Florida Senate - 2025 CS for CS for SB 1800
By the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services;
the Committee on Health Policy; and Senator Calatayud
603-03438-25 20251800c2
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to Parkinson’s disease; creating s.
3 1004.4352, F.S.; providing a short title; providing
4 legislative findings; defining terms; establishing the
5 Consortium for Parkinson’s Disease Research within the
6 University of South Florida; establishing the
7 Parkinson’s Disease Research Board; providing for the
8 membership and duties of the board; requiring the
9 board to direct the operations of the consortium;
10 providing duties of the consortium director; providing
11 research requirements for the plan; requiring the
12 board to award funds to board members for certain
13 purposes; requiring the board to issue an annual
14 report to the Governor and Legislature by a specified
15 date; providing appropriations; providing an effective
16 date.
17
18 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
19
20 Section 1. Section 1004.4352, Florida Statutes, is created
21 to read:
22 1004.4352 Parkinson’s disease research.—
23 (1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the
24 “Parkinson’s Disease Research Act.”
25 (2) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.—The Legislature finds that:
26 (a) Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological
27 disorder affecting approximately one million Americans, with an
28 estimated 90,000 new diagnoses each year.
29 (b) Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease,
30 and innovative research is essential to advance therapies,
31 improve patient outcomes, and alleviate the burden of the
32 disease.
33 (3) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
34 (a) “Board” means the Parkinson’s Disease Research Board.
35 (b) “Consortium” means the Consortium for Parkinson’s
36 Disease Research.
37 (4) CONSORTIUM FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE RESEARCH.—
38 (a) There is established within the University of South
39 Florida the Consortium for Parkinson’s Disease Research which
40 shall be composed of public and private universities and
41 academic medical centers. The purpose of the consortium is to
42 conduct rigorous scientific research and disseminate such
43 research.
44 (b) The Parkinson’s Disease Research Board is established
45 to direct the operations of the consortium. The board shall be
46 composed of members representing each participating university
47 or academic medical center, appointed by the president or chief
48 executive officer, respectively, of each participating
49 university or academic medical center. Board members must,
50 collectively, have experience in a variety of scientific fields,
51 including, but not limited to, neurology, psychology, nutrition,
52 and genetics. Members shall be appointed to 4-year terms and may
53 be reappointed to serve additional terms. The chair shall be
54 elected by the board from among its members to serve a 2-year
55 term. The board shall meet at least semiannually at the call of
56 the chair or, in his or her absence or incapacity, the vice
57 chair. Four members constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the
58 members present is required for all actions of the board. The
59 board may prescribe, amend, and repeal a charter governing the
60 manner in which it conducts its business. Board members shall
61 serve without compensation, but are entitled to receive
62 reimbursement for travel expenses by the consortium or the
63 organization he or she represents in accordance with s. 112.061.
64 (c) The consortium shall be administered by a director, who
65 shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the board.
66 The director shall, subject to the approval of the board:
67 1. Propose a budget for the consortium.
68 2. Foster the collaboration of scientists, researchers, and
69 other appropriate personnel in accordance with the consortium’s
70 charter.
71 3. Engage individuals in public and private university and
72 academic medical center programs relevant to the consortium’s
73 work to participate in the consortium.
74 4. Identify and prioritize the research to be conducted by
75 the consortium.
76 5. Prepare a plan for Parkinson’s disease research for
77 submission to the board.
78 6. Apply for grants to obtain funding for research
79 conducted by the consortium.
80 7. Perform other duties as determined by the board.
81 (d) The board shall annually adopt a plan for Parkinson’s
82 disease research. The plan must organize a program of research
83 that contributes to the body of scientific knowledge on the
84 causes, mechanisms, and potential treatments for Parkinson’s
85 disease and the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease in first
86 responders. The board must award funds to members of the
87 consortium to perform research consistent with the plan.
88 (e) By October 15 of each year, the board shall issue a
89 report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
90 Speaker of the House of Representatives on research projects,
91 research findings, community outreach initiatives, and future
92 plans for the consortium.
93 Section 2. (1) Subject to appropriations from the General
94 Appropriations Act, 67 percent of funds appropriated are
95 directed to the University of South Florida for Parkinson’s
96 disease research including, but not limited to, identifying the
97 genetic origin of the disease and developing therapeutic
98 interventions to slow or stop the progression of the disease.
99 (2) Subject to appropriations from the General
100 Appropriations Act, 33 percent of funds appropriated are
101 directed to the University of South Florida for the Consortium
102 for Parkinson’s Disease Research.
103 Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.