FL S1786

Increases maximum periodic payment award to parents/guardians from $100,000 to $250,000 effective January 1, 2021, with annual 3% increases thereafter, and requires retroactive payments to those who received awards before this date by July 1, 2021.

Increases death benefit from $10,000 to $50,000 and requires retroactive payments to families whose children died since program inception by July 1, 2021.

Expands compensable expenses to include up to $10,000 annual psychotherapeutic benefits for family members, lifetime transportation assistance for wheelchair accessibility, and up to $100,000 lifetime housing assistance.

Establishes ethics requirements including annual conflict-of-interest statements for all employees and board members, voting restrictions for board members with conflicts, and 2-year post-employment restriction on representing clients before the association.

Expands board from five to seven directors to include a parent/guardian representative and disability advocacy representative; subjects board meetings to public records and meetings laws; requires annual public reporting on compensation, expenses, and program statistics; and mandates Auditor General conduct operational audits every 3 years.