The Florida Senate

413.405  Florida Rehabilitation Council.--There is created the Florida Rehabilitation Council to assist the division in the planning and development of statewide rehabilitation programs and services, to recommend improvements to such programs and services, and to perform the functions listed in this section.

(1)  The council shall be composed of:

(a)  At least one representative of the Independent Living Council, which representative may be the chairperson or other designee of the council.

(b)  At least one representative of a parent training and information center established pursuant to s. 631(c)(9) of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, 20 U.S.C. s. 1431(c)(9).

(c)  At least one representative of the client assistance program established under s. 112 of the act.

(d)  At least one vocational rehabilitation counselor who has knowledge of and experience in vocational rehabilitation services, who shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the council if the counselor is an employee of the department.

(e)  At least one representative of community rehabilitation program service providers.

(f)  At least four representatives of business, industry, and labor.

(g)  Representatives of disability advocacy groups representing a cross-section of:

1.  Persons who have physical, cognitive, sensory, or mental disabilities.

2.  Parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of persons who have disabilities and who find it difficult to or are unable due to their disabilities to represent themselves.

(h)  Current or former applicants for, or recipients of, vocational rehabilitation services.

(i)  The director of the division, who shall be an ex officio member of the council.

(j)  At least one representative of the state educational agency responsible for the public education of students who have a disability and who are eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation services and services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

(k)  At least one representative of the board of directors of Workforce Florida, Inc.

(2)  Other persons who have disabilities, representatives of state and local government, employers, community organizations, and members of the former Occupational Access and Opportunity Commission may be considered for council membership.

(3)  Total membership on the council, excluding ex officio members, shall be no fewer than 15 and no more than 25 at any one time.

(4)  Members of the council shall be appointed by the Governor, who shall select members after soliciting recommendations from representatives of organizations representing a broad range of individuals who have disabilities and organizations interested in those individuals. In selecting members, the extent to which minority populations are represented must be considered to the greatest extent practicable.

(5)  A majority of council members shall be persons who are:

(a)  Individuals who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the person's major life activities; who have a record of such an impairment; or who are regarded as having such an impairment.

(b)  Not employed by the division.

(6)  The council shall select a chairperson from among the membership of the council.

(7)  Each member of the council shall serve for a term of not more than 3 years, except that:

(a)  A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which a predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term.

(b)  The terms of service of the members initially appointed shall be, as specified by the Governor, for such fewer number of years as will provide for the expiration of terms on a staggered basis.

No member of the council may serve more than two consecutive full terms.

(8)  Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the council shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. A vacancy does not affect the power of the remaining members to execute the duties of the council.

(9)  In addition to the other functions specified in this section, the council shall, after consulting with the board of directors of Workforce Florida, Inc.:

(a)  Review, analyze, and advise the division regarding the performance of the responsibilities of the division under Title I of the act, particularly responsibilities relating to:

1.  Eligibility, including order of selection.

2.  The extent, scope, and effectiveness of services provided.

3.  Functions performed by state agencies that affect or potentially affect the ability of individuals who have disabilities to achieve rehabilitation goals and objectives under Title I.

(b)  In partnership with the division:

1.  Develop, agree to, and review state goals and priorities in accordance with 34 C.F.R. 361.29(c); and

2.  Evaluate the effectiveness of the vocational rehabilitation program and submit reports of progress to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the United States Secretary of Education in accordance with 34 C.F.R. 361.29(e).

(c)  Advise the department and the division and assist in the preparation of the state plan and amendments to the plan, applications, reports, needs assessments, and evaluations required by Title I.

(d)  To the extent feasible, conduct a review and analysis of the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with:

1.  The functions performed by state agencies and other public and private entities responsible for performing functions for individuals who have disabilities.

2.  Vocational rehabilitation services:

a.  Provided or paid for from funds made available under the act or through other public or private sources.

b.  Provided by state agencies and other public and private entities responsible for providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals who have disabilities.

(e)  Prepare and submit an annual report on the status of vocational rehabilitation services in the state to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the United States Secretary of Education and make the report available to the public.

(f)  Coordinate with other councils within Florida, including the Independent Living Council, the advisory panel established under s. 613(a)(12) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. s. 1413(a)(12), the State Planning Council described in s. 124 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. s. 6024, the state mental health planning council established under s. 1916(e) of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. s. 300x-4(e), and the board of directors of Workforce Florida, Inc.

(g)  Advise the department and division and provide for coordination and the establishment of working relationships among the department, the division, the Independent Living Council, and centers for independent living in the state.

(h)  Perform such other functions as the council determines to be appropriate that are comparable to functions performed by the council.

(10)(a)  The council shall prepare, in conjunction with the division, a plan for the provision of such resources, including at least four staff persons, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of the council. The resource plan shall, to the maximum extent possible, rely on the use of resources in existence during the period of implementation of the plan.

(b)  If there is a disagreement between the council and the division in regard to the resources necessary to carry out the functions of the council as set forth in this section, the disagreement shall be resolved by the Governor.

(c)  The council shall, consistent with law, supervise and evaluate such staff and other personnel as may be necessary to carry out its functions.

(d)  While assisting the council in carrying out its duties, staff and other personnel shall not be assigned duties by the division or any other state agency or office that would create a conflict of interest.

(11)  The council shall convene at least four meetings each year. These meetings shall occur in such places as the council deems necessary to conduct council business. The council may conduct such forums or hearings as the council considers appropriate. The meetings, hearings, and forums shall be publicly announced. The meetings shall be open and accessible to the public unless there is a valid reason for an executive session. The council shall make a report of each meeting which shall include a record of its discussions and recommendations, all of which reports shall be made available to the public.

(12)  The council shall reimburse members of the council for reasonable and necessary expenses of attending council meetings and performing council duties, including child care and personal assistance services, as provided in and subject to the requirements of s. 112.061 The council may pay reasonable compensation to a member of the council if such member is not employed or must forfeit wages from other employment for each day the member is engaged in performing the duties of the council.

History.--ss. 8, 12, ch. 88-214; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 26, ch. 94-324; s. 16, ch. 2002-22.