Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Tuesday that will expand early detection, intervention, and support for children in Florida with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.
Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) sponsored the bill (SB 112) in the Senate. Rep. Randy Maggard (R-Zephyrhills) carried the House version.
The new law expands several measures related to autism. They include:
- Strengthens the Dr. and Mrs. Alfonse and Kathleen Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program to cover screenings and referrals for Autism
- Establishes the Early Steps Extended Option. This allows children to remain in the program until the beginning of the school year following the child's fourth birthday
- Gives startup grants for the development of charter schools for students with autism, as well as grants for specialized summer programs for children with the disorder
- Specifies that the University of Florida for Autism and Neurodevelopment works with agencies to strengthen autism services and oversee grants.
In addition, SB 112 fiscally appropriates the recurring sum of $720,282 and the nonrecurring sum of $35,622 for the 2025-26 state fiscal year from the General Revenue Fund to the Florida Department of Health. The bill also authorizes six full-time positions.
Sen. Harrel called the bill an "amazing step" to autism research after it passed in the Senate back in March.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD or Autism) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain that begins before the age of three years old. ASD can be a known genetic condition, but some causes are unknown.
People with ASD may behave, communicate, interact, and learn differently from neurotypical people. However, the disorder often shows no outward characteristics.
The bill takes effect immediately.
