Rob Long delivers autism training mandate for teachers, backs firefighter benefits, PFAS safeguards

Public school educators will soon have an additional tool to improve how they teach students on the autism spectrum, thanks to legislation freshman Rep. Rob Long carried to passage this past Session.

The measure (HB 851), which passed unanimously in both chambers of the Legislature this month, mandates programming that is optional throughout most of the U.S.

It comes alongside other efforts Long successfully backed to support firefighter benefits and crack down on the use of harmful, water- and heat-resistant chemicals called PFAS.

HB 851 requires all 67 Florida School Districts to provide at least one annual autism-specific professional learning opportunity for all instructional personnel and school-based administrators, focused on evidence-based strategies to support students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Under federal law, all states in the U.S. must provide students with autism a free, appropriate public education through individualized programs and specialized services tailored to their needs.

A handful of states have gone further by expanding autism-related training requirements, but most still target specialized educators rather than all school staff.

Virginia, for example, requires training for certain personnel working directly with students, and last year passed legislation allowing school staff to pursue annual autism-focused training that counts toward licensure.

Texas offers incentives for teachers to complete such training, while California provides autism-focused endorsements typically geared toward special education teachers.

Florida’s approach is different, as it mandates universal, recurring training for all instructional personnel and school-based administrators, though it reflects a growing national trend toward expanding support for students with autism.

“For families navigating autism, the quality of teacher preparation can make an enormous difference in a child’s experience at school,” Long, a Delray Beach Democrat, said in a statement.

“This legislation will help educators that teach students with autism succeed in the classroom.”

HB 851 and its Senate analog (SB 206) by Stuart Republican Sen. Gayle Harrell is one of multiple autism-focused bills to pass this year.

Another bill (SB 418) by Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones and Tampa Republican Rep. Susan Valdés also passed with uniform support to establish a statewide “blue envelope” and optional card program to improve how law enforcement officers interact with people on the spectrum, complete with new police training requirements.

Last month, the House adopted a resolution (HR 8067) by Escambia County Republican Rep. Michelle Salzman recognizing April as “Autism Awareness Month.”

Long co-sponsored legislation (HB 4071) by Stuart Republican Rep. John Snyder to protect firefighters’ benefits and job security when they develop work-related health conditions, continuing efforts by Long’s late predecessor in House District 90, Rep. Joe Casello.

He also helped advance the “Joe Casello Act” (HB 1019) by Republican Reps. Bill Conerly of Lakewood Ranch and Omar Blanco of Miami, which will phase out firefighter foam containing PFAS, which are commonly known as “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to breaking down in the environment or the human body.

Long, a former member of the Palm Beach County Soil and Water Conservation District, had previously worked on the PFAS issue while serving on the Delray Beach Commission, which he left to succeed Casello. Last year, Delray Beach reached a $15 million settlement with PFAS manufacturers 3M and DuPont over the issue.

Long said he and Casello worked together for years to address the dangerous substances and mitigate their presence in Florida’s drinking water.

“Joe understood the science and the risks immediately. Seeing that work become law in his name is incredibly meaningful,” Long said. “Even in a challenging legislative environment, meaningful progress is still possible. I’m proud to have delivered results for Palm Beach County in my first Session.”