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HB 6515

Relief/Michael Barnett/Department of Children and Families

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Webster Barnaby

Claims bill to authorize paying $296,400 from state funds to settle a DCF negligence claim arising from a 2010 child-protective investigation.

Died in Budget Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 6515

Summary — HB 6515: Relief/Michael Barnett/Department of Children and Families

Status: Died in Budget Committee (June 16, 2025)
Introduced: January 24, 2025 (filed Jan 17, 2025)
Classification: Claims bill
Claim amount: $296,400

Purpose

HB 6515 was a Florida claims bill that sought legislative relief to satisfy a $296,400 settlement claim by Michael Barnett against the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The claim arises from alleged negligence by DCF in its handling of a child-abuse/domestic-violence report preceding a family murder and shooting on September 27, 2010.

Background / factual findings (Special Master’s report)

  • On September 27, 2010, Patrick Dell killed Diane (13), Daniel (10) and Bryan (14) Barnett, and shot Ryan (15) in the family home. Michael Barnett is the children’s father.
  • DCF received an abuse report on January 26, 2010 related to a December 20, 2009 incident in which Dell threatened the mother with a knife, slashed tires, and made death threats. The mother had previously filed injunctions (2008; temporary injunction granted May 2010).
  • Riviera Beach police responded to the residence about 34 times from 2007–2010; at least 11 calls involved domestic disputes with children present.
  • The Special Master’s report faulted DCF’s investigation led by Child Protective Investigator George Shahood. Findings included: limited relevant training and experience, failure to obtain police records or interview key witnesses (including the victim’s friend present during the knife incident), not checking with the state attorney’s office, and closing the investigation after ~30 days with no removal of children.
  • The investigator later was arrested for domestic battery (Sept 2010) and was relieved of duties in Feb 2011; DCF did not review his caseload in light of that arrest.

Key provision(s)

  • The bill would have authorized payment (relief) tied to the $296,400 settlement agreement, effectively directing state payment to resolve the claim against DCF arising from the alleged negligent investigation.

Who would be affected

  • Primary recipient: Michael Barnett (claimant).
  • State agencies: DCF (subject of the claim) and the state’s appropriation/budget (payment would come from state funds).
  • Wider implication: potential precedent for legislative resolution of tort claims against the state for investigative failures in child-protective cases.

Legislative history / timeline

  • Referred to Judiciary, Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee, and Budget Committee in January 2025.
  • Favorable report from Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee on March 20, 2025.
  • Indefinitely postponed/withdrawn from consideration (May 3, 2025).
  • Died in Budget Committee (June 16, 2025).

Notes

  • As a claims bill, HB 6515 did not change substantive DCF policy or statutory standards for investigations; it sought legislative approval to resolve a specific monetary claim against the state based on the Special Master’s factual and legal findings.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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