BILL NUMBER: SCR 91 INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT
INTRODUCED BY Senator Steinberg
MARCH 22, 2010
Relative to Autism Awareness Month.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 91, as introduced, Steinberg. Autism Awareness Month.
This measure would designate April 2010 as Autism Awareness Month,
would recognize and commend the parents and relatives of individuals
with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) for their sacrifice and
dedication in providing for the special needs of individuals with
ASDs, would express support for the work of the Senate Select
Committee on Autism and Related Disorders, members of regional autism
taskforces, and the Statewide Coordinating Council of Autism
Taskforces, and recognize and commend the work of certain ASD
programs.
Fiscal committee: no.
WHEREAS, Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that
typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. Autism is part of a
group of disorders known as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs); and
WHEREAS, ASDs are neurodevelopmental disorders of unknown etiology
that may cause significant impairments in language, communications,
and social interactions, abnormalities in behaviors, and other
physical manifestations; and
WHEREAS, ASDs are abnormalities of brain development and function
that are typically diagnosed during the first three years of life,
are four times more likely to occur in males than females, and impact
all segments of California's population regardless of race,
ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other factors; and
WHEREAS, ASDs now impact one out of every 100 children in the
United States and are the fastest growing serious developmental
disability, making these disorders more common than pediatric cancer,
diabetes, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) combined;
and
WHEREAS, Most school districts in California have seen a doubling
of students with ASDs in the past five years. The number of
Californians with ASDs who are served by the State Department of
Developmental Services now exceeds 40,000, which is a number that has
more than tripled since 1998 and has increased more than 12 times
from what it was in 1987; and
WHEREAS, Many Californians are not adequately informed about ASDs
and the value and importance of early identification, assessment, and
treatment of these disorders; and
WHEREAS, Parents and family members have made invaluable
contributions through their commitment, care, and advocacy to
important advances in research, education, and treatment for
individuals with ASDs; and
WHEREAS, California has been the established leader in providing
services and supports for the early identification, assessment,
intervention, education, and treatment of individuals with ASDs that
began with the passage of landmark state legislation such as the
Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Service Act of 1969 and Assembly
Bill 3854 (Chapter 1527 of the Statutes of 1974), relating to autism
and public education; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, Senator Perata authored Senate Concurrent
Resolution 51 (Resolution Chapter 124 of the Statutes of 2005) that
established, with bipartisan backing, the Legislative Blue Ribbon
Commission on Autism; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, the Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism
submitted its report, "An Opportunity to Achieve Real Change for
Californians with Autism Spectrum Disorders," which provided specific
findings and recommendations to do all of the following:
(a) Establish models of integrated, comprehensive services for
early identification and intervention of ASDs.
(b) Ensure appropriate and equitable coverage for ASDs by private
health plans and insurers.
(c) Improve access to services and navigating complex systems of
care.
(d) Prepare teachers and other school-based personnel to educate
children with ASDs.
(e) Resolve service disputes effectively and equitably.
(f) Design new employment and housing strategies for individuals
with ASDs.
(g) Increase awareness and knowledge of ASDs among law enforcement
officers and other first responders; and
WHEREAS, In 2008, Senator Steinberg authored Senate Concurrent
Resolution 97 (Resolution Chapter 62 of the Statutes of 2008) that
proclaimed April 2008 as Autism Awareness Month, and acknowledged the
contributions made in the area of early autism and ASD intervention
treatment; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, Senator Price, who at the time was a member of
the Assembly, authored Assembly Concurrent Resolution 53 (Resolution
Chapter 30 of the Statutes of 2009) that proclaimed April 2009 as
Autism Awareness Month and noted the important sacrifices and
dedication that parents and relatives of individuals with ASDs
contribute in providing for the special needs of individuals with
ASDs; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, the Senate Committee on Rules, pursuant to
Senate Rule 12.5, established a subcommittee of the General Research
Committee known as the Senate Select Committee on Autism and Related
Disorders. The Senate Select Committee on Autism and Related
Disorders was authorized and directed to do all of the following:
(a) Provide a legislative forum for research, analysis,
deliberations, and outreach in order to promote policies and
legislation to better assist individuals with ASDs and their
families.
(b) Advance the work of the Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on
Autism.
(c) Address the issues that were identified within the 2007-08
California Autism Legislative Package, which included Senate Bill
527, Senate Bill 1175, Senate Bill 1364, Senate Bill 1475, Senate
Bill 1531, Senate Bill 1563, Assembly Bill 1872, and Assembly Bill
2302 of the 2007-08 Regular Session of the Legislature.
(d) Deal with the fiscal challenges that confront California in
providing the necessary and crucial services for individuals with
ASDs; and
WHEREAS, The Senate Select Committee on Autism and Related
Disorders has appointed regional autism taskforces that are comprised
of consumers and their family members, advocates, providers,
researchers, and other experts in the area of ASDs, and other
stakeholders, to provide assistance to, and to support the work of,
the select committee. Senator Steinberg, as Chair of the Senate
Select Committee on Autism and Related Disorders, has established the
Statewide Coordinating Council of Autism Taskforces that will
consist of the chairs and cochairs of the regional autism taskforces
and will meet periodically to review the input from all of the
regional autism taskforces and develop integrated recommendations for
consideration by the Senate Select Committee on Autism and Related
Disorders; and
WHEREAS, Public information and awareness efforts are of paramount
importance in accelerating early identification efforts and the
proliferation of early intervention programs and services; now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates April 2010 as
Autism Awareness Month; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes and commends the parents
and relatives of individuals with ASDs for their sacrifice and
dedication in providing for the special needs of individuals with
ASDs; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature expresses its support for the work
of the Senate Select Committee on Autism and Related Disorders, the
members of the regional autism taskforces, and the Statewide
Coordinating Council of Autism Taskforces; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes and commends the work of
The Help Group, the Special Needs Network, the Autism Society of
America, Autism Speaks, Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT),
Disability Rights California, California Association for Behavior
Analysis, Autism Behavioural Intervention Association, and other
nonprofit organizations that are contributing to the well-being of
individuals with autism and their families; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.