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HB1405

Project Leo: Devices for Missing Persons with Special Needs

Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 10:35 AM

In one sentence

This law restarts a statewide program that provides personal tracking devices to help find people at risk of wandering away, funded by $1 million in state money.

Revives and updates the 'Project Leo' program through centers for autism and related disabilities.
Provides personal devices to aid search-and-rescue efforts when participants wander or elope.
Requires that participation is voluntary, free of charge, and based on criteria including risk of elopement.
Selects qualifying participants first-come, first-served until available funding runs out.
Appropriates $250,000 in nonrecurring funds to each of four university centers for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

People with special needs who are at risk of elopement.
Centers for Autism and Related Disabilities at University of Florida, Florida Atlantic University, University of South Florida, and Florida State University.
County sheriff's offices that receive devices from the centers to distribute to participants.

The program operates only to the extent of available funding within each center's existing resources.
Participants are selected on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out.
Each center develops its own specific selection criteria based on the needs of its service area counties.

Plain language

Elopement: When a person with special needs wanders away without permission, requiring search-and-rescue efforts.
Nonrecurring funds: Money given for one time only in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, not guaranteed for future years.

Official record

Source attached

Statewide Project for Missing Persons with Special Needs

Official activity