409.1454 Motor vehicle insurance for children in care.—
(1) The Legislature finds that the costs of driver education, licensure and costs incidental to licensure, and motor vehicle insurance for a child in licensed out-of-home care after such child obtains a driver license creates an additional barrier to engaging in normal age-appropriate activities and gaining independence and may limit opportunities for obtaining employment and completing educational goals. The Legislature also finds that the completion of an approved driver education course is necessary to develop safe driving skills.
(2) To the extent that funding is available, the department shall establish a 3-year pilot program to pay the cost of driver education, licensure and other costs incidental to licensure, and motor vehicle insurance for children in licensed out-of-home care who have successfully completed a driver education program.
(3) If a caregiver, or an individual or not-for-profit entity approved by the caregiver, adds a child to his or her existing insurance policy, the amount paid to the caregiver or approved purchaser may not exceed the increase in cost attributable to the addition of the child to the policy.
(4) Payment shall be made to eligible recipients in the order of eligibility until available funds are exhausted.
(5) The department shall contract with a not-for-profit entity whose mission is to support youth aging out of foster care to develop procedures for operating and administering the pilot program, including, but not limited to:
(a) Determining eligibility, including responsibilities for the child and caregivers.
(b) Developing application and payment forms.
(c) Notifying eligible children, caregivers, group homes, and residential programs of the pilot program.
(d) Providing technical assistance to lead agencies, providers, group homes, and residential programs to support removing obstacles that prevent children in foster care from driving.
(6) By July 1, 2015, and annually thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, the department shall submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives evaluating the success of and outcomes achieved by the pilot program. The report shall include a recommendation as to whether the pilot program should be continued, terminated, or expanded.
History.—s. 2, ch. 2014-166.
Section: Previous 409.017 409.031 409.141 409.145 409.1451 409.1452 409.1453 409.1454 409.146 409.147 409.153 409.165 409.166 409.1662 409.1664 NextLast modified: September 23, 2016