118 S4762 RS: Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2024
U.S. Senate
2024-09-12
text/xml
EN
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II
Calendar No. 504
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4762
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 24, 2024
Mr. Luján (for himself and Ms. Collins) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
September 12, 2024
Reported by Mr. Sanders, with an amendment
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic
A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize programs and research relating to autism, and for other purposes.
1.

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”.
2.

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 “tribe, or a tribal” and inserting “Tribe, or a Tribal”;
(2)
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
(3)
in subsection (e), by striking “2024” and inserting “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 subsections (b)(1) and (c), by striking “culturally competent” each place it appears and inserting “culturally and linguistically appropriate”;
(2)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
in paragraph (2), by striking “screening” each place it appears and inserting “screening and diagnostic”;
(B)
in paragraph (3), by striking “higher risk” and inserting “increased likelihood”; and
(C)
in paragraph (7), by striking “higher risk” and inserting “increased likelihood”;
(3)
in subsection (e)(2), by adding at the end the following:
“(C)

Report
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2024, the Secretary shall 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 that examines the need for developmental-behavioral pediatricians and the feasibility of expanding the developmental-behavioral pediatrician training programs described in subparagraph (A).” ;
(4)
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 interventions; and
(3)
disseminate information related to such evidence-based practices and interventions and guidelines.”; and
(5)
in subsection (g), by striking “2024” and inserting “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 paragraph (2), by striking “develop a summary of” and inserting “summarize, on an annual basis,”;
(B)
in paragraph (5)(A), by striking “proposed budgetary requirements” and inserting “a professional judgment of anticipated budgetary needs”; and
(C)
in paragraph (6)(B), by striking “an annual” and inserting “a biennial”; and
(2)
in subsection (f), by striking “2024” and inserting “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”;
(2)
in subsection (a)(1)—
(A)
in the paragraph heading, by striking “In General” and inserting “In general”;
(B)
by striking “Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee of the Senate and the Energy and Commerce Committee” and inserting “Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce”; and
(C)
by striking “Internet Web site” and inserting “website”; and
(3)
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 Federal departments and agencies that serve individuals with autism spectrum disorder, 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 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 and in effect before the date of enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2019, concerning young adults with autism spectrum disorder and the challenges related to the transition from existing school-based services to 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 “$296,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024” and inserting “$306,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029”.
3.

Expansion, intensification, and coordination of activities of National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder
Section 409C of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)—
(A)
in paragraph (1)—
(i)
by striking “including pathology” and inserting “such as pathology”; and
(ii)
by inserting “psychiatry, psychology, gerontology, developmental behavioral pediatrics, audiology,” after “toxicology,”; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following:
“(4)

Considerations
In carrying out this section, the Director shall take into consideration the various needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder with respect to services and supports and addressing co-occurring conditions.”; and
(2)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
in paragraph (2), by inserting “gerontology,” after “behavioral psychology,”; and
(B)
in paragraph (5)(B), by striking “period of” and inserting “period”.
4.

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 or 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 Education and the Workforce 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.
1.

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”.
2.

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 “tribe, or a tribal” and inserting “Tribe, or a Tribal”;
(2)
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
(3)
in subsection (e), by striking “2024” and inserting “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 subsections (b)(1) and (c), by striking “culturally competent” each place it appears and inserting “culturally and linguistically appropriate”;
(2)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
in paragraph (2), by striking “screening” each place it appears and inserting “screening and diagnostic”;
(B)
in paragraph (3), by striking “higher risk” and inserting “increased likelihood”; and
(C)
in paragraph (7), by striking “higher risk” and inserting “increased likelihood”;
(3)
in subsection (e)—
(A)
in paragraph (1)—
(i)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting “and strengthen the capacity of” after “expand”;
(ii)
in subparagraph (A)—
(I)
by striking “in States that do not have such a program;” and inserting a semicolon; and
(II)
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
(iii)
in subparagraph (B)(v), by inserting “or other providers, as applicable” before the semicolon; and
(iv)
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.”; and
(B)
in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following:
“(C)

Report
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2024, the Secretary shall 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 that examines the need for developmental-behavioral pediatricians and the feasibility of expanding the developmental-behavioral pediatrician training programs described in subparagraph (A).”;
(4)
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 interventions; and
(3)
disseminate information related to such evidence-based practices and interventions and guidelines.”; and
(5)
in subsection (g), by striking “2024” and inserting “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 paragraph (2), by striking “develop a summary of” and inserting “summarize, on an annual basis,”; and
(B)
in paragraph (6)(B), by striking “an annual update to” and inserting “a biennial update on”; and
(2)
in subsection (f), by striking “2024” and inserting “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”;
(2)
in subsection (a)(1)—
(A)
in the paragraph heading, by striking “In General” and inserting “In general”;
(B)
by striking “Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee of the Senate and the Energy and Commerce Committee” and inserting “Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce”; and
(C)
by striking “Internet Web site” and inserting “website”;
(3)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
in the subsection heading, 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.”; and
(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 Federal departments and agencies that serve individuals with autism spectrum disorder, 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 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 and in effect before the date of enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2019, concerning young adults with autism spectrum disorder and the challenges related to the transition from existing school-based services to 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 “$296,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024” and inserting “$306,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029”.
3.

Expansion, intensification, and coordination of activities of National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder
Section 409C of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)—
(A)
in paragraph (1)—
(i)
by striking “including pathology” and inserting “such as pathology”; and
(ii)
by inserting “psychiatry, psychology, gerontology, developmental behavioral pediatrics, audiology,” after “toxicology,”; and
(B)
by adding at the end the following:
“(4)

Considerations
In carrying out this section, the Director shall take into consideration the various needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder with respect to services and supports and addressing co-occurring conditions.”;
(2)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
by striking “including the fields of” and inserting “in fields such as”; and
(ii)
by inserting “gerontology,” after “behavioral psychology,”; and
(B)
in paragraph (5)—
(i)
in subparagraph (A), by striking “five” and inserting “7”; and
(ii)
in subparagraph (B), by striking “period of” and inserting “period”; and
(3)
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.”.
4.

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 or 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 Education and the Workforce 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 the evidence-based services, tools, and technologies described in such subsection.
September 12, 2024
Reported with an amendment