1. (1) Law Enforcement Involvement. The licensed out-of-home caregiver shall report any household member’s involvement with law enforcement over the course of the licensed year to the supervising agency within one business day of the occurrence. Law enforcement involvement includes Florida and out of state arrests, incidents of domestic violence, driving infractions, and any local law enforcement response to the home involving incidents that threaten the safety of any children.
2. (2) When a licensed out-of-home caregiver makes a formal request to place the home on hold, no new children shall be placed in the home. Licensed out-of-home caregivers shall submit a written request to include the date at which they would like to accept children in their home.

3. (3) Household Circumstance Changes. In addition, the caregiver shall report to the community-based care lead agency within one (1) business day:

   1. (a) A change in household composition, including plans for changes in sleeping arrangements;
   2. (b) A change of physical address;
   3. (c) Changes in financial situation, such as bankruptcy, repossessions, and evictions;
   4. (d) A physical or mental health concerns that impact the ability to provide care for the child;
   5. (e) A change in contact information;
   6. (f) A change in employment or significant change in work or school schedule. A significant change is defined as one that impacts the ability to provide care for the child; and

   7. (g) A change in marital or relationship status, including reconciliation or separation.

      1. (I) No new children shall be placed in the home until the application has been completed and approved.

      2. (II) The supervising agency will update the Unified Home Study, including interviews with all children in the home, verification of satisfactory background screening, and verification of income and expenses, and submit to the community-based care lead agency within 30 calendar days of marriage, moving in together, or reconciliation.

         2. In cases of separation, divorce, or death of a spouse or partner, the supervising agency shall update the Unified Home Study submit to the Regional Licensing Authority a summary and assessment of the impact to the children placed in the home within 30 calendar days of the change in marital status.

         a. The child welfare professional must offer and refer household members for services based on the outcome of the assessment.

         b. The Unified Home Study shall summarize the satisfaction of licensing requirements and shall include interviews with the children, if age appropriate, verification of income and expenses, and the remaining caregiver’s plan to meet all financial obligations.

         c. The updated Unified Home Study shall be completed in the CCWIS.

      1. When a licensed out-of-home caregiver marries, moves in with, or reconciles with an unlicensed spouse or partner, the unlicensed spouse or partner shall submit fingerprints for background screening prior to moving into the residence, unless previously completed within the past five years and the background screenings remain in good standing.

      a. The unlicensed spouse or partner shall also attend parent preparation pre-service training if not previously completed within the last five years and meet all licensing requirements. The unlicensed spouse or partner shall have three months from the date of marriage, moving in together, or reconciliation to complete pre-service training. If a determination has been made and documented by the child welfare professional in the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) as to the unavailability of a pre-service training class, the unlicensed spouse or partner shall complete pre-service training within six months.

      b. Upon completion of pre-service training, the unlicensed spouse or partner shall complete and submit an “Application for License to Provide Out-of-Home Care for Dependent Children,” incorporated by reference in Rule 65C-45.003, F.A.C. Failure to meet the licensing and background screening provisions which may threaten the safety of any child in care or place the home in violation of the licensing standards is grounds for denial or revocation of an application or license.

      c. The home shall remain licensed and previously placed children may remain in the home pending the outcome of the Unified Home Study assessment and approval of the license application.

4. (4) The supervising agency shall assess and document the impact on the household within two (2) business days of learning one of these events has occurred or is likely to occur.
5. (5) All new household members age 18 and older shall be fingerprinted prior to moving into the residence, and those fingerprints shall be submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement within five (5) business days of the receipt of the fingerprints by the supervising agency. All household members shall meet the requirements for background screening.
6. (6) All minor household members residing in the residence shall be fingerprinted immediately upon turning 18 years of age.
7. (7) The supervising agency shall submit a new “Application for License to Provide Out-of-Home Care for Dependent Children,” incorporated by reference in Rule 65C-45.003, F.A.C., to the Regional Licensing Authority for the issuance of an amended license.

8. (8) Change of Location. A licensed out-of-home caregiver shall notify the supervising agency no less than 30 calendar days prior to the expected date of the relocation.

   1. (a) The supervising agency shall assist the licensed out-of-home caregiver in identifying a new supervising agency.
   2. (b) The current supervising agency shall notify the new agency of the licensed out-of-home caregivers’ intent to transfer within two business days of being notified by the caregiver. The new supervising agency shall accept the transfer request within two business days and be assigned to initiate the transfer process.
   3. (c) When a licensed out-of-home caregiver is in good standing and requests a transfer of their family foster home license within the state, the new supervising agency shall initiate licensing process for transfer within 15 calendar days of accepting the transfer request from the current supervising agency. All background screenings, trainings, and required forms previously completed under the current supervising agency shall be transferred and accepted for licensure by the new supervising agency or accessed through CCWIS.
   4. (d) Within 15 calendar days of the licensed out-of-home caregiver’s physical relocation, the new supervising agency shall have all remaining transfer requirements outlined in subsection (9) completed.

   5. (e) To be deemed in good standing the licensed out of home caregiver must meet the following criteria:

      1. No current or past corrective action plan in the last 12 months of the relocation notification.

      2. No pending administrative actions.

      3. No open abuse report or special conditions referral.

      4. No background screening related concerns to include the issuance of a background screening exemption.

   6. (f) For licensed out-of-home caregivers that do not meet the criteria in paragraph (8)(e) the new supervising agency shall complete all transfer requirements for a licensed out-of-home caregiver within 30 calendar days of the family relocating to the new residence.

9. (9) Transfer Documentation Requirements. The following are requirements for an in-state relocation of a family foster home.

   1. (a) Preservice Training. When the preservice training for the licensed caregiver was completed more than five years prior to the transfer, the caregiver’s training remains valid throughout the transfer of licensure process and considered to have met the training requirements outlined in subsection 65C-45.002(12), F.A.C.
   2. (b) Florida Sexual Offender and Predator records check (neighborhood search) shall be conducted on the licensed out-of-home caregiver’s new residence.
   3. (c) Unified Home Study Addendum.
   4. (d) Application for License to Provide Out-of-Home Care.
   5. (e) Release of Information.
   6. (f) Foster home inspection checklist.
   7. (g) Disaster preparedness plan.
   8. (h) Evacuation plan.
10. (10) The new supervising agency shall complete at least one home visit prior to licensure.
11. (11) The amended application packet shall be submitted to the Regional Licensing Authority for review and issuance of an amended license within two business days of completion of the transfer requirements.
12. (12) If approved, an amended license shall be issued and shall expire on the same date as the previous license.
13. (13) If licensure of the new home is not recommended and there are children currently placed in the home, the primary case manager shall assess whether alternative placement is necessary within four hours of being notified by the supervising agency.
14. (14) If the decision is made to deny the new application, the Regional Licensing Authority will notify the applicant and supervising agency by certified mail within five (5) business days of the decision to deny, identifying the reasons for the denial of the license, the statutory authority for the denial of the license, and the applicant’s right of appeal pursuant to Chapter 120, F.S. The denial and reason(s) for denial shall be recorded in CCWIS by the supervising agency. If there are any children who moved with the caregiver from the former region, the Regional Licensing Authority will notify the new supervising agency within 24 hours of the decision to deny the application. The new supervising agency shall notify the former supervising agency and the contracted service provider responsible for courtesy supervision within 24 hours of receiving the notice. All possible placement options, the possible risk to the children, and their best interest shall be considered, and a decision made regarding their placement within 24 hours of receipt of the notification. The removal and placement of the children is the responsibility of the former supervising agency and the contracted service provider with primary responsibility for supervision of the children.
15. (15) Out of State. If there are children to move out of state with the licensed out-of-home caregiver, the primary case manager is required to initiate an Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children request pursuant to Section 409.401, F.S.

Rulemaking Authority 409.175(5) FS. Law Implemented 409.175(5) FS. History–New 4-26-20, Amended 11-9-20, 3-19-26.