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The Florida Senate

SB 418 — Assistive Technology Advisory Council

by Senators Pizzo, Jones, Gruters, and Perry

This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.

Prepared by: Education Committee (ED)

The bill (Chapter 2022-18, L.O.F.) provides that a representative from another state agency that provides or coordinates services for persons with disabilities may be added to the Council if requested by a majority vote of the Council members. That representative must be appointed by the head of that state agency.

The bill aligns Council membership with federal requirements that members of the Council be geographically representative of the state, and reflect the diversity of the state’s population with respect to race, ethnicity, age, gender, type of disability, and type of disability-related services and devices received.

The bill directs the Council to elect a single chair of the council. The bill maintains the limit of two consecutive terms for members, but revises the number of years a council member must be retired from the Council after two terms to be reappointed, from one year to three years.

The bill deletes the requirement that Council members form a technology awareness committee and a public policy and advocacy committee, and also removes the interagency committee, assigning the duties of the committee to the members representing state agencies. Council members are also authorized to participate in fundraising activities on behalf of the Council.

If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2022.

Vote: Senate 39-0; House 113-0