Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2024

or the

Autism CARES Act of 2024

National Institutes of Health activities

(a)

Expansion of activities

Section 409C(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g(a)(1)) is amended— (1)by striking ) shall, subject to the availability and inserting the following:

), in consultation with relevant Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall— (A)subject to the availability

;

(2)by striking basic and clinical research in fields including pathology and inserting the following:

basic and clinical research— (i)in fields, such as pathology

;

(3)by striking toxicology, and interventions and inserting the following:

toxicology, psychiatry, psychology, developmental behavioral pediatrics, audiology, and gerontology; and (ii)on interventions

;

(4)by striking disorder. Such research shall investigate and inserting the following:

disorder; and (B)ensure that research referred to in subparagraph (A)— (i)investigates

;

(5)by striking prevention, services across the lifespan, supports, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder and inserting prevention, services and supports across the lifespan, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring conditions; and (6)by striking treatments. and inserting the following:

treatments; (ii)examines supports for caregivers; and (iii)reflects the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including those individuals with co-occurring conditions and the full range of needs for supports and services, including such supports and services to ensure the safety, and promote the well-being, of such individuals.

(b)

Centers of excellence

Section 409C(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g(b)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (2)— (A)by striking including the fields of and inserting in fields such as; and (B)by striking behavioral psychology, and clinical psychology and inserting behavioral psychology, clinical psychology, and gerontology; (2)in paragraph (5)(A), by striking five and inserting seven; and (3)in paragraph (5)(B), by striking period of not to exceed and inserting period not to exceed. (c)

Public input

Section 409C(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g(d)) is amended to read as follows:

(d)

Public input

(1)

In general

The Director shall under subsection (a)(1) provide for means through which the public can obtain information on the existing and planned programs and activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to autism spectrum disorder and through which the Director can receive comments from the public regarding such programs and activities. (2)

Guidance

The Director may provide guidance to centers under subsection (b)(1) on strategies, activities, and opportunities to promote engagement with, and solicit input from, individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their family members, guardians, advocates or authorized representatives, providers, or other appropriate individuals to inform the activities of the center. Such strategies, activities, and opportunities should consider including, as appropriate, individuals, family members, and caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorder who represent the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including those individuals with co-occurring conditions and the full range of needs for supports and services, including such supports and services to ensure the safety, and promote the well-being, of such individuals, to inform the activities of the center.

(d)

Budget estimate

Section 409C of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(e)

Budget estimate

For each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029, the Director shall prepare and submit, directly to the President for review and transmittal to Congress, an annual budget estimate for the initiatives of the National Institutes of Health pursuant to the strategic plan developed under section 399CC(b)(5) and updated under section 399CC(b)(6)(B), after reasonable opportunity for comment (but without change) by the Secretary and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee established under section 399CC.

Programs relating to autism

(a)

Developmental disabilities surveillance and research program

Section 399AA of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i) is amended— (1)in subsection (a)(3), by striking an Indian tribe, or a tribal organization and inserting an Indian Tribe, or a Tribal organization; (2)in subsection (b)(1), by inserting across the lifespan before the period at the end; (3)in subsection (d)(1)— (A)in the paragraph heading, by striking

tribe; tribal

and inserting

Tribe; Tribal

; (B)by striking tribe and inserting Tribe; and (C)by striking tribal and inserting Tribal; and (4)in subsection (e), by striking December 20, 2024 and inserting September 30, 2029. (b)

Autism education, early detection, and intervention

Section 399BB of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–1) is amended— (1)in subsection (b)(1), by striking culturally competent information and inserting culturally and linguistically appropriate information; (2)in subsection (b)(2)— (A)by striking promote research and inserting promote research, which may include research that takes a community-based approach,; and (B)by striking screening tools each place it appears and inserting screening and diagnostic tools; (3)in subsection (b)(3), by striking at higher risk and inserting at increased likelihood; (4)in subsection (b)(4), by inserting , which may give consideration to the perspectives of parents and guardians before the semicolon at the end; (5)in subsection (b)(7), by striking at higher risk and inserting at increased likelihood; (6)in subsection (c)(1), by striking culturally competent information and inserting culturally and linguistically appropriate information; (7)in subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii), by striking culturally competent information and inserting culturally and linguistically appropriate information; (8)by amending paragraph (1) of subsection (e) to read as follows: (9)in subsection (e)(1)— (A)in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting , and strengthen the capacity of, after expand; and (B)in subparagraph (A)— (i)by striking expand existing or develop new and inserting expand and strengthen the capacity of existing, or, in States that do not have such a program, develop new,; and (ii)by striking Act) in States that do not have such a program and inserting Act); (C)in subparagraph (B)(v), by inserting or other providers, as applicable before the semicolon at the end; and (D)by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows:

(C)program sites— (i)provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services; (ii)take a multidisciplinary approach and have experience working with underserved populations; and (iii)identify opportunities to partner with community-based organizations to expand the capacity of communities to serve individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities.

;

(10)in subsection (e)(2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)

Report

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2024, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report that examines the need for, and feasibility of, expanding the developmental-behavioral pediatrician training programs described in subparagraph (A).

;

(11)by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:

(f)

Intervention

The Secretary shall promote research through grants or contracts, which may include grants or contracts to research centers or networks, to— (1)develop and evaluate evidence-based practices and interventions to improve outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities by addressing physical and behavioral health and communication needs of such individuals across the lifespan; (2)develop guidelines for such evidence-based practices and interventions; and (3)disseminate information related to such evidence-based practices and interventions and guidelines.

; and

(12)in subsection (g), by striking December 20, 2024 and inserting September 30, 2029. (c)

Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee

Section 399CC of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–2) is amended— (1)in subsection (b)— (A)in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting , on a regular basis after shall; (B)in paragraph (2), by striking develop a summary and inserting summarize; and (C)by striking paragraphs (5) and (6) and inserting the following:

(5)develop a strategic plan for the conduct of, and support for, autism spectrum disorder research, as described in section 409C(a)(1), which shall include— (A)proposed budgetary requirements; and (B)recommendations to ensure that autism spectrum disorder research, and services and support activities to the extent practicable, of the Department of Health and Human Services and of other Federal departments and agencies are not unnecessarily duplicative; and (6)submit to the Congress and the President— (A)an annual update on the summary of advances described in paragraph (2); and (B)a biennial update on the strategic plan described in paragraph (5), including progress made in achieving the goals outlined in such strategic plan and any specific measures taken pursuant to such strategic plan.

; and

(2)in subsection (f), by striking December 20, 2024 and inserting September 30, 2029. (d)

Reports to Congress

Section 399DD of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–3) is amended— (1)by striking 2019 each place it appears and inserting 2024; and (2)in subsection (a), by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

(1)

In general

Not later than 4 years after September 30, 2024, the Secretary, in consultation with other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and make publicly available, including through posting on the website of the Department of Health and Human Services, a progress report on activities related to autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Such report shall include activities and research related to the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including those individuals with co-occurring conditions and the full range of needs for supports and services, including such supports and services to ensure the safety, and promote the well-being, of such individuals.

;

(3)in subsection (b)— (A)in the heading of subsection (b), by striking

Health and Well-Being

and inserting

Mental Health Needs

; (B)in paragraph (1), by striking health and well-being and inserting mental health needs; and (C)by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:

(2)

Contents

The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall contain— (A)an overview of policies and programs relevant to the mental health of individuals with autism spectrum disorder across their lifespan, including an identification of existing Federal laws, regulations, policies, research, and programs; and (B)recommendations to improve mental health outcomes and address related disparities in mental health care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including prevention, care coordination, and community-based services.

;

(4)by adding at the end the following:

(c)

Update on young adults and youth transitioning to adulthood

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2024, the Secretary, in coordination with other relevant Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate an update to the report required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, as added by section 6 of the Autism Cares Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–157), and in effect before the date of enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2019 (Public Law 116–60), concerning young adults with autism spectrum disorder and the challenges related to the transition from existing school-based services to those services available during adulthood.

(e)

Authorization of appropriations

Section 399EE of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–4) is amended— (1)in subsection (a), by striking $23,100,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 and inserting $28,100,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029; (2)in subsection (b), by striking $50,599,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 and inserting $56,344,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029; and (3)in subsection (c), by striking there are authorized to be appropriated $296,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 and inserting there is authorized to be appropriated $306,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.

Technical assistance to improve access to communication tools

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the Secretary) may, at the request of a State, Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, locality, or territory, provide training and technical assistance to such jurisdiction on the manner in which Federal funding administered by the Secretary may be used to provide individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities with access to evidence-based services, tools, and technologies that support communication needs. (b)

Annual report

The Secretary shall annually prepare and submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report summarizing any technical assistance provided by the Secretary in the preceding fiscal year under subsection (a) and any advancements in the development or evaluation of such evidence-based services, tools, and technologies.