Florida Senate - 2021                                    SB 1686
       
       
        
       By Senator Torres
       
       
       
       
       
       15-01815-21                                           20211686__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the definition of developmental
    3         disability; providing a short title; amending s.
    4         393.063, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
    5         “developmental disability”; providing an effective
    6         date.
    7          
    8  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
    9  
   10         Section 1. This act may be cited as “Diana’s Law.”
   11         Section 2. Subsection (12) of section 393.063, Florida
   12  Statutes, is amended to read:
   13         393.063 Definitions.—For the purposes of this chapter, the
   14  term:
   15         (12) “Developmental disability” means a severe, chronic
   16  disability of an individual that:
   17         (a) Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or
   18  combination of mental and physical impairments.
   19         (b) Is manifested before the individual attains 22 years of
   20  age.
   21         (c) Is likely to continue indefinitely.
   22         (d) Results in substantial functional limitations in three
   23  or more of the following areas of major life activity:
   24         1. Self-care.
   25         2. Receptive and expressive language.
   26         3. Learning.
   27         4. Mobility.
   28         5. Self-direction.
   29         6. Capacity for independent living.
   30         7. Economic self-sufficiency.
   31         (e) Reflects the individual’s need for a combination and
   32  sequence of special, interdisciplinary or generic services,
   33  individualized supports, or other forms of assistance which are
   34  of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned
   35  and coordinated.
   36  
   37  An individual from birth to age 9 years who has a substantial
   38  developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired condition
   39  may be considered to have a developmental disability without
   40  meeting three or more of the criteria described in paragraphs
   41  (a)-(e), if the individual, without services and supports, has a
   42  high probability of meeting such criteria later in life disorder
   43  or syndrome that is attributable to intellectual disability,
   44  cerebral palsy, autism, spina bifida, Down syndrome, Phelan
   45  McDermid syndrome, or Prader-Willi syndrome; that manifests
   46  before the age of 18; and that constitutes a substantial
   47  handicap that can reasonably be expected to continue
   48  indefinitely.
   49         Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.