Florida Florida Statutes
§ 39.0137 — Federal law; rulemaking authority
FS § 39.0137Ch. 39
Statute text
View on source(1)This chapter does not supersede the requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 U.S.C. ss. 1901 et seq.; the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act of 1994, Pub. L. No. 103-382, as amended; the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. ss. 3901 et seq.; or the implementing regulations for such acts.
(2)The department is encouraged to enter into agreements with recognized American Indian tribes in order to facilitate the implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act. (3)
(4)Notwithstanding subsection (3), in order to expedite permanency for a child, the total time allowed for continuances or extensions of time, including continuances or extensions by the court on its own motion, may not exceed 60 days within any 12-month period for proceedings conducted under this chapter. A continuance or extension of time may be granted only for extraordinary circumstances in which it is necessary to preserve the constitutional rights of a party or if substantial evidence exists to demonstrate that without granting a continuance or extension of time the child's best interests will be harmed.
(5)Notwithstanding subsection (3), a continuance or an extension of time is limited to the number of days absolutely necessary to complete a necessary task in order to preserve the rights of a party or the best interests of a child.
Legislative history
s. 4, ch. 2006-86; s. 2, ch. 2019-128; s. 9, ch. 2024-70.