TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (The News Service of Florida) - Gov. Rick Scott on Monday signed a bill to make permanent a pilot program that helps foster children receive driver's licenses.
Scott's signature came after the House and Senate unanimously approved the measure (SB 60) last month.
The pilot program, approved in 2014, helps foster children pay for insurance and other costs related to getting driver's licenses. Supporters of making the program permanent have said foster children often do not have family support to get licenses.
"Ensuring foster children in Florida have the opportunity to take part in age-appropriate activities such as participating in extracurricular activities, going to the beach and getting a driver's license is important for developing life-skills and healthy emotional development," Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll said in a prepared statement Monday.
The bill was sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora, and Rep. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula.
