Florida HB 6503: Relief/L.P./Department of Children and Families

Bill Text

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HB 6503 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb6503-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act for the relief of L.P., a minor, by the 2
Department of Children and Families; providing an 3
appropriation to compensate L.P. for injuries and 4
damages sustained due to the negligence of employees 5
and caseworkers of the department; providing a 6
limitation on compensation and the payment of fees and 7
costs; providing an effective date. 8
9
WHEREAS, on June 25, 2015, a family member of then-6-year-10
old L.P. called the Sarasota Police Department to request a 11
wellness check of the mother of L.P. due to a suicide video the 12
mother sent to relatives, along with other bizarre behaviors 13
that called her mental fitness into question, and 14
WHEREAS, in response to this call, the Sarasota Police 15
Department complied with its statutory duty to report known or 16
possible child abuse by notifying the Department of Children and 17
Families (DCF), which, through its employees and caseworkers, 18
responded to the home late on June 25, 2015, but failed to 19
identify the mother of L.P., much less identify several 20
forewarnings as to the mother's mental health status, and 21
WHEREAS, because of the inadequate wellness check by DCF 22
employees, including failure to implement a readily available 23
safety plan, L.P. was left in the custody of her mother, rather 24
than her grandmother, who is now her adopted mother and who 25

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HB 6503 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb6503-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

lived just a few houses away, and 26
WHEREAS, because of the negligence of the DCF caseworkers 27
in failing to recognize the danger to L.P., she was left in her 28
mother's custody, and 29
WHEREAS, the mother of L.P. attempted to murder L.P. within 30
hours after DCF's negligent decision, resulting in L.P. being 31
stabbed no fewer than 14 times, including an attempted 32
disembowelment, which required lifesaving emergency surgery and 33
multiple follow-up surgeries and treatments, and 34
WHEREAS, as a further consequence of the negligence of DCF 35
through its employees, L.P. will incur a lifetime of significant 36
pain, suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, 37
inconvenience, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, 38
medical costs, future surgeries, and psychological costs over a 39
potential duration of more than 65 years, and 40
WHEREAS, following a 2-week trial from February 28 through 41
March 11, 2022, the jury found DCF negligent and awarded L.P. 42
damages resulting in a final judgment in the amount of $28 43
million, and 44
WHEREAS, an appeal to the Second District Court of Appeal 45
affirmed the factual findings and the judgment of the jury and 46
trial court in the case, and 47
WHEREAS, in the 9 years since her mother attempted to 48
murder her, L.P. has incurred the costs of multiple lifesaving 49
surgeries, psychological counseling, and related expenses which 50

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HB 6503 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb6503-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

remain unpaid or will be incurred at over $14 million along with 51
a loss of earning capacity at $1.5 million, and 52
WHEREAS, the costs incurred in the prosecution of the 53
claims on behalf of L.P. exceeded $208,000, with over $8,000 54
remaining to be paid, and 55
WHEREAS, in accordance with the statutory cap of liability 56
set forth in s. 768.28, Florida Statutes, DCF has paid $200,000 57
toward the total amount of this claim, NOW, THEREFORE, 58
59
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 60
61
Section 1. The facts stated in the preamble to this act 62
are found and declared to be true. 63
Section 2. The sum of $28 million is appropriated from the 64
General Revenue Fund to the Department of Children and Families 65
for the relief of L.P. for injuries and damages sustained. 66
Section 3. The Chief Financial Officer is directed to draw 67
a warrant in the sum of $28 million payable to a special needs 68
trust created for the exclusive use and benefit of L.P. for 69
injuries and damages sustained. 70
Section 4. The amount paid by the Department of Children 71
and Families pursuant to s. 768.28, Florida Statutes, and the 72
amount awarded under this act are intended to provide the sole 73
compensation for all present and future claims arising out of 74
the factual situation described in this act which resulted in 75



HB 6503 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb6503-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

injuries and damages to L.P. The total amount paid for attorney 76
fees, lobbying fees, and other similar expenses relating to this 77
claim may not exceed 25 percent