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Autism Series: California's Eight Autism-Related Bills

April 11, 2008
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As was mentioned in last week's article on World Autism Awareness Day, April 2 also marked the day that members of the California Legislature introduced a package of bills to support children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called autism a national public health crisis, and these bills reflect California's willingness to address the crisis despite current budget issues.

The Autism legislative package includes the following bills:

  • SB 1563 (Sen. Perata, D) to provide appropriate and equitable coverage for ASD by private health plans and insurers
  • SB 527 (Sen. Steinberg, D) to improve the early identification and intervention for young children with ASD
  • SB 1175 (Sen. Steinberg, D) to expand the housing and independent living opportunities for adults with ASD
  • SB 1475 (Sen. Tom Torlakson, D) to improve the coordination of ASD services and programs between regional centers and school districts for children from birth to age five.
  • SB 1364 (Sen. Gil Cedillo, D) to improve community awareness and outreach efforts on ASD by the California Department of Public Health
  • SB 1531 (Sen. Lou Correa, D) to improve the training and knowledge of ASD among law enforcement officers
  • AB 2303 (Assembly Speaker-Elect Karen Bass, D) to expand the credentials that would qualify teachers to educate students with ASD
  • AB 1872 (Asm. Joe Coto, D) to establish a state clearinghouse for the education of students with ASD.

The bills were inspired by a report issued by the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism, led by Sen. Darrell Steinberg, the chair, and Barbara Firestone, commission vice-chair and president & CEO of The Help Group. Commission participants included health experts, family members, business leaders and educators.

The report, entitled An Opportunity to Achieve Real Change for Californians with Autism Spectrum Disorders, was a result of Commission expertise as well as input from public hearings and town-hall meetings throughout California. "...the Commission's report and the autism legislative package provides a momentous step in forging new directions for real change," said Firestone. To learn more about the report click here.

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