Legislation Sought to Pave Way for Florida Neighborhoods for those with Special Needs

The St. Petersburg Times reports that Florida State Representative Kelli Stargel (Rep.) has introduced legislation that would allow local governments to permit the construction of group homes for the disabled within 1000 feet of each other.  Current state statutory law prohibiting these facilities within close proximity reportedly was prompted by the concern that “homes catering to addicts and the developmentally delayed would drive down property values.”   But some parents of developmentally disabled children are lobbying Florida lawmakers for “a cluster of communities catering to those with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other disabilities.”

JRB