FL S0500

Establishes the "Spectrum Alert" system in Florida to locate missing children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), citing that children with ASD wander from safe environments at higher rates than peers, with drowning as their leading cause of death nationally and Florida ranking fifth in such incidents

Requires the Department of Law Enforcement, in cooperation with the Departments of Transportation, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Lottery, and local law enforcement agencies, to establish and implement the Spectrum Alert by July 1, 2026

Mandates development of a crisis intervention training program to equip law enforcement officers with skills to understand ASD, de-escalate interactions with children in crisis, and respond effectively to missing child emergencies involving ASD

Requires law enforcement agencies receiving a missing ASD child report to immediately contact area media outlets, inform all on-duty officers, and communicate the report to law enforcement agencies in surrounding counties

Appropriates $190,000 in nonrecurring funds from the Department of Law Enforcement's Operating Trust Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to implement the Spectrum Alert