Minnesota Session Laws - 1997, Regular Session

                             CHAPTER 69-S.F.No. 652 
                  An act relating to human services; establishing a task 
                  force to study treatment options for autism. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  [AUTISM ADVISORY TASK FORCE.] 
           Subdivision 1.  [ESTABLISHMENT.] The commissioner of human 
        services and the commissioner of children, families, and 
        learning shall establish a task force to study the treatment of 
        autism.  The task force shall consist of providers, advocates, 
        and consumers of services to children affected by autism.  The 
        terms and compensation of the members shall be as described 
        under Minnesota Statutes, section 15.059, subdivision 6.  
           Subd. 2.  [DUTIES.] The advisory task force shall meet on a 
        regular basis to study the following: 
           (1) the spectrum of autistic disorders; 
           (2) treatment options for autism, including behavioral 
        therapy, and outcome data on these treatment options; 
           (3) the role of the schools, appropriate state agencies, 
        and counties in providing services to children with autism; 
           (4) funding flexibility options for services to children 
        with autism, including the use of state funds to provide 
        behavioral therapy; and 
           (5) the use of behavioral therapy day treatment programs 
        and the use of school and medical assistance funds for these 
        programs. 
           Subd. 3.  [REPORT.] The task force shall provide the 
        commissioner of human services with the findings of the study by 
        December 15, 1998.  The commissioner of human services shall 
        submit a preliminary report to the legislature by January 15, 
        1998, on the progress of the task force study.  The commissioner 
        shall submit a final report to the legislature by January 15, 
        1999, on recommendations to improve the treatment options 
        available to children with autism within the current available 
        funding.  The final report must include recommendations on how 
        to inform and educate families with autistic children on 
        available expertise and resources on the treatment of autism.  
        The task force expires upon submission of its report. 
           Presented to the governor April 28, 1997 
           Signed by the governor April 29, 1997, 2:23 p.m.