Governor Rick Scott has signed the final bill delivered to his desk into law Wednesday aimed at helping children with special needs.
The last bill Scott signed into law requires the appointment of an attorney to represent children with special needs, unless they have pro bono representation.
It can only happen if the child with disabilities meets certain criteria, which includes residing in a nursing facility, is developmentally disabled, or a victim of human trafficking.
In a statement, Florida Department of Children and Families Interim Secretary Mike Carroll said he believes the new law will help children with special needs who have been abused or neglected have proper presentation in the courts.
Children advocacy groups, like Florida’s Children First, also hailed the signing because its Vice President Gloria Fletcher says before this legislation, children with special needs really had no voice in the courts.
The new law will take effect Tuesday.
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