Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2014

Reauthorization of programs relating to autism

(a)

National Autism Spectrum Disorder Initiative

Part R of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i et seq.) is amended— (1)by redesignating sections 399AA through 399EE as sections 399BB through 399FF, respectively; and (2)by inserting before section 399BB, as redesignated, the following:

399AA.

National Autism Spectrum Disorder Initiative

(a)

Establishment

For the purposes described in subsection (b), the Secretary shall designate an official within the Department of Health and Human Services to establish and oversee a National Autism Spectrum Disorder Initiative (in this section referred to as the Initiative). (b)

Purposes

The purposes of the Initiative shall be— (1)to implement a strategic plan for the conduct of, and support for, autism spectrum disorder research, taking into account the strategic plan developed by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee under section 399DD(b); and (2)to ensure that autism spectrum disorder research programs and activities of the Department of Health and Human Services are not unnecessarily duplicative of other Federal research programs and activities.

(b)

Developmental disabilities surveillance and research program

Section 399BB of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i), as redesignated, is amended— (1)in subsection (a), by inserting for children and adults after reporting of State epidemiological data; (2)in subsection (b)(1), by striking establishment of regional centers of excellence and inserting establishment or support of regional centers of excellence; (3)in subsection (b)(2), by striking center to be established and inserting center to be established or supported; and (4)in subsection (e), by striking 2014 and inserting 2019. (c)

Autism education, early detection, and intervention

Section 399CC(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–1), as redesignated, is amended by striking 2014 and inserting 2019. (d)

Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee

(1)

Appointment of members by congressional leaders

Section 399DD(c)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–2(c)(1)), as redesignated, is amended— (A)in subparagraph (D), by striking and at the end; (B)by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (I); and (C)by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:

(E)one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (F)one member appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (G)one member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; (H)one member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; and

(2)

Preventing duplication

Section 399DD(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–2(b)), as redesignated, is amended— (A)in paragraph (5), by striking and at the end; (B)by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); and (C)by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:

(6)include in such strategic plan recommendations to ensure that autism spectrum disorder research programs and activities of the Department of Health and Human Services are not unnecessarily duplicative of other Federal research programs and activities; and

(3)

Extension of sunset provision

Section 399DD(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–2), as redesignated, is amended by striking 2014 and inserting 2019. (e)

Report to Congress

Section 399EE of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–3), as redesignated, is amended— (1)in subsection (a), by striking Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2011 and inserting Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2014; and (2)in subsection (b)— (A)in paragraph (1), by striking provisions of the Combating Autism Act of 2006 and inserting provisions of this part, section 404H, and section 409C; (B)in paragraph (2), by striking provisions of Combating Autism Act of 2006 and inserting provisions of this part, section 404H, and section 409C; (C)in paragraph (3), by striking Combating Autism Act of 2006 and inserting Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2011; (D)in paragraphs (4) and (5), by striking over the 6-year period beginning on each place it appears and inserting since; (E)in paragraph (8), by striking and at the end; (F)in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (G)by adding at the end the following:

(10)a description of the actions taken to implement, and the progress made on implementation, of the strategic plan developed by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.

(f)

Authorization of appropriations

Section 399FF of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–4), as redesignated, is amended— (1)in subsection (a)— (A)by striking 399AA and inserting 399BB; and (B)by striking fiscal years 2012 through 2014 and inserting fiscal years 2015 through 2019; (2)in subsection (b)— (A)by striking 399BB and inserting 399CC; and (B)by striking fiscal years 2011 through 2014 and inserting fiscal years 2015 through 2019; and (3)in subsection (c)— (A)by striking 399CC and inserting 399DD; and (B)by striking $161,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2014 and inserting $190,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.

Report to Congress on demographics and needs of adults with autism spectrum disorder

(a)

In general

Not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall complete a study and submit to the Congress a report on the demographics and needs, if any, of individuals in the United States with an autism spectrum disorder (in this section referred to as ASD). (b)

Issues To Be addressed

The study and report under subsection (a) shall— (1)address the demographics of individuals with ASD making the transition from a school-based support system to adulthood; (2)address the needs, if any, of adults with ASD with respect to— (A)community integration; (B)housing and residential supports; (C)employment; (D)transportation; (E)vocational training and rehabilitation; (F)continued education; (G)health care and social services; (H)speech therapy; (I)public safety; and (J)day habilitation activities, including those to provide a safe, respectful, and stimulating environment that allows participants to become active members of their community; (3)provide an overview of Federal, State, and local government policies and programs, and any available private (including private nonprofit) sector assistance, for addressing the needs identified in paragraph (2); and (4)provide policy recommendations to— (A)improve outcomes for adults with ASD making the transition from a school-based support system to adulthood; (B)enhance the effectiveness of the policies, programs, and assistance described in paragraph (3); (C)ensure integration of and collaboration among services for addressing the needs of adults with ASD; and (D)encourage independent living, equal opportunity, full participation, and economic self-sufficiency. (c)

Survey

(1)

In general

In carrying out this section, the Comptroller General shall conduct a survey of public and private sector stakeholders on— (A)the needs, if any, of adults with ASD; (B)the services and resources available for addressing such needs; and (C)the effectiveness of such services and resources. (2)

Stakeholders

The stakeholders to be surveyed under paragraph (1) include the following: (A)Individuals from the business community representing both large and small businesses. (B)Institutions of higher education, community colleges, vocational schools, and university centers for excellence in developmental disabilities. (C)Social service providers, including case management experts and health care providers. (D)Vocational rehabilitation experts. (E)State and local housing departments and nonprofit organizations that provide housing services for individuals with disabilities. (F)Individuals with ASD, parents of individuals with ASD, and representatives from advocacy groups that focus on individuals with ASD. (G)Officials or employees of the Federal Government responsible for overseeing disability services at each of the following departments and agencies: (i)The Department of Health and Human Services, including the Administration for Children and Families, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Administration for Community Living. (ii)The Department of Education. (iii)The Department of Housing and Urban Development. (iv)The Department of Labor. (v)The Department of Justice. (vi)The Department of Transportation. (vii)Any other Federal departments and agencies determined appropriate by the Comptroller General.