SB 112 Florida Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Children with Developmental Disabilities

Summary

Children with Developmental Disabilities; Revising the scope of the Dr. and Mrs. Alfonse and Kathleen Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program to allow grant funds to be used for screenings, referrals for treatment, and related services for autism; revising requirements for the annual grant application submitted by the Department of Health for the Early Steps Program to conform to changes made by the act; providing a purpose for the Early Steps Extended Option; authorizing the department to implement the Early Steps Extended Option regardless of certain federal funding; requiring the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment to fund specialized summer programs for children with autism spectrum disorder, etc. APPROPRIATION: $755,904

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Mar 4, 2025 Signed May 27, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

S 112 c2 → S 112 er · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands autism-related services in Florida by extending Early Steps Program eligibility to age 4, creating new grant programs for autism charter schools and summer camps, and establishing a University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment to oversee these initiatives. The changes aim to improve continuity of care for children with developmental disabilities and provide specialized educational and therapeutic support.

Scope change

The bill significantly expands the scope of services available to children with autism spectrum disorder, extending early intervention services beyond age 3 and creating new funding streams for specialized programs.

ELIGIBILITY

Early Steps Extended Option allows children to continue receiving early intervention services until the beginning of the school year following their fourth birthday, rather than ending at age 3.

FISCAL

Created new startup grants for autism charter schools and specialized summer programs for children with autism spectrum disorder, administered by the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.

Appropriated $720,282 recurring and $35,622 nonrecurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to implement the Early Steps Extended Option.

REQUIREMENT

Requires transition planning at least 90 days before a child's fourth birthday to ensure smooth transition from Early Steps Extended Option to school district programs.

Requires the Commissioner of Education to review continuing education curricula by December 1, 2025, to include training on supporting students with autism.

Created an autism micro-credential program providing specialized training for educational and child care personnel working with students with autism, with one-time stipends for completion.

Added requirements for professional certificate renewal to include training in supporting students with autism as part of continuing education.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Early Steps Extended Option' and expanded the scope of the Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program to include autism-related screenings and services.

S 112 c1 → S 112 c2 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands autism-related services in Florida by extending Early Steps Program eligibility to children up to age 4, creating new grant programs for specialized autism charter schools and summer programs, and establishing a University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment to oversee these initiatives. The changes aim to improve access to early intervention services, support specialized educational environments for children with autism, and enhance professional training for educators working with students with developmental disabilities.

Scope change

The bill significantly expands the scope of autism services by extending Early Steps Program eligibility from age 3 to age 4, creating new grant programs for autism charter schools and summer programs, and adding requirements for professional development training related to autism support.

ELIGIBILITY

Early Steps Extended Option now allows children to continue receiving services until the beginning of the school year following their fourth birthday, extending eligibility beyond the previous age 3 limit.

FISCAL

New appropriations of $720,282 recurring and $35,622 nonrecurring for 2025-2026 to implement the Early Steps Extended Option, plus new grant programs for autism charter schools and summer programs.

REQUIREMENT

University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment must develop and administer grants for specialized summer programs serving children with autism spectrum disorder who have significant emotional, behavioral, or cognitive disabilities.

New startup grants for autism charter schools administered by the University of Florida Center, with priority given to rural and underserved areas.

Professional certificate renewal requirements now include training in knowledge and skills needed to support students with autism as a specialization area.

DEFINITION

Added definition for 'autism micro-credential' - a stackable competency-based credential for instructional personnel, prekindergarten instructors, and child care personnel to support students with autism.

TIMELINE

Department must seek federal approval for Early Steps Extended Option by July 1, 2026, and publish annual reports beginning August 1, 2026.

ENFORCEMENT

Local program offices must notify parents of rights under Part B of IDEA when transitioning children out of Early Steps Extended Option, and must provide written information about alternative services if children are found ineligible for school district programs.

S 112 Filed → S 112 c1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands Florida's early intervention services for children with developmental disabilities by extending the Early Steps Program eligibility to age 4, adding autism to the list of conditions covered by the Dr. and Mrs. Alfonse and Kathleen Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program, and creating new funding mechanisms for autism charter schools and specialized summer programs. The legislation also establishes the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment to oversee these new initiatives and requires updated professional training for educators working with students with autism.

Scope change

The bill significantly expands the scope of early intervention services from age 3 to age 4 for children with developmental delays or disabilities, and adds autism as a specific condition eligible for health care screening grant funds.

ELIGIBILITY

Extended Early Steps Program eligibility from age 3 to age 4, allowing children to continue receiving services until their fourth birthday with a transition plan to school district programs.

FISCAL

Added autism to the list of conditions covered by the Dr. and Mrs. Alfonse and Kathleen Cinotti Health Care Screening and Services Grant Program, allowing grant funds for autism screenings, referrals, and related services.

REQUIREMENT

Created new statutes for startup grants to autism charter schools and specialized summer programs for children with autism spectrum disorder, administered by the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.

Required the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment to develop an autism micro-credential for instructional personnel and administer one-time stipends for completion.

Added requirements for transition planning at least 90 days before a child's fourth birthday, including notification to school districts and transition conferences with parents.

Required professional certificate renewal to include training in knowledge and skills for supporting students with autism.

DEFINITION

Added definition for 'Early Steps Extended Option' and clarified that children under the program are defined as those from birth until their fourth birthday.

TIMELINE

Set specific deadlines including federal approval submission by July 1, 2026, and curriculum review report by December 1, 2025.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 12, 2025 · House Apr 30, 2025

How they voted

38–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 39

Mar 12, 2025

D Democratic10

10 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican28

27 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 27, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor

legislature

Apr 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

CS passed; YEAS 113, NAYS 0

lower

Apr 29, 2025

Committee

Bill referred to House Calendar

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

CS passed; YEAS 38 NAYS 0

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

upper

Mar 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 03/06/25, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Education Pre-K - 12, 02/18/25, 11:00 am, 412 Knott Building

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to Education Pre-K - 12; Fiscal Policy

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors