[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 173 (Thursday, November 21, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6731-S6733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 3305. Mr. HELMY (for Mr. Lujan (for himself and Ms. Collins))
proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 7213, 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 reauthorize certain programs with respect
to autism spectrum disorder?], and for other purposes; as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 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''.
SEC. 2. 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'';
[[Page S6732]]
(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.''.
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)(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
[[Page S6733]]
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''.
SEC. 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, 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.
______