Bill > S0112

Introduced Session

An act relating to children with developmental disabilities; amending s. 381.9855, F.S.; revising the scope of the Dr. and Mrs. Alfonse and Kathleen Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program to allow grant funds to be used for screenings, referrals for treatment, and related services for autism; amending s. 391.302, F.S.; revising applicability of definitions to conform to changes made by the act; defining the term “department”; amending s. 391.308, F.S.; revising requirements for the annual grant application submitted by the Department of Health for the Early Steps Program to conform to changes made by the act; creating s. 391.3081, F.S.; providing legislative intent; providing a purpose for the Early Steps Extended Option; defining the term “child”; requiring the department to seek federal approval for the Early Steps Extended Option; requiring the department, jointly with the Department of Education, to develop or amend any rule, policy, procedure, written agreement, or contract necessary to implement the Early Steps Extended Option; requiring the department to seek additional federal grant funds for implementation of the Early Steps Extended Option; authorizing the department to implement the Early Steps Extended Option regardless of certain federal funding; requiring local program offices of the Early Steps Program to include certain steps for transition in the individualized family support plan for each child served by the Early Steps Extended Option; specifying eligibility criteria for a child’s enrollment in the Early Steps Extended Option; providing that a child becomes ineligible to reenter the Early Steps Extended Option upon exiting; requiring local school districts, in conjunction with local program offices, to notify a child’s parent or legal guardian of his or her rights under certain circumstances; requiring local program offices to take specified steps for transitioning children out of the Early Steps Extended Option within a specified timeframe before they age out; requiring local program offices, in conjunction with local school districts, to modify or develop, as applicable, individual education plans with specified elements for such children; requiring local program offices and local school districts to provide specified written information to a child’s parent or legal guardian if the child is determined ineligible for school district program services; requiring the department to include a performance assessment of the Early Steps Extended Option in a specified annual report; specifying requirements for such assessment; providing an appropriation; creating s. 1003.5711, F.S.; providing legislative findings and intent; requiring the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment to oversee certain grants; requiring the center to develop guidelines for grant administration; providing eligibility requirements for grant applicants; providing that grants may be used for specified purposes; authorizing the center to prioritize grant allocations for specified purposes; requiring grant recipients to submit a specified report; creating s. 1003.5712, F.S.; providing legislative findings and purpose; requiring the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment to fund specialized summer programs for children with autism spectrum disorder; requiring the center to publish guidelines for grant applications; requiring the center to provide technical assistance to grant applicants and recipients; providing eligibility requirements for the specialized summer programs; authorizing the center to set maximum grant amounts; requiring grant recipients to submit a report to the center within a specified timeframe; creating s. 1004.551, F.S.; creating the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment; providing duties of the center; requiring the center to develop an autism micro credential; providing requirements for the micro credential; providing a stipend as determined in the General Appropriations Act; requiring the center to administer stipends; requiring the center to publish on its website an annual report; prohibiting the host state university from charging certain fees to the center; amending s. 1012.582, F.S.; requiring the Commissioner of Education to review specified curricula by a specified date; requiring the commissioner to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature; amending s. 1012.585, F.S.; revising the process for the renewal of professional certificates to include training in the knowledge and skills required to support students with autism; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Gayle Harrell (R)*, 

Other Sponsors (2)

Chapter No. 2025-95 (on 05/28/2025)

Official Document