| TO: | Honorable Patrick M. Rose, Chair, House Committee on Human Services |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB1217 by Shapiro (Relating to the creation of an autism program to provide services to children with autism spectrum disorder.), As Engrossed |
The bill would amend the Human Resources Code as it relates to the creation of an autism program to provide services to children with autism spectrum disorder.
The bill would require the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to provide services to children ages 3-8 that are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, to the extent that appropriated money is available. The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission would also be required to develop the autism program required by the bill, not later than January 1, 2010.
Since the provisions of the bill would codify the autism program already in existence at DARS, there would be no fiscal impact. Senate Bill 1, Eighty-first Legislature, Regular Session includes $3.3 million for fiscal year 2010 and $3.3 million for fiscal year 2011.
The bill would take effect immediately if it received a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house. If the bill does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, the bill would take effect September 1, 2009.
| Source Agencies: | 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 538 Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Department of
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, CL, SJ, LR
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