093_HB1809ham003 LRB093 04822 DRJ 14105 a 1 AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 1809 2 AMENDMENT NO. . Amend House Bill 1809 by replacing 3 everything after the enacting clause with the following: 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 establish an autism diagnosis education program for children 11 who are 5 years of age or less. The Department shall 12 establish the program at 3 different sites in the State. The 13 program shall 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 children who are 5 years of age or less and 18 have autism spectrum disorders, for the purpose of 19 helping existing systems of care to build solid circles 20 of expertise within their ranks. 21 (2) Educating medical practitioners, school 22 personnel, day care providers, parents, and community -2- LRB093 04822 DRJ 14105 a 1 service providers (including, but not limited to, early 2 intervention and developmental disabilities providers) 3 throughout the State on appropriate diagnosis and 4 treatment of autism. 5 (3) Supporting systems of care for children with 6 autism spectrum disorders who are 5 years of age or less. 7 (4) Working together with universities and 8 developmental disabilities providers to identify unmet 9 needs and resources. 10 (b) Before January 1, 2006, the Department shall report 11 to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning the 12 progress of the autism diagnosis education program 13 established under this Section.".