HF 233

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:34am

A bill for an act
relating to insurance; creating an autism spectrum disorder task force; providing
appointments; requiring a report.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER TASK FORCE.
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new text begin (a) The Autism Spectrum Disorder Task Force is created in the legislative branch of
state government.
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new text begin (b) The task force is composed of 13 members as follows:
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new text begin (1) three members of the senate, appointed by the senate Subcommittee on
Committees of the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration;
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new text begin (2) three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of
the house;
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new text begin (3) a parent of a child on the autism spectrum who is a member of the State Special
Education Advisory Council, appointed by that organization;
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new text begin (4) an employee of the Department of Education who specializes in autism spectrum
disorders, appointed by the commissioner of education;
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new text begin (5) a pediatrician with expertise in mild to severe developmental disabilities affiliated
with the University of Minnesota Autism Treatment Clinic, appointed by that clinic;
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new text begin (6) a person appointed by the Autism Society of Minnesota;
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new text begin (7) a county representative employed in the public health or social service division
of a seven-county metropolitan area, appointed by the Minnesota Council on Disabilities;
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new text begin (8) a county representative from the public health or social services division of
a county outside of the seven-county metropolitan area, appointed by the Minnesota
Council on Disabilities; and
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new text begin (9) an employee of a school district who works with children who have autism
spectrum disorders, appointed by the Autism Society of Minnesota.
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new text begin Appointments must be made by September 1, 2009, and must be reported to the
Legislative Coordinating Commission.
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new text begin (c) The Departments of Education and Health shall provide substantive assistance to
the task force, including providing the task force with a count of children who have autism
spectrum disorder (ASD) with an individual education plan (IEP) and students with ASD
who have a 504 plan. Additionally, the Department of Health shall submit a count of the
adults with ASD enrolled in social service programs and the number of people with ASD
who receive care under Special Needs Basic Care and other waiver programs.
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new text begin (d) The Legislative Coordinating Commission shall provide administrative and
fiscal services to the task force.
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new text begin (e) The task force shall examine the following:
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new text begin (1) ways to improve services provided by the task force and all state and political
subdivisions;
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new text begin (2) sources of public funding available for treatment and ways to improve efficiency
in the use of those funds;
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new text begin (3) methods to improve coordination in the delivery of service between agencies,
health providers, and schools;
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new text begin (4) availability of medical providers of treatment for autism spectrum disorder and
how to increase their numbers;
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new text begin (5) scientific research on the most effective treatment methods; and
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new text begin (6) ways to enhance Minnesota's role in autism spectrum disorder research and
delivery of service.
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new text begin (f) The task force shall provide a written report to the legislature in compliance with
Minnesota Statutes, sections 3.195 and 3.197, on the following:
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new text begin (1) summary of the current service delivery model for children by medical,
behavioral, and school systems, and recommendations to improve the current model;
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new text begin (2) alternative methods for delivery, including a model that integrates medical and
behavioral therapy;
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new text begin (3) summary of current treatment protocols and recommendations to improve
treatment protocols based on current scientific autism spectrum disorder research;
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new text begin (4) summary of qualified medical and behavioral providers to treat autism spectrum
disorder in Minnesota and how to increase the number of these providers; and
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new text begin (5) barriers that may exist to providing care to children diagnosed with autism
spectrum disorder and recommendations to eliminate those barriers.
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new text begin (g) The task force shall issue its report no later than December 15, 2010. The task
force terminates June 30, 2011.
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new text begin (h) The task force shall elect a permanent or temporary chair or cochairs at its first
meeting.
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new text begin (i) Nonlegislator members shall serve without pay but shall receive compensation
for expenses under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 3. Compensation for
legislator members is subject to the rules of the house of representatives and senate.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009.
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