Dependency Law Finder

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

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Another planned permanent living arrangement.§ 39.6241

Part VIII · Permanency · 2026 Florida Statutes
Each citation is matched to today's text through the statutes the opinion applied (1997 on), so renumbered subsections land in the right place; those show "Cited as".

Related court rules: Rule 8.425 Permanency hearings

7 opinions cite § 39.6241

  1. S.M. v. Department of Children & Families 202 So. 3d 769 · SC15-2127 · Florida Supreme Court 2016

    Affirmed This opinion cites § 39.6241 1 time, the section generally

    · cited by 37 in all courts

    Supreme Court approved termination: least restrictive means does not require considering permanent guardianship instead of adoption once grounds and best interests shown.

    …a fit and willing relative under s. 39.6231; or (e) Placement in another planned permanent living arrangement under s. 39.6241 Id. §§ 39.621(2)(a)-(e) (emphasis added). Only after the trial court determines that adoption or reunification would not be in the best interests of…

  2. E.F. v. Department of Children & Families 16 So. 3d 867 · 1D09-0176 · 1st DCA 2009

    Reversed & remanded This opinion cites § 39.6241 1 time, the section generally

    Terminations reversed on DCF's concessions: no valid case plan for the father, confused information on APPLA, and the mother did not qualify for single-parent termination.

    …also concedes that the trial court was provided “confused information” regarding the option of Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement under section 39.6241, Florida Statutes. The Guardian ad Litem joins in the concession of error. The Department suggests that the mother does not qualify for single-parent…

  3. Department of Children & Families v. in the Interest of C.W. 14 So. 3d 1041 · 1D09-0025 · 1st DCA 2009

    Affirmed This opinion cites § 39.6241 1 time, the section generally

    Denial of termination affirmed on remand; the court properly weighed best-interest factors, favoring the child's bond with his grandmother, without violating law of the case.

    … (d) Permanent placement with a fit and willing relative under s. 39.6231; or (e) Placement in another planned permanent living arrangement under s. 39.6241.

  4. R.G. v. Department of Children & Family Services 988 So. 2d 1108 · 2D07-3207 · 2nd DCA 2008

    Affirmed This opinion cites § 39.6241 1 time, the section generally

    Order changing the permanency goal from reunification to another planned permanent living arrangement affirmed because the court complied with the statute.

    …order changing the goal with regard to her dependent son, J.G., from reunification to another planned permanent living arrangement, pursuant to section 39.6241, Florida Statutes (2007). On appeal, the Mother maintains that the trial court failed to comply with the requirements of the statute. However, after reviewing…

  5. In re Amendments to Florida Rule of Juvenile Procedure 8.255 3 So. 3d 1239 · SC08-1236 · Florida Supreme Court 2009

    Rule amendment This opinion cites § 39.6241 2 times: (1)(d)3.

    · cited by 1 in all courts

    …or older may choose to remain in foster care, after which the court may approve the child's placement in another planned permanent living arrangement. See § 39.6241(1)(d)(3), Fla. Stat. (2008). Thus, as explained by the committee in its petition, these and a variety of other services are available to sixteen-year-old youth,…

  6. In re Amendments to Florida Rules of Juvenile Procedure - 2024 Legislation SC2024-1093 · Florida Supreme Court 2024

    Rule amendment This opinion cites § 39.6241 1 time: (2)

    …Florida Statutes (2023), by chapter 2024-70, section 24, Laws of Florida. Chapter 2024-70, section 23, Laws of Florida, amended section 39.6241(2), Florida Statutes (2023), to require a guardian ad litem to advise the court whether the child has entered into a formal agreement with a supportive adult…

  7. In re Amendments to Rules of Juvenile Proc. 951 So. 2d 804 · SC06-2151 · Florida Supreme Court 2007

    Rule amendment This opinion cites § 39.6241 1 time, the section generally

    · cited by 4 in all courts

    …with a fit and willing relative under section 39.6231, Florida Statutes; or (E) placement in another planned permanent living arrangement under section 39.6241, Florida Statutes. (3) The best interest of the child is the primary consideration in determining the permanency goal. The court must also consider the…

0 admin code rules cite § 39.6241

DCF's rules in Chapter 65C, Florida Administrative Code, that cite it or name it as the law they implement.

No admin code rule cites § 39.6241.

1 CFOP cite § 39.6241

How DCF carries it out. A page opens in the CFOP reader with the citation highlighted.

  1. CFOP 170-9 Family Assessment and Case Planning p. 22

Shading shows how often opinions cite each provision: rarely sometimes often most. Click a provision to list the opinions citing it.

(1) If a court finds that reunification is not in the best interests of a child, the court may approve placement of the child in another planned permanent living arrangement if:

(a) The court finds a more permanent placement, such as adoption, permanent guardianship, or placement with a fit and willing relative, is not in the best interests of the child;

(b) The department documents reasons why the placement will endure and how the proposed arrangement will be more stable and secure than ordinary foster care;

(c) The court finds that the health, safety, and well-being of the child will not be jeopardized by such an arrangement; and

(d) There are compelling reasons to show that placement in another planned permanent living arrangement is the most appropriate permanency goal. Compelling reasons for such placement may include, but are not limited to:

1. The case of a parent and child who have a significant bond but the parent is unable to care for the child because of an emotional or physical disability, and the child’s foster parents have committed to raising him or her to the age of majority and to facilitate visitation with the disabled parent;

2. The case of a child for whom an Indian tribe has identified another planned permanent living arrangement for the child; or

3. The case of a foster child who is 16 years of age or older who chooses to remain in foster care, and the child’s foster parents are willing to care for the child until the child reaches 18 years of age.

(2) The department and the guardian ad litem must provide the court with a recommended list and description of services needed by the child, such as independent living services and medical, dental, educational, or psychological referrals, and a recommended list and description of services needed by his or her caregiver. The guardian ad litem must also advise the court whether the child has been connected with a supportive adult and, if the child has been connected with a supportive adult, whether the child has entered into a formal agreement with the adult. If the child has entered into a formal agreement pursuant to s. 39.6036, the guardian ad litem must ensure that the agreement is documented in the child’s court file.

(3) The department shall continue to supervise the planned permanent living arrangement until the court orders otherwise. The court shall continue to review the placement at least once every 6 months.

History. s. 22, ch. 2006-86; s. 23, ch. 2024-70.