GOV BUSH PRAISES NEW BILLS THAT MAKES FALSIFYING STATE RECORDS A FELONY [Rilya Wilson case]

Office of the FL Gov ^ | May 8, 2002 | State of FL

[summer]

GOV BUSH PRAISES NEW BILLS THAT

MAKES FALSIFYING STATE RECORDS A FELONY

--Legislation and Blue Ribbon Panel Key to Protecting Children in Future--

TALLAHASSEE- Governor Jeb Bush today applauded the Florida Senate and the Florida House for their work in passing Senate Bill 76-E and House Bill 71-E. Governor Bush also urged the House to take up and pass the legislation that was returned to them by the Senate.

"Rilya Wilson's story has shown us, all too well, the tragedy that results when those entrusted with protecting our children take their responsibility lightly," said Governor Bush. "Lying on state records and before a court are unconscionable acts, and we will hold accountable the few who commit these crimes."

Under this legislation, falsifying records of a person in the care and custody of the state that could compromise the health, safety or welfare of that person and contribute to bodily harm or death is a second degree felony carrying a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. In addition, it is a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison to:

falsify records of a person in the care and custody of the state that could cause harm to the health, safety or welfare of that person; or falsify Department of Children and Families (DCF) records and conceal facts on a child abuse, elder or disabled investigation, protective supervision, or foster care and related services case.

"Our charge must be to ensure the safety of all the children in our system. To do that we must not only punish those who falsify records, but also prevent such acts from happening in the future," Governor Bush said. "This legislation, coupled with the efforts currently underway by the Blue Ribbon Panel on Child Protection, are critical steps in righting the wrongs of the past."

Earlier this week, the Governor appointed the four-person panel to review the performance and accountability of DCF's child welfare system.

[summer]

FYI.

[summer]

This is the latest. Let's see how long it takes Mr. O'Reilly to report this. Hope he reports it today.

[summer]

FYI.

[Sungirl]

Bump for Jeb....

[summer]

Thanks, Sungirl. BTTT.

[summer]

FV, The posted news may be of interest to your ping list... :)

[floriduh voter]

I'll bttt here and add this url to the other existing thread on this subject. This is an update that solidifies matters discussed over there.

[dalebert]

Sending him an email now. Thanks.

[summer]

Great!!! Thanks, dalebert.

[summer]

For index.

[summer]

The link for this article is here.

[GUIDO]

So I have yet to hear about the caseworker that falsified the records. I know there is one out there, but does anyone know who it is and has anyone tried to ask her any questions? Why aren't we hearing about this side of the case?

[summer]

GUIDO, I agree with you that there are a lot of unanswered questions. I will post whatever I hear about this case as soon as I see it.

[Eala]

Nice idea, but if you don't enforce it, it's worthless. "Selective enforcement" is a frequent problem; somehow the lefties continually fail to see the beam in their own eye.

[Eala]

Nice idea, but if you don't enforce it, it's worthless. "Selective enforcement" is a frequent problem; somehow the lefties continually fail to see the beam in their own eye.

[summer]

It's not an idea -- it's a new law. And, being a "new " law, created today, it has not yet been used in any case.

[summer]

"Selective enforcement" is a frequent problem

I agree; it can be. Thanks for your post, Eala.

[mafree]

GO JEB!!

[summer]

Thanks, mafree!