[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 706 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 706
To increase housing, awareness, and navigation demonstration services
(HANDS) for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 25, 2009
Mr. Menendez introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To increase housing, awareness, and navigation demonstration services
(HANDS) for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Helping Housing, Awareness, and
Navigation Demonstration Services for Individuals With Autism Spectrum
Disorders Act of 2009'' or the ``Helping HANDS for Autism Act of
2009''.
TITLE I--AUTISM NAVIGATOR PROGRAM
SEC. 101. AUTISM NAVIGATOR PROGRAM.
Part R of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
280i et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 399DD the
following:
``SEC. 399DD-1. AUTISM NAVIGATOR PROGRAM.
``(a) Authorization of Grant Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of
Education, shall establish a demonstration grant program to
award grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to
develop an autism navigator program to create a more efficient,
effective, coordinated use of the health, housing, education,
and social service systems for individuals with an autism
spectrum disorder.
``(2) Eligible entity.--
``(A) In general.--In this section, the term
`eligible entity' means an entity that has--
``(i) not less than 2 years experience
serving the autism community in an advocacy or
service capacity; and
``(ii) a--
``(I) behaviorist with at least a
master's degree on staff or in a
consultation capacity who has
experience in applied behavioral
analysis;
``(II) Board Certified Behavior
Analyst on staff;
``(III) special educator with
training in autism spectrum disorders
on staff;
``(IV) rehabilitation professional
with training in autism spectrum
disorders on staff; or
``(V) master's level professional
with training in autism spectrum
disorders on staff.
``(B) Secretary's determination.--Notwithstanding
subparagraph (A), the Secretary may determine who
qualifies as an eligible entity under this section.
``(b) Application for a Grant.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible entity that desires a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary
at such time, in such manner and form, and containing such
information, agreements, and assurances as the Secretary
determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
``(2) Outreach services.--An application submitted under
paragraph (1) shall contain an assurance that the applicant
will provide ongoing outreach activities while receiving a
grant under this section, in a manner that is culturally
competent for the population served, to inform the public and
the specific community that the autism navigator is serving, of
the services under the grant.
``(c) Development of Autism Navigator Program.--
``(1) Autism navigators.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall determine
the functions of autism navigators under this section.
``(B) Types of functions.--The functions of an
autism navigator under this section may include--
``(i) with respect to an individual with an
autism spectrum disorder and such individual's
family--
``(I) coordinating and scheduling
appointments and referrals, community
outreach, assistance with
transportation, housing or education
arrangements, and assistance with
insurance issues and other barriers to
care;
``(II) case management and
psychosocial assessment and care or
information and referral to such
services;
``(III) contact and care
coordination of health care, including
psychosocial assessment and care, and
other community services, provider
referrals, financial support and
service coordination, including
transportation, housing, and education;
``(IV) determining coverage under
health insurance and health plans for
all services;
``(V) aiding with health insurance
coverage issues; and
``(VI) ensuring the initiation,
continuation, or sustained access to
care prescribed by the individual's
health care providers;
``(ii) facilitating partnerships within the
healthcare and advocacy community to assist
outreach to the underserved autism community;
``(iii) notifying individuals and their
families as to autism clinical trials and, on
request, facilitating enrollment of eligible
individuals;
``(iv) anticipating, identifying, and
helping individuals with an autism spectrum
disorder overcome barriers in accessing and
securing appropriate services in a timely
manner;
``(v) coordinating with State departments
responsible for human services, education,
health and senior services, housing, community
affairs, and labor in providing services to
individuals with an autism spectrum disorder
and their families;
``(vi) identifying caregiver supports for
those caring for individuals with an autism
spectrum disorder, including mentoring, support
groups, community resources, and legal
consultation;
``(vii) identifying, mentoring, and
supporting culturally sensitive caregivers of
individuals with an autism spectrum disorder;
and
``(viii) serving as a reliable, expert
resource for advice, support, and direction to
access early intervention services under part C
of the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), health insurance
(public or private), housing programs,
financial security programs, Medicare services
under title XVIII of the Social Security Act,
and Medicaid services under title XIX of the
Social Security Act.
``(2) Development of program.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible entity that receives
a grant under this section shall develop an autism
navigator program that will recruit, employ, train,
assign, and supervise autism navigators.
``(B) Duration of grants.--A grant provided under
this section shall be--
``(i) for a period of not more than 5
years; and
``(ii) subject to annual approval by the
Secretary and subject to the availability of
appropriations for the fiscal year involved.
``(C) No limitation on number of grants.--Nothing
in this paragraph shall be construed to limit the
number of grants that may be made to an eligible
entity.
``(3) Outreach.--An autism navigator program developed
under paragraph (2) shall reach out to appropriate doctor's
offices and treatment centers to encourage such doctors and
centers to refer individuals with an autism spectrum disorder
to such program, which will offer autism navigation services
described in this subsection.
``(4) Training and preparation.--An autism navigator
program developed under paragraph (2) shall train and prepare
autism navigators as follows:
``(A) Autism navigators shall have direct knowledge
of the communities they serve and provide services to
such communities in a culturally competent manner.
``(B) Autism navigators shall be informed about
health insurance systems and other community services,
and be able to aid individuals in resolving access
issues.
``(C) Autism navigators shall have direct knowledge
of the unique needs of individuals with an autism
spectrum disorder and the current evidence-based
practices that are available to such individuals
through Federal programs and in the State.
``(5) Managing care.--An autism navigator program developed
under paragraph (2) shall assign autism navigators, in
accordance with applicable criteria of the Secretary, for--
``(A) managing the care of individuals with an
autism spectrum disorder; and
``(B) assisting such individuals and families with
navigating the life service continuum.
``(6) Centralized access.--An autism navigator program
developed under paragraph (2) shall provide centralized access
for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder to multiple
Federal and State activities and programs related to autism
spectrum disorders, including such activities and programs
carried out by--
``(A) the Administration for Children and Families;
``(B) the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention;
``(C) the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;
``(D) the Collaborative Programs of Excellence in
Autism;
``(E) the Department of Health and Human Services;
``(F) the Health Resources and Services
Administration;
``(G) the Interagency Autism Coordinating
Committee;
``(H) the National Institutes of Health;
``(I) the National Institute of Mental Health;
``(J) the Studies to Advance Autism Research and
Treatment;
``(K) the Department of Housing and Urban
Development;
``(L) the Department of Education; and
``(M) the Department of Labor.
``(7) Data collection and report.--
``(A) In general.--Each recipient of a grant under
this section shall--
``(i) collect specific autism data that
records navigation services provided to each
individual served by the autism navigator
program; and
``(ii) establish and implement procedures
and protocols, consistent with applicable
Federal and State laws, to ensure the
confidentiality of all information shared by a
participant in the program, the participant's
personal representative, and the participant's
health care providers, group health plans, or
health insurance insurers.
``(B) Disclosure of information.--A recipient of a
grant under this section may, consistent with
applicable Federal and State confidentiality laws,
collect, use, or disclose aggregate information that is
not individually identifiable.
``(C) Report.--Each recipient of a grant under this
section shall submit an annual report to the Secretary
that--
``(i) summarizes and analyzes the data
collected under subparagraph (A)(i); and
``(ii) provides information on needs for
navigation services, types of access
difficulties resolved, sources of repeated
resolution, and flaws in the system of access,
including insurance barriers.
``(d) Evaluations.--The Secretary shall provide, directly or
through grants or contracts, for evaluations to determine the effects
of the services of autism navigators.
``(e) Coordination With Other Programs.--The Secretary shall
coordinate the demonstration grant program authorized under this
section with programs authorized under the Children's Health Act of
2000 (Public Law 106-310), the Combating Autism Act of 2006 (Public Law
109-416), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), the
Medicaid home- and community-based service waivers program under
section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, title XIX of the Social
Security Act, and other appropriate programs.
``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to require payment for navigation services or to require
payment for other services in cases where such other services are
provided free of charge.''.
TITLE II--AUTISM AWARENESS
SEC. 201. TRAINING OF FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE RECOGNITION OF AUTISM.
(a) Development of Curriculum.--The Secretary of Health and Human
Services, in coordination with the Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention and in consultation with the heads of other
appropriate Federal agencies, shall develop, demonstrate, and
disseminate a standard curriculum for the training of first responders
in assisting individuals (and their families) with autism and other
cognitive behavioral disabilities during potential and actual
emergencies.
(b) Training Grants.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services,
in coordination with the Director of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention and in consultation with the heads of other appropriate
Federal agencies, shall award grants to States and local governments to
train first responders (including the police, fire departments,
emergency medical technicians, and other paid or volunteer first
responders) in providing assistance to individuals with autism and
other cognitive impairments in potential and actual emergency
situations.
(c) Requirement.--Training carried out under this section shall
inform first responders of the risks associated with autism and other
cognitive behavioral disabilities, as well as provide instruction in
appropriate autism recognition and response techniques.
TITLE III--HOME OF THEIR OWN
SEC. 301. HOME OF THEIR OWN.
(a) Task Force.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall
convene a task force comprised of appropriate national and State autism
advocacy groups, recipients of funds from the Department of Housing and
Urban Development for housing for adults with an autism spectrum
disorder, and community-based organizations that serve adults with an
autism spectrum disorder.
(b) Establishment of Grant Program.--The task force described in
subsection (a) shall establish a housing demonstration grant program to
award grants to entities (including States, localities, public and
private partnerships, and community nonprofit and for-profit
organizations) to enable such entities to provide a housing program for
adults with an autism spectrum disorder, with the goal of providing
individualized housing and services to such adults.
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