Autism CARES Act of 2019
Public Law 116–60
Autism CARES Act of 2019
60
116–60
Statute Compilation
United States House of Representatives
Office of the Legislative Counsel
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Autism CARES Act of 2019
Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019
15481
116
2019-09-30
Autism CARES Act of 2019
[(Public Law 116–60)]
[This law has not been amended]
[Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 116-60. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/]
[Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]

AN ACT
To amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder and enhance programs relating to autism, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1.
[42 U.S.C. 201 note]

SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019” or the “Autism CARES Act of 2019”.
SEC. 2.

EXPANSION, INTENSIFICATION, AND COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES OF THE NIH 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)(1)—
(A)
in the first sentence, by striking “and toxicology” and inserting “toxicology, and interventions to maximize outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder”; and
(B)
by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: “Such research shall investigate the causes (including possible environmental causes), diagnosis or ruling out, early and ongoing detection, prevention, services across the lifespan, supports, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including dissemination and implementation of clinical care, supports, interventions, and treatments.”;
(2)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
in the second sentence, by striking “cause” and all that follows through “disorder” and inserting “causes, diagnosis, early and ongoing detection, prevention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan”; and
(ii)
in the third sentence, by striking “neurobiology” and all that follows through the period and inserting “neurobiology, genetics, genomics, psychopharmacology, developmental psychology, behavioral psychology, and clinical psychology.”; and
(B)
in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following:
“(D)

Reducing disparities.—
The Director may consider, as appropriate, the extent to which a center can demonstrate availability and access to clinical services for youth and adults from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, or linguistic backgrounds in decisions about awarding grants to applicants which meet the scientific criteria for funding under this section.”
.
SEC. 3.

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)(1), by striking “adults on autism spectrum disorder” and inserting “adults with autism spectrum disorder”;
(2)
in subsection (a)(2)—
(A)
by striking “State and local public health officials” and inserting “State, local, and Tribal public health officials”;
(B)
by striking “or other developmental disabilities” and inserting “and other developmental disabilities”;
(3)
in subsection (a)(3), by striking “a university, or any other educational institution” and inserting “a university, any other educational institution, an Indian tribe, or a tribal organization”;
(4)
in subsection (b)(2)(A), by striking “relevant State and local public health officials, private sector developmental disability researchers, and advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities” and inserting “State, local, and Tribal public health officials, private sector developmental disability researchers, advocates for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and advocates for individuals with other developmental disabilities”;
(5)
in subsection (d)—
(A)
by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and
(B)
by inserting before paragraph (2), as so redesignated, the following new paragraph:
“(1)

Indian tribe; tribal organization.—
The terms ‘Indian tribe’ and ‘tribal organization’ have the meanings given such terms in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.”
; and
(6)
in subsection (e), by striking “2019” and inserting “2024”.
(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 (a)(1)—
(A)
by striking “individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities” and inserting “individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities”; and
(B)
by striking “children with autism spectrum disorder” and all that follows through “disabilities;” and inserting “individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities across their lifespan;”;
(2)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
in paragraph (2), by inserting “individuals with” before “autism spectrum disorder”;
(B)
by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (6) as paragraphs (5) through (7), respectively; and
(C)
by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
“(4)
promote evidence-based screening techniques and interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities across their lifespan;”
;
(3)
in subsection (c)—
(A)
in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking “the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities and their families” and inserting “the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities across their lifespan and the needs of their families”; and
(B)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking “caregivers of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder” and inserting “caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities”;
(ii)
in subparagraph (B)(i)(II), by inserting “autism spectrum disorder and” after “individuals with”; and
(iii)
in subparagraph (B)(ii), by inserting “autism spectrum disorder and” after “individuals with”;
(4)
in subsection (e)—
(A)
in paragraph (1)—
(i)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting “across their lifespan” before “and ensure”; and
(ii)
in subparagraph (B)(iv), by inserting “across their lifespan” after “other developmental disabilities”;
(B)
by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
(C)
by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
“(2)

Developmental-behavioral pediatrician training programs.—
“(A)

In general.—
In making awards under this subsection, the Secretary may prioritize awards to applicants that are developmental-behavioral pediatrician training programs located in rural or underserved areas.
“(B)

Definition of underserved area.—
In this paragraph, the term ‘underserved area’ means—
“(i)
a health professional shortage area (as defined in section 332(a)(1)(A)); and
“(ii)
an urban or rural area designated by the Secretary as an area with a shortage of personal health services (as described in section 330(b)(3)(A)).”
;
(5)
in subsection (f), by inserting “across the lifespan of such individuals” after “other developmental disabilities”; and
(6)
in subsection (g), by striking “2019” and inserting “2024”.
(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 inserting “across the lifespan of such individuals” before the semicolon; and
(B)
in paragraph (5), by inserting “across the lifespan of such individuals” before “and the families”;
(2)
in subsection (c)—
(A)
in paragraph (1)(D), by inserting “, the Department of Labor, the Department of Justice, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development,” after “Department of Education”;
(B)
in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (2), by striking “at least two such members” each place it appears and inserting “at least three such members”;
(C)
in paragraph (3)(A), by striking “one or more additional 4-year terms” and inserting “one additional 4-year term”; and
(3)
in subsection (f), by striking “2019” and inserting “2024”.
(d)

Reports to Congress.—
Section 399DD of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-3) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)—
(A)
in paragraph (1), by striking “Autism CARES Act of 2014” and inserting “Autism CARES Act of 2019”; and
(B)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
in subparagraphs (A), (B), (D), and (E), by striking “Autism CARES Act of 2014” each place it appears and inserting “Autism CARES Act of 2019”;
(ii)
in subparagraph (G), by striking “age of the child” and inserting “age of the individual”;
(iii)
in subparagraph (H), by striking “; and” and inserting “;”;
(iv)
in subparagraph (I), by striking the period and inserting “; and”; and
(v)
by adding at the end the following:
“(J)
information on how States use home- and community-based services and other supports to ensure that individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities are living, working, and participating in their community.”
; and
(2)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
in the heading, by striking “Young Adults and Transitioning Youth” and inserting “the Health and Well-Being of Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder Across Their Lifespan”;
(B)
by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
“(1)

In general.—
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2019, the Secretary 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, a report concerning the health and well-being of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.”
; and
(C)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
“(A)
demographic factors associated with the health and well-being of individuals with autism spectrum disorder;”
;
(ii)
in subparagraph (B), by striking “young adults” and all that follows through the semicolon and inserting “the health and well-being of individuals with 133 STAT. 1114 autism spectrum disorder, including an identification of existing Federal laws, regulations, policies, research, and programs;”; and
(iii)
by amending subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) to read as follows:
“(C)
recommendations on establishing best practices guidelines to ensure interdisciplinary coordination between all relevant service providers receiving Federal funding;
“(D)
comprehensive approaches to improving health outcomes and well-being for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including—
“(i)
community-based behavioral supports and interventions;
“(ii)
nutrition, recreational, and social activities; and
“(iii)
personal safety services related to public safety agencies or the criminal justice system for such individuals; and
“(E)
recommendations that seek to improve health outcomes for such individuals, including across their lifespan, by addressing—
“(i)
screening and diagnosis of children and adults;
“(ii)
behavioral and other therapeutic approaches;
“(iii)
primary and preventative care;
“(iv)
communication challenges;
“(v)
aggression, self-injury, elopement, and other behavioral issues;
“(vi)
emergency room visits and acute care hospitalization;
“(vii)
treatment for co-occurring physical and mental health conditions;
“(viii)
premature mortality;
“(ix)
medical practitioner training; and
“(x)
caregiver mental health.”
.
(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 “$22,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019” and inserting “$23,100,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024”;
(2)
in subsection (b), by striking “$48,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019” and inserting “$50,599,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024”; and
(3)
in subsection (c), by striking “there is authorized to be appropriated $190,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 133 STAT. 1115 through 2019” and inserting “there are authorized to be appropriated $296,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024”.