127th General Assembly

(As Introduced)

Sens. Schuring, Padgett, Coughlin, Gardner, Spada, Clancy, Boccieri, Kearney, D. Miller, R. Miller, Schaffer, Goodman

BILL SUMMARY

· Creates the Autism Diagnosis Education Pilot Program in the Department of Health.

· Requires the Director of Health to submit written reports to the Governor and the General Assembly describing the action taken under the Program.

· Makes an appropriation.

CONTENT AND OPERATION

Autism Diagnosis Education Pilot Program

(R.C. 3701.135; Sections 2, 3, and 4)

The bill creates in the Department of Health the Autism Diagnosis Education Pilot Program and requires the Director of Health to contract with a public or private entity to conduct or administer the Program. The bill establishes the following Program goals:

(1) To educate health care professionals, teachers and other educational personnel, child care providers, parents, early intervention and developmental disabilities providers, and other community-based services providers in Ohio regarding the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders, including the range of symptoms that may indicate autism spectrum disorders and screening tools;

(2) To promote appropriate standards for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders in children, including screening tools and treatment planning for children diagnosed with the disorders;

(3) To encourage physicians and other health care professionals with expertise in screening, diagnosing, and treating autism spectrum disorders to share that information with other health care professionals in Ohio;

(4) To encourage the regional coordination of services to facilitate the effective, timely treatment of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.

The bill further requires, by December 31, 2008, the Director of Health to compile and submit a written report to the Governor and the General Assembly describing the action taken under the Program since July 1, 2007. Also, by December 31, 2009, the Director must compile and submit a written report to the Governor and the General Assembly describing the action taken under the Program since December 31, 2008. The bill provides that the creation of the Program takes effect on July 1, 2007.

The bill appropriates from the General Revenue Fund $500,000 for fiscal year 2008 and $300,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the Program.

HISTORY

ACTION	DATE

Introduced	03-06-07

S0098-I-127.doc/jc