Florida 2025 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 9 R · 3 D cosponsors

HB 591 — Children with Developmental Disabilities

Last action — Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 112 (Ch. 2025-95)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Children with Developmental Disabilities ; Revises scope of the Dr. & Mrs. Alfonse & Kathleen Cinotti Health Care Screening & Services Grant Program to allow grant funds to be used for screenings, referrals for treatment,& related services for autism; revises requirements for annual grant application submitted by DOH for Early Steps Program to conform to changes made by act; provides purpose for Early Steps Extended Option; authorizes department to implement Early Steps Extended Option regardless of certain federal funding; requires University of Florida Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment to fund specialized summer programs for children with autism spectrum disorder; creates University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

52 added · 52 removed

52 line(s) added, 52 removed.

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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 A bill to be entitled An act relating to children with developmental disabilities;
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 A bill to be entitled An act relating to children with developmental disabilities;
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 Steps Extended Option regardless of certain federal funding;
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 Steps Extended Option regardless of certain federal funding;
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 Option in a specified annual report;
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 Option in a specified annual report;
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 Neurodevelopment;
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 Neurodevelopment;
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 access to no-cost health care screenings or services for the general public facilitated by nonprofit entities.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 access to no-cost health care screenings or services for the general public facilitated by nonprofit entities.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 k.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 k.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 living.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 living.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 391.3081 Early Steps Extended Option.— (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—The Legislature recognizes that continuity of care promotes positive outcomes in the learning and development of infants, toddlers, and children.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 391.3081 Early Steps Extended Option.— (1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—The Legislature recognizes that continuity of care promotes positive outcomes in the learning and development of infants, toddlers, and children.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 contract necessary to implement the Early Steps Extended Option in accordance with state law and part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 contract necessary to implement the Early Steps Extended Option in accordance with state law and part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 under part B of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 under part B of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 initiate transition planning to ensure the child's successful transition from the Early Steps Extended Option to a school district program under part B of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or to another program as part of an individual family support plan.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 initiate transition planning to ensure the child's successful transition from the Early Steps Extended Option to a school district program under part B of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or to another program as part of an individual family support plan.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 program office and the local school district must provide the child's parent or legal guardian with written information on other available services or community resources.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 program office and the local school district must provide the child's parent or legal guardian with written information on other available services or community resources.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 to read:
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 to read:
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 (3) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND USE OF FUNDS.— (a) The guidelines developed by the center must, at a minimum, require applicants, before approval for a startup grant, to:
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 (3) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND USE OF FUNDS.— (a) The guidelines developed by the center must, at a minimum, require applicants, before approval for a startup grant, to:
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 5.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 5.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 has received approval from a sponsoring entity to operate a charter school or modify an existing charter pursuant to s.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 has received approval from a sponsoring entity to operate a charter school or modify an existing charter pursuant to s.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 development, and social engagement.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 development, and social engagement.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 or behavioral therapies, when appropriate.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 or behavioral therapies, when appropriate.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 1.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 1.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 and daily living services.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 and daily living services.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 1.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 1.
Supporting the learning environment in both general and specialized classroom settings.
Supporting the learning environment in a general education or specialized classroom setting.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 to provide autism-related services to children and adults in a public or private setting.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 to provide autism-related services to children and adults in a public or private setting.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 disabilities.— (5) The commissioner shall review the curricula in continuing education or inservice education of instructional personnel based on recommendations required under this section.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 disabilities.— (5) The commissioner shall review the curricula in continuing education or inservice education of instructional personnel based on recommendations required under this section.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 based reading literacy grounded in the science of reading, including explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to reading instruction, developing phonemic awareness, and implementing multisensory intervention strategies, and computational skills acquisition, exceptional student education, normal child development, and the disorders of development may be applied toward any specialization area.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 based reading literacy grounded in the science of reading, including explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to reading instruction, developing phonemic awareness, and implementing multisensory intervention strategies, and computational skills acquisition, exceptional student education, normal child development, and the disorders of development may be applied toward any specialization area.
hb591-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 591 2025 participation in professional growth components approved by the State Board of Education and specified pursuant to s.
hb591-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 591 2025 participation in professional growth components approved by the State Board of Education and specified pursuant to s.
hb591-02-c2
hb591-01-c1
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How this bill changes current law

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AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill expands the availability and use of grant funds for autism-related services and establishes new provisions for early intervention services for children with developmental delays.

  • 381.9855

    l. Autism.

    The program now explicitly includes autism as a condition for which funding can be used.

  • 391.302

    "department" means the Department of Health;

    This adds a definition for 'department' to clarify the entity referenced in the law.

  • 391.302

    (2) "Developmental delay" means a condition, identified and measured through appropriate instruments and procedures, which may delay physical, cognitive, communication, social or emotional, or adaptive development. → (2) "developmental delay" means a condition, identified and measured through appropriate instruments and procedures, which may delay physical, cognitive, communication, social or emotional, or adaptive development;

    This clarifies the definition of 'developmental delay' by moving its description to a new paragraph.

  • 391.302

    (3) "Developmental disability" means a condition, identified and measured through appropriate instruments and procedures, which may impair physical, cognitive, communication, social or emotional, or adaptive development. → (3) "developmental disability" means a condition, identified and measured through appropriate instruments and procedures, which may impair physical, cognitive, communication, social or emotional, or adaptive development;

    This clarifies the definition of 'developmental disability' by moving its description to a new paragraph.

  • 391.302

    (5) "Habilitative services and devices" means health care services and assistive technology devices that help a child maintain, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living. → (5) "habilitation services and devices" means health care services and assistive technology devices that help a child maintain, learn, or improve skills and functioning for daily living;

    This updates the definition of 'habilitative services and devices' for clarity.

  • 391.308

    (2) DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT.—The department shall: → (2) Duties of the department.—The department shall:

    This updates the heading format for consistency.

  • 391.308

    (a) Annually prepare a grant application to the United States Department of Education for funding early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, from birth through 36 months of age, and their families pursuant to part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. → (a) Annually prepare a grant application to the United States Department of Education for funding early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, from birth through three years of age, and their families pursuant to part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

    This modifies the age range stated for children eligible for services from '36 months of age' to 'three years of age'.

  • 391.3081

    The purpose of the Early Steps Extended Option is to continue enrollment in the Early Steps Program for those children who are eligible.

    This establishes a new program to extend Early Steps services beyond the age of three.

  • 391.3081

    "child" means a child from birth until the beginning of the school year following the child's fourth birthday;

    This defines the age eligibility for the new Early Steps Extended Option.

  • 391.3081

    The department shall: 1. Submit its application for federal approval to extend eligibility for services under part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act no later than July 1, 2026.

    This mandates the department to seek federal approval for the extended services by a specified date.

  • 391.3081

    Jointly with the Department of Education, develop or amend any rule, policy, procedure, written agreement, or contract necessary to implement the Early Steps Extended Option;

    This requires collaboration with the Department of Education to implement the new services.

  • 1012.585

    requiring professional development training in the knowledge and skills required to support students with autism;

    This adds a new requirement for professional certification renewal to include autism-related training.

Action History

  1. Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 112 (Ch. 2025-95)

  2. Added to Second Reading Calendar

  3. Bill released to House Calendar

  4. Reported out of Education & Employment Committee

  5. Favorable by Education & Employment Committee

  6. Added to Education & Employment Committee agenda

  7. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)

  8. Now in Education & Employment Committee

  9. Referred to Education & Employment Committee

  10. CS Filed

  11. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

  12. Reported out of Budget Committee

  13. Favorable with CS by Budget Committee

  14. Added to Budget Committee agenda

  15. Now in Budget Committee

  16. Reported out of Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee

  17. Favorable by Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee

  18. Added to Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee agenda

  19. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)

  20. Now in Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee

  21. Referred to Education & Employment Committee

  22. Referred to Budget Committee

  23. Referred to Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee

  24. CS Filed

  25. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

  26. Reported out of Student Academic Success Subcommittee

  27. Favorable with CS by Student Academic Success Subcommittee

  28. Added to Student Academic Success Subcommittee agenda

  29. 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)

  30. Now in Student Academic Success Subcommittee

  31. Referred to Education & Employment Committee

  32. Referred to Budget Committee

  33. Referred to Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee

  34. Referred to Student Academic Success Subcommittee

  35. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 12 co-sponsors · 149 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (12)

Not signed on (149)

149 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 149 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Favorable (Education & Employment Committee)

Passed 15 Yea · 0 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 4002
Republican 10004
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 15006
% of votes cast 71%0%0%29%
How each member voted (21)
Member Party Vote
Temple — Yea
Aristide, Wallace Democrat Yea
Daniels, Kimberly Democrat Not Voting
Dunkley, Lisa Democrat Not Voting
Edmonds, Jervonte "Tae" Democrat Yea
Harris, Jennifer "Rita" Democrat Yea
Hinson, Yvonne Hayes Democrat Yea
Berfield, Kimberly Republican Yea
Canady, Jennifer Republican Not Voting
Gerwig, Anne Republican Yea
Jacques, Berny Republican Yea
Kendall, Kim Republican Yea
McFarland, Fiona Republican Yea
Michael, Kiyan Republican Not Voting
Persons-Mulicka, Jenna Republican Yea
Sapp, Judson Republican Yea
Stark, Paula A. Republican Not Voting
Trabulsy, Dana Republican Yea
Valdés, Susan L. Republican Yea
Yarkosky, Taylor Michael Republican Yea
Yeager, Bradford Troy "Brad" Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Favorable With Committee Substitute (Budget Committee)

Passed 20 Yea · 0 Nay · 10 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 14006
Unaffiliated 3000
Democrat 3003
Total 20009
% of votes cast 69%0%0%31%
How each member voted (29)
Member Party Vote
Casello — Yea
Tomkow — Yea
Lopez, V. — Yea
Chambliss, Kevin D. Democrat Not Voting
Driskell, Fentrice Democrat Yea
Hunschofsky, Christine Democrat Yea
Rayner, Michele K. Democrat Not Voting
Tant, Allison Democrat Not Voting
Woodson, Marie Paule Democrat Yea
Andrade, Robert Alexander "Alex" Republican Yea
Brannan III, Robert Charles "Chuck" Republican Yea
Buchanan, James Republican Not Voting
Busatta, Demi Republican Not Voting
Canady, Jennifer Republican Yea
Esposito, Tiffany Republican Yea
Garrison, Sam Republican Yea
Koster, Traci Republican Yea
Maney, Patt Republican Yea
McClure, Lawrence Republican Yea
Melo, Lauren Republican Not Voting
Mooney Jr., James Vernon "Jim" Republican Yea
Overdorf, Tobin Rogers "Toby" Republican Not Voting
Persons-Mulicka, Jenna Republican Yea
Robinson Jr., William Cloud "Will" Republican Yea
Shoaf, Jason Republican Yea
Sirois, Tyler I. Republican Not Voting
Snyder, John Republican Not Voting
Tuck, Kaylee Republican Yea
Valdés, Susan L. Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Favorable (Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee)

Passed 16 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 5000
Republican 10002
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 16002
% of votes cast 89%0%0%11%
How each member voted (18)
Member Party Vote
Temple — Yea
Aristide, Wallace Democrat Yea
Bracy Davis, LaVon Democrat Yea
Edmonds, Jervonte "Tae" Democrat Yea
Hunschofsky, Christine Democrat Yea
Rosenwald, Mitch Democrat Yea
Baker, Jessica Republican Not Voting
Black, Dean Republican Yea
Brackett, Robert A. "Robbie" Republican Yea
Esposito, Tiffany Republican Yea
Grow, J.J. Republican Not Voting
Maggard, Randall Scott "Randy" Republican Yea
Overdorf, Tobin Rogers "Toby" Republican Yea
Porras, Juan Carlos Republican Yea
Redondo, Mike Republican Yea
Rizo, Alex Republican Yea
Salzman, Michelle Republican Yea
Tuck, Kaylee Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Favorable With Committee Substitute (Student Academic Success Subcommittee)

Passed 16 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 4001
Republican 11001
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 16002
% of votes cast 89%0%0%11%
How each member voted (18)
Member Party Vote
Temple — Yea
Antone, Bruce Hadley Democrat Yea
Dunkley, Lisa Democrat Yea
Hinson, Yvonne Hayes Democrat Yea
López, Johanna Democrat Yea
Tendrich, Debra Democrat Not Voting
Bankson, Douglas Michael "Doug" Republican Yea
Benarroch, Yvette Republican Yea
Berfield, Kimberly Republican Yea
Blanco, Omar Republican Yea
Gerwig, Anne Republican Yea
McFarland, Fiona Republican Yea
Michael, Kiyan Republican Yea
Oliver, Vanessa Republican Yea
Owen, Michael Republican Yea
Rizo, Alex Republican Yea
Steele, Kevin M. Republican Not Voting
Yarkosky, Taylor Michael Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare education
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 591 do?
Children with Developmental Disabilities ; Revises scope of the Dr. & Mrs. Alfonse & Kathleen Cinotti Health Care Screening & Services Grant Program to allow grant funds to be used for screenings, referrals for treatment,& related services for autism; revises requirements for annual grant application submitted by DOH for Early Steps Program to conform to changes made by act; provides purpose for Early Steps Extended Option; authorizes department to implement Early Steps Extended Option regardless of certain federal funding; requires University of Florida Center for Autism & Neurodevelopment to fund specialized summer programs for children with autism spectrum disorder; creates University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.
Who sponsors HB 591?
HB 591 is sponsored by Weinberger, Meg (Republican), Temple, Tant, Allison (Democrat), Stark, Paula A. (Republican), Rizo, Alex (Republican), Nix Jr., Danny (Republican), Maney, Patt (Republican), López, Johanna (Democrat), Chambliss, Kevin D. (Democrat), Booth, Erika (Republican), Blanco, Omar (Republican), Benarroch, Yvette (Republican), Maggard, Randall Scott "Randy" (Republican), Student Academic Success Subcommittee, and Budget Committee.
What is the current status of HB 591?
This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 591?
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