I was just waiting for this. Our corrupt local/state government has to step in here and get their :twocents:
'Barahona Relief Act' bills would limit monetary awards for abuse victims
By Pat Beall
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Updated: 5:59 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2011
Posted: 7:18 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2011
Outraged critics are calling it the Barahona Relief Act: Twin bills winding through Tallahassee that would cap damages in lawsuits brought against private groups overseeing the care of foster children, regardless of negligence.
"It's appalling," said Howard Talenfeld, a South Florida attorney who sued the state in two landmark cases - especially coming on the heels of questions raised about how the Department of Children and Families and its private contractor handled the abuse of Nubia and Victor Barahona
The proposals also would shield the Florida Department of Children and Families from lawsuits filed against private companies hired by the state to place foster children in homes. No lawsuit has been filed in the Barahona case
Our Kids, which inspected the Barahonas' home several times and provided data used to craft the bill, said that the legislation will remove a hurdle to staying in business: sharply rising insurance liability costs. Only a handful of insurers write policies to such groups, Our Kids spokeswoman Kadie Black said.
Our Kids received government grants worth $100 million in 2009. The non-profit has not been turned down for insurance, she said, but premiums have risen by 64 percent to $191,663 since 2009
**more at link**
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/barahona-relief-act-bills-would-limit-monetary-awards-1296260.html
This just make me sick. If this bill passes it will give a pass to all the incompetent social workers out there.
It outrages me that the same private company that did home studies for the Barahona's also helped draft this bill.
The lobbyist they hired - Ron Book - has his hands in a lot of "shady" things down here. He was the one that was helping the RSO's in Miami that were living in cardboard boxes under the overpasses down there.
And, now, with the other two little children in Delray..........We don't know yet if DCF was ever involved with this family but down the road I think we are going to find out that they were and did nothing.
I also saw another article yesterday that some psychologist had reported that both V and Nubia had said a few years back that they had contemplated suicide!
