HB 1296 -- Autism Spectrum Disorder

Sponsor:  Lampe

This bill changes the laws regarding the identification,
assessment, and education of children with autism spectrum
disorder.  In its main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Requires the state to provide early intervention services to
children with autism under Part C of the federal Individuals with
Disabilities Act, commonly known as the First Steps Program
(Section 160.900, RSMo);

(2)  Requires course work in teacher training programs to include
recognition of the characteristics and special needs of students
with disabilities or autism and students who are gifted (Section
161.099);

(3)  Defines "autism spectrum disorder" and adds the term to the
definition of "children with disabilities" (Section 162.675);

(4)  Adds consideration of children with autism to the duties of
state and area advisory committees on special education (Section
162.690);

(5)  Extends early childhood special education services to
children five years of age (Sections 162.700 and 178.693);

(6)  Allows schools to contract for services for children with
autism (Section 162.705);

(7)  Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education to produce and provide a comprehensive, easy-to-
understand guide to the individualized education plan process to
help parents effectively participate in admission, review, and
dismissal committee meetings.  A notice about the availability of
the guide must also be included in student handbooks and on
school web sites (Section 162.943);

(8)  Requires the Missouri Advisory Council of Certification for
Educators to make recommendations on training and best practices
for teachers of children with autism (Section 168.015);

(9)  Requires the department to appoint an autism ombudsman and
to develop best practice guidelines for the educational
assessment and interventions for handicapped children from three
to five years of age.  Regional professional development centers
must have an autism specialist available.  Early childhood
education centers will be established, subject to appropriations,
giving priority to regions where there are limited or nonexistent
resources and a significant need.  Children who are receiving
early childhood services on or after August 1, 2012, will be
monitored for educational outcomes until they complete third
grade (Section 178.692);

(10)  Adds standards for the identification, assessment, and
interventions for children with autism to the Parents as Teachers
Program (Section 178.695);

(11)  Establishes the Missouri Special Needs Identification and
Education Program which creates categorical funding for special
needs identification and education training for public school
educators and authorizes a tax credit for unreimbursed training
expenses that exceed the categorical funding.  All instructional
employees and parent educators for the Parents as Teachers
Program must be trained in autism early detection by July 1,
2012.  Instructional personnel for kindergarten through second
grade must complete training by July 1, 2014; instructional
personnel for the remaining grades, nurses, and counselors must
complete training by July 1, 2016 (Section 178.696); and

(12)  Establishes the Missouri Autism Spectrum Disorder
Commission within the Department of Mental Health which must
prepare and submit to the General Assembly for its review and
consideration a 10-year strategic plan by December 1, 2011, to
address the growing number of persons who need services for
autism spectrum disorder.  The composition of the 20-member
commission and the elements of the strategic plan are specified
in the bill (Section 633.205).

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:10 pm