What's happening
This bill requires all children in New York aged 18 months or older to be screened for autism spectrum disorders during pediatric wellness visits.
Why it matters
Earlier and more universal autism screening may lead to earlier identification and intervention. for children on the autism spectrum, which can improve long-term developmental outcomes and quality of life.
Standardizing screening protocols across all pediatric care settings reduces disparities. in autism diagnosis, aiming to ensure that children from all backgrounds and regions receive equal access to early detection.
Mandating the use of objective screening tools and defined referral pathways. could streamline the process from screening to diagnosis and services, potentially reducing the wait time for families to access specialized care and support.
Requiring state agencies to adopt federal guidelines if state rules are delayed. ensures there is no gap in implementing screenings, maintaining continuity and accountability in the public health system.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Autism Screening for Kids
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3741
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
February 13, 2019
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, KENNEDY, MONTGOMERY, PERSAUD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law and the mental hygiene law, in relation to directing the commissioner of health and the commissioner of developmental disabilities to promulgate rules and regulations requiring every child beginning at the age of eighteen months to be examined for autism spectrum disorders; and to repeal section 2500-j of the public health law relating to screening children for autism spectrum disorders
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 2500-j of the public health law is REPEALED.
§ 2. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2500-l to read as follows:
§ 2500-l. Pediatric wellness visits; screening for autism spectrum disorders. 1. The commissioner shall, jointly with the commissioner of developmental disabilities, and on or before May first, two thousand twenty-one, promulgate rules and regulations requiring every pediatric primary care provider, conducting a wellness and preventative care examination, on or after September first, two thousand twenty-one, of a child eighteen months of age or older, to screen such child for autism spectrum disorders.
2. In addition, such rules and regulations shall establish guidelines and protocols for:
(a) the best practices for the screening for and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders;
(b) the employment of objective autism spectrum disorder tools; and
(c) the appropriate referral mechanism for children, who based upon the results of screening for autism spectrum disorders, require further evaluation.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08526-01-9
S. 3741 2
3. If the commissioner and the commissioner of developmental disabilities shall fail to promulgate, on or before May first, two thousand twenty-one, the rules and regulations required by subdivisions one and two of this section, the department shall adopt and implement the relevant federal rules and regulations relating thereto.
§ 3. The mental hygiene law is amended by adding a new section 16.39 to read as follows: § 16.39 Pediatric wellness visits; screening for autism spectrum disor-
ders.
The commissioner shall, jointly with the commissioner of health, and on or before May first, two thousand twenty-one, promulgate any and all rules and regulations required by subdivisions one and two of section twenty-five hundred-l of the public health law relating to the screening of children for autism spectrum disorders.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately, except that section one of this act shall take effect September 1, 2021.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law and the mental hygiene law, in relation to directing the commissioner of health and the commissioner of developmental disabilities to promulgate rules and regulations requiring every child beginning at the age of eighteen months to be examined for autism spectrum disorders; and to repeal section 2500-j of the public health law relating to screening children for autism spectrum disorders
Purpose
Requires the commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities and the commissioner of health to promulgate rules and regulations set forth by section 2500-1, which shall require primary care providers to conduct autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening during annual wellness and preventative care examination for children over the age of 18 months.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 repeals section 2500-j of the public health law.
Section 2 amends the public health law by adding section 2500-1 instructing the commissioner of health and the commissioner of the office of people with developmental disabilities to promulgate rules and regulations requiring all pediatric primary care providers to conduct ASD screening and preventative care examination of children over the age of eighteen months. This section also establishes requirements for the rules and regulations including: best practices for screening and diag- nosis, the use of objective autism spectrum disorder tools, and the appropriate referral mechanism based upon initial screening.
Section 3 requires that the commissioners promulgate all rules and regu- lations required by subdivisions one and two of section 2500-1 of the public health law relating to the screening of children for ASD.
Section 4 establishes the effective date.
Justification
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the nation. In fact, since 1992, there has been more than seven fold increase in the number of children in New York State diagnosed with autism. Autism varies widely in its severity and symptoms and may go unrecognized, especially in mildly affected children.
According to a study by the London School of Economics, the cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and inter- vention. Section 2500-1 requires pediatric primary care providers to conduct a wellness and preventative care examination for children begin- ning at 18 months of age.
Late diagnosis is associated with increased parental stress and delays to positive outcomes. Studies have found that interventions implemented before age 4 are associated with significant gains in cognition, language, and adaptive behavior. Doctors rely on a core group of behaviors to alert them to the possibil- ity of a diagnosis of autism.
Legislative history
2017-18: S2432 - Referred to Health
2015-16: S.2875A - Referred to Health
2013-14: S.2832/A.534A - Referred to Health
2011-12: S.3404 - Referred to Health
2009-10: S.6201/A.8251 Died in Health
Fiscal implication
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately, except that section one of this act shall take effect September 1, 2021.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.