Florida Senate - 2026 SB 562 By Senator Garcia 36-00599-26 2026562__ Page 1 of 5 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled 1

An act relating to the communication rights of 2 individuals with disabilities; creating s. 393.0665, 3 F.S.; defining terms; providing that individuals with 4 a disability have the right to communicate in their 5 preferred manner; prohibiting state agencies, schools, 6 and health care providers from restricting or denying 7 such individuals access to their preferred alternative 8 communication method; specifying alternative 9 communication methods recognized under the act; 10 specifying rights that individuals with disabilities 11 have with respect to their communication needs; 12 requiring the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to 13 adopt rules and develop certain training; providing 14 requirements for the training; establishing the 15 Communication Rights Advisory Board within the agency 16 for a specified purpose; providing for membership and 17 duties of the board; providing for future repeal of 18 the board; requiring the agency to adopt procedures 19 for reporting violations of specified provisions; 20 providing for administrative penalties; providing an 21 effective date. 22 23 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 24 25

Section

Section 393.0665, Florida Statutes, is created 26 to read: 27 393.0665 Communication Bill of Rights for Individuals with 28 Disabilities.— 29

Florida Senate - 2026 SB 562 36-00599-26 2026562__ Page 2 of 5 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.

(1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term: 30 (a) “Alternative communication method” means a 31 communication technique or device that is evidence-based or 32 recognized by relevant professional organizations, including, 33 but not limited to, the American Speech-Language-Hearing 34 Association, and that allows an individual with a disability to 35 communicate independently without improper influence. 36 (b) “Health care provider” means any facility licensed 37 under this

chapter or a provider as defined in s. 408.803. 38 (c) “Individual with a disability” means a person with a 39 developmental disability as defined in s. 393.063; a physical or 40 mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major 41 life activities; or any other disability as defined under state 42 or federal law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. 43 (d) “School” means any child care, early education, 44 elementary, secondary, or postsecondary educational setting. 45 (e) “State agency” means a separate agency or unit of state 46 government created or established by law and any entity under 47 the control of or established for the benefit of a state agency. 48

(2) COMMUNICATION RIGHTS.— 49 (

a) An individual with a disability has the right to 50 communicate in his or her preferred manner. A state agency, a 51 school, or a health care provider in this state may not restrict 52 or deny an individual with a disability access to his or her 53 preferred alternative communication method. 54 (

b) Alternative communication methods recognized under this 55

section include, but are not limited to, all of the following: 56 1. Augmentative and alternative communication devices. 57 2. Letterboards and typing-based communication. 58

Florida Senate - 2026 SB 562 36-00599-26 2026562__ Page 3 of 5 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. 3. Sign language and nonverbal gestural systems. 59 4. Speech-generating devices or other assistive 60 technologies. 61 (

c) Individuals with disabilities have the right to: 62 1. Have their preferred alternative communication method 63 recognized and supported in educational, health, and public 64 settings. 65 2. Access needed speech-language therapy and communication 66 support from licensed professionals without arbitrary 67 restrictions. 68 3. Have reasonable access to trained staff in public 69 facilities or programs to support their specialized 70 communication needs. 71 4. Receive communication support from trained staff, 72 including agency staff, direct-support professionals, educators, 73 and health care providers. 74 5.

Be free from bans or restrictions on their preferred 75 alternative communication methods. 76

(3) AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.— 77 (

a) The agency shall adopt rules to implement this section, 78 including a statement of rights and the obligations of staff and 79 providers required to observe the communication rights of 80 individuals with disabilities under this section. 81 (

b) The agency shall develop training programs for direct-82 support professionals, educators, and health care staff. The 83 training must include, but need not be limited to, instruction 84 on all of the following: 85 1. Communication accommodations and alternative 86 communication methods. 87

Florida Senate - 2026 SB 562 36-00599-26 2026562__ Page 4 of 5 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. 2. The requirements of this section, including supporting 88 an individual’s preferred alternative communication method 89 unless another method is agreed upon by the individual or his or 90 her legal guardian. 91

(4) COMMUNICATION RIGHTS ADVISORY BOARD.—The Communication 92 Rights Advisory Board is created within the agency to advise the 93 agency on matters relating to individuals with disabilities. 94 (

a) The board shall be composed of 15 members, at least 7 95 of whom must be individuals with disabilities or family members 96 or guardians of individuals with disabilities and the remainder 97 of whom must be either professionals who, in the course of their 98 respective professions, treat or serve individuals with 99 disabilities or representatives of disability advocacy 100 organizations. Board members shall be appointed as follows: 101 1. Three members appointed by the Governor. 102 2. Three members appointed by the President of the Senate. 103 3.

Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of 104 Representatives. 105 4. Three members appointed by the Minority Leader of the 106 Senate. 107 5. Three members appointed by the Minority Leader of the 108 House of Representatives. 109 (

b) The board shall do all of the following: 110 1. Advise the agency on the implementation of this section. 111 2. Review policies and practices to ensure compliance with 112 communication rights enumerated under this section. 113 3. Submit an annual report to the Governor, the President 114 of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 115 (

c) In accordance with s. 20.052(8), this subsection is 116

Florida Senate - 2026 SB 562 36-00599-26 2026562__ Page 5 of 5 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. repealed October 2, 2029, unless reviewed and saved from repeal 117 through reenactment by the Legislature. 118

(5) ENFORCEMENT.— 119 (

a) The agency shall establish procedures for individuals 120 with disabilities or their representatives to report violations 121 of this section. 122 (

b) Violations of this

section are subject to a civil 123 penalty of $500 per violation in addition to any other 124 administrative action imposed in accordance with s. 393.0673 or 125 s. 408.813, as applicable, for such violation. 126

Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 127