FL S1368

Authorizes parents to request and receive permission for their child to be absent from school for appointments to receive therapy or medical treatment for autism spectrum disorder provided by a licensed health care practitioner, including applied behavioral analysis, speech therapy, and occupational therapy.

Requires each district school board to adopt policies that allow student absences for autism spectrum disorder treatment in addition to existing religious instruction and holiday absences.

Expands the parental non-responsibility exemption for school nonattendance to include written statements from licensed health care practitioners treating autism spectrum disorder, in addition to licensed physicians.

Eliminates the option for receiving school districts to decline providing or contracting for educational instruction for exceptional students placed in private residential care facilities; requires the receiving school district to provide or contract for educational services.

Takes effect July 1, 2017.