J.D. v. Florida Department of Children & Families

J.D. appeals a final order of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) denying her request for an exemption from disqualification under section 435.07, Florida Statutes (2011). J.D. contends that DCF erred in rejecting the administrative law judge’s (ALJ’s) recommendation that she be granted an exemption because she met her burden to demonstrate rehabilitation. We conclude that, under the circumstances of this case, DCF did not abuse its discretion in denying the exemption request despite its erroneous rejection of the ALJ’s finding of rehabilitation. Accordingly, we affirm the final…