Florida Senate - 2026                                    SB 1652
       
       
        
       By Senator Burgess
       
       
       
       
       
       23-01381-26                                           20261652__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to terminology associated with autism;
    3         amending s. 393.063, F.S.; revising the definition of
    4         the term “autism”; providing an effective date.
    5          
    6  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    7  
    8         Section 1. Subsection (5) of section 393.063, Florida
    9  Statutes, is amended to read:
   10         393.063 Definitions.—For the purposes of this chapter, the
   11  term:
   12         (5) “Autism” and “autism spectrum disorder” mean means a
   13  condition as defined by the most recent edition of the
   14  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the
   15  American Psychiatric Association pervasive, neurologically based
   16  developmental disability of extended duration which causes
   17  severe learning, communication, and behavior disorders with age
   18  of onset during infancy or childhood. Individuals with autism
   19  exhibit impairment in reciprocal social interaction, impairment
   20  in verbal and nonverbal communication and imaginative ability,
   21  and a markedly restricted repertoire of activities and
   22  interests.
   23         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.