Public Act 93-0395

HB1809 Enrolled                      LRB093 04822 DRJ 04878 b

    AN ACT in relation to health.

    Be it enacted by the People of  the  State  of  Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:

    Section   5.  The   Mental   Health   and   Developmental
Disabilities  Administrative Act is amended by adding Section
57.5 as follows:

    (20 ILCS 1705/57.5 new)
    Sec. 57.5.  Autism diagnosis education program.
    (a)  Subject  to  appropriations,  the  Department  shall
contract to establish an autism diagnosis  education  program
for  young  children.  The  Department  shall  establish  the
program  at 3 different sites in the State. The program shall
have the following goals:
         (1)  Providing, to medical professionals and  others
    statewide, a systems development initiative that promotes
    best  practice  standards for the diagnosis and treatment
    planning for young  children  who  have  autism  spectrum
    disorders, for the purpose of helping existing systems of
    care  to  build  solid  circles of expertise within their
    ranks.
         (2)  Educating   medical    practitioners,    school
    personnel,  day  care  providers,  parents, and community
    service providers (including, but not limited  to,  early
    intervention  and  developmental  disabilities providers)
    throughout  the  State  on  appropriate   diagnosis   and
    treatment of autism.
         (3)  Supporting  systems  of care for young children
    with autism spectrum disorders.
         (4)  Working   together   with   universities    and
    developmental  disabilities  providers  to identify unmet
    needs and resources.
         (5)  Encouraging and supporting research on optional
    services  for  young  children   with   autism   spectrum
    disorders.
    (b)  Before  January 1, 2006, the Department shall report
to the Governor  and  the  General  Assembly  concerning  the
progress   of   the   autism   diagnosis   education  program
established under this Section.

    Section 99.  Effective date. This Act takes  effect  upon
becoming law.