Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1330 By Senator Rodriguez 40-01494-26 20261330__ Page 1 of 5 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled 1

An act relating to disability awareness and inclusion 2 education; providing a

short title; creating s. 3 1003.4299, F.S.; providing legislative intent; 4 authorizing the Department of Education to create the 5 Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education Program; 6 providing the goals of the program; authorizing the 7 department, in consultation with certain advocates, 8 educators, and experts, to develop and make available 9 disability awareness instruction; specifying goals and 10 grade-level expectations; providing for phased 11 implementation of the program; authorizing the 12 department to provide professional development 13 opportunities; authorizing training sessions; 14 providing requirements for the training sessions; 15 authorizing the department to collaborate with 16 advocacy organizations and other entities; authorizing 17 the department to award grants, subject to legislative 18 appropriation; authorizing the department to provide 19 program guidelines to school districts by a specified 20 date; authorizing schools to collect and report 21 certain data to the department; providing an effective 22 date. 23 24 WHEREAS, approximately one in seven children in the United 25 States receives services under the Individuals with Disabilities 26 Education Act or

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 27 and 28 WHEREAS, students with disabilities are an integral part of 29

Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1330 40-01494-26 20261330__ Page 2 of 5 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. our school communities, yet many of their peers and educators 30 have limited opportunities to learn about disability awareness, 31 inclusion, and accessibility, and 32 WHEREAS, research demonstrates that early, age-appropriate 33 disability awareness education fosters empathy, reduces 34 bullying, and promotes acceptance and inclusion in school 35 environments, and 36 WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the importance of 37 providing students with knowledge and experiences that prepare 38 them to be compassionate, inclusive, and responsible citizens, 39 and 40 WHEREAS, schools play a vital role in promoting 41 understanding, respect, and positive attitudes toward people of 42 all abilities, thereby strengthening the social fabric of our 43 communities, NOW, THEREFORE, 44 45 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 46 47

Section 1. This act may be cited as the “Disability 48 Awareness and Inclusion Education Act.” 49

Section

Section 1003.4299, Florida Statutes, is created 50 to read: 51 1003.4299 Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education 52 Program.— 53

(1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.—It is the intent of the Legislature 54 to promote empathy, acceptance, and inclusion among all students 55 by integrating disability awareness education in this state’s K–56 12 public school curriculum. The Legislature finds that early 57 education about disabilities fosters compassion, reduces stigma, 58

Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1330 40-01494-26 20261330__ Page 3 of 5 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. and contributes to positive school climates. 59

(2) PROGRAM CREATION AND GOALS.— 60 (

a) The Department of Education may create the Disability 61 Awareness and Inclusion Education Program. 62 (

b) The Disability Awareness and Inclusion Education 63 Program shall: 64 1. Increase awareness of visible and invisible 65 disabilities; 66 2. Promote empathy through storytelling, simulations, and 67 interactive learning; 68 3. Encourage inclusion by reducing stigma and fostering 69 friendship and belonging; and 70 4. Inspire student advocacy and leadership to support peers 71 with disabilities. 72

(3) CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK.— 73 (

a) The department, in consultation with disability 74 advocates, educators, and subject-matter experts, may develop 75 and make available age-appropriate curriculum standards and 76 instructional materials for implementation in kindergarten 77 through grade 12. 78 (

b) Instruction may include: 79 1. For kindergarten through grade 5, at least one lesson 80 per month emphasizing kindness, empathy, and understanding of 81 disabilities through stories and simple activities. 82 2. For grades 6 through 8, at least two lessons per month 83 incorporating hands-on activities, such as simulations, as well 84 as group projects and lessons on accessibility and disability 85 history. 86 3. For grades 9 through 12, a 4- to 6-week annual program 87

Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1330 40-01494-26 20261330__ Page 4 of 5 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. addressing disability rights, advocacy, media representation, 88 and community service projects. 89

(4) IMPLEMENTATION AND TRAINING.— 90 (

a) The program may be implemented in three phases: 91 1. Phase 1 may include pilot implementation in selected 92 schools for one year. 93 2. Phase 2 may begin the second year of the program and 94 shall include districtwide expansion. 95 3. Phase 3 may begin the fourth year of the program and 96 include statewide expansion. 97 (

b) The department may provide guidance and professional 98 development opportunities for teachers and parents involved in 99 supporting disability awareness education. 100 (

c) Training sessions may be conducted at least twice per 101 year, either in person or virtually, and may include: 102 1. Evidence-based strategies to promote inclusion, empathy, 103 and understanding of disabilities; 104 2. Tools to support students with disabilities in academic 105 and social settings; and 106 3. Methods to enhance home–school collaboration and 107 reinforce inclusive practices across environments. 108

(5) COLLABORATION.—The department may collaborate with 109 disability advocacy organizations, parent training and 110 information centers, and universities with expertise in 111 inclusive education to develop, implement, and evaluate 112 curriculum and training materials. 113

(6) FUNDING.—Subject to legislative appropriation, the 114 department may award grants to school districts to support 115 implementation of this program, including the development of 116

Florida Senate - 2026 SB 1330 40-01494-26 20261330__ Page 5 of 5 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. instructional materials and professional development activities. 117

(7) IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE.—The department may establish 118 program guidelines and make them available to school districts 119 no later than January 1, 2027. 120

(8) PROGRAM EVALUATION.—Participating schools may collect 121 and report data to the department on student empathy surveys, 122 teacher and parent observations, and indicators of school 123 climate, including measures of inclusion and bullying. The 124 department may use this information to guide program improvement 125 and statewide rollout. 126

Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 127