House Bill hb1825er
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  1
  2         An act relating to services for persons who
  3         have disabilities; amending ss. 20.15, 20.171,
  4         229.003, 229.004, and 229.0073, F.S.;
  5         conforming organizational provisions to the
  6         transfer of the Division of Vocational
  7         Rehabilitation and the Division of Blind
  8         Services from the Department of Labor and
  9         Employment Security to the Department of
10         Education; providing for establishment and
11         oversight of the divisions within the
12         reorganized state education system; amending s.
13         413.20, F.S.; revising definitions under pt. II
14         of ch. 413, F.S., relating to vocational
15         rehabilitation programs; creating s. 413.201,
16         F.S.; providing that the Department of
17         Education is the designated state agency for
18         implementing federal vocational rehabilitation
19         requirements; creating s. 413.202, F.S.;
20         providing that the Division of Vocational
21         Rehabilitation is the designated administrative
22         unit for such implementation; creating s.
23         413.203, F.S.; providing legislative intent and
24         procedure with respect to conflicting laws;
25         creating s. 413.206, F.S.; requiring the
26         Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to
27         develop a 5-year plan relating to general
28         vocational rehabilitation programs; providing
29         requirements for the contents of the plan;
30         requiring annual reports; creating s. 413.207,
31         F.S.; providing quality assurance and
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  1         performance requirements for the Division of
  2         Vocational Rehabilitation; creating s. 413.208,
  3         F.S.; providing for service providers' quality
  4         assurance and fitness for their
  5         responsibilities; amending s. 413.23, F.S.;
  6         revising provisions relating to the federally
  7         required state plan for administration of
  8         vocational rehabilitation services; amending s.
  9         413.395, F.S.; clarifying reporting
10         requirements of the Florida Independent Living
11         Council; revising references to conform to
12         changes made by the act; amending s. 413.405,
13         F.S.; renaming the Rehabilitation Advisory
14         Council as the Florida Rehabilitation Council;
15         revising council membership and duties;
16         requiring the council to submit reports to the
17         Governor, Legislature, and United States
18         Secretary of Education; amending ss. 11.45,
19         90.6063, 215.311, 394.75, 395.404, 410.0245,
20         410.604, 413.034, 413.051, 413.064, 413.066,
21         413.067, 413.091, 413.092, 413.401, 413.445,
22         413.615, and 944.012, F.S.; revising language
23         and references to conform to changes made by
24         the act; requiring the Office of Program Policy
25         Analysis and Government Accountability to
26         conduct a review of the progress of the
27         Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and to
28         prepare a report; repealing pt. III of ch. 413,
29         F.S., and s. 445.024(8), F.S., relating to
30         creation and duties of the Occupational Access
31
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  1         and Opportunity Commission; providing an
  2         effective date.
  3
  4  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
  5
  6         Section 1.  Subsection (3) of section 20.15, Florida
  7  Statutes, is amended to read:
  8         20.15  Department of Education.--There is created a
  9  Department of Education.
10         (3)  DIVISIONS.--The following divisions of the
11  Department of Education are established:
12         (a)  Division of Community Colleges.
13         (b)  Division of Public Schools and Community
14  Education.
15         (c)  Division of Universities.
16         (d)  Division of Workforce Development.
17         (e)  Division of Professional Educators.
18         (f)  Division of Administration.
19         (g)  Division of Financial Services.
20         (h)  Division of Support Services.
21         (i)  Division of Technology.
22         (j)  Division of Blind Services.
23         (k)  Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
24         Section 2.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) and
25  paragraph (c) of subsection (5) of section 20.171, Florida
26  Statutes, are amended to read:
27         20.171  Department of Labor and Employment
28  Security.--There is created a Department of Labor and
29  Employment Security. The department shall operate its programs
30  in a decentralized fashion.
31         (4)
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  1         (b)  The assistant secretary is responsible for
  2  developing, monitoring, and enforcing policy and managing
  3  major technical programs and supervising the Bureau of Appeals
  4  of the Division of Unemployment Compensation. The
  5  responsibilities and duties of the position include, but are
  6  not limited to, the following functional areas:
  7         1.  Workers' compensation management and policy
  8  implementation.
  9         2.  Unemployment compensation management and policy
10  implementation.
11         3.  Blind services management and policy
12  implementation.
13         3.4.  Oversight of the five field offices and any local
14  offices.
15         (5)  The following divisions are established and shall
16  be headed by division directors who shall be supervised by and
17  shall be responsible to the Assistant Secretary for Programs
18  and Operations:
19         (c)  Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
20         Section 3.  Paragraph (i) of subsection (5) of section
21  229.003, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
22         229.003  Florida education governance reorganization.--
23         (5)  Effective July 1, 2001:
24         (i)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 20.15, the
25  Commissioner of Education and the Secretary of the Florida
26  Board of Education shall work together to commence the
27  reorganization of the Department of Education in accordance
28  with s. 229.0073, which shall include an Office of the
29  Commissioner of Education comprised of the general areas of
30  operation that are common to all delivery sectors and, in
31  addition, shall include:
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  1         1.  The creation of an Office of Technology and
  2  Information Services, an Office of Workforce and Economic
  3  Development, an Office of Educational Facilities and SMART
  4  Schools Clearinghouse, and an Office of Student Financial
  5  Assistance.
  6         2.  The creation of a Division of Colleges and
  7  Universities.
  8         3.  The creation of a Division of Community Colleges.
  9         4.  The creation of a Division of Public Schools.
10         5.  The creation of a Division of Independent
11  Education.
12         6.  The creation of a Division of Vocational
13  Rehabilitation.
14         7.  The creation of a Division of Blind Services.
15         8.6.  The merger of the powers, duties, and staffs of
16  the State Board of Independent Colleges and Universities and
17  the State Board of Nonpublic Career Education, except as
18  relating to any independent nonprofit college or university
19  whose students are eligible to receive the William L. Boyd,
20  IV, Florida resident access grants pursuant to s. 240.605,
21  into a single Commission for Independent Education
22  administratively housed within the Division of Independent
23  Education.
24         Section 4.  Paragraphs (e) and (f) are added to
25  subsection (4) of section 229.004, Florida Statutes, to read:
26         229.004  Florida Board of Education.--
27         (4)  The board, through its secretary, with the
28  Commissioner of Education, shall be responsible for:
29         (e)  The work of the director of the Division of
30  Vocational Rehabilitation to establish and maintain optimal
31  efficiency of a Division of Vocational Rehabilitation within
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  1  the guidelines of s. 229.0073 and part II of chapter 413 and
  2  to achieve the mission and goals of part II of chapter 413.
  3         (f)  The work of the director of the Division of Blind
  4  Services to establish and maintain optimal efficiency of a
  5  Division of Blind Services within the guidelines of s.
  6  229.0073 and part I of chapter 413 and to achieve the mission
  7  and goals of part I of chapter 413.
  8         Section 5.  Paragraphs (e) and (f) are added to
  9  subsection (4) of section 229.0073, Florida Statutes, to read:
10         229.0073  Reorganization of the Department of
11  Education.--Effective July 1, 2001, notwithstanding the
12  provisions of s. 20.15, the secretary's Education
13  Reorganization Workgroup is established to direct and provide
14  oversight for the reorganization of Florida's K-20 Department
15  of Education. The workgroup shall be comprised of the
16  Secretary of the Florida Board of Education, the Commissioner
17  of Education, the Governor or his designee, the Chancellor of
18  Colleges and Universities, the Chancellor of Community
19  Colleges, the Chancellor of Public Schools, and the Executive
20  Director of Independent Education, who shall consult with the
21  legislative members of the Education Governance Reorganization
22  Transition Task Force. The reorganization shall:
23         (4)  Establish the following divisions within the
24  department:
25         (e)  Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.--The
26  designated administrative unit for the state's vocational
27  rehabilitation program.
28         (f)  Division of Blind Services.--The designated
29  administrative unit for services to blind persons.
30         Section 6.  Section 413.20, Florida Statutes, is
31  amended to read:
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  1         413.20  Definitions.--As used in this part, the term:
  2         (1)  "Act" means the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
  3  amended.
  4         (2)  "Activity of daily living" means an activity
  5  required on a frequent basis that permits an individual to
  6  secure or maintain independence. Such activities include, but
  7  are not limited to, personal home care, transportation,
  8  personal assistance services, housekeeping, shopping,
  9  attending school, communication, and employment.
10         (3)  "Assessment for determining eligibility and
11  vocational rehabilitation needs" means a review of existing
12  data to determine whether an individual is eligible for
13  vocational rehabilitation services and to assign the priority,
14  and, to the extent additional data is necessary to make such
15  determination and assignment, a preliminary assessment of such
16  data, including the provision of goods and services during
17  such assessment. If additional data is necessary, the division
18  must make a comprehensive assessment of the unique strengths,
19  resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities,
20  interests, and informed choice needs, including the need for
21  supported employment, of an eligible individual to make a
22  determination of the goals, objectives, nature, and scope of
23  vocational rehabilitation services to be included in the
24  individualized plan for employment written rehabilitation
25  program of the individual.
26         (4)  "Center for independent living" means a
27  consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability,
28  nonresidential, private, nonprofit organization designed and
29  operated within a local community by persons who have
30  disabilities to provide an array of independent living
31  services.
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  1         (5)  "Community rehabilitation program" means a program
  2  that provides directly or facilitates the provision of one or
  3  more services to persons who have disabilities to enable them
  4  to maximize their opportunities for employment, including
  5  career advancement.
  6         (6)(5)  "Department" means the Department of Education
  7  Labor and Employment Security.
  8         (7)(6)  "Disability" means a physical or mental
  9  impairment that constitutes or results in a substantial
10  impediment to employment.
11         (8)(7)  "Division" means the Division of Vocational
12  Rehabilitation of the Department of Education Labor and
13  Employment Security.
14         (8)  "Emergency medical evacuation system" means a
15  division-approved transportation system that provides timely
16  skilled emergency care and movement of persons believed to
17  have suffered brain or spinal cord injuries.
18         (9)  "Employment outcome" means, with respect to an
19  individual, entering or retaining full-time or, if
20  appropriate, part-time competitive employment in the
21  integrated labor market to the greatest extent practicable,
22  supported employment, or any other type of employment,
23  including self-employment, telecommuting, or business
24  ownership, that is consistent with an individual's strengths,
25  resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities,
26  interests, and informed choice or satisfying any other
27  vocational outcome the secretary may determine to be
28  consistent with the act.
29         (10)  "Extended services" means one or more ongoing
30  support services and other appropriate services needed to
31  support and maintain a person who has a most significant
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  1  severe disability in supported employment and to assist an
  2  eligible person in maintaining integrated and competitive
  3  employment. Extended services are based upon a determination
  4  of the needs of the eligible person as specified in the
  5  person's individualized plan for employment written
  6  rehabilitation program and are provided by a state agency, a
  7  nonprofit private organization, an employer, or any other
  8  appropriate resource after the person has made the transition
  9  from support provided by the department.
10         (11)  "Independent living core services" means
11  informational and referral services; independent living skills
12  training; peer counseling, including cross-disability peer
13  counseling; and individual and systems advocacy.
14         (12)  "Independent living services" means any
15  appropriate rehabilitation service that will enhance the
16  ability of a person who has a severe disability to live
17  independently, to function within her or his family and
18  community and, if appropriate, to secure and maintain
19  employment. Services may include, but are not limited to,
20  psychological counseling and psychotherapeutic counseling;
21  independent living care services; community education and
22  related services; housing assistance; physical and mental
23  restoration; personal attendant care; transportation; personal
24  assistance services; interpretive services for persons who are
25  deaf; recreational activities; services to family members of
26  persons who have severe disabilities; vocational and other
27  training services; telecommunications services; sensory and
28  other technological aids and devices; appropriate preventive
29  services to decrease the needs of persons assisted under the
30  program; and other rehabilitation services appropriate for the
31
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  1  independent living needs of a person who has a severe
  2  disability.
  3         (13)  "Limiting disability" means a physical condition
  4  that constitutes, contributes to, or, if not corrected, will
  5  result in an impairment of one or more activities of daily
  6  living but does not result in an individual qualifying as a
  7  person who has a disability.
  8         (14)  "Occupational license" means any license, permit,
  9  or other written authority required by any governmental unit
10  to be obtained in order to engage in an occupation.
11         (15)  "Ongoing support services" means services
12  provided at a twice-monthly minimum to persons who have a most
13  significant disability severe disabilities, to:
14         (a)  Make an assessment regarding the employment
15  situation at the worksite of each individual in supported
16  employment or, under special circumstances at the request of
17  the individual, offsite.
18         (b)  Based upon the assessment, provide for the
19  coordination or provision of specific intensive services, at
20  or away from the worksite, that are needed to maintain the
21  individual's employment stability.
22
23  The ongoing support services may consist of, but are not
24  limited to, the provision of skilled job trainers who
25  accompany the individual for intensive job-skill training at
26  the worksite, job development and placement, social skills
27  training, followup services, and facilitation of natural
28  supports at the worksite.
29         (16)  "Person who has a disability" means an individual
30  who has a physical or mental impairment that, for the
31  individual, constitutes or results in a substantial impediment
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  1  to employment and who can therefore benefit in terms of an
  2  employment outcome from vocational rehabilitation services.
  3  The term encompasses the terms "person who has a significant
  4  disability" and term "person who has a most significant severe
  5  disability."
  6         (17)  "Person who has a significant severe disability"
  7  means an individual who has a disability that is a severe
  8  physical or mental impairment that seriously limits one or
  9  more functional capacities, such as mobility, communication,
10  self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work
11  tolerance, or work skills, in terms of an employment outcome;
12  whose vocational rehabilitation may be expected to require
13  multiple vocational rehabilitation services over an extended
14  period of time; and who has one or more physical or mental
15  disabilities resulting from amputation, arthritis, autism,
16  blindness, burn injury, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic
17  fibrosis, deafness, head injury, heart disease, hemiplegia,
18  hemophilia, respiratory or pulmonary dysfunction, mental
19  retardation, mental illness, multiple sclerosis, muscular
20  dystrophy, musculoskeletal disorder, neurological disorder,
21  including stroke and epilepsy, paraplegia, quadriplegia, or
22  other spinal cord condition, sickle-cell anemia, specific
23  learning disability, end-stage renal disease, or another
24  disability or a combination of disabilities that is
25  determined, after an assessment for determining eligibility
26  and vocational rehabilitation needs, to cause comparable
27  substantial functional limitation.
28         (18)  "Person who has a most significant disability"
29  means a person who has a significant disability who meets the
30  designated administrative unit's criteria for a person who has
31  a most significant disability.
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  1         (19)(18)  "Personal assistance services" means a range
  2  of services, provided by one or more persons, designed to
  3  assist a person who has a disability to perform daily living
  4  activities on or off the job that the individual would
  5  typically perform if the individual did not have a disability.
  6  Such services shall be designed to increase the individual's
  7  control in life and ability to perform everyday activities on
  8  or off the job.
  9         (20)(19)  "Physical and mental restoration" means any
10  medical, surgical, or therapeutic treatment necessary to
11  correct or substantially modify a physical or mental condition
12  that is stable or slowly progressive and constitutes an
13  impediment to employment, but is of such nature that the
14  treatment can such correction or modification may reasonably
15  be expected to correct or modify eliminate or reduce such
16  impediment to employment within a reasonable length of time,
17  including, but not limited to, medical, psychiatric, dental,
18  and surgical treatment, nursing services, hospital care in
19  connection with surgery or treatment, convalescent home care,
20  drugs, medical and surgical supplies, and prosthetic and
21  orthotic devices.
22         (21)  "Program" means an agency, organization, or
23  institution, or a unit of an agency, organization, or
24  institution, that provides directly or facilitates the
25  provision of vocational rehabilitation services as one of its
26  major functions.
27         (22)(20)  "Rehabilitation" means those events and
28  processes occurring after injury and progressing to ultimate
29  stabilization and maximum possible recovery.
30         (21)  "Rehabilitation center" means a division-approved
31  facility providing intermediate care that stresses
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  1  rehabilitation for persons who have brain or spinal cord
  2  injuries.
  3         (23)(22)  "Rehabilitation service" means any service,
  4  provided directly or indirectly through public or private
  5  agencies, found by the division to be necessary to enable a
  6  person who has a limiting disability to engage in competitive
  7  employment.
  8         (24)(23)  "Rules" means rules adopted made by the
  9  department and promulgated in the manner prescribed by law.
10         (24)  "Secretary" means the secretary of the Department
11  of Labor and Employment Security.
12         (25)  "State plan" means the state plan approved by the
13  Federal Government as qualifying for federal funds under the
14  Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. However, the term
15  "state plan," as used in ss. 413.39-413.401, means the State
16  Plan for Independent Living Rehabilitative Services under
17  Title VII(A) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
18         (26)  "Supported employment" means competitive work in
19  integrated working settings for persons who have severe
20  disabilities and for whom competitive employment has not
21  traditionally occurred or for whom competitive employment has
22  been interrupted or is intermittent as a result of a severe
23  disability. Persons who have severe disabilities requiring
24  supported employment need intensive supported employment
25  services or extended services in order to perform such work.
26         (27)  "Supported employment services" means ongoing
27  support services and other appropriate services needed to
28  support and maintain a person who has a severe disability in
29  supported employment. Supported employment services are based
30  upon a determination of the needs of the eligible individual
31  as specified in the person's individualized written
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  1  rehabilitation program. The services are provided singly or in
  2  combination and are organized and made available in such a way
  3  as to assist eligible individuals in entering or maintaining
  4  integrated, competitive employment. The services are provided
  5  for a period of time not to extend beyond 18 months, but can
  6  be extended under special circumstances with the consent of
  7  the individual to achieve the objectives of the rehabilitation
  8  plan.
  9         (28)  "Third-party coverage" means any claim for, right
10  to receive payment for or any coverage for, the payment of any
11  vocational rehabilitation and related services.
12         (29)  "Third-party payment" means any and all payments
13  received or due as a result of any third-party coverage.
14         (30)  "Transition services" means a coordinated set of
15  activities for a student, designed within an outcome-oriented
16  process, that promote movement from school to postschool
17  activities, including postsecondary education; vocational
18  training; integrated employment; including supported
19  employment; continuing and adult education; adult services;
20  independent living; or community participation. The
21  coordinated set of activities must be based upon the
22  individual student's needs, taking into account the student's
23  preferences and interests, and must include instruction,
24  community experiences, the development of employment and other
25  postschool adult living objectives, and, when appropriate,
26  acquisition of daily living skills and functional vocational
27  evaluation.
28         (31)  "Transitional living facility" means a
29  state-approved facility as defined and licensed pursuant to
30  chapter 400 and division-approved in accord with this part.
31
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  1         (32)  "Trauma center" means a state-approved acute care
  2  facility that provides diagnosis and treatment of persons who
  3  have brain or spinal cord injuries.
  4         (33)  "Traumatic injury" means:
  5         (a)  A lesion to the spinal cord or cauda equina with
  6  evidence of significant involvement of two of the following
  7  deficits or dysfunctions:
  8         1.  Motor deficit.
  9         2.  Sensory deficit.
10         3.  Bowel and bladder dysfunction; or
11         (b)  An insult to the skull, brain, or its covering,
12  resulting from external trauma which produces an altered state
13  of consciousness or anatomic motor, sensory, cognitive, or
14  behavioral deficits.
15         (32)(34)  "Vocational rehabilitation" and "vocational
16  rehabilitation services" mean any service, provided directly
17  or through public or private instrumentalities, to enable an
18  individual or group of individuals to achieve an employment
19  outcome, including, but not limited to, medical and vocational
20  diagnosis, an assessment for determining eligibility and
21  vocational rehabilitation needs by qualified personnel;
22  counseling, guidance, and work-related placement services;
23  vocational and other training services; physical and mental
24  restoration services; maintenance for additional costs
25  incurred while participating in rehabilitation; interpreter
26  services for individuals who are deaf; recruitment and
27  training services to provide new employment opportunities in
28  the fields of rehabilitation, health, welfare, public safety,
29  law enforcement, and other appropriate service employment;
30  occupational licenses; tools, equipment, and initial stocks
31  and supplies; transportation; telecommunications, sensory, and
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  1  other technological aids and devices; rehabilitation
  2  technology services; referral services designed to secure
  3  needed services from other agencies; transition services;
  4  on-the-job or other related personal assistance services; and
  5  supported employment services.
  6         (33)(35)  "Vocational rehabilitation and related
  7  services" means any services that are provided or paid for by
  8  the division.
  9         Section 7.  Section 413.201, Florida Statutes, is
10  created to read:
11         413.201  Designated state agency.--Effective on the
12  effective date of this act, for the purposes of effecting
13  compliance with the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
14  amended, the Department of Education is designated the
15  official state agency.
16         Section 8.  Section 413.202, Florida Statutes, is
17  created to read:
18         413.202  Designated administrative unit.--Effective on
19  the effective date of this act, for the purposes of effecting
20  compliance with the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as
21  amended, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is
22  designated as the administrative unit.
23         Section 9.  Section 413.203, Florida Statutes, is
24  created to read:
25         413.203  Conflict of laws.--It is the intent of the
26  Legislature that the provisions of this part not conflict with
27  any federal statute or implementing regulation governing
28  federal grant-in-aid programs administered by the Division of
29  Vocational Rehabilitation. Wherever such a conflict is
30  asserted by the applicable agency of the Federal Government,
31  the Department of Education shall submit to the United States
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  1  Department of Education, or other applicable federal agency, a
  2  request for a favorable policy interpretation of the
  3  conflicting portions.
  4         Section 10.  Section 413.206, Florida Statutes, is
  5  created to read:
  6         413.206  Five-year plan.--The division shall, by
  7  October 1, 2002, after identifying specific weaknesses in
  8  service capacity and program performance and after consulting
  9  with stakeholders, develop a 5-year plan that prioritizes any
10  additional initiatives for the provision of vocational
11  rehabilitation services, including privatization, according to
12  identified needs, and details the steps needed to effectively
13  implement those initiatives, consistent with federal
14  requirements. The plan shall provide that the division, to the
15  extent that it is cost-efficient and cost-effective and
16  increases employment outcomes for persons who have
17  disabilities, enter into local agreements or contracts with
18  community-based rehabilitation providers to be the service
19  providers for the vocational rehabilitation program, except
20  for those services and activities that are federally required.
21  The plan must ensure the full involvement of persons who have
22  disabilities in the comprehensive workforce development
23  system. The plan shall be submitted to the Governor, the
24  President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
25  Representatives.
26         (1)  The plan shall:
27         (a)  Promote innovative contracts that upgrade or
28  enhance direct services to persons who have a disability.
29  Contracts shall be evaluated with respect to need and cost and
30  shall be performance-based.
31
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  1         (b)  Include recommendations regarding specific
  2  performance standards and measurable outcomes and shall
  3  outline procedures for monitoring the implementation of the
  4  plan. The division shall annually report to the Governor, the
  5  President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
  6  Representatives the progress that has been made toward
  7  achieving the objectives set forth in the plan.
  8         (2)  The division shall work with the employer
  9  community to assist that community to better define, address,
10  and meet its business needs by employing qualified persons who
11  have a disability.
12         Section 11.  Section 413.207, Florida Statutes, is
13  created to read:
14         413.207  Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; quality
15  assurance.--The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation shall
16  maintain an internal system of quality assurance, have proven
17  functional systems, perform due diligence, review provider
18  systems of quality assurance, and be subject to monitoring for
19  compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and
20  regulations.
21         Section 12.  Section 413.208, Florida Statutes, is
22  created to read:
23         413.208  Service providers; quality assurance and
24  fitness for responsibilities.--The Division of Vocational
25  Rehabilitation shall certify providers of direct service and
26  ensure that they maintain an internal system of quality
27  assurance, have proven functional systems, and are subject to
28  a due-diligence inquiry as to their fitness to undertake
29  service responsibilities, regardless of whether a contract for
30  services is procured competitively or noncompetitively.
31
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  1         Section 13.  Subsection (4) of section 413.23, Florida
  2  Statutes, is amended to read:
  3         413.23  Administration.--The division shall provide
  4  vocational rehabilitation services to persons who have
  5  disabilities determined to be eligible therefor and, in
  6  carrying out the purposes of this part, is authorized, among
  7  other things:
  8         (4)  To prepare a federally required state plan for
  9  vocational rehabilitation, as required by the act. The state
10  plan must contain all of the elements required by s. 101 of
11  the act, including an assessment of the needs of persons who
12  have disabilities and how those needs may be most effectively
13  met. The division is authorized to make amendments to the
14  state plan considered necessary to maintain compliance with
15  the act and to implement such changes in order to qualify for
16  and maintain federal funding. After completion of the state
17  plan or making amendments to the state plan, the division must
18  distribute copies of the state plan to the Governor, the
19  President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
20  Representatives, and the United States Secretary of Education.
21         Section 14.  Subsections (1) and (9) and paragraphs (c)
22  and (e) of subsection (11) of section 413.395, Florida
23  Statutes, are amended to read:
24         413.395  Florida Independent Living Council.--
25         (1)  There is created the Florida Independent Living
26  Council to assist the division and the Division of Blind
27  Services of the Department of Education Labor and Employment
28  Security, as well as other state agencies and local planning
29  and administrative entities assisted under Title VII of the
30  act, in the expansion and development of statewide independent
31  living policies, programs, and concepts and to recommend
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  1  improvements for such programs and services. The council shall
  2  function independently of the division and, unless the council
  3  elects to incorporate as a not-for-profit corporation, is
  4  assigned to the division for administrative purposes only. The
  5  council may elect to be incorporated as a Florida corporation
  6  not for profit and, upon such election, shall be assisted in
  7  the incorporation by the division for the purposes stated in
  8  this section. The appointed members of the council may
  9  constitute the board of directors for the corporation.
10         (9)  The chairperson of the council shall also serve as
11  a member of the Florida Rehabilitation Advisory Council.
12         (11)  The council shall:
13         (c)  Coordinate activities with the Florida
14  Rehabilitation Advisory Council and other councils that
15  address the needs of specific disability populations and
16  issues under other federal law.
17         (e)  Submit to the Commissioner of the Federal
18  Rehabilitation Administration Services such periodic reports
19  as the commissioner may reasonably request and keep such
20  records, and afford access to such records, as the
21  commissioner finds necessary to verify such reports.
22         Section 15.  Section 413.401, Florida Statutes, is
23  amended to read:
24         413.401  Eligibility for independent living
25  services.--Independent living services may be provided to any
26  person who has a significant severe disability and for whom a
27  reasonable expectation exists that independent living services
28  will significantly assist the individual to improve her or his
29  ability to function independently within the family or
30  community, or to engage in or continue in employment, and to
31  be able to function independently.
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  1         Section 16.  Section 413.405, Florida Statutes, is
  2  amended to read:
  3         413.405  Florida Rehabilitation Advisory
  4  Council.--There is created the Florida Rehabilitation Advisory
  5  Council to assist the division in the planning and development
  6  of statewide rehabilitation programs and services, to
  7  recommend improvements to such programs and services, and to
  8  perform the functions listed in this section.
  9         (1)  The council shall be composed of:
10         (a)  At least one representative of the Independent
11  Living Council, which representative may be the chairperson or
12  other designee of the council.
13         (b)  At least one representative of a parent training
14  and information center established pursuant to s. 631(c)(9) of
15  the Individuals with Disabilities Act, 20 U.S.C. s.
16  1431(c)(9).
17         (c)  At least one representative of the client
18  assistance program established under s. 112 of the act.
19         (d)  At least one vocational rehabilitation counselor
20  who has knowledge of and experience in vocational
21  rehabilitation services, who shall serve as an ex officio,
22  nonvoting member of the council if the counselor is an
23  employee of the department.
24         (e)  At least one representative of community
25  rehabilitation program service providers.
26         (f)  At least four representatives of business,
27  industry, and labor.
28         (g)  Representatives of disability advocacy groups
29  representing a cross-section of:
30         1.  Persons who have physical, cognitive, sensory, or
31  mental disabilities.
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  1         2.  Parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or
  2  authorized representatives of persons who have disabilities
  3  and who find it difficult to or are unable due to their
  4  disabilities to represent themselves.
  5         (h)  Current or former applicants for, or recipients
  6  of, vocational rehabilitation services.
  7         (i)  The director of the division, who shall be an ex
  8  officio member of the council.
  9         (j)  At least one representative of the state
10  educational agency responsible for the public education of
11  students who have a disability and who are eligible to receive
12  vocational rehabilitation services and services under the
13  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
14         (k)  At least one representative of the board of
15  directors of Workforce Florida, Inc.
16         (2)  Other persons who have disabilities,
17  representatives of state and local government, employers,
18  community organizations, and members of the former
19  Occupational Access and Opportunity Commission may be
20  considered for council membership.
21         (3)(2)  Total membership on the council, excluding
22  including ex officio members, shall be no fewer than 15 and no
23  more than 25 not exceed 19 at any one time.
24         (4)(3)  Members of the council shall be appointed by
25  the Governor, who shall select members after soliciting
26  recommendations from representatives of organizations
27  representing a broad range of individuals who have
28  disabilities and organizations interested in those
29  individuals. In selecting members, the extent to which
30  minority populations are represented must be considered to the
31  greatest extent practicable.
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  1         (5)(4)  A majority of council members shall be persons
  2  who are:
  3         (a)  Individuals who have a physical or mental
  4  impairment that substantially limits one or more of the
  5  person's major life activities; who have a record of such an
  6  impairment; or who are regarded as having such an impairment
  7  disabilities described in s. 7(8)(B) of the act.
  8         (b)  Not employed by the division.
  9         (6)(5)  The council shall select a chairperson from
10  among the membership of the council.
11         (7)(6)  Each member of the council shall serve for a
12  term of not more than 3 years, except that:
13         (a)  A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring
14  prior to the expiration of the term for which a predecessor
15  was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such
16  term.
17         (b)  The terms of service of the members initially
18  appointed shall be, as specified by the Governor, for such
19  fewer number of years as will provide for the expiration of
20  terms on a staggered basis.
21
22  No member of the council may serve more than two consecutive
23  full terms.
24         (8)(7)  Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the
25  council shall be filled in the same manner as the original
26  appointment. A vacancy does not affect the power of the
27  remaining members to execute the duties of the council.
28         (9)(8)  In addition to the other functions specified in
29  this section, the council shall, after consulting with the
30  board of directors of Workforce Florida, Inc.:
31
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  1         (a)  Review, analyze, and advise the division regarding
  2  the performance of the responsibilities of the division under
  3  Title I of the act, particularly responsibilities relating to:
  4         1.  Eligibility, including order of selection.
  5         2.  The extent, scope, and effectiveness of services
  6  provided.
  7         3.  Functions performed by state agencies that affect
  8  or potentially affect the ability of individuals who have
  9  disabilities to achieve rehabilitation goals and objectives
10  under Title I.
11         (b)  In partnership with the division:
12         1.  Develop, agree to, and review state goals and
13  priorities in accordance with 34 C.F.R. 361.29(c); and
14         2.  Evaluate the effectiveness of the vocational
15  rehabilitation program and submit reports of progress to the
16  Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the
17  House of Representatives, and the United States Secretary of
18  Education in accordance with 34 C.F.R. 361.29(e).
19         (c)(b)  Advise the department and the division and, at
20  the discretion of the department or division, assist in the
21  preparation of applications, the state plan the strategic
22  plan, and amendments to the plan plans, applications, reports,
23  needs assessments, and evaluations required by Title I.
24         (d)(c)  To the extent feasible, conduct a review and
25  analysis of the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction
26  with:
27         1.  The functions performed by state agencies and other
28  public and private entities responsible for performing
29  functions for individuals who have disabilities.
30         2.  Vocational rehabilitation services:
31
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  1         a.  Provided or paid for from funds made available
  2  under the act or through other public or private sources.
  3         b.  Provided by state agencies and other public and
  4  private entities responsible for providing vocational
  5  rehabilitation services to individuals who have disabilities.
  6         (e)(d)  Prepare and submit an annual report on the
  7  status of vocational rehabilitation services in the state to
  8  the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the
  9  House of Representatives, and the United States Secretary of
10  Education and the Commissioner of the Rehabilitative Services
11  Administration, established under s. 702 of the act, and make
12  the report available to the public.
13         (f)(e)  Coordinate with other councils within Florida,
14  including the Independent Living Council, the advisory panel
15  established under s. 613(a)(12) of the Individuals with
16  Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. s. 1413(a)(12), the
17  State Planning Council described in s. 124 of the
18  Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act,
19  42 U.S.C. s. 6024, and the state mental health planning
20  council established under s. 1916(e) of the Public Health
21  Service Act, 42 U.S.C. s. 300x-4(e), and the board of
22  directors of Workforce Florida, Inc.
23         (g)(f)  Advise the department and division and provide
24  for coordination and the establishment of working
25  relationships among the department, the division, the
26  Independent Living Council, and centers for independent living
27  in the state.
28         (h)(g)  Perform such other functions as the council
29  determines to be appropriate that are comparable to functions
30  performed by the council.
31
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  1         (10)(9)(a)  The council shall prepare, in conjunction
  2  with the division, a plan for the provision of such resources,
  3  including at least four staff persons, as may be necessary to
  4  carry out the functions of the council. The resource plan
  5  shall, to the maximum extent possible, rely on the use of
  6  resources in existence during the period of implementation of
  7  the plan.
  8         (b)  If there is a disagreement between the council and
  9  the division in regard to the resources necessary to carry out
10  the functions of the council as set forth in this section, the
11  disagreement shall be resolved by the Governor.
12         (c)  The council shall, consistent with law, supervise
13  and evaluate such staff and other personnel as may be
14  necessary to carry out its functions.
15         (d)  While assisting the council in carrying out its
16  duties, staff and other personnel shall not be assigned duties
17  by the division or any other state agency or office that would
18  create a conflict of interest.
19         (11)(10)  The council shall convene at least four
20  meetings each year. These meetings shall occur in such places
21  as the council deems necessary to conduct council business.
22  The council may conduct such forums or hearings as the council
23  considers appropriate. The meetings, hearings, and forums
24  shall be publicly announced. The meetings shall be open and
25  accessible to the public unless there is a valid reason for an
26  executive session. The council shall make a report of each
27  meeting which shall include a record of its discussions and
28  recommendations, all of which reports shall be made available
29  to the public.
30         (12)(11)  The council shall reimburse members of the
31  council for reasonable and necessary expenses of attending
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  1  council meetings and performing council duties, including
  2  child care and personal assistance services, as provided in
  3  and subject to the requirements of s. 112.061. The council may
  4  pay reasonable compensation to a member of the council if such
  5  member is not employed or must forfeit wages from other
  6  employment for each day the member is engaged in performing
  7  the duties of the council.
  8         Section 17.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
  9  11.45, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
10         11.45  Definitions; duties; authorities; reports;
11  rules.--
12         (3)  AUTHORITY FOR AUDITS AND OTHER ENGAGEMENTS.--
13         (a)  The Auditor General may, pursuant to his or her
14  own authority, or at the direction of the Legislative Auditing
15  Committee, conduct audits or other engagements as determined
16  appropriate by the Auditor General of:
17         1.  The accounts and records of any governmental entity
18  created or established by law.
19         2.  The information technology programs, activities,
20  functions, or systems of any governmental entity created or
21  established by law.
22         3.  The accounts and records of any charter school
23  created or established by law.
24         4.  The accounts and records of any direct-support
25  organization or citizen support organization created or
26  established by law. The Auditor General is authorized to
27  require and receive any records from the direct-support
28  organization or citizen support organization, or from its
29  independent auditor.
30         5.  The public records associated with any
31  appropriation made by the General Appropriations Act to a
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  1  nongovernmental agency, corporation, or person. All records of
  2  a nongovernmental agency, corporation, or person with respect
  3  to the receipt and expenditure of such an appropriation shall
  4  be public records and shall be treated in the same manner as
  5  other public records are under general law.
  6         6.  State financial assistance provided to any nonstate
  7  entity.
  8         7.  The Tobacco Settlement Financing Corporation
  9  created pursuant to s. 215.56005.
10         8.  The Florida On-Line High School created pursuant to
11  s. 228.082.
12         9.  Any purchases of federal surplus lands for use as
13  sites for correctional facilities as described in s. 253.037.
14         10.  Enterprise Florida, Inc., including any of its
15  boards, advisory committees, or similar groups created by
16  Enterprise Florida, Inc., and programs.  The audit report may
17  not reveal the identity of any person who has anonymously made
18  a donation to Enterprise Florida, Inc., pursuant to this
19  subparagraph. The identity of a donor or prospective donor to
20  Enterprise Florida, Inc., who desires to remain anonymous and
21  all information identifying such donor or prospective donor
22  are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s.
23  119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Such
24  anonymity shall be maintained in the auditor's report.
25         11.  The Florida Development Finance Corporation or the
26  capital development board or the programs or entities created
27  by the board. The audit or report may not reveal the identity
28  of any person who has anonymously made a donation to the board
29  pursuant to this subparagraph. The identity of a donor or
30  prospective donor to the board who desires to remain anonymous
31  and all information identifying such donor or prospective
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  1  donor are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s.
  2  119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. Such
  3  anonymity shall be maintained in the auditor's report.
  4         12.  The records pertaining to the use of funds from
  5  voluntary contributions on a motor vehicle registration
  6  application or on a driver's license application authorized
  7  pursuant to ss. 320.023 and 322.081.
  8         13.  The records pertaining to the use of funds from
  9  the sale of specialty license plates described in chapter 320.
10         14.  The transportation corporations under contract
11  with the Department of Transportation that are acting on
12  behalf of the state to secure and obtain rights-of-way for
13  urgently needed transportation systems and to assist in the
14  planning and design of such systems pursuant to ss.
15  339.401-339.421.
16         15.  The acquisitions and divestitures related to the
17  Florida Communities Trust Program created pursuant to chapter
18  380.
19         16.  The Florida Water Pollution Control Financing
20  Corporation created pursuant to s. 403.1837.
21         17.  The Florida Partnership for School Readiness
22  created pursuant to s. 411.01.
23         18.  The Occupational Access and Opportunity Commission
24  created pursuant to s. 413.83.
25         18.19.  The Florida Special Disability Trust Fund
26  Financing Corporation created pursuant to s. 440.49.
27         19.20.  Workforce Florida, Inc., or the programs or
28  entities created by Workforce Florida, Inc., created pursuant
29  to s. 445.004.
30         20.21.  The corporation defined in s. 455.32 that is
31  under contract with the Department of Business and
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  1  Professional Regulation to provide administrative,
  2  investigative, examination, licensing, and prosecutorial
  3  support services in accordance with the provisions of s.
  4  455.32 and the practice act of the relevant profession.
  5         21.22.  The Florida Engineers Management Corporation
  6  created pursuant to chapter 471.
  7         22.23.  The Investment Fraud Restoration Financing
  8  Corporation created pursuant to chapter 517.
  9         23.24.  The books and records of any permitholder that
10  conducts race meetings or jai alai exhibitions under chapter
11  550.
12         24.25.  The corporation defined in part II of chapter
13  946, known as the Prison Rehabilitative Industries and
14  Diversified Enterprises, Inc., or PRIDE Enterprises.
15         Section 18.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) of section
16  90.6063, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
17         90.6063  Interpreter services for deaf persons.--
18         (5)  The appointing authority may channel requests for
19  qualified interpreters through:
20         (b)  The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Program
21  Office of the Department of Education Labor and Employment
22  Security; or
23         Section 19.  Section 215.311, Florida Statutes, is
24  amended to read:
25         215.311  State funds; exceptions.--The provisions of s.
26  215.31 shall not apply to funds collected by and under the
27  direction and supervision of the Division of Blind Services of
28  the Department of Education Labor and Employment Security as
29  provided under ss. 413.011, 413.041, and 413.051; however,
30  nothing in this section shall be construed to except from the
31
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  1  provisions of s. 215.31 any appropriations made by the state
  2  to the division.
  3         Section 20.  Subsection (5) of section 394.75, Florida
  4  Statutes, is amended to read:
  5         394.75  State and district substance abuse and mental
  6  health plans.--
  7         (5)  The district plan shall address how substance
  8  abuse and mental health services will be provided and how a
  9  system of care for target populations will be provided given
10  the resources available in the service district. The plan must
11  include provisions for maximizing client access to the most
12  recently developed psychiatric medications approved by the
13  United States Food and Drug Administration, for developing
14  independent housing units through participation in the Section
15  811 program operated by the United States Department of
16  Housing and Urban Development, for developing supported
17  employment services through the Division of Vocational
18  Rehabilitation of the Department of Education Labor and
19  Employment Security, for providing treatment services to
20  persons with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse
21  problems which are integrated across treatment systems, and
22  for providing services to adults who have a serious mental
23  illness, as defined in s. 394.67, and who reside in assisted
24  living facilities.
25         Section 21.  Subsection (2) of section 395.404, Florida
26  Statutes, is amended to read:
27         395.404  Review of trauma registry data;
28  confidentiality and limited release.--
29         (2)  Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 381.74, each
30  trauma center and acute care hospital shall submit severe
31  disability and head-injury registry data to the department as
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  1  provided by rule in lieu of submitting such registry
  2  information to the Department of Labor and Employment
  3  Security. Each trauma center and acute care hospital shall
  4  continue to provide initial notification of persons who have
  5  severe disabilities and head injuries to the Department of
  6  Health Labor and Employment Security within timeframes
  7  provided in chapter 413. Such initial notification shall be
  8  made in the manner prescribed by the Department of Health
  9  Labor and Employment Security for the purpose of providing
10  timely vocational rehabilitation services to the severely
11  disabled or head-injured person.
12         Section 22.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
13  410.0245, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
14         410.0245  Study of service needs; report; multiyear
15  plan.--
16         (1)(a)  The Adult Services Program Office of the
17  Department of Children and Family Services shall contract for
18  a study of the service needs of the 18-to-59-year-old disabled
19  adult population served or waiting to be served by the
20  community care for disabled adults program.  The Division of
21  Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Education Labor
22  and Employment Security and other appropriate state agencies
23  shall provide information to the Department of Children and
24  Family Services when requested for the purposes of this study.
25         Section 23.  Subsection (2) of section 410.604, Florida
26  Statutes, is amended to read:
27         410.604  Community care for disabled adults program;
28  powers and duties of the department.--
29         (2)  Any person who meets the definition of a disabled
30  adult pursuant to s. 410.603(2) is eligible to receive the
31  services of the community care for disabled adults program.
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  1  However, the community care for disabled adults program shall
  2  operate within the funds appropriated by the Legislature.
  3  Priority shall be given to disabled adults who are not
  4  eligible for comparable services in programs of or funded by
  5  the department or the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of
  6  the Department of Education Labor and Employment Security; who
  7  are determined to be at risk of institutionalization; and
  8  whose income is at or below the existing institutional care
  9  program eligibility standard.
10         Section 24.  Subsection (1) of section 413.034, Florida
11  Statutes, is amended to read:
12         413.034  Commission established; membership.--
13         (1)  There is created within the Department of
14  Management Services the Commission for Purchase from the Blind
15  or Other Severely Handicapped, to be composed of the secretary
16  of the Department of Management Services; the director of the
17  Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of
18  Education Labor and Employment Security, who shall be an ex
19  officio member with voting rights; the director of the
20  Division of Blind Services of the Department of Education
21  Labor and Employment Security; and four members to be
22  appointed by the Governor, which four members shall be an
23  executive director of a nonprofit agency for the blind, an
24  executive director of a nonprofit agency for other severely
25  handicapped persons, a representative of private enterprise,
26  and a representative of other political subdivisions. All
27  appointed members shall serve for terms of 4 years.  Appointed
28  commission members shall serve subject to confirmation by the
29  Senate.
30
31
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  1         Section 25.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) and
  2  subsection (3) of section 413.051, Florida Statutes, are
  3  amended to read:
  4         413.051  Eligible blind persons; operation of vending
  5  stands.--
  6         (2)  As used in this section:
  7         (a)  "Blind licensee" means any blind person trained
  8  and licensed by the Division of Blind Services of the
  9  Department of Education Labor and Employment Security to
10  operate a vending stand.
11         (3)  Blind licensees shall be given the first
12  opportunity to participate in the operation of vending stands
13  on all state properties acquired after July 1, 1979, when such
14  facilities are operated under the supervision of the Division
15  of Blind Services of the Department of Education Labor and
16  Employment Security.
17         Section 26.  Section 413.064, Florida Statutes, is
18  amended to read:
19         413.064  Rules.--The Department of Education Labor and
20  Employment Security shall adopt all necessary rules pertaining
21  to the conduct of a solicitation for the benefit of blind
22  persons, including criteria for approval of an application for
23  a permit for such solicitation.
24         Section 27.  Section 413.066, Florida Statutes, is
25  amended to read:
26         413.066  Revocation of permit.--Any failure on the part
27  of a person or organization holding a permit under the
28  provisions of ss. 413.061-413.068 to comply with the law or
29  with all rules promulgated by the Department of Education
30  Labor and Employment Security as authorized by s. 413.064
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  1  constitutes a ground for revocation of the permit by the
  2  Division of Blind Services.
  3         Section 28.  Section 413.067, Florida Statutes, is
  4  amended to read:
  5         413.067  Penalty.--Any person who violates the
  6  provisions of ss. 413.061-413.068 or any rule promulgated by
  7  the Department of Education Labor and Employment Security
  8  pursuant thereto commits a misdemeanor of the second degree,
  9  punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
10         Section 29.  Subsection (1) of section 413.091, Florida
11  Statutes, is amended to read:
12         413.091  Identification cards.--
13         (1)  The Division of Blind Services of the Department
14  of Education Labor and Employment Security is hereby empowered
15  to issue identification cards to persons known to be blind or
16  partially sighted, upon the written request of such
17  individual.
18         Section 30.  Subsection (1) of section 413.092, Florida
19  Statutes, is amended to read:
20         413.092  Blind Babies Program.--
21         (1)  The Blind Babies Program is created within the
22  Division of Blind Services of the Department of Education
23  Labor and Employment Security to provide community-based
24  early-intervention education to children from birth through 5
25  years of age who are blind or visually impaired, and to their
26  parents, families, and caregivers, through community-based
27  provider organizations. The division shall enlist parents,
28  ophthalmologists, pediatricians, schools, Infant and Toddlers
29  Early Intervention Programs, and therapists to help identify
30  and enroll blind and visually impaired children, as well as
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  1  their parents, families, and caregivers, in these educational
  2  programs.
  3         Section 31.  Subsection (1) of section 413.445, Florida
  4  Statutes, is amended to read:
  5         413.445  Recovery of third-party payments for
  6  vocational rehabilitation and related services.--
  7         (1)  As used in this section, "vocational
  8  rehabilitation and related services" means any services that
  9  which are provided or paid for by the Division of Vocational
10  Rehabilitation of the Department of Education Labor and
11  Employment Security.
12         Section 32.  Subsection (12) of section 413.615,
13  Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
14         413.615  Florida Endowment for Vocational
15  Rehabilitation.--
16         (12)  ANNUAL REPORT.--The board shall issue a report to
17  the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the
18  House of Representatives, and the Commissioner of Education
19  Secretary of Labor and Employment Security by February 1 each
20  year, summarizing the performance of the endowment fund for
21  the previous fiscal year, summarizing the foundation's
22  fundraising activities and performance, and detailing those
23  activities and programs supported by the endowment principal
24  or earnings on the endowment principal or by bequests, gifts,
25  grants, donations, and other valued goods and services
26  received.
27         Section 33.  Subsection (5) of section 944.012, Florida
28  Statutes, is amended to read:
29         944.012  Legislative intent.--The Legislature hereby
30  finds and declares that:
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  1         (5)  In order to make the correctional system an
  2  efficient and effective mechanism, the various agencies
  3  involved in the correctional process must coordinate their
  4  efforts.  Where possible, interagency offices should be
  5  physically located within major institutions and should
  6  include representatives of the Florida State Employment
  7  Service, the vocational rehabilitation programs of the
  8  Department of Education Labor and Employment Security, and the
  9  Parole Commission. Duplicative and unnecessary methods of
10  evaluating offenders must be eliminated and areas of
11  responsibility consolidated in order to more economically
12  utilize present scarce resources.
13         Section 34.  Before the 2005 Regular Session of the
14  Legislature, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and
15  Government Accountability shall conduct a review of and
16  prepare a report on the progress of the Division of Vocational
17  Rehabilitation of the Department of Education.
18         Section 35.  (1)  Part III of chapter 413, Florida
19  Statutes, consisting of sections 413.81, 413.82, 413.83,
20  413.84, 413.85, 413.86, 413.87, 413.88, 413.89, 413.90,
21  413.91, 413.92, and 413.93, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
22         (2)  Subsection (8) of section 445.024, Florida
23  Statutes, is repealed.
24         Section 36.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a
25  law.
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27
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