Senate approves bill to expand autism screening, services and workforce training

The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 112, a package of measures intended to expand screening, early intervention and year‑round services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Sponsor Senator Harrell, speaking on the Senate floor, described the bill as “the next step, an amazing big step” for families and said, “Diagnosis, that is key. The earlier you have a child diagnosed with autism, the better the outcome.” The Senate voted 38 yays, 0 nays to approve the bill.

The measure would expand autism screenings and referrals under an existing health care screening and services grant program; create an “early steps extended option” to continue home‑based early intervention until children enter pre‑K; designate the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as a statewide hub for research and coordination; authorize grants for summer programs that keep therapy and social learning going outside the school year; and direct development of an online micro‑credential for teachers, daycare staff and health workers who work with children with autism.

Senator Davis said she supported the bill but urged attention to workforce recruitment, noting that providers are scarce. “I am in 100% support of this. But there are some thoughts of consideration…The challenge I’m having a little bit is the providers,” she said on the floor, adding that some incentive programs pay as much as $2,000 to recruit practitioners.

Sponsor Harrell and other senators on the floor said Medicaid would cover the services once a federal waiver is obtained and that the Senate is prepared to fund Florida’s share of costs. Harrell said the early‑intervention expansion receives about 50 percent federal funding today and acknowledged the extension would require federal approval: “we will need some federal waiver to do it,” she said.

The bill also directs the University of Florida to coordinate research and administer the proposed autism grants program. Senators highlighted long‑term research as a priority to better understand prevalence trends and possible causes; Harrell said the bill represents “step 1” of a longer agenda that will include adult services and continued research coordination.

Formal actions taken on the floor included Senator Harrell’s motion to read the bill a third time and the roll call that produced the unanimous 38‑0 tally. The rules chair subsequently moved — and the Senate adopted without objection — a rules waiver to certify the committee substitute to the House.

The bill’s passage in the Senate does not by itself implement the extended Early Steps option: it requires administrative steps, federal approval of a waiver for the program extension and subsequent implementation actions by state agencies and payers. Senators urged continued oversight and additional work on provider recruitment, pediatrician reimbursement for diagnosis and funding details as the bill moves to the House.

Votes at a glance - Committee substitute for committee substitute for Senate Bill 112 (children with developmental disabilities / autism services): approved by roll call, 38 yays, 0 nays; motion to certify to the House adopted without objection. Notes: bill would require a federal waiver to extend Early Steps; Senate stated intent to fund the state share. - Senate Resolution 1856 (celebrating the life and legacy of Senator Geraldine Thompson): adopted by publication in the journal; 38 senators recorded as cointroducers.