The Florida legislature passed a bill to strengthen family and youth intervention services.
The Florida House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1344: Juvenile Justice, the Senate companion bill to House Bill 1405, a bipartisan effort championed by Republican State Representative Berny Jacques, of Seminole, and Democratic State Representative LaVon Bracy Davis, of Ocoee. This legislation aims to address Florida Statutes focused on Children and Families in Need of Services (CINS) and Families in Need of Services (FINS) and also marks a significant step forward in protecting at-risk youth and strengthening families across the state.
The bipartisan bill enhances the effectiveness and coordination between the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), courts, and community-based services to identify and intervene early in the lives of youth displaying severe behavioral concerns. By reinforcing accountability measures and streamlining access to critical support services, SB 1344 aims to prevent deeper involvement in the juvenile justice system—offering a pathway to hope, healing, and restored family unity.
“SB 1344 is about reinforcing structure, accountability, and timely intervention for youth showing signs of serious behavioral issues,” said Republican Representative Berny Jacques. “This legislation strengthens the role of the courts and the Department of Juvenile Justice, in responding quickly and effectively, before at-risk kids escalate into the criminal justice system. We’re prioritizing law and order, supporting families, and giving our youth a real chance to stay on the right path.”
For Representative Bracy Davis, this bill is deeply personal. As a former attorney for the Department of Children and Families (DCF), she witnessed firsthand the transformative power of early and compassionate intervention.
“Every child deserves the chance to thrive, and every family deserves the tools to heal,” said Representative LaVon Bracy Davis, a Democrat. “During my time at DCF, I sat across from parents who were desperate for help—and I saw how systems could either break them or build them. HB 1405/SB 1344 is about building. It’s about hope. It’s about ensuring that no child is discarded and no family is forgotten. This is not just policy—it’s personal.”
By emphasizing early detection of behavioral concerns, strengthening court oversight, and enhancing service delivery coordination, SB 1344 works to disrupt the pipeline from misbehavior to incarceration and promote rehabilitation over punishment.
The legislators said passage of SB 1344 is a testament to what bipartisan cooperation and a shared commitment to Florida’s future can accomplish, adding it reflects a vision where intervention replaces incarceration, support replaces stigma, and healing replaces harm.
View more on the bipartisan legislation to strengthen Florida family and youth intervention services: HB 1405/SB 1344.
