Converted invoice to expand autism services quickly moves through the panels of the Senate of Florida

The proposed legislation with cross -party support that would expand services for students with autism in Florida quickly moves through the Senate and the Florida house.

In the Senate, the draft law (SB 112) was approved by its second committee on Thursday, which means that only another committee has hired a full voice of the chamber.

Senator Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, the sponsor of the draft law, said the measure would enable students with disabilities to stay in Florida's early intervention program in Florida, with the Early Steps until they go to school, call and set up charter schools and finance summer programs and camps for students with autism.

It would also create free online training for teachers who work with children with autism.

“It provides for a specialized autism micro -editor for the teaching staff, so that teachers really have the microzredia that helps them teach them children with autism,” said Harrell.

The legislation would also create a center for autism and neuro development at the University of Florida, which is commissioned to distribute grants for charta and summer programs as well as for the execution of the micro-reduction program for teachers.

Harrell said that the calculation would be the first step to ensure that the resources and services available in the state meet the requirements of the growing number of students in the spectrum. Waitlists across the state long for early intervention programs and charter schools for students long with autism.

“My local Hope School for Autism, a charter school, has a waiting list of 150 children. We have to do more. And I think we're on the right track, but this is the first step of many I hope that we are on the march to reach, ”said Harrell.

Although the legislation is mainly focused on services for children with autism, the Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant program would also expand free preventive examinations for autism at all ages.

Legislation has a priority of Senate President Ben Albritton.

An accompanying law in the house is in his first committee.

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