AO2993. Summary:

BILL NO    A02993 

SAME AS    Same as S 492

SPONSOR    Pheffer (MS)

COSPNSR    Rivera P, Weisenberg, Lopez V, Paulin, Millman, Ortiz, Koon,
           Dinowitz, Schroeder, Fields, Maisel, Titus, Spano

MLTSPNSR   Abbate, Alfano, Benedetto, Boyland, Brennan, Carrozza, Clark, Colton,
           Cymbrowitz, DelMonte, Duprey, Galef, Gunther, Hoyt, Jaffee, John,
           Lavine, Lifton, Lupardo, Markey, Mayersohn, McEneny, Rabbitt, Reilly,
           Rosenthal, Stirpe, Sweeney, Towns, Wright

Add Art 19-E SS460 & 461, Exec L; amd S95-e, St Fin L

Creates the New York state autism council; establishes such council shall
consist of sixteen members; establishes the duties of the council.

AO2993. Actions:

BILL NO    A02993 

01/22/2009 referred to mental health
01/06/2010 referred to mental health

AO2993. Votes:

AO2993. Memo:

 BILL NUMBER:  A2993

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the executive law and the state
finance law, in relation to creating the New York state autism council

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :  This bill authorizes the creation
of the New York State Autism Council.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :  Section 1 of the bill defines the
terms used within the legislation and sets fourth the makeup of the
council as well as the responsibilities and duties of the council.
Section 2 establishes a fund for program service enhancements for
individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, autism awareness
projects or autism research projects approved by the Department of
Health.  Section 3 set for the effective date of the legislation.

 JUSTIFICATION : Autism is a complex developmental disorder that
impairs learning and slows intellectual development. It is one of the
five disorders under the umbrella of the Pervasive Developmental
Disorders, a category of neurological disorders characterized by
severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development
including motor, language, cognitive and social skills.  Autism is a
spectrum disorder in which the symptoms and characteristics present
themselves in a wide variety of combinations and ranges of severity.
It typically appears in children under the age of three and most
children are diagnosed with autism by the age of two. Over 17,000
individuals in New York have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum
disorder and the United States Department of Education reports that
autism is growing at a rate of 10-17% per year. Many parent and family
groups across New York State offer critical services, information and
support. While the cause of autism is unknown, there exists extensive
care and treatment programs for individuals with autism. This council
will gather many of the state agencies and autism support groups
together to:

* approve autism awareness programs;

* carry out a program to provide information and education on program
and service enhancements to families in the state with members
suffering from autism;

*establish a mechanism for the sharing of information among
researchers and clinicians in the state conducting biomedical research
on autism and autism spectrum disorder;

*provide for a mechanism that would permit the public to obtain
information on the existing and planned programs and activities being
conducted related to autism; and

*provide an annual report to the governor with the council's
recommendations and examining the creation of programs and services
for individuals with autism.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :  2007-2008: A.6947 - Reported from Mental
Health, referred to Ways and Means

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS : None.

 EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect 180 days after it shall
have become law.