Bill Text: FL H0339 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Autism

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Failed) 2012-03-09 - Died in Health and Human Services Quality Subcommittee [H0339 Detail]

Download: Florida-2012-H0339-Introduced.html

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HB 339

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 nine members, which
25	shall include the State Surgeon General or an employee of the
26	Department of Health designated by the State Surgeon General,
27	the Executive Director of the Family Network on Disabilities,
28	Inc., or his or her designee, and seven additional members, of
29	whom three shall be appointed by the Governor, two shall be
30	appointed by the President of the Senate, and two shall be
31	appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Of the
32	members appointed to the committee:
33	(a)  At least one member must be a physician licensed under
34	chapter 458, Florida Statutes.
35	(b)  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; a psychologist licensed under chapter 490,
40	Florida Statutes; or a psychotherapist licensed under chapter
41	491, Florida Statutes.
42	(c)  At least one member must be the parent of a child with
43	autism spectrum disorder.
44	(d)  At least one member must be an educator certified in
45	special education.
46	(4)  Initial appointments shall be made by July 1, 2012. A
47	vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the original
48	appointing authority for the unexpired portion of the term.
49	(5)  The committee shall elect a chair at the first meeting
50	by a majority vote of the members present. A majority of the
51	membership constitutes a quorum.
52	(6)  The committee shall meet at least six times bimonthly,
53	or more frequently upon the call of the chair, beginning in
54	August 2012. The final meeting shall be held no later than
55	August 30, 2013.
56	(7)  Committee members are not entitled to compensation for
57	their services and state funds may not be expended for the
58	management and operation of the committee except, at the
59	discretion of the State Surgeon General, funds expended for the
60	cost of publishing recommendations and any public announcements.
61	(8)  The committee shall issue a report containing its
62	findings and recommendations for community awareness campaigns
63	relating to autism spectrum disorder in families in which
64	English is the second language to the Governor, the President of
65	the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
66	September 1, 2013.
67	(9)  The committee shall expire September 1, 2013.
68	Section 2.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.