No. HB 533
Filed under Healthcare.
Communication Rights of Individuals with Disabilities; Provides that individuals with disability have right to communicate in their preferred manner; prohibits state agencies, schools, & health care providers from restricting or denying such individuals access to their preferred alternative communication method; specifies alternative communication methods recognized under act; specifies rights that individuals with disabilities have with respect to their communication needs; requires APD to adopt rules & develop certain training; provides requirements for training; establishes Communication Rights Advisory Board within agency for specified purpose; provides for membership & duties of board; provides for future repeal of board; requires agency to adopt procedures for reporting violations of specified provisions; provides for administrative penalties.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDCreates a new legal right for people with disabilities to communicate in their preferred way, whether through sign language, letterboards, speech-generating devices, or other alternative methods, and bars agencies, schools, and health providers from denying that choice.
The agency (based on where this section is placed, Florida's Agency for Persons with Disabilities) must write rules spelling out these rights and train direct-support staff, educators, and health care workers on how to support each person's chosen communication method.
A 15-member Communication Rights Advisory Board -- split between people with disabilities or their families and professionals -- will review agency policies and report annually to the Governor and legislative leaders, but the board expires in 2029 unless renewed.
Violating any of these communication rights carries a $500 civil penalty per violation, on top of whatever other administrative discipline already applies to the agency, school, or provider involved.
AIAnyone who qualifies as an individual with a disability gets a right to communicate in their preferred manner, and state agencies, schools, and health care providers may not restrict or deny access to that preferred alternative communication method.
AICoverage isn't limited to developmental disabilities -- it extends to any physical or mental impairment substantially limiting a major life activity, and to any other disability recognized under state or federal law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
AIIndividuals with disabilities get the right to access needed speech-language therapy and communication support from licensed professionals without arbitrary restrictions, and to receive support from trained staff across agencies, schools, and health settings.
AIThe agency must adopt rules implementing these communication rights and develop training programs on alternative communication methods for direct-support professionals, educators, and health care staff.
AIAnyone who violates these communication rights faces a $500 civil penalty for each violation, on top of whatever other administrative action already applies under existing law.
AIA new board is created within the agency to advise on implementation, with at least 7 of its 15 members required to be individuals with disabilities or their family members or guardians.
AIThe subsection creating the Communication Rights Advisory Board automatically repeals on October 2, 2029, unless the Legislature reviews it and reenacts it first.
AIThe agency must set up procedures letting individuals with disabilities, or someone representing them, report violations of these communication rights.