What's happening
This bill creates the New York State Autism Council to coordinate autism awareness, education, research, and program enhancements.
Why it matters
Centralizes authority and expertise. By bringing together representatives from state agencies, parents, medical professionals, and advocates, the Council could reduce duplication and gaps in autism-related services and policies across New York.
Directs funding and program priorities. The Council gains significant influence over how state funds for autism awareness, services, and research are allocated, potentially ensuring resources are better aligned with the needs of individuals and families affected by autism.
Promotes use and sharing of research. The Council is tasked with establishing mechanisms for using and sharing biomedical research findings on autism, which could accelerate the adoption of best practices and improve care statewide.
Increases transparency and public input. The Council must provide public access to information on autism programs and research, and solicit public feedback, potentially making state efforts more responsive and accountable to the autism community.
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Who cares
Individuals with autism and their families
The bill would allow fund spending on council-approved supplemental programs and services and require the council to provide families with information about those enhancements.
New York Families for Autistic Children and parents of children with autism
NYFAC would receive a council seat, and legislative leaders would appoint two parents of children with autism to the council.
Autism researchers and clinicians
The council would establish ways to share and use biomedical research findings and recommend research projects for Department of Health approval.
Department of Health and other state agencies
Health, Education, Financial Services, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities and the Office of Children and Family Services would each have representation on the new council.
Headline styles
Create Autism Council
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to finance
- Referred to finance
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4750
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 22, 2019
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, BAILEY, KENNEDY, MONTGOMERY, PERSAUD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the executive law and the state finance law, in relation to creating the New York state autism council
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 19-E to read as follows:
ARTICLE 19-E
NEW YORK STATE AUTISM COUNCIL
Section 460. Definitions.
461. New York state autism council.
§ 460. Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
1. "Autism awareness project" means a project approved by the council aimed toward educating the general public about the symptoms and treatments of autism;
2. "Council" means the New York state autism council established pursuant to section four hundred sixty-one of this article; and
3. "Program and services enhancements" means any supplemental program or service that will assist in positive outcomes for individuals diagnosed with autism and their families that are approved by the council.
§ 461. New York state autism council. 1. There is established, within the executive department, the New York state autism council. The governor shall designate one of the appointed members to serve as the chair of the council. The council shall be composed of sixteen members as follows:
a. a representative of the department of health;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10611-01-9
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b. a representative of the department of education;
c. a representative of the office for people with developmental disabilities;
d. a representative of the department of financial services;
e. a representative of the office of children and family services;
f. a representative from New York Families for Autistic Children (NYFAC);
g. two members appointed by the temporary president of the senate, one of whom shall be the parent of a child with autism;
h. two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly, one of whom shall be the parent of a child with autism; and
i. six members appointed by the governor: (i) one of whom shall be a representative from an institution of higher learning where autism education curriculum is currently being offered; (ii) one of whom shall be a representative of the northern part of the state; (iii) one of whom shall be a representative of the southern part of the state; (iv) one of whom shall be a representative of the eastern part of the state; (v) one of whom shall be a representative of the western part of the state; and (vi) one of whom shall be a member of the medical field specializing in research within the field of autism.
2. Appointed members of the council shall serve terms of three years each, except that:
a. one member initially appointed by the governor, one member initially appointed by the temporary president of the senate, and one member initially appointed by the speaker of the assembly shall serve a one year term; and
b. a second member initially appointed by the governor, the second member initially appointed by the temporary president of the senate, and the second member initially appointed by the speaker of the assembly shall serve a two year term.
3. All vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. All vacancies must be filled within ninety days, otherwise the council shall determine, by majority vote, who shall fill the vacancy. Members appointed to fill a vacancy occurring for reason other than an expiration of a term shall serve for the remainder of the term of the person whom he or she is replacing. Members are eligible for reappointment.
4. Members shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to actual, necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their business as members of the council.
5. A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of a quorum shall be required for any official action of the council.
6. The council shall meet at the call of the chair, but not less than four times per year.
7. The council shall:
a. approve autism awareness programs;
b. carry out a program to provide information and education on program and services enhancements to families in the state with members suffering from autism;
c. establish the mechanisms to use the results of biomedical research on autism and autism spectrum disorders;
d. establish a mechanism for the sharing of information among researchers and clinicians in the state conducting biomedical research on autism and autism spectrum disorders;
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e. provide for a mechanism that would permit the public to obtain information on the existing and planned programs and activities being conducted related to autism, including any pilot studies, and the council to receive comments from the public regarding these programs and activities; and
f. provide an annual report to the governor with the council's recommendations and examining the creation of programs and services for individuals with autism.
§ 2. Subdivision 3 of section 95-e of the state finance law, as added by chapter 301 of the laws of 2004, is amended to read as follows:
3. (a) Monies of the fund shall be expended only for program and service enhancements for individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, autism awareness projects or autism research projects approved by the department of health [in] conducted within the borders of New York state provided, however, that no more than ten percent of monies from such fund shall be expended on the aggregate number of autism research projects approved in a fiscal year.
(b) As used in this section, the term "autism research project" means scientific research recommended by the New York state autism council and approved by the department of health into the causes and/or treatment of autism, the term "program and services enhancements" means any supplemental program or service that will assist in positive outcomes for individuals diagnosed with autism and their families that are approved by the New York state autism council established in section four hundred sixty-one of the executive law and the term "autism awareness project" means a project approved by the [department of health] New York state autism council aimed toward educating the general public about [the causes,] symptoms[,] and treatments of autism.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law and the state finance law, in relation to creating the New York state autism council
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill authorizes the creation of the New York State Autism Council.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of the bill defines the terms used within the legislation and sets fourth the makeup of the council as well as the responsibilities and duties of the council.
Section 2 establishes a fund for program service enhancements for indi- viduals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, autism awareness projects or autism research projects approved by the Department of Health.
Section 3 set for the effective date of the legislation.
Justification
Autism is a complex developmental disorder that impairs learning and slows intellectual development. It is one of the five disorders under the umbrella of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders, a category of neurological disorders characterized by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development including motor, language, cognitive and social skills. Autism is a spectrum disorder in which the symptoms and characteristics present themselves in a wide variety of combinations and ranges of severity. It typically appears in children under the age of three and most children are diagnosed with autism by the age of two. Over 17,000 individuals in New York have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and the United States Department of Education reports that autism is growing at a rate of 10-17-* per year.
Many.parent and family groups across New York State offer critical services, information and support. While the cause of autism is unknown, there exists extensive care and treatment programs for individuals with autism. This council will gather many of the state agencies and autism support groups together to:
approve autism awareness programs;
*carry out a program to provide information and education on program and service enhancements to families in the state with members suffering from autism;
*establish a mechanism for the sharing of information among researchers and clinicians in the state conducting biomedical research on autism and autism spectrum disorder;
*provide for a mechanism that would permit the public to obtain informa- tion on the existing and planned programs and activities being conducted related to autism; and
*provide an annual report to the governor with the council's recommenda- tions and examining the creation of programs and services for individ- uals with autism.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: S.3896 - REFERRED TO FINANCE 2015-16: S.3984/A.2100 - Referred to Finance 2013-14: S.1576/A.2272 - Referred to Finance 2011-12: S.5426 - Referred to Finance 2009-2010: A.2993 - Referred to Mental Health 2007-2008: A.6947 - Reported from Mental Health, referred to Ways and Means
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect 180 days after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.