The bill amends Section 943.1727 of the Florida Statutes to enhance training for law enforcement officers regarding autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It defines key terms such as "agency" and "autism spectrum disorder," and shifts the responsibility for establishing training from the Department of Law Enforcement to the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission. The bill mandates that the commission develop a comprehensive training program that includes in-person and online instruction on various aspects of interacting with individuals with ASD, including techniques for interviewing, recognizing agency, de-escalating situations, and understanding the impact of interactions on individuals with ASD.

Additionally, the bill specifies that all recruits must complete this training as part of their basic training, with deadlines set for the incorporation of this training into basic skills courses by July 1, 2027, and for all law enforcement officers to complete the training by July 1, 2028. If an officer fails to complete the required training, their certification will be placed on inactive status until they fulfill the training requirements. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1273 Filed: 943.1727