Senate Bill sb1918c1

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    Florida Senate - 2004                           CS for SB 1918

    By the Committee on Education; and Senator Wise





    304-2133-04

  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; requiring division

17         personnel and applicants for employment to meet

18         level 2 screening standards as a condition of

19         employment; redesignating the Advisory Council

20         for the Blind as the Rehabilitation Council for

21         the Blind; amending ss. 413.014, 413.041,

22         413.051, and 413.091, F.S.; modernizing

23         terminology; requiring the division to conduct

24         a periodic survey of state properties; creating

25         s. 413.095, F.S.; providing for the division to

26         retain title to certain real and personal

27         property intended for use by people who have

28         visual impairments and certain personnel;

29         allowing the division to repossess, transfer,

30         and dispose of such property; providing for

31         rulemaking by the division; authorizing the

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    Florida Senate - 2004                           CS for SB 1918
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 1         division to create a blind services

 2         direct-support organization; providing purposes

 3         and objectives; providing for members of the

 4         board of the direct-support organization;

 5         providing that the organization is subject to

 6         s. 24, Art. I of the State Constitution, ch.

 7         119, F.S., and s. 286.011, F.S.; requiring

 8         expenses of the organization to be paid by

 9         private funds; providing guidelines for the use

10         of the funds; repealing ss. 413.061, 413.062,

11         413.063, 413.064, 413.065, 413.066, 413.067,

12         413.068, and 413.069, F.S., relating to permits

13         for soliciting funds to benefit the blind;

14         providing an effective date.

15  

16  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

17  

18         Section 1.  Section 413.011, Florida Statutes, is

19  amended to read:

20         413.011  Division of Blind Services, legislative

21  policy, intent; internal organizational structure and powers;

22  Rehabilitation Advisory Council for the Blind.--

23         (1)  Policy.--It is the policy of the Legislature that

24  all programs, projects, and activities of the division are to

25  be carried out in a manner consistent with the following

26  principles:

27         (a)  Respect for individual dignity, personal

28  responsibility, self-determination to live independently, and

29  pursuit of meaningful careers, based on informed choice;

30  

31  

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 1         (b)  Support for the involvement of an individual's

 2  representative if an individual requests, desires, or needs

 3  such support;

 4         (c)  Respect for the individual's privacy and equal

 5  access, including the use of information in accessible

 6  formats; and

 7         (d)  Integration and full participation of individuals

 8  who are blind in society on equal terms with others.

 9         (2)  It is the intent of the Legislature to establish a

10  coordinated program of services which will be available to

11  individuals throughout this state who are blind. The program

12  must be designed to maximize employment opportunities for such

13  individuals and to increase their independence and

14  self-sufficiency.

15         (3)(1)  The internal organizational structure of the

16  Division of Blind Services shall be designed for the purpose

17  of ensuring the greatest possible efficiency and effectiveness

18  of services to the blind and to be consistent with chapter 20.

19  The Division of Blind Services shall plan, supervise, and

20  carry out the following activities:

21         (a)  Recommend personnel as may be necessary to carry

22  out the purposes of this section.

23         (b)  Develop and implement a state plan for vocational

24  rehabilitation services for individuals who are blind,

25  pursuant to section 101 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as

26  amended.

27         (c)  In conjunction with the Florida Independent Living

28  Council, develop and implement a 3-year state plan for

29  independent living services and provide independent living

30  services for blind and visually impaired individuals,

31  including services for older individuals who are blind,

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 1  pursuant to Title VII, chapter 2 of the Rehabilitation Act of

 2  1973, as amended.

 3         (d)  Provide services that contribute to the

 4  maintenance of or the increased independence of older

 5  individuals who are blind.

 6         (e)  Establish, equip, and maintain an orientation and

 7  adjustment center or centers to provide independent living

 8  skills training and other training such as, but not limited

 9  to, instruction in Braille; use of the long white cane for

10  independent travel; homemaking and home-management skills; and

11  communication skills, including the use of computer

12  technology, to prepare individuals who are blind or visually

13  impaired for eventual vocational training, job placement, and

14  independence.

15         (f)  Establish and implement a small business

16  enterprises program and serve as the state licensing agency

17  for individuals who are blind, pursuant to the federal

18  Randolph-Sheppard Act.

19         (g)  Purchase and distribute specialized equipment,

20  devices, and technology, including low-vision aids, obtained

21  directly from specialty vendors without using state

22  centralized purchasing procedures.

23         (h)  In cooperation with the Library of Congress,

24  provide library services to persons who are blind and persons

25  who have other print-related disabilities.

26         (i)  In cooperation with other appropriate agencies,

27  provide to employers, the state education agency, and local

28  education agencies technical assistance in the provision of

29  auxiliary aids and services to people who are blind, students,

30  and their parents in complying with the Americans with

31  

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 1  Disabilities Act and the Individuals with Disabilities

 2  Education Act, as amended.

 3         (j)  Provide technical assistance to agencies within

 4  the state in order to assure that information technology

 5  purchased or used by such agencies is accessible to and usable

 6  by individuals who are blind, at the time the technology is

 7  purchased or used.

 8         (k)  Participate, through the designation of the

 9  director or an appropriate staff member of the division, on

10  boards, commissions, or bodies in this state for the purpose

11  of coordinating and planning services.

12         (l)  Adopt rules for administering the programs of the

13  division.

14         (m)  Apply for and receive money from any state or

15  federal agency to support the programs of the division.

16         (n)  Develop and administer any other program that will

17  further the provision of services to people who are blind and

18  that the division determines falls within its scope of

19  responsibility.

20         (b)  Cause to be compiled and maintained a complete

21  register of the blind in the state, which shall describe the

22  condition, cause of blindness, and capacity for education and

23  industrial training, with such other facts as may seem to the

24  division to be of value.  Any information in the register of

25  the blind which, when released, could identify an individual

26  is confidential and exempt from the provisions of s.

27  119.07(1).

28         (o)(c)  Inquire into the cause of blindness, inaugurate

29  preventive measures, and provide for the examination and

30  treatment of the blind, or those threatened with blindness,

31  

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 1  for the benefit of such persons, and shall pay therefor,

 2  including necessary incidental expenses.

 3         (p)(d)  Aid the blind in finding employment, teach them

 4  trades and occupations within their capacities, assist them in

 5  disposing of products made by them in home industries, assist

 6  them in obtaining funds for establishing enterprises where

 7  federal funds reimburse the state, and do such things as will

 8  contribute to the efficiency of self-support of the blind.

 9         (q)(e)  Establish one or more training schools and

10  workshops for the employment of suitable blind persons; make

11  expenditures of funds for such purposes; receive moneys from

12  sales of commodities involved in such activities and from such

13  funds make payments of wages, repairs, insurance premiums and

14  replacements of equipment. All of the activities provided for

15  in this section may be carried on in cooperation with private

16  workshops for the blind, except that all tools and equipment

17  furnished by the division shall remain the property of the

18  state.

19         (r)(f)  Provide special services and benefits for the

20  blind for developing their social life through community

21  activities and recreational facilities.

22         (s)(g)  Undertake such other activities as may

23  ameliorate the condition of blind citizens of this state.

24         (t)(h)  Cooperate with other agencies, public or

25  private, especially the Division of the Blind and Physically

26  Handicapped of the Library of Congress and the Division of

27  Library and Information Services of the Department of State,

28  to provide library service to the blind and other handicapped

29  persons as defined in federal law and regulations in carrying

30  out any or all of the provisions of this law.

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2004                           CS for SB 1918
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 1         (u)(i)  Recommend contracts and agreements with

 2  federal, state, county, municipal and private corporations,

 3  and individuals.

 4         (v)(j)  Receive moneys or properties by gift or bequest

 5  from any person, firm, corporation, or organization for any of

 6  the purposes herein set out, but without authority to bind the

 7  state to any expenditure or policy except such as may be

 8  specifically authorized by law.  All such moneys or properties

 9  so received by gift or bequest as herein authorized may be

10  disbursed and expended by the division upon its own warrant

11  for any of the purposes herein set forth, and such moneys or

12  properties shall not constitute or be considered a part of any

13  legislative appropriation made by the state for the purpose of

14  carrying out the provisions of this law.

15         (w)(k)  Prepare and make available to the blind, in

16  braille and on electronic recording equipment, Florida

17  Statutes chapters 20, 120, 121, and 413, in their entirety.

18         (x)(l)  Adopt by rule:

19         1.  Procedures for providing vocational rehabilitation

20  services for the blind; and.

21         2.(m)  Adopt by rule forms and Instructions to be used

22  by the division in its general administration.

23         (4)(2)  As used in this section, the term:

24         (a)  "Act," unless the context indicates otherwise,

25  means the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. ss. 701-797.

26         (b)  "Blind" or "blindness" means the condition of any

27  person for whom blindness is a disability as defined by the

28  Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. s. 706(8)(b).

29         (c)  "Department" means the Department of Education.

30         (5)  There is created within the Division of Blind

31  Services a children's program to serve children who are blind

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 1  from 5 years of age through transition to the Vocational

 2  Rehabilitation Program. This program must supplement services

 3  already offered by the school system to foster the child's

 4  learning and ability to function independently. The child's

 5  parents, guardian, and family members should be an integral

 6  part of the program in order to foster independence.

 7         (6)  Property that is purchased by a state agency for

 8  the purpose of making accommodations for individuals who are

 9  blind is not subject to the record and inventory requirements

10  set forth in s. 273.02. A state agency may use funds from all

11  possible sources to make accommodations for individuals who

12  are blind.

13         (7)  The division shall require all employees and

14  applicants for employment to undergo personnel screening and

15  security background investigations as provided in chapter 435,

16  using the level two standards for screening set forth in that

17  chapter, as a condition of employment and continued

18  employment. All division employees and applicants for

19  employment must meet level 2 screening standards as provided

20  in s. 435.04 prior to employment and as a condition of

21  continued employment.

22         (8)(3)  There is hereby created in the department the

23  Rehabilitation Advisory Council for the Blind, which is an

24  advisory council as defined in s. 20.03, to assist the

25  division in the planning and development of statewide

26  rehabilitation programs and services, to recommend

27  improvements to such programs and services, and to perform the

28  functions provided in this section.

29         (a)  The advisory council shall be composed of:

30  

31  

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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

31  

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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 Community-based rehabilitation

20  programs.--The Division of Blind Services shall enter into

21  cooperative agreements with community community-based

22  rehabilitation programs as defined by the Rehabilitation Act

23  of 1973, as amended, to be the service providers for the blind

24  citizens of their communities.  The division shall, as rapidly

25  as feasible, increase the amount of such services provided by

26  community community-based rehabilitation programs. The goal

27  shall be to decrease the amount of such services provided by

28  division employees and to increase to the maximum extent

29  allowed by federal law the amount of such services provided

30  through cooperative agreements with community community-based

31  service providers.  The division shall seek, to the maximum

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 1  extent allowed by federal and state law and regulation, all

 2  available federal funds for such purposes.  Funds and in-kind

 3  matching contributions from community and private sources

 4  shall be used to maximize federal funds. Unless prohibited by

 5  federal law or regulation, the share of the federal vocational

 6  rehabilitation grant apportioned for services to the blind may

 7  shall be not be 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.--

31  

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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.

31  

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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 by the division for use by

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 1  people who have visual impairments or personnel employed in

 2  operating programs of the division, and may repossess and

 3  transfer such property for use by other people who have visual

 4  impairments or personnel employed in the operation of the

 5  division.

 6         (2)  The Division of Blind Services may offer for sale

 7  any surplus items acquired in the operation of the program

 8  when they are no longer necessary or may exchange them for

 9  necessary items that can be used to greater advantage. When

10  any such surplus equipment is sold or exchanged, a receipt for

11  the sale or exchange which shows the consideration given for

12  the equipment must be taken from the purchaser, and the

13  consideration must be forwarded to the division to be included

14  in the division's portfolio of investments pursuant to s.

15  413.0115. Such funds are exempt from the State Treasury

16  pursuant to s. 215.311, and are available for expenditure for

17  any purposes consistent with ss. 413.011-413.092.

18         (3)  The division has the exclusive right to develop

19  rules relating to records and recordkeeping for property owned

20  by the division which is referred to in subsections (1) and

21  (2).

22         Section 7.  Blind services direct-support

23  organization.--

24         (1)  As used in this section, the term "direct-support

25  organization" means a not-for-profit corporation incorporated

26  under chapter 617, Florida Statutes, and organized and

27  operated to conduct programs and activities; initiate

28  developmental projects; raise funds; request and receive

29  grants, gifts, and bequests of moneys; acquire, receive, hold,

30  invest, and administer, in its own name, securities, funds,

31  objects of value, or other property, real or personal; and

                                  17

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    Florida Senate - 2004                           CS for SB 1918
    304-2133-04




 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

                                  18

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    Florida Senate - 2004                           CS for SB 1918
    304-2133-04




 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, 413.067, 413.068, and 413.069,

22  Florida Statutes, are repealed.

23         Section 9.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2004.

24  

25          STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
                       COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
26                         Senate Bill 1918

27                                 

28  This committee substitute requires employees and applicants
    for employment of the Division of Blind Services to meet level
29  two background screening standards prior to employment and as
    a condition of continued employment.
30  
    The committee substitute makes conforming changes to the
31  definition of community rehabilitation programs in accordance
    with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
                                  19

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