Lawmakers seek 'Carl's Law' label to honor autistic man who authorities say was followed, killed

State legislators have drafted legislation to rename part of Florida's laws after Carl Starke, an autistic man who authorities say was killed and found dead near his St. Augustine home.

Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Cyndi Stevenson drafted the legislation that would rename a section of Florida law as Carl's Law, according to a news release from a Hutson legislative aide. The section of law that would be renamed covers penalties for crimes against people with disabilities. The draft legislation does not create any new laws.

"Substantially, this proposal does not add or remove anything from Florida Statute," Hutson said in the news release. "I am not typically a fan of naming or renaming laws; however, after speaking with Carl's family, I feel that this is a chance to memorialize Carl and promote awareness and prevention for those who target adults with disabilities."

Starke was found by a resident of Vista Cove Condominiums, where he lived, in the parking lot, St. Augustine Police Department spokesman Mark Samson said previously. Two teenagers from Jacksonville have been charged in his death. St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar said the teens were casing the Wal-Mart parking lot for cars to steal and followed Starke.

Starke, who was 36, is survived by his mother, father and stepmother, two sisters, a brother and other family members.

"In the wake of the loss of our beloved Carl, who was a son, brother, and friend, we want to thank Sen. Hutson for his remembrance of Carl through legislative action," said Carli Durden, Carl's sister, in the release. "Carl was a gift to our family and this bill helps to memorialize him and his place in our community. "

The 2016 Legislative Session begins Jan. 12, according to the release.