Bill > H0897

This bill amends Florida's statutes regarding community rehabilitation programs for blind and visually impaired individuals, establishing detailed requirements for such programs to enter into cooperative agreements with the Division of Blind Services. The bill specifies that qualifying programs must be nonprofit agencies or university programs, maintain national accreditation from recognized rehabilitation organizations, employ professionally certified staff, and provide a comprehensive range of services including daily living assistance, career counseling, technology training, and community integration. Community rehabilitation programs meeting these standards will be considered priority service providers for funding, and the division can temporarily waive certain requirements for new organizations. If a community rehabilitation program cannot serve a specific client, the division may contract with a non-community rehabilitation private vendor, but must notify the local community program and ensure equivalent service quality. The Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind will coordinate these agreements and may request legislative funding for these programs, with funds to be dispersed within 45 days of receiving a qualified invoice. The bill aims to increase services provided by community rehabilitation programs while maintaining high standards of professional care and expanding support for blind and visually impaired individuals.

Labor and Employment

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/897