Bill Text: FL S0722 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Autism

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Failed) 2012-03-09 - Died in Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations [S0722 Detail]

Download: Florida-2012-S0722-Introduced.html

---

       Florida Senate - 2012                                     SB 722
       
       
       
       By Senator Garcia
       
       
       
       
       40-00715-12                                            2012722__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to autism; creating the Autism
    3         Spectrum Disorder Study Committee to study autism
    4         spectrum disorder in families in which English is the
    5         second language; providing for membership, meetings,
    6         and duties; prohibiting committee members from
    7         receiving compensation for their services; authorizing
    8         certain funding for publications, subject to approval
    9         of the State Surgeon General; requiring a report to
   10         the Governor and Legislature; providing for expiration
   11         of the committee; providing an effective date.
   12  
   13  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   14  
   15         Section 1. Autism Spectrum Disorder Study Committee.—
   16         (1) There is created an Autism Spectrum Disorder Study
   17  Committee to study the effects of autism spectrum disorder on
   18  families in which English is the second language.
   19         (2) The committee shall advise the Agency for Persons with
   20  Disabilities regarding legislative, programmatic, and
   21  administrative matters that relate to occurrences of autism
   22  spectrum disorder in families in which English is the second
   23  language.
   24         (3) The committee shall be composed of 10 members, of whom
   25  four shall be appointed by the Governor, three shall be
   26  appointed by the President of the Senate, and three shall be
   27  appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Of the
   28  members appointed to the committee:
   29         (a) At least one member must be a physician licensed under
   30  chapter 458 or chapter 459, Florida Statutes.
   31         (b) At least one member must be a psychiatrist licensed
   32  under chapter 458 or chapter 459, Florida Statutes.
   33         (c) At least one member must be a psychologist licensed
   34  under chapter 490, Florida Statutes.
   35         (d) At least one member must be a behavior analyst
   36  certified under s. 393.17, Florida Statutes, who specializes in
   37  the treatment of autism spectrum disorder through speech
   38  therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or applied
   39  behavior analysis, or a provider licensed under chapter 491,
   40  Florida Statutes.
   41         (e) At least one member must be the State Surgeon General
   42  or an employee of the Department of Health appointed by the
   43  State Surgeon General.
   44         (f) At least one member must be the parent of a child with
   45  autism spectrum disorder.
   46         (g) At least one member must be an educator certified in
   47  special education.
   48         (h) At least one member must be a doctor from UM-NSU CARD,
   49  Center for Autism & Related Disabilities.
   50         (j) At least one member must have autism spectrum disorder.
   51         (4) Initial appointments shall be made by July 1, 2012. A
   52  vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the original
   53  appointing authority for the unexpired portion of the term.
   54         (5) The committee shall elect a chair at the first meeting
   55  by a majority vote of the members present. A majority of the
   56  membership constitutes a quorum.
   57         (6) The committee shall meet at least six times bimonthly,
   58  or more frequently upon call of the chair, beginning in August
   59  2012. The final meeting shall be held no later than August 30,
   60  2013.
   61         (7) Committee members are not entitled to compensation for
   62  their services, and state funds may not be expended for the
   63  management and operation of the committee except, at the
   64  discretion of the State Surgeon General, funds may be expended
   65  for the cost of publishing recommendations and any public
   66  announcements.
   67         (8) The committee shall issue a report containing its
   68  findings and recommendations for community awareness campaigns
   69  relating to autism spectrum disorder in families in which
   70  English is the second language to the Governor, the President of
   71  the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
   72  September 1, 2013.
   73         (9) The committee shall expire September 1, 2013.
   74         Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.