Senate Bill sb1918
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Florida Senate - 2004 SB 1918
By Senator Wise
5-1241A-04
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to blind services; amending s.
3 413.011, F.S.; providing legislative policy and
4 intent; providing duties of the Division of
5 Blind Services; requiring the division to
6 develop and implement a state plan for
7 vocational rehabilitation services; requiring
8 the division to develop and implement a state
9 plan for independent living services; providing
10 for the division to purchase and distribute
11 specialized equipment without using state
12 centralized purchasing procedures; exempting
13 such equipment from certain record and
14 inventory requirements; creating a children's
15 program; requiring background investigations of
16 division personnel; redesignating the Advisory
17 Council for the Blind as the Rehabilitation
18 Council for the Blind; amending ss. 413.014,
19 413.041, 413.051, and 413.091, F.S.;
20 modernizing terminology; requiring the division
21 to conduct a periodic survey of state
22 properties; creating s. 413.095, F.S.;
23 providing for the division to retain title to
24 certain real and personal property intended for
25 use by people who have visual impairments and
26 certain personnel; allowing the division to
27 repossess, transfer, and dispose of such
28 property; providing for rulemaking by the
29 division; authorizing the division to create a
30 blind services direct-support organization;
31 providing purposes and objectives; providing
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1 for members of the board of the direct-support
2 organization; providing that the organization
3 is subject to s. 24, Art. I of the State
4 Constitution, ch. 119, F.S., and s. 286.011,
5 F.S.; requiring expenses of the organization to
6 be paid by private funds; providing guidelines
7 for the use of the funds; repealing ss.
8 413.061, 413.062, 413.063, 413.064, 413.065,
9 413.066, 413.067, 413.068, and 413.069, F.S.,
10 relating to permits for soliciting funds to
11 benefit the blind; providing an effective date.
12
13 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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15 Section 1. Section 413.011, Florida Statutes, is
16 amended to read:
17 413.011 Division of Blind Services, legislative
18 policy, intent; internal organizational structure and powers;
19 Rehabilitation Advisory Council for the Blind.--
20 (1) Policy.--It is the policy of the Legislature that
21 all programs, projects, and activities of the division are to
22 be carried out in a manner consistent with the following
23 principles:
24 (a) Respect for individual dignity, personal
25 responsibility, self-determination to live independently, and
26 pursuit of meaningful careers, based on informed choice;
27 (b) Support for the involvement of an individual's
28 representative if an individual requests, desires, or needs
29 such support;
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1 (c) Respect for the individual's privacy and equal
2 access, including the use of information in accessible
3 formats; and
4 (d) Integration and full participation of individuals
5 who are blind in society on equal terms with others.
6 (2) It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a
7 coordinated program of services which will be available to
8 individuals throughout this state who are blind. The program
9 must be designed to maximize employment opportunities for such
10 individuals and to increase their independence and
11 self-sufficiency.
12 (3)(1) The internal organizational structure of the
13 Division of Blind Services shall be designed for the purpose
14 of ensuring the greatest possible efficiency and effectiveness
15 of services to the blind and to be consistent with chapter 20.
16 The Division of Blind Services shall plan, supervise, and
17 carry out the following activities:
18 (a) Recommend personnel as may be necessary to carry
19 out the purposes of this section.
20 (b) Develop and implement a state plan for vocational
21 rehabilitation services for individuals who are blind,
22 pursuant to section 101 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
23 amended.
24 (c) In conjunction with the Florida Independent Living
25 Council, develop and implement a 3-year state plan for
26 independent living services and provide independent living
27 services for blind and visually impaired individuals,
28 including services for older individuals who are blind,
29 pursuant to Title VII, chapter 2 of the Rehabilitation Act of
30 1973, as amended.
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1 (d) Provide services that contribute to the
2 maintenance of or the increased independence of older
3 individuals who are blind.
4 (e) Establish, equip, and maintain an orientation and
5 adjustment center or centers to provide independent living
6 skills training and other training such as, but not limited
7 to, instruction in Braille; use of the long white cane for
8 independent travel; homemaking and home-management skills; and
9 communication skills, including the use of computer
10 technology, to prepare individuals who are blind or visually
11 impaired for eventual vocational training, job placement, and
12 independence.
13 (f) Establish and implement a small business
14 enterprises program and serve as the state licensing agency
15 for individuals who are blind, pursuant to the federal
16 Randolph-Sheppard Act.
17 (g) Purchase and distribute specialized equipment,
18 devices, and technology, including low-vision aids, obtained
19 directly from specialty vendors without using state
20 centralized purchasing procedures.
21 (h) In cooperation with the Library of Congress,
22 provide library services to persons who are blind and persons
23 who have other print-related disabilities.
24 (i) In cooperation with other appropriate agencies,
25 provide to employers, the state education agency, and local
26 education agencies technical assistance in the provision of
27 auxiliary aids and services to people who are blind, students,
28 and their parents in complying with the Americans with
29 Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities
30 Education Act, as amended.
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1 (j) Provide technical assistance to agencies within
2 the state in order to assure that information technology
3 purchased or used by such agencies is accessible to and usable
4 by individuals who are blind, at the time the technology is
5 purchased or used.
6 (k) Participate, through the designation of the
7 director or an appropriate staff member of the division, on
8 boards, commissions, or bodies in this state for the purpose
9 of coordinating and planning services.
10 (l) Adopt rules for administering the programs of the
11 division.
12 (m) Apply for and receive money from any state or
13 federal agency to support the programs of the division.
14 (n) Develop and administer any other program that will
15 further the provision of services to people who are blind and
16 that the division determines falls within its scope of
17 responsibility.
18 (b) Cause to be compiled and maintained a complete
19 register of the blind in the state, which shall describe the
20 condition, cause of blindness, and capacity for education and
21 industrial training, with such other facts as may seem to the
22 division to be of value. Any information in the register of
23 the blind which, when released, could identify an individual
24 is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s.
25 119.07(1).
26 (o)(c) Inquire into the cause of blindness, inaugurate
27 preventive measures, and provide for the examination and
28 treatment of the blind, or those threatened with blindness,
29 for the benefit of such persons, and shall pay therefor,
30 including necessary incidental expenses.
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1 (p)(d) Aid the blind in finding employment, teach them
2 trades and occupations within their capacities, assist them in
3 disposing of products made by them in home industries, assist
4 them in obtaining funds for establishing enterprises where
5 federal funds reimburse the state, and do such things as will
6 contribute to the efficiency of self-support of the blind.
7 (q)(e) Establish one or more training schools and
8 workshops for the employment of suitable blind persons; make
9 expenditures of funds for such purposes; receive moneys from
10 sales of commodities involved in such activities and from such
11 funds make payments of wages, repairs, insurance premiums and
12 replacements of equipment. All of the activities provided for
13 in this section may be carried on in cooperation with private
14 workshops for the blind, except that all tools and equipment
15 furnished by the division shall remain the property of the
16 state.
17 (r)(f) Provide special services and benefits for the
18 blind for developing their social life through community
19 activities and recreational facilities.
20 (s)(g) Undertake such other activities as may
21 ameliorate the condition of blind citizens of this state.
22 (t)(h) Cooperate with other agencies, public or
23 private, especially the Division of the Blind and Physically
24 Handicapped of the Library of Congress and the Division of
25 Library and Information Services of the Department of State,
26 to provide library service to the blind and other handicapped
27 persons as defined in federal law and regulations in carrying
28 out any or all of the provisions of this law.
29 (u)(i) Recommend contracts and agreements with
30 federal, state, county, municipal and private corporations,
31 and individuals.
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1 (v)(j) Receive moneys or properties by gift or bequest
2 from any person, firm, corporation, or organization for any of
3 the purposes herein set out, but without authority to bind the
4 state to any expenditure or policy except such as may be
5 specifically authorized by law. All such moneys or properties
6 so received by gift or bequest as herein authorized may be
7 disbursed and expended by the division upon its own warrant
8 for any of the purposes herein set forth, and such moneys or
9 properties shall not constitute or be considered a part of any
10 legislative appropriation made by the state for the purpose of
11 carrying out the provisions of this law.
12 (w)(k) Prepare and make available to the blind, in
13 braille and on electronic recording equipment, Florida
14 Statutes chapters 20, 120, 121, and 413, in their entirety.
15 (x)(l) Adopt by rule:
16 1. Procedures for providing vocational rehabilitation
17 services for the blind; and.
18 2.(m) Adopt by rule forms and Instructions to be used
19 by the division in its general administration.
20 (4)(2) As used in this section, the term:
21 (a) "Act," unless the context indicates otherwise,
22 means the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. ss. 701-797.
23 (b) "Blind" or "blindness" means the condition of any
24 person for whom blindness is a disability as defined by the
25 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. s. 706(8)(b).
26 (c) "Department" means the Department of Education.
27 (5)(a) There is created within the Division of Blind
28 Services a children's program to serve children who are blind
29 from 5 years of age through transition to the Vocational
30 Rehabilitation Program. This program must supplement services
31 already offered by the school system to foster the child's
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1 learning and ability to function independently. The child's
2 parents, guardian, and family members should be an integral
3 part of the program in order to foster independence.
4 (b) The division shall provide vocational
5 rehabilitation services to individuals in this state who are
6 blind, pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
7 (c) The division shall provide independent living
8 services to individuals in this state who are blind, including
9 older individuals, pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
10 as amended.
11 (6) Property that is purchased by a state agency for
12 the purpose of making accommodations for individuals who are
13 blind is not subject to the record and inventory requirements
14 set forth in s. 273.02. A state agency may use funds from all
15 possible sources to make accommodations for individuals who
16 are blind.
17 (7) The division shall require all employees and
18 applicants for employment to undergo personnel screening and
19 security background investigations as provided in chapter 435,
20 using the level two standards for screening set forth in that
21 chapter, as a condition of employment and continued
22 employment.
23 (8)(3) There is hereby created in the department the
24 Rehabilitation Advisory Council for the Blind, which is an
25 advisory council as defined in s. 20.03, to assist the
26 division in the planning and development of statewide
27 rehabilitation programs and services, to recommend
28 improvements to such programs and services, and to perform the
29 functions provided in this section.
30 (a) The advisory council shall be composed of:
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1 1. At least one representative of the Independent
2 Living Council, which representative may be the chair or other
3 designee of the council;
4 2. At least one representative of a parent training
5 and information center established pursuant to s. 631(c)(9) of
6 the Individuals with Disabilities Act, 20 U.S.C. s.
7 1431(c)(9);
8 3. At least one representative of the client
9 assistance program established under the act;
10 4. At least one vocational rehabilitation counselor
11 who has knowledge of and experience in vocational
12 rehabilitation services for the blind, who shall serve as an
13 ex officio nonvoting member of the council if the counselor is
14 an employee of the department;
15 5. At least one representative of community
16 rehabilitation program service providers;
17 6. Four representatives of business, industry, and
18 labor;
19 7. At least one representative of a disability
20 advocacy group representing individuals who are blind;
21 8. At least one parent, family member, guardian,
22 advocate, or authorized representative of an individual who is
23 blind, has multiple disabilities, and either has difficulties
24 representing himself or herself or is unable, due to
25 disabilities, to represent himself or herself;
26 9. Current or former applicants for, or recipients of,
27 vocational rehabilitation services; and
28 10. The director of the division, who shall be an ex
29 officio member of the council.
30 (b) Members of the council shall be appointed by the
31 Governor, who shall select members after soliciting
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1 recommendations from representatives of organizations
2 representing a broad range of individuals who have
3 disabilities, and organizations interested in those
4 individuals.
5 (c) A majority of council members shall be persons who
6 are:
7 1. Blind; and
8 2. Not employed by the division.
9 (d) The council shall select a chair from among its
10 membership.
11 (e) Each member of the council shall serve for a term
12 of not more than 3 years, except that:
13 1. A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring
14 prior to the expiration of the term for which a predecessor
15 was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such
16 term; and
17 2. The terms of service of the members initially
18 appointed shall be, as specified by the Governor, for such
19 fewer number of years as will provide for the expiration of
20 terms on a staggered basis.
21 (f) A No member of the council may not serve more than
22 two consecutive full terms.
23 (g) Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the
24 council shall be filled in the same manner as the original
25 appointment. A vacancy does not affect the power of the
26 remaining members to execute the duties of the council.
27 (h) In addition to the other functions specified in
28 this section, the council shall:
29 1. Review, analyze, and advise the division regarding
30 the performance of the responsibilities of the division under
31 Title I of the act, particularly responsibilities relating to:
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1 a. Eligibility, including order of selection;
2 b. The extent, scope, and effectiveness of services
3 provided; and
4 c. Functions performed by state agencies that affect
5 or potentially affect the ability of individuals who are blind
6 to achieve rehabilitation goals and objectives under Title I.
7 2. Advise the department and the division, and, at the
8 discretion of the department or division, assist in the
9 preparation of applications, the state plan, the strategic
10 plan, and amendments to the plans, reports, needs assessments,
11 and evaluations required by Title I.
12 3. To the extent feasible, conduct a review and
13 analysis of the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction
14 with:
15 a. The functions performed by state agencies and other
16 public and private entities responsible for performing
17 functions for individuals who are blind.
18 b. Vocational rehabilitation services:
19 (I) Provided or paid for from funds made available
20 under the act or through other public or private sources.
21 (II) Provided by state agencies and other public and
22 private entities responsible for providing vocational
23 rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind.
24 4. Prepare and submit an annual report on the status
25 of vocational rehabilitation services for the blind in the
26 state to the Governor and the Commissioner of the
27 Rehabilitative Services Administration, established under s.
28 702 of the act, and make the report available to the public.
29 5. Coordinate with other councils within the state,
30 including the Independent Living Council, the advisory panel
31 established under s. 613(a)(12) of the Individuals with
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1 Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1413(a)(12), the State
2 Planning Council described in s. 124 of the Developmental
3 Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. s.
4 6024, and the state mental health planning council established
5 under s. 1916(e) of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C.
6 300X-4(e).
7 6. Advise the department and division and provide for
8 coordination and the establishment of working relationships
9 among the department, the division, the Independent Living
10 Council, and centers for independent living in the state.
11 7. Perform such other functions consistent with the
12 purposes of the act as the council determines to be
13 appropriate that are comparable to functions performed by the
14 council.
15 (i)1. The council shall prepare, in conjunction with
16 the division, a plan for the provision of such resources,
17 including such staff and other personnel, as may be necessary
18 to carry out the functions of the council. The resource plan
19 shall, to the maximum extent possible, rely on the use of
20 resources in existence during the period of implementation of
21 the plan.
22 2. If there is a disagreement between the council and
23 the division in regard to the resources necessary to carry out
24 the functions of the council as set forth in this section, the
25 disagreement shall be resolved by the Governor.
26 3. The council shall, consistent with law, supervise
27 and evaluate such staff and other personnel as may be
28 necessary to carry out its functions.
29 4. While assisting the council in carrying out its
30 duties, staff and other personnel shall not be assigned duties
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1 by the division or any other state agency or office that would
2 create a conflict of interest.
3 (j) A No council member may not shall cast a vote on
4 any matter that would provide direct financial benefit to the
5 member or otherwise give the appearance of a conflict of
6 interest under state law.
7 (k) The council shall convene at least four meetings
8 each year. These meetings shall occur in such places as the
9 council deems necessary to conduct council business. The
10 council may conduct such forums or hearings as the council
11 considers appropriate. The meetings, hearings, and forums
12 shall be publicly announced. The meetings shall be open and
13 accessible to the public. The council shall make a report of
14 each meeting which shall include a record of its discussions
15 and recommendations, all of which reports shall be made
16 available to the public.
17 Section 2. Section 413.014, Florida Statutes, is
18 amended to read:
19 413.014 Community-based rehabilitation programs.--The
20 Division of Blind Services shall enter into cooperative
21 agreements with community-based rehabilitation programs as
22 defined by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, to be
23 the service providers for the blind citizens of their
24 communities. The division shall, as rapidly as feasible,
25 increase the amount of such services provided by
26 community-based rehabilitation programs. The goal shall be to
27 decrease the amount of such services provided by division
28 employees and to increase to the maximum extent allowed by
29 federal law the amount of such services provided through
30 cooperative agreements with community-based service providers.
31 The division shall seek, to the maximum extent allowed by
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1 federal and state law and regulation, all available federal
2 funds for such purposes. Funds and in-kind matching
3 contributions from community and private sources shall be used
4 to maximize federal funds. Unless prohibited by federal law or
5 regulation, the share of the federal vocational rehabilitation
6 grant apportioned for services to the blind must shall be not
7 less than 17 percent.
8 Section 3. Section 413.041, Florida Statutes, is
9 amended to read:
10 413.041 Eligible blind persons; placement in vending
11 facilities in public places.--For the purpose of assisting
12 blind persons to become self-supporting, the Division of Blind
13 Services is hereby authorized to carry on activities to
14 promote the employment of eligible blind persons, including
15 the licensing and establishment of such persons as operators
16 of vending facilities on public property. The said division
17 may cooperate with any agency of the Federal Government in the
18 furtherance of the provisions of the Act of Congress entitled
19 "An Act to authorize the operation of stands in federal
20 buildings by blind persons, to enlarge the economic
21 opportunities of the blind and for other purposes," Pub. L.
22 No. 732, 74th Congress, and the said division may cooperate in
23 the furtherance of the provisions of any other act of Congress
24 providing for the rehabilitation of the blind which is that
25 may now be in effect or is may hereafter be enacted by
26 Congress.
27 Section 4. Subsections (1), (2), (4), (7), and (9), of
28 section 413.051, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
29 413.051 Eligible blind persons; operation of vending
30 stands.--
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1 (1) This section may be cited shall be known as the
2 Little Randolph Sheppard Act.
3 (2) As used in this section, the term:
4 (a) "Blind licensee" means any blind person trained
5 and licensed by the Division of Blind Services of the
6 Department of Education to operate a vending stand.
7 (b) "Vending stand" means any manually operated
8 cafeteria, snack bar, cart service, shelter, counter, or other
9 manually operated facility for the sale of newspapers,
10 periodicals, confections, tobacco products, foods, beverages,
11 or other such articles or services.
12 (c) "State agency" means any agency of the state.
13 (d) "State property" means any building or land owned,
14 leased, or otherwise controlled by the state, but does not
15 include any building or land under the control of the Board of
16 Regents, a community college district board of trustees, or
17 any state correctional institution as defined in s. 944.02.
18 (e) "Property custodian" or "person in charge" means
19 any employee, agent, or person who is in control of or
20 responsible for the maintenance, operation, and protection of
21 any state property.
22 (4) The Division of Blind Services shall conduct be
23 responsible for a periodic survey of all state properties and,
24 where feasible, shall establish vending facilities to be
25 operated by blind licensees.
26 (7) A No person or persons may not shall be offered or
27 granted any concession by any property custodian or person in
28 charge to operate a vending stand on any state property
29 acquired after July 1, 1979, unless the division is notified
30 of that proposed concession.
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1 (9) This section does not It is the legislative intent
2 that this section shall not apply or operate, in any way or
3 any manner, to divest any person or organization presently
4 operating a vending stand on state, county, or municipal
5 property from continuing to do so; however, the property
6 custodian or person in charge shall notify the Division of
7 Blind Services at least 180 days prior to the expiration
8 whether the such vending facility location is suitable for
9 operation by a blind licensee.
10 Section 5. Section 413.091, Florida Statutes, is
11 amended to read:
12 413.091 Identification cards.--
13 (1) The Division of Blind Services of the Department
14 of Education shall is hereby empowered to issue identification
15 cards to persons known to be blind or partially sighted, upon
16 the written request of such individual.
17 (2) The individual shall submit proof of blindness as
18 specified by the division.
19 (3) The division is will be responsible for design and
20 content of the identification card and shall develop and adopt
21 promulgate rules, regulations, and procedures relating to the
22 eligibility and application for, and issuance and control of,
23 these identification cards.
24 Section 6. Section 413.095, Florida Statutes, is
25 created to read:
26 413.095 Retention of title to and disposal of property
27 and equipment.--
28 (1) The Division of Blind Services retains title to
29 any real or personal property, such as tools, instruments,
30 training supplies, equipment, motor vehicles, real property,
31 or other items of value acquired for use by people who have
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1 visual impairments or personnel employed in operating programs
2 of the division, and may repossess and transfer such property
3 for use by other people who have visual impairments or
4 personnel employed in the operation of the division.
5 (2) The Division of Blind Services may offer for sale
6 any surplus items acquired in the operation of the program
7 when they are no longer necessary or may exchange them for
8 necessary items that can be used to greater advantage. When
9 any such surplus equipment is sold or exchanged, a receipt for
10 the sale or exchange which shows the consideration given for
11 the equipment must be taken from the purchaser, and the
12 consideration must be forwarded to the division to be included
13 in the division's portfolio of investments pursuant to s.
14 413.0115. Such funds are exempt from the State Treasury
15 pursuant to s. 215.311, and are available for expenditure for
16 any purposes consistent with ss. 413.011-413.092.
17 (3) The division has the exclusive right to develop
18 rules relating to records and recordkeeping for property owned
19 by the division which is referred to in subsections (1) and
20 (2).
21 Section 7. Blind services direct-support
22 organization.--
23 (1) As used in this section, the term "direct-support
24 organization" means a not-for-profit corporation incorporated
25 under chapter 617, Florida Statutes, and organized and
26 operated to conduct programs and activities; initiate
27 developmental projects; raise funds; request and receive
28 grants, gifts, and bequests of moneys; acquire, receive, hold,
29 invest, and administer, in its own name, securities, funds,
30 objects of value, or other property, real or personal; and
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1 make expenditures to or for the direct or indirect benefit of
2 the state and for blind persons in this state.
3 (2)(a) The Division of Blind Services is authorized to
4 organize and incorporate a direct-support organization
5 pursuant to the requirements of this section and chapter 617,
6 Florida Statutes, to accomplish the purposes and objectives
7 set forth in this section.
8 (b) The first board of seven members of the
9 direct-support organization shall be appointed by the
10 Governor. Two members shall be appointed to serve 2-year
11 terms, three members shall be appointed to serve 3-year terms,
12 and two members shall be appointed to serve 4-year terms.
13 Thereafter, the board shall be self-appointed according to the
14 established by-laws.
15 (c) The director of the division or his or her
16 designee shall serve as an ex officio member of the board of
17 the direct-support organization.
18 (d) The direct-support organization is subject to the
19 requirements of Section 24 of Article I of the State
20 Constitution, chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and section
21 286.011, Florida Statutes.
22 (e) Upon the dissolution of the corporation, all
23 properties of the corporation revert to the division.
24 (f) The direct-support organization shall maintain
25 donations and direct service expenditures in a bank account
26 outside of the State Treasury.
27 (g) Any administrative costs of running and promoting
28 the purposes of the corporation must be paid by private funds.
29 (3) The purposes and objectives of the direct-support
30 organization must be consistent with the priority issues and
31 objectives of the Department of Education and must be in the
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1 best interests of the state, though the Division of Blind
2 Services may permit, without charge, the appropriate use of
3 property and facilities of the state by the direct-support
4 organization subject to this section. Such use must be
5 directly in keeping with the approved purposes of the
6 direct-support organization.
7 (4) Funds designated for the direct-support
8 organization must be used for the enhancement of programs and
9 projects of the Division of Blind Services. All moneys
10 received by the direct-support organization must be deposited
11 into an account of the direct-support organization and must be
12 used by the organization in a manner consistent with the
13 purposes and goals of the direct-support organization.
14 (5) The direct-support organization shall comply with
15 the audit requirements of section 215.981, Florida Statutes.
16 (6) The director of the Division of Blind Services may
17 designate employees of the division to solicit donations from
18 public or private sources to fund the authorized purposes of
19 the direct-support organization.
20 Section 8. Sections 413.061, 413.062, 413.063,
21 413.064, 413.065, 413.066, 416.067, 413.068, and 413.069,
22 Florida Statutes, are repealed.
23 Section 9. This act shall take effect July 1, 2004.
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Florida Senate - 2004 SB 1918
5-1241A-04
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2 SENATE SUMMARY
3 Revises provisions relating to blind services. Provides
legislative policy and intent. Provides duties of the
4 Division of Blind Services. Creates a children's program.
Requires background investigations of division personnel.
5 Redesignates the Advisory Council for the Blind as the
Rehabilitation Council for the Blind. Provides for the
6 division's retention of the title to and disposal of
certain property and equipment. Provides for the division
7 to organize and incorporate a direct-support
organization. Provides purposes of and restrictions on
8 such an organization. Repeals ss. 413.061-413.069, F.S.,
relating to permits for soliciting funds to benefit the
9 blind.
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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.