BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                       



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          |SENATE RULES COMMITTEE            |                   ACR 53|
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                                 THIRD READING


          Bill No:  ACR 53
          Author:   Price (D), et al
          Amended:  4/27/09 in Assembly
          Vote:     21

           
          WITHOUT REFERENCE TO COMMITTEE OR FILE

           ASSEMBLY FLOOR  :


           SUBJECT  :    Autism Awareness Month

           SOURCE  :     Author


           DIGEST  :    This resolution declares April 2009 as Autism  
          Awareness Month; recognizes that individuals with an autism  
          spectrum disorder (ASD) are valued and important members of  
          society; recognizes the parents and relatives of  
          individuals with ASDs for their sacrifice and dedication in  
          providing for the special needs of individuals with ASDs;  
          and, declares the Legislature's continued support of the  
          work of specified organizations related to ASDs.

           ANALYSIS  :    This resolution makes the following  
          legislative findings: 

             1.   Autism and ASDs are neurodevelopment disorders that  
               typically last throughout a person's lifetime and may  
               cause significant impairments in language,  
               communications, and social interactions, abnormalities  
               in behaviors, and other physical manifestations. 
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                                                                ACR 53
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             2.   ASDs, the fastest growing serious developmental  
               disability, now impact one out of every 150 children  
               in the United States; and, most school districts in  
               California have seen a doubling of students with ASDs  
               in the past five years. 

             3.   Parents and family members have made invaluable  
               contributions through their commitment, caring, and  
               advocacy to important advances in research, education,  
               and treatment for individuals with ASDs; and, various  
               organizations are dedicated to providing services,  
               research, education and support awareness. 

             4.   California's leadership in providing services and  
               treatment for individuals with ASDs began with the  
               passage of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities  
               Services Act of 1969 and Assembly Bill 3854 (Burton)  
               in 1974, relating to autism and public education.  
               Numerous other legislation has been passed in previous  
               years that provided funding, recognition, awareness  
               and support of individuals with ASDs and the numerous  
               organizations that serve these individuals.

          This resolution declares April 2009 as Autism Awareness  
          Month; recognizes that individuals with an autism spectrum  
          disorder (ASD) are valued and important members of society;  
          recognizes the parents and relatives of individuals with  
          ASDs for their sacrifice and dedication in providing for  
          the special needs of individuals with ASDs; and, declares  
          the Legislature's continued support of the work of  
          specified organizations related to ASDs.

           FISCAL EFFECT  :    Fiscal Com.:  No

          CTW:nl  5/13/09   Senate Floor Analyses 

                       SUPPORT/OPPOSITION:  NONE RECEIVED

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