Florida Statutes Title XXIX. Public Health § 402.181. State Institutions Claims Program

(1) There is created a State Institutions Claims Program, for the purpose of making restitution for property damages and direct medical expenses for injuries caused by shelter children or foster children, or escapees, inmates, or patients of state institutions or developmental disabilities centers under the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Corrections, or the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

(2) Claims for restitution may be filed with the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Corrections, or the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. The claim must be filed with the department or agency responsible for monitoring the person who caused the medical injury or the property damage. The departments and agencies have the full power and authority to approve or deny claims and may, within the limits of current appropriations, pay individual claims up to $1,000 or, with respect to children in foster care and their families, individual claims up to $1,500. Claims in excess of these amounts shall continue to require legislative approval.

(3) The Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Corrections, and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities shall adopt rules to process claims and to ensure that eligible claimants receive restitution within a reasonable timeframe.