HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/HB 733 Registry of Persons with Special Needs
SPONSOR(S): Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee, Plasencia and others
TIED BILLS: HB 735 IDEN./SIM. BILLS:
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee 14 Y, 1 N, As CS Guzzo Brazzell
2) Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations 13 Y, 0 N Hicks Davis
Subcommittee
3) Health & Human Services Committee Guzzo Calamas
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Many behaviors associated with autism, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related disorders can
increase a person’s chances of interacting with law enforcement because those behaviors are similar to
behaviors typically associated with criminals. These include things such as the inability to follow instructions,
acting out, inappropriate verbal statements, or other actions that may be mistakenly perceived as an indication
of hostility, criminal intent, or alcohol or drug intoxication.
Current law allows individuals to voluntarily request a designation of “D” on their driver licenses if they have a
developmental disability, including but not limited to autism, to indicate that they have a developmental
disability.
The bill revises driver license and identification card statutes to allow law enforcement to be better able to
identify an individual as having a developmental disability or Alzheimer’s disease prior to interacting with the
individual.
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to:
 Share the information contained on the driver license or identification card of an individual who requests
to have a “D” on their identification card or driver license with the Driver and Vehicle Information
Database (DAVID) and the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) system, and
 Allow an individual with Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related disorder to have an “AD” identifier
on their identification card and/or driver license and requires the information to be shared with DAVID
and the FCIC system.
As a result, for individuals who have voluntarily provided this information when applying for or renewing a
driver license or identification card, law enforcement will know if an individual has a developmental disability or
Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related disorder before interacting with the individual during a traffic stop or
when they are dispatched to an incident in which they know the individual’s name prior to interaction.
The bill has an unknown, but likely insignificant negative fiscal impact on the DHSMV for programming costs
associated with updating data systems and printers, which can be absorbed within existing resources.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2022.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
STORAGE NAME: h0733c.HHS
DATE: 2/21/2022
 FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Background
Developmental Disabilities
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities serves more than 58,000 Floridians with developmental
disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome,
Prader-Willi syndrome, and Phelan-McDermid syndrome.1
 Cerebral palsy is a group of disabling symptoms of extended duration, which results from
damage to the developing brain that may occur before, during, or after birth and that results in
the loss or impairment of control over voluntary muscles. 2
 Spina bifida is a birth defect in the vertebral column in which part of the spinal cord, which is
normally protected within the vertebral column, is exposed. Spina bifida is caused by the failure
of the neural tube to close during embryonic development. The neural tube is the embryonic
structure that gives rise to the brain and spinal cord. People with spina bifida can have difficulty
with bladder and bowel incontinence, cognitive (learning) problems, and limited mobility. 3
 Intellectual disability means significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning existing
concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior. An individual with an intellectual disability has
certain limitations in both mental functioning and in adaptive skills such as communicating, self-
care, and social skills. These limitations will cause a person to learn and develop more slowly.
People with intellectual disabilities may take longer to learn to speak, walk, and take care of
their personal needs such as dressing or eating. 4
 Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra
genetic material from chromosome 21. This genetic disorder, also known as trisomy 21, varies
in severity, causes lifelong intellectual disability and developmental delays, and, in some
people, causes health problems.5
 Prader-Willi syndrome is a complex genetic condition that affects many parts of the body. In
infancy, this condition is characterized by weak muscle tone, feeding difficulties, poor growth,
and delayed development. Beginning in childhood, affected individuals develop an insatiable
appetite and chronic overeating. As a result, most experience rapid weight gain leading to
obesity. People with Prader-Willi syndrome typically have an intellectual disability or a learning
disability and behavioral problems.6
 Phelan-McDermid syndrome is a rare condition due to a chromosomal abnormality. Symptoms
vary in range and severity but often include low muscle tone, difficulty moving, absent-to-
severely delayed speech, autistic features, moderate-to-profound intellectual disability, and
epilepsy.7
Autism
1 Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Long-Range Program Plan (2021), available at
http://floridafiscalportal.state.fl.us/Document.aspx?ID=23172&DocType=PDF (last accessed January 23, 2022).
2 Id.
3 Id.
4 Id.
5 Id.
6 Id.
7 Id.
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 Autism is a pervasive, neurologically-based developmental disability of extended duration that has
onset during infancy or childhood, which causes severe learning, communication, and behavioral
disorders.8 Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes autism, Asperger’s syndrome, and any other
pervasive developmental disorder.9 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates
that approximately one in 44 children has ASD.10 The CDC also estimates that over 5.4 million adults
have ASD.11
Interactions with Law Enforcement
A person’s developmental disability may make interactions with law enforcement more challenging.
For example, identifying a person with ASD can be confusing to any person unfamiliar with the
condition, including law enforcement.12 Law enforcement can mistake the signs of autism with
behaviors typically associated with those of criminals. 13 Common attributes of autism are
communication differences and behaviors or thinking that are repetitive or restricted to an area of
interest. These traits could be interpreted by law enforcement as not being compliant with questioning
or direct instructions. A characteristic of ASD known as escalation poses a particular problem in
encounters with law enforcement.14 Escalation describes the response of a person with ASD under
stress or in an unfamiliar situation. Overwhelmed by the barrage of sensory information, a person with
ASD may attempt to flee the uncomfortable situation, become combative, or simply shut down. The
individual may cover his or her ears and shriek, not knowing how or where to get help. 15 The presence
of police lights and sirens, uniforms, loud and unfamiliar voices, or barking dogs often makes a difficult
situation worse by contributing to the individual's sensory overload.16
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia, a general term for memory loss, in which dementia
symptoms worsen gradually over time. It is a progressive brain disorder that damages and eventually
destroys brain cells, leading to memory loss and changes in the functions of the brain. Alzheimer’s
disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease,
memory loss is mild; in late-stages, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond
to their environment. Currently, the disease has no cure, but treatment can temporarily slow the
worsening of symptoms.17
Florida has an increasing number of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. An estimated 580,000
Floridians have Alzheimer’s disease.18 The projected number of Floridians with Alzheimer’s disease is
estimated to increase by 24 percent to 720,000 individuals by 2025.19
Interactions with Law Enforcement
8 S. 393.063(5), F.S.
9 S. 627.6686(2)(b), F.S.
10
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Data & Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder, available at
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html (last accessed January 22, 2022).
11 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Key Findings: CDC Releases First Estimates of the Numb er of Adults Living with Autism
Spectrum Disorder in the United States, available at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/features/adults-living-with-autism-spectrum-
disorder.html (last accessed January 22, 2022).
12
Bernard J. Farber, Police Interaction With Autistic Persons: The Need For Training, Aele Monthly Law Journal, 101, 102 (2009),
available at https://www.aele.org/law/2009all07/2009-07MLJ101.pdf (last accessed January 22, 2022).
13 Lambert, Randy (2018) "How Changing the Wes Kleinert Fair Interview Act and Estab lishing Law Enforcement Academy Training
Standards Will Help the Autism Community," Child and Family Law Journal: Vol. 6 : Iss. 1 , Article 3,
available at: https://lawpublications.barry.edu/cflj/vol6/iss1/3 (last accessed January 22, 2022).
14 Supra at note 8.
15 Id.
16 Id.
17 Alzheimer’s Association, 2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, available at
https://www.alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf (last accessed January 20, 2022).
18 Florida Department of Elder Affairs, 2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Advisory Committee Annual Report, available at
https://elderaffairs.org/wp-content/uploads/ADAC-Report-2021_FINAL.pdf (last accessed January 20, 2022).
19 Id.
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 Many behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia tend to increase a person’s chance
of interacting with law enforcement. Because these individuals are often unable to explain their unusual
behavior, their actions are more easily misunderstood.20 Common instances that can cause someone
with Alzheimer’s disease to interact with law enforcement include wandering, auto accidents, erratic
driving, accidental breaking and entering due to confusion, and unintentional shoplifting.21
Driver Licenses and Identification Cards
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) provides services by
partnering with county tax collectors and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to promote
a safe driving environment.22 DHSMV is responsible for enforcing laws relating to driver licenses and
identification cards.23 DHSMV is required to contract with county tax collectors who issue driver
licenses and identification cards.24
Disability Designations
Any person who is five years of age or older, or any person who has a disability and who applies for a
disabled parking permit (regardless of age), may obtain an identification card upon completion of an
application and payment of an application fee.25 Current law authorizes, but does not require, an
individual with a developmental disability26 to get a “D” placed on that individual’s driver license or
identification card.27 A request for the “D” designation may be made by the individual with a
developmental disability, or by a parent or guardian of a child or ward who has a developmental
disability. To receive the “D” designation, an individual with a developmental disability is required to pay
a $1 fee and submit proof of a developmental disability diagnosis by a licensed physician.28
Driver and Vehicle Information Database
The Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID) at the DHSMV provides easy-to-use, secure
web-based access to driver license identity information, driver license transactions, driver license
records, and vehicle titles and registrations. In order for an agency to gain access to the information in
DAVID, DHSMV and the requesting agency must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The MOU establishes the purposes for and conditions of electronic access to DAVID. DAVID may only
be used by law enforcement for official law enforcement purposes such as traffic stops, investigations,
missing persons, automobile crashes, and natural disasters.
20
Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Disease Guide for Law Enforcement, available at
https://www.alz.org/national/documents/safereturn_lawenforcement.pdf (last accessed January 22, 2022).
21 Id.
22 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Statement of Agency Organization and Operation, available at
https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/department/orgstatement.pdf (last accessed January 22, 2022).
23 Ss. 322.02(2), F.S., 322.14, F.S., and 322.051, F.S.
24 S. 322.02(1), F.S.
25 S. 322.051(1), F.S.
26 S. 393.063(12), F.S., defines “development disability” as a disorder or syndrome that is attributable to intellectual disability, cerebral
palsy, autism, spina bifida, Down syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, or Prader-Willi syndrome; that manifests before the age of
18; and that constitutes a substantial handicap that can reasonably be expected to continue inde finitely.
27 Ss. 322.14(1)(f), F.S., and 322.051(8)(e), F.S.
28 Id.
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 Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) System
The FCIC system is a database that provides criminal justice agencies with access to federal and state
criminal justice information. The FCIC system is used for rapid communications such as:
 Be On the Look Out (BOLO) notices, used to notify the public and law enforcement when
assistance is needed finding a suspect; and
 All Points Bulletins (APB), used as broadcast alerts from one police station to all others in a
particular area or state with instructions to arrest a suspect.
Additionally, the FCIC system connects with DHSMV and the National Crime Information Center
(NCIC).
Effect of the Bill
The bill revises driver license and identification card statutes to allow law enforcement to be able to
identify an individual as having a developmental disability or Alzheimer’s disease prior to interacting
with the individual, if the individual has voluntarily provided this information when applying for or
renewing a driver license or identification card.
The bill requires DHSMV to share with law enforcement the information contained on the driver license
or identification card of an individual who requests to have a “D” designation on their identification card
or driver license through DAVID and the FCIC system.
The bill also allows an individual with Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related disorder to have an
“AD” identifier on their identification card or driver license, and requires the information to be shared
with law enforcement through DAVID and the FCIC system. A request for the “AD” designation may be
made by the individual with Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related disorder, or by a legal guardian
or immediate family member29 of an individual with Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related disorder.
As a result, for individuals voluntarily providing information regarding their developmental disability or
that they have Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related disorder, law enforcement will know if an
individual has a developmental disability or Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related disorder before
interacting with the individual during a traffic stop or when they are dispatched to an incident in which
they know the individual’s name prior to interaction.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2022.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Amends s. 322.051, F.S., relating to identification cards.
Section 2: Amends s. 322.14, F.S., relating to licenses issued to drivers.
Section 3: Provides an effective date of July 1, 2022.
29“Im