The Governor signed a bill on June 9, 2020 extending existing adoption benefits for qualifying adoptive employees of state agencies to veterans and servicemembers as well. The updated language can be found at sec. 409.1664, Florida Statutes. The bill took effect on July 1, 2020 and allows certain military veterans and service members to receive a monetary benefit ($10,000 per child if the child has special needs, or $5,000 per child if the child does not) through the State Employee Adoption Benefit Program, if they adopt a child through the state’s child welfare system. Prior to July 1, 2020, only employees of state agencies, public schools, charter schools and the Florida Virtual School could qualify for the monetary benefit. The updated Section 409.1664, Florida Statutes will take effect on July 1, 2020.
