Relief/Estate of M.N./Broward County Sheriff's Office

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chip LaMarca

The bill would have paid $2,498,258.50 to the Estate of M.N. to settle a judgment against the Broward County Sheriff’s Office for negligent child-protective investigation.

Died in Rules

#(claimsbills)

Purpose / Intent

HB 6533 is a Florida “claims bill” filed to provide monetary relief to the Estate of M.N., a six‑month‑old child who died in 2016, following a jury verdict that found the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) negligent in its role as the contracted child‑protective investigator. The bill sought payment of local funds in the amount of $2,498,258.50 to resolve that judgment.

Background & factual summary

The Special Master’s Final Report (committee report) outlines the facts underlying the contested claim. M.N. was born April 20, 2016. From June–October 2016 she had multiple medical encounters for serious injuries (June emergency visit; August visit for a black eye; October 13 ER visit where x‑rays showed subacute fractures).

On October 13, 2016, treating clinicians concluded the injuries were suspicious for non‑accidental trauma and a mandatory reporter called the state child‑abuse Hotline. The report and subsequent medical findings prompted concern that the fractures were not consistent with the caregiver’s explanations.

According to the report, neither BCSO nor the Department of Children and Families (DCF) contacted the treating physician that night; no child protective investigator (CPI) arrived at the hospital before staff left. The jury ultimately found BCSO negligent with respect to M.N.’s death, giving rise to the claim.

Key provisions

Authorizes payment of $2,498,258.50 to the Estate of M.N. to satisfy the contested judgment/claim against BCSO. (The bill text itself is not included in the provided documents; the committee report identifies the claim amount and basis.)

As a claims bill, it would have functioned as legislative approval to pay a monetary claim/judgment against a government entity (BCSO) arising from tort liability.

Who would be affected

Primary recipient: Estate of M.N. (would receive the award).

Payer/impacted entity: Broward County/Broward County Sheriff’s Office (local government liability/financial impact).

Secondary: implications for local child‑protective investigation practices, mandatory reporters, hospitals, and county risk exposure.

Legislative history & disposition

Introduced: Jan 24, 2025.

Passed the Florida House (committee substitute) on April 24, 2025 — CS passed 115–0.

Referred to Senate committees and Rules; listed as indefinitely postponed/withdrawn (May 3, 2025) and ultimately died in Rules (June 16, 2025).

Result: the bill did not become law; the claim remains subject to adjudication/collection outside this legislative relief action (as of the final status).

Potential significance

A legislative settlement payment would have resolved the jury verdict against BCSO and shifted financial responsibility according to the bill’s terms. The underlying facts, and the Special Master’s report, highlight concerns about timeliness and responsiveness of child‑protective investigations in hospital settings, which has relevance for policy, training, and oversight even though the bill did not pass.

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