093_HB1809ham004 LRB093 04822 DRJ 14460 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 contract to establish an autism diagnosis education program 11 for young children. The Department shall establish the 12 program at 3 different sites in the State. The program shall 13 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 young children who have autism spectrum 18 disorders, for the purpose of helping existing systems of 19 care to build solid circles of expertise within their 20 ranks. 21 (2) Educating medical practitioners, school 22 personnel, day care providers, parents, and community -2- LRB093 04822 DRJ 14460 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 young children 6 with autism spectrum disorders. 7 (4) Working together with universities and 8 developmental disabilities providers to identify unmet 9 needs and resources. 10 (5) Encouraging and supporting research on optional 11 services for young children with autism spectrum 12 disorders. 13 (b) Before January 1, 2006, the Department shall report 14 to the Governor and the General Assembly concerning the 15 progress of the autism diagnosis education program 16 established under this Section. 17 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 18 becoming law.".