[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 133, 116th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 116-60
116th Congress

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. <>  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

[[Page 1111]]

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'';

[[Page 1112]]

(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

[[Page 1113]]

(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

[[Page 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

[[Page 1115]]

through 2019'' and inserting ``there are authorized to be
appropriated $296,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through
2024''.

Approved September 30, 2019.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 1058:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSE REPORTS: No. 116-177 (Comm. on Energy and Commerce).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 165 (2019):
July 24, considered and passed House.
Sept. 19, considered and passed Senate.