Missing persons with special needs statewide project.

(1) There is created a statewide project, to be known as “Project Leo,” through the centers for autism and related disabilities established under s. 1004.55. Each center that opts to join the project shall distribute personal devices to aid search-and-rescue efforts for persons with special needs in the case of elopement.

(2) Participants for the project shall be selected based on criteria developed by the respective center for autism and related disabilities based on the specific needs of the respective center’s service area counties prescribed under s. 1004.55. Criteria for participation in the project must include, at a minimum, the person’s risk of elopement. The qualifying participants shall be selected on a first-come, first-served basis by the respective centers to the extent of available funding within their existing resources. The project must be voluntary and free of charge to participants.

(3) Under the project, personal devices to aid search-and-rescue efforts shall be provided by the respective center to the sheriff’s offices of the participating counties. The devices shall be distributed to project participants by the county sheriff’s offices in conjunction with the respective center. The respective center shall fund any costs associated with monitoring the devices.

(4) The project shall operate to the extent of available funding within the respective center’s existing resources.