Florida HB 717: Unlawful Demolition of Historical Buildings and Structures

Bill Text

HB 717 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb717-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to autism spectrum disorder; amending 2
s. 393.063, F.S.; revising the definition of the term 3
"autism"; amending s. 1012.582, F.S.; requiring, 4
rather than authorizing, the State Board of Education 5
to adopt certain rules; requiring that such rules 6
include a requirement related to autism spectrum 7
disorder for certain K-12 teachers; providing an 8
effective date. 9
10
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 11
12
Section 1. Subsection (5) of section 393.063, Florida 13
Statutes, is amended to read: 14
393.063 Definitions.—For the purposes of this chapter, the 15
term: 16
(5) "Autism" and "autism spectrum disorder" mean means a 17
condition as defined by the most recent edition of the 18
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the 19
American Psychiatric Association pervasive, neurologically based 20
developmental disability of extended duration which causes 21
severe learning, communication, and behavior disorders with age 22
of onset during infancy or childhood. Individuals with autism 23
exhibit impairment in reciprocal social interaction, impairment 24
in verbal and nonverbal communication and imaginative ability, 25

HB 717 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb717-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

and a markedly restricted repertoire of activities and 26
interests. 27
Section 2. Subsection (4) of section 1012.582, Florida 28
Statutes, is amended to read: 29
1012.582 Continuing education and inservice training for 30
teaching students with developmental and emotional or behavioral 31
disabilities.— 32
(4)(a) The State Board of Education shall may adopt rules 33
pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this section. 34
(b) Such rules must require a K-12 teacher who teaches a 35
class with at least 50 percent of students having autism 36
spectrum disorder to hold an Autism Spectrum Disorder 37
Endorsement. 38
(c) Such rules must allow for an exception to the Autism 39
Spectrum Disorder Endorsement requirement in paragraph (b) if a 40
teacher holds an Endorsement in Severe or Profound Disabilities, 41
has taught students with autism spectrum disorder for a minimum 42
of 3 years, and has been rated as highly effective in the 43
preceding 3-year period pursuant to s. 1012.34. 44
Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 45