093_HB1809eng HB1809 Engrossed LRB093 04822 DRJ 04878 b 1 AN ACT in relation to health. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The Mental Health and Developmental 5 Disabilities Administrative Act is amended by adding Section 6 57.5 as follows: 7 (20 ILCS 1705/57.5 new) 8 Sec. 57.5. Autism diagnosis education program. 9 (a) Subject to appropriations, the Department shall 10 contract to establish an autism diagnosis education program 11 for young children. The Department shall establish the 12 program at 3 different sites in the State. The program shall 13 have the following goals: 14 (1) Providing, to medical professionals and others 15 statewide, a systems development initiative that promotes 16 best practice standards for the diagnosis and treatment 17 planning for young children who have autism spectrum 18 disorders, for the purpose of helping existing systems of 19 care to build solid circles of expertise within their 20 ranks. 21 (2) Educating medical practitioners, school 22 personnel, day care providers, parents, and community 23 service providers (including, but not limited to, early 24 intervention and developmental disabilities providers) 25 throughout the State on appropriate diagnosis and 26 treatment of autism. 27 (3) Supporting systems of care for young children 28 with autism spectrum disorders. 29 (4) Working together with universities and 30 developmental disabilities providers to identify unmet 31 needs and resources. HB1809 Engrossed -2- LRB093 04822 DRJ 04878 b 1 (5) Encouraging and supporting research on optional 2 services for young children with autism spectrum 3 disorders. 4 (b) Before January 1, 2006, the Department shall report 5 to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning the 6 progress of the autism diagnosis education program 7 established under this Section. 8 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 9 becoming law.