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New Protections against Abusive Restraint and Seclusion of Students with Disabilities
This effort, sponsored by Senator Andy Gardiner and Representatives Dorothy Hukill and Marcelo Llorente, represents the Florida legislature’s first enactment of law that addresses widespread concern about the use of seclusion and restraint on students with disabilities in public school. HB 1073 has passed the House and Senate and heads…
Update on bills related to Background Screening (HB 7069/SB 1520)
These bills will increase criminal background screening requirements of employees who work with vulnerable adults and children. The House bill has been in messages to the Senate for some time and the Senate bill is on Special Order Calendar for Wednesday, 4/28/2010. These are priority bills for Disability Rights Florida…
Maryellen McDonald appointed as Director of Legal & Advocacy Services
Disability Rights Florida proudly announces the appointment of Maryellen McDonald as Director of Legal & Advocacy Services. Ms. McDonald joined the staff of Disability Rights Florida as Supervising Attorney in 2009, and she has been instrumental in proposing and implementing mechanisms within our service delivery system to more effectively provide…
Update on Bills related to School Restraint/Seclusion on Students with Disabilities SB 2118/HB 1073
These bills, sponsored by Senators Andy Gardiner and Representatives Dorothy Hukill and Marcelo Llorente, represent the Florida legislature’s first effort to enact law to address widespread concerns about the use of seclusion and restraint on students with disabilities in school. These bills require schools to prepare an incident report within…
Disability Rights Florida Supports Affordable Housing
On Wednesday, April 7, staff from Disability Rights Florida participated in the Sadowski Coalition rally on the steps of the old Capitol. As in prior years,, we are working with partners to support the creation of more housing options for persons with disabilities. Expanding housing options is an ongoing legislative…
SB 2118 Regarding Students with Disabilities/Seclusion/Restraint in Committee on Tuesday, March 23
Senate Bill 2118 , a priority bill for Disability Rights Florida, will be heard by the Senate Education PreK-12 Committee on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at 3:15 pm in Room 301 of the Senate Office Building. Introduced by Senator Andy Gardiner, the bill limits schools’ use of manual physical restraint…
Free Tax Preparation Clinic beginning March 3, 2010, at the Disability Rights Florida
Get free tax filing help through the IRS-sponsored Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs. Both programs can provide fast electronic tax filing. Community volunteers receive IRS-approved training to assist individuals with tax returns. Some VITA sites can help you open a bank account…
Limiting Restraint on Students with Disabilities
Orlando Sentinel urges lawmakers to protect children with disabilities from improper restraint and seclusion. Orlando Sentinel article
Students with Disabilities/Seclusion/Restraint (SB 2118) filed by Senator Andy Gardiner
Senator Andy Gardiner filed SB 2118, the Senate companion to Rep. Dorothy Hukill’s HB 81 on the same subject. Future updates on these bills will include notification regarding dates and times the bills are scheduled to be heard in the Florida House and Senate. For more information regarding Disability Rights…
2026 State Legislative Priorities
Disability Rights Florida is the state’s Congressionally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system benefiting Floridians with disabilities through the provision of free and confidential legal and advocacy services as authorized by law. Each year, our organization engages in legislative education and advocacy across a broad range of issues that are…