 1983 1–– § 409.163 no stated successorcited 1985 2–– § 409.168 no stated successorcited 1979–1990 46–– § 409.185 no stated successorcited 1992–1995 2–– § 409.235 no stated successorcited 1982–1992 3–– § 409.245 no stated successorcited 1986 1–– § 409.255 no stated successorcited 1984 1–– § 409.335 no stated successorcited 1995 1–– § 409.608 no stated successorcited 1984 1–– § 409.1671 no stated successorcited 2006–2013 2–– § 409.1673 no stated successorcited 2006 1–– § 741.238 no stated successorcited 2006 1–– § 741.0405 no stated successorcited 1988–2000 4–– § 743.02 no stated successorcited 2016 2––

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