Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 1800
By the Committee on Health Policy; and Senator Calatayud
588-03164-25 20251800c1
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to Parkinson’s disease; creating s.
3 1004.4352, F.S.; providing a short title; providing
4 legislative findings; defining terms; establishing the
5 Consortium for Parkinson’s Disease Research within the
6 University of South Florida; establishing the
7 Parkinson’s Disease Research Board; providing for the
8 membership of the board; requiring the board to direct
9 the operations of the consortium and to annually adopt
10 a plan for Parkinson’s disease research; providing
11 duties of the consortium director; providing research
12 requirements for the plan; requiring the board to
13 award funds to board members for certain purposes;
14 requiring the board to issue an annual report to the
15 Governor and Legislature by a specified date;
16 providing appropriations; providing an effective date.
17
18 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
19
20 Section 1. Section 1004.4352, Florida Statutes, is created
21 to read:
22 1004.4352 Parkinson’s disease research.—
23 (1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the
24 “Parkinson’s Disease Research Act.”
25 (2) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.—The Legislature finds that:
26 (a) Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological
27 disorder affecting approximately one million Americans, with an
28 estimated 90,000 new diagnoses each year.
29 (b) Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease,
30 and innovative research is essential to advance therapies,
31 improve patient outcomes, and alleviate the burden of the
32 disease.
33 (3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
34 (a) “Board” means the Parkinson’s Disease Research Board.
35 (b) “Consortium” means the Consortium for Parkinson’s
36 Disease Research.
37 (4) CONSORTIUM FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE RESEARCH.—
38 (a) There is established within the University of South
39 Florida the Consortium for Parkinson’s Disease Research which
40 shall consist of public and private universities. The purpose of
41 the consortium is to conduct rigorous scientific research and
42 disseminate such research.
43 (b) The Parkinson’s Disease Research Board is established
44 to direct the operations of the consortium. The board shall be
45 composed of members representing each participating university
46 and appointed by the president of each participating university.
47 Board members must have experience in a variety of scientific
48 fields, including, but not limited to, neurology, psychology,
49 nutrition, and genetics. Members shall be appointed to 4-year
50 terms and may be reappointed to serve additional terms. The
51 chair shall be elected by the board from among its members to
52 serve a 2-year term. The board shall meet at least semiannually
53 at the call of the chair or, in his or her absence or
54 incapacity, the vice chair. Four members constitute a quorum. A
55 majority vote of the members present is required for all actions
56 of the board. The board may prescribe, amend, and repeal a
57 charter governing the manner in which it conducts its business.
58 Board members shall serve without compensation, but are entitled
59 to receive reimbursement for travel expenses by the consortium
60 or the organization he or she represents in accordance with s.
61 112.061.
62 (c) The consortium shall be administered by a director, who
63 shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the board.
64 The director shall, subject to the approval of the board:
65 1. Propose a budget for the consortium.
66 2. Foster the collaboration of scientists, researchers, and
67 other appropriate personnel in accordance with the consortium’s
68 charter.
69 3. Engage individuals in public and private university
70 programs relevant to the consortium’s work to participate in the
71 consortium.
72 4. Identify and prioritize the research to be conducted by
73 the consortium.
74 5. Prepare a plan for Parkinson’s disease research for
75 submission to the board.
76 6. Apply for grants to obtain funding for research
77 conducted by the consortium.
78 7. Perform other duties as determined by the board.
79 (d) The board shall annually adopt a plan for Parkinson’s
80 disease research. The plan must organize a program of research
81 that contributes to the body of scientific knowledge on the
82 causes, mechanisms, and potential treatments for Parkinson’s
83 disease and the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in first
84 responders. The board must award funds to members of the
85 consortium to perform research consistent with the plan.
86 (e) By October 15 of each year, the board shall issue a
87 report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
88 Speaker of the House of Representatives on research projects,
89 research findings, community outreach initiatives, and future
90 plans for the consortium.
91 Section 2. (1) Subject to appropriations from the General
92 Appropriations Act, 67 percent of funds appropriated are
93 directed to the University of South Florida for Parkinson’s
94 disease research including, but not limited to, identifying the
95 genetic origin of the disease and developing therapeutic
96 interventions to slow or stop the progression of the disease.
97 (2) Subject to appropriations from the General
98 Appropriations Act, 33 percent of funds appropriated are
99 directed to the University of South Florida for the Consortium
100 for Parkinson’s Disease Research.
101 Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.