Legislative
The Advocacy Center has the authority to educate, inform and assist the
Florida legislature regarding proposals that would affect individuals with disabilities. Our work in the legislative arena
includes seeking to protect or improve rights, services and opportunities. We also work to improve systems that prevent, detect
and stop abuse and neglect. In carrying out our responsibility to advocate in the legislative arena, we monitor, evaluate
and react to bills and often participate in the development and consideration of proposed legislation.
2010
Public Policy Priority Issues
Abuse/Neglect
Protect Individuals with Disabilities from Abuse And Neglect, Including Inappropriate Restraint
And Seclusion
Evaluation of proposals related to systems of prevention, detection and correction of abuse and
neglect, including improvements to employee background screening systems.
Rights Protection
Protect and Promote the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities
Cross
Disability Concerns
Evaluation of proposals impacting people with disabilities such as bills related to child
protection, adult protection, psychiatric medication and children in foster care, guardianship and guardian advocacy, voters
with disabilities, youth in juvenile justice, and due process.
- HB 1567 Psychotropic Medication to Children in Out of Home Placements
- SB 2718 Psychotropic Medication to Children in Out of Home Placements
- SB 4 Educational Accountability
- HB 61 High School Graduation
- SB 120 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test
- HB 209 Student Assessment in the Public Schools
- SB 420 Student Assessment/Public Schools/FCAT
- HB 7053 Public School Assessments
- HB 473 Public School Education
- SB 1154 Public School Education
- HB 747 Care of Public School Students with Diabetes
- SB 896 Students with Diabetes
- SB 1360 Corporal Punishment/Inappropriate/Excessive
- SB 900 Elections
- GAP 23 Voter Interface Device Requirements
- SB 960 Corrections
- SB 242 Restraints/Use During Juvenile Proceedings
- HB 813 Juvenile Justice Facilities and Programs
- SB 1012 Juvenile Justice Facilities and Programs
- SB 1072 Juvenile Justice
- SB 1550 Juvenile Justice
- HB 817 Assisted Living Facilities
- SB 1102 Assisted Living Facilities/Residents
Mental Health
Protection or expansion of
existing rights under the Baker Act (394 F.S.) and the Forensic Client Services Act (916 F.S.), evaluation of proposals related
to criminal justice diversion and other due process issues and rights protection issues that arise.
- SB 476 Medicaid/Behavioral Health Services
- HB 583 Medicaid/Behavioral Health
- SB 1140 Mental Health (Crime Reduction Act)
- HB 1189 Mental Health (Crime Reduction Act)
- HB 1213 Mental Health (Florida Mental Health Act)
- SB 2678 Mental Health (Florida Mental Health Act)
- HB 1327 Forensic Mental Health
- SB 2612 Forensic Mental Health
Developmental Disabilities
Evaluation of proposals
regarding the waitlist, new systems for prioritization, new assessment systems, individual budgeting, needs for increased
funding, protection of existing services, the Developmental Disabilities Bill of Rights, and other issues.
Education
Protect and Promote Rights to Educational Opportunities for Students with Disabilities
Stopping Abusive Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Schools
Elimination of seclusion, elimination of mechanical
restraint and reduction of manual physical restraint in schools; rights to parental notification; regulation of use; prohibition
of certain restraints; enhanced training requirements; and new monitoring and reporting systems.
- HB 81 Use, Prevention, and Reduction of Seclusion and Restraint on Students with Disabilities in Public
Schools
- SB 2118 Use, Prevention, and Reduction of Seclusion and Restraint on Students with Disabilities in Public Schools
- SB 2616 Students with Disabilities in Public Schools
- U.S. House of Representatives 4247 - Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in School Act
- United States Senate 2860 - Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act
Empowerment
Protect and Promote Self-Determination, Self-Advocacy, and Economic Self-Sufficiently
for Individuals with Disabilities
Housing
Enactment of state law regarding definition
of “special needs” and “special needs” set asides and support for the legislative priorities of the
Florida Supportive Housing Coalition and the Sadowski Coalition.
- HB 95 Distribution of Proceeds/Excise Taxes on Documents
- SB 262 Affordable Housing
- SB 264 Affordable Housing
- HB 665 Affordable Housing
- SB 1250 State Housing Trust Fund
- SB 1432 State Housing Trust Fund
Mental Health Parity
Enactment of state law regarding
revision of requirements and limitations for optional coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatment.
- HB 7 Coverage for Mental and Nervous Disorders
- SB 182 Coverage for Mental and Nervous Disorders
Medicaid Buy-In Coverage
Enactment
of this Congressionally approved Medicaid option in Florida; expansion of work opportunities for people with disabilities
who work and do not have insurance coverage or want to work but are impeded by potential loss of existing Medicaid coverage.
- HB 837 Medicaid Buy-in for Persons with Disabilities
