AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
On December 1, 2012, the board of trustees of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) approved the final Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The release of DSM-5 will take place during the APA annual meeting in May 2013. Texas statute defines autism, but it currently refers to the fourth edition. S.B. 519 updates the definition to remain current with the most recent research and science.
As proposed, S.B. 519 amends current law relating to the definition of autism and other pervasive developmental disorders.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 114.002(1), Human Resources Code, to redefine "autism and other pervasive developmental disorders" to mean a subclass of mental disorders characterized by distortions in the development of multiple basic psychological functions that are involved in the development of social skills and language, as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), 5th Edition, rather than as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Edition.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2013.