BILL SEEKS $5M FOR VICTIM OF SEXUAL ABUSE

By News Service Florida

Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, filed a proposal (SB 58) Thursday that would lead to the state paying more than $5 million to a victim of sexual abuse. The bill stems from the Department of Children and Families placing a youth, identified only by the initials J.W., in the home of a foster family in 2002. The bill says a Department of Children and Families caseworker failed to tell the family that J.W. had been a victim and perpetrator of sexual abuse, was an alleged juvenile sexual offender and had been recommended to go to a residential treatment facility. In 2005, a child in the family, identified only by his initials C.M.H., said he had been sexually assaulted by J.W. A lawsuit was filed in 2006 in Palm Beach County circuit court, alleging negligence by the Department of Children and Families. A jury ruled against the department, and a judgment of $5,176,543 was entered. The state's sovereign immunity laws placed a $100,000 limit on what could be paid without legislative approval of a higher amount. Simpson's bill, which will be considered during the 2015 legislative session, would direct payment of the remaining $5,076,543. Senators during the past week have filed a series of what are known as "claim" bills in advance of next year's session.