HCS SCS SB 157 -- AUTISM

SPONSOR:  Schmitt (Scharnhorst)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Health Care Policy by a vote of 10 to 0.

This substitute requires the Division of Developmental
Disabilities within the Department of Mental Health to establish
programs and services for individuals diagnosed with autism in
conjunction with the families of persons with autism, the
regional parent advisory councils, and the newly established
Missouri Parent Advisory Committee on Autism to enhance a
family's ability to meet the developmental and training needs of
a family member with autism.  The five-member committee will be
appointed by the division director and is required to meet
quarterly and submit an annual report to the Missouri Commission
on Autism Spectrum Disorders, the Governor, and the department
director.

Each regional project must have a regional parent advisory
council with its membership and responsibilities specified in the
substitute.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and
FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will codify the
regional projects that already serve families with autistic
children.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Scharnhorst for
Senator Schmitt; and Department of Mental Health.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill discussed a new clinic
available for people with autism spectrum disorders.

Testifying on the bill was Joyce Anderson Downing, University of
Central Missouri.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:26 am