Notice of Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Departmental
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
33-601.723: Visiting Check-In Procedures
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect of the proposed rule is to clarify means of obtaining approval for a minor’s visit where the legal guardian is incarcerated, yet someone else is taking care of the minor.
SUMMARY: Amends the rule to allow an incarcerated parent or guardian retaining legal custody of a minor to provided a notarized statement authorizing the child of the incarcerated parent to visit. Provides that such authorization remains subject to relevant court orders or relevant departmental rules regarding the inmate’s contact with the minor in question.
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 944.09 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 20.315, 944.09, 944.23, 944.8031 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Dorothy M. Ridgway, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Corrections, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2500

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

33-601.723 Visiting Check-In Procedures.

(1) through (4) No change.

(5) A visitor seventeen years old or younger who cannot furnish proof of emancipation must be accompanied during a visit by an approved parent, legal guardian, or authorized adult and must remain under the supervision of that adult at all times. An authorized non-parental adult accompanying a visiting minor must provide a notarized document of guardianship from the minor’s parent or legal guardian (neither of which may be an inmate except as provided below not an inmate) granting permission for the minor to visit a specifically identified inmate. The document shall be notarized by someone other than the non-parental adult accompanying the minor and shall be updated every six months from the date of issue. In cases where it can be determined that legal custody remains with the incarcerated parent or legal guardian and has not been given to another adult by the court, a notarized statement from the incarcerated parent or guardian shall be acceptable for purposes of authorizing children of the inmate to visit. Any such authorization remains subject to any relevant court orders or relevant departmental rules regarding the inmate’s contact with the minor in question. Falsification of a document of guardianship shall result in the person being subject to suspension of visiting privileges pursuant to paragraph 33-601.731(9)(d), F.A.C.

(6) No change.

Specific Authority 944.09, 944.23 FS. Law Implemented 20.315, 944.09, 944.23, 944.8031 FS. History–New 11-18-01, Amended 5-27-02,          ________.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Franchatta Barber, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Institutions - Programs
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: George Sapp, Assistant Secretary of Institutions
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 15, 2006
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: May 26, 2006