Page 59

July 1, 2026 | 59

ESS Program Policy requires all eligibility staff to report suspicion of abuse through statutory rape to the Florida Abuse Hotline.

2. Section 409.2355, F.S., directs DCF to establish a program (if the Legislature appropriates funds) so local communities may apply for grants through the state attorney’s office of each judicial circuit to fund innovative programs for the prosecution of males over age 21 who victimize girls younger than 16 years old in violation of sections 794.011, 794.05, 800.04, 827.04(3), or 847.0135(5), F.S. 3. Section 382.356, F.S., directs the Office of Vital Statistics of the Department of Health, the Department of Revenue, and the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association to develop a protocol for sharing birth certificate information to facilitate the prosecution of offenses in which a male over the age of 21 impregnates a child less than 17 years old.

Excerpt from ESS Program Policy Manual 0420.0300 Report of Abuse (TCA)

Florida Statutes require the reporting of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of any child, aged person or disabled adult.

Also make a report when there is reasonable cause to suspect that: 1. A newborn is physically drug dependent. 2. A child, from birth to five years of age, is a drug-exposed child. 3. The parent/caregiver is unable to provide safe care for the child(ren). 4. A male age 21 or older impregnates a female under the age of 16 (applicable to children conceived after Oct. 1, 1996); or 5. The participant has used the cash benefits for purposes other than the support of a child(ren).

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Page 59

Official source

July 1, 2026 | 59

ESS Program Policy requires all eligibility staff to report suspicion of abuse through statutory rape to the Florida Abuse Hotline.

2. Section 409.2355, F.S., directs DCF to establish a program (if the Legislature appropriates funds) so local communities may apply for grants through the state attorney’s office of each judicial circuit to fund innovative programs for the prosecution of males over age 21 who victimize girls younger than 16 years old in violation of sections 794.011, 794.05, 800.04, 827.04(3), or 847.0135(5), F.S. 3. Section 382.356, F.S., directs the Office of Vital Statistics of the Department of Health, the Department of Revenue, and the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association to develop a protocol for sharing birth certificate information to facilitate the prosecution of offenses in which a male over the age of 21 impregnates a child less than 17 years old.

Excerpt from ESS Program Policy Manual 0420.0300 Report of Abuse (TCA)

Florida Statutes require the reporting of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of any child, aged person or disabled adult.

Also make a report when there is reasonable cause to suspect that: 1. A newborn is physically drug dependent. 2. A child, from birth to five years of age, is a drug-exposed child. 3. The parent/caregiver is unable to provide safe care for the child(ren). 4. A male age 21 or older impregnates a female under the age of 16 (applicable to children conceived after Oct. 1, 1996); or 5. The participant has used the cash benefits for purposes other than the support of a child(ren).