Committee approves bill to treat foster parents as relatives for ethics disclosures

Tallahassee — The Rules Committee on Thursday approved HB 603, a measure from Representative Lopez that would update Florida’s ethics law to treat current and former legally recognized foster parents and foster children as “relatives” for purposes of gift disclosures by public employees.

Representative Lopez told the committee the statute’s current definition of “relative” is broad but does not explicitly include foster relationships, and the proposal implements a recommendation from the Florida Commission on Ethics. Lopez said the change recognizes enduring family bonds formed through foster care and would relieve foster families of certain disclosure burdens when exchanging gifts among family members.

A representative of the Florida Commission on Ethics submitted a public comment form and waived in support. No amendments were filed and members asked no follow-up questions.

The committee took a recorded vote; the clerk announced the tally as 16-0 in favor, and the bill passed the committee. Fabricio and Placencia were noted as excused during roll call.