A bill that expands early detection opportunities and boosts educational interventions for children with autism and their families—a major priority for Senate President Ben Albritton—was officially signed into law on Tuesday by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The legislation, which received widespread bipartisan support, marks a significant step forward for Florida families navigating the challenges of an autism diagnosis.
“Thank you Governor DeSantis for signing this comprehensive legislation into law. With this bill, Florida is offering new support from all angles, coordinating research and training, expanding early detection, and increasing education opportunities and other treatment that will help families navigate a diagnosis of Autism,” Ben Albritton, a Republican from Wauchula, said in a prepared statement.
“As always, parents are in control and equipped to make the best decisions to help children reach their full potential.”
The new law mandates the Florida Department of Health to extend the services provided under the Early Steps program. Previously, this program offered early intervention only until children turned three. Now, under the updated policy, those services will continue until a child’s fourth birthday, providing families with an additional year of critical support during a pivotal developmental window. This change could lead to significantly improved outcomes for many children who may need just a bit more time to receive effective early therapies.
The law also introduces two key education-related grant programs. One will fund specialized summer programs tailored for children with autism, allowing them to engage in enriching, structured activities year-round. The second grant program is designed to help fund charter schools that exclusively serve children on the autism spectrum. These schools are intended to provide individualized learning environments tailored to meet each child’s specific educational and developmental needs.
In addition to funding and programming changes, the legislation designates the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as the state’s central hub for autism-related services, research, and best practices. The center will not only coordinate statewide efforts but also oversee the distribution of grant funds aimed at establishing and supporting autism-specific charter schools. The grants will be awarded with a focus on underserved and rural areas, especially those with demonstrated success in launching and managing charter schools dedicated to autism education.
DeSantis signs autism package, reinforcing the state’s commitment to addressing the needs of the growing population of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and ensuring that families have access to early, continuous, and specialized care.
SB 112 earned the distinction of being the first bill passed by the Senate during the 2025 legislative session. According to Albritton, the law is a direct response to conversations he’s had with countless parents of children with autism over the course of his political career—many of whom voiced concerns about the lack of consistent, specialized services available across the state.
Bill sponsor Sen. Gayle Harrell in a prepared statement called the new law a “game changer.”
“Research is clear. Early detection and intervention services promote positive outcomes for infants, toddlers, and children with a disability or developmental delay,” Harrell said.
“This bill gives parents the opportunity to continue critical early intervention services provided through the Early Steps Program until their child turns four and begins receiving services at school. Additionally, by developing summer programs designed specifically for children with Autism, we can help parents find summer camps and other activities that can accommodate the specific needs of a child with autism, ensuring year-round continuity of care.”
The significance of this legislation is underscored by the growing prevalence of autism. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), defines autism spectrum disorder as a condition marked by persistent deficits in social interaction and communication, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 36 children aged eight in the U.S. was estimated to be diagnosed with autism as of 2020—a figure that has been steadily rising over the past decade.
While the new law outlines a broad policy framework for supporting children with autism and their families, it does not include a specific appropriation for funding these initiatives. The implementation of the programs and services outlined in the bill will rely on allocations from the upcoming 2025–26 state budget. However, with the Legislature currently deadlocked over broader fiscal issues, including state spending and proposed tax relief measures, the funding necessary to bring the law to life remains uncertain.
Despite these hurdles, advocates say the legislation is a long-awaited and much-needed recognition of the importance of early and continued intervention. If properly funded and implemented, they believe the new law could reshape the landscape of autism care and education across Florida, giving families the tools and resources they need to help their children thrive.
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