What's happening
This bill directs state agencies to study and report on the costs of early diagnosis and long-term treatment of autism in New York.
Why it matters
Brings together multiple state agencies. including those overseeing disabilities, education, health, and children’s services—to collaboratively assess the financial impact of autism-related services, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of costs across sectors.
Requires analysis of both current and future costs. , including projections based on anticipated increases in autism diagnoses, which could influence long-term planning and resource allocation for state-funded programs.
Mandates a formal report with legislative recommendations. to be submitted to key policymakers, potentially shaping future laws, funding decisions, and service delivery models for individuals with autism in New York.
May affect service availability and priorities. by providing data that could justify increased investment in early diagnosis and treatment or highlight areas where efficiencies or reforms are needed, directly impacting families and care providers.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Study Autism Diagnosis Costs
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by A261
- Ordered to third reading cal.1639
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Reported and committed to finance
- Notice of committee consideration - requested
- Referred to mental health and developmental disabilities
- Referred to mental health and developmental disabilities
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Study Autism Diagnosis Costs
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Thomas Abinanti
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3895
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 27, 2017
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, BAILEY, LATIMER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
AN ACT to direct the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities to study and report upon the cost to the state for the early diagnosis and long-term treatment of autism spectrum disorder
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities, the commissioner of education, the commissioner of health, the commissioner of the office of children and family services and the commissioner of mental health shall cause a study to be performed on the costs to the state for the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and the long-term treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Such study shall include, but not be limited to, a projected estimate of future cost to the state associated with state services that will be needed to accommodate the growth in the number of individuals being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
§ 2. On or before April 1, 2021, the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities, the commissioner of education, the commissioner of health, the commissioner of the office of children and family services and the commissioner of mental health shall deliver a copy of the findings of the study conducted pursuant to section one of this act and any legislative recommendations he or she deems to be necessary to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the chair of the mental health and developmental disabilities committee of the senate, and the chair of the mental health committee of the assembly.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03266-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to direct the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities to study and report upon the cost to the state for the early diagnosis and long-term treatment of autism spectrum disorder
Purpose of bill
To study the costs to the state for the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and the long-term treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill requires the commissioners of the office for people with developmental disabilities, education, health, the office for children and family services and mental health to cause a study to be performed on the costs to the state for the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and the long-term treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The study shall include a projected estimate of future state costs associated with state services that will be needed to accommodate the growth in the number of individuals being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Section 2 requires the commissioners to deliver a copy of the findings of the study and any necessary legislative recommendations to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the chair of the mental health and developmental disabilities committee of the senate, and the chair of the mental health committee of the assembly on or before April 1, 2019.
Section 3 is the effective date.
Justification
More than 1 in 88 children in New York State are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. This number has increased significantly over the last decade. While thousands of state residents currently receive services for the treatment and care of autism spectrum disorders from the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities including long-term residential care; this number will increase steadily as more children are being diagnosed annually.
The state already has custody or will take custody of many individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as they grow older. The longterm fiscal impact to the state must be assessed immediately in order to plan for the funding necessary to provide proper service levels and improve programs for this vulnerable and increasing population.
Most states do not require private insurance companies to cover even essential autism treatments and services. In the absence of coverage, families often pay for out-of-pocket services that can cost upwards of $50,000 per year. In the process, many risk their homes and the educations of their unaffected children - essentially mortgaging their entire futures.
Prior history
2015-16: S.2562A/A.171A Amend and Recommit to Mental Health 2013-14: S.1470A/A.538A Referred to Mental Health/Passed Assembly 2011-12: S.4132A/A.9014A - Referred to Mental Health 2010: A.8625B - Referred to Mental Health
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.