Bill > S1046

This bill requires the Florida Department of Health, in partnership with school districts, to create informational materials for parents and guardians about how to detect developmental delays and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in students, which will be available on the department's website. These materials must describe developmental delays and ASD, their signs, recommend developmental screenings for children showing signs, and list available state resources like the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities and Early Head Start. Additionally, early learning coalitions, which are organizations that help coordinate early childhood education programs, will be required to inform parents and guardians about these new detection materials, in addition to existing information about Type 1 diabetes detection, for children in voluntary prekindergarten, kindergarten, first, and second grade. This initiative is set to begin on July 1, 2026.