BILL ANALYSIS
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 91
Author: Steinberg (D)
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
SUBJECT : Autism Awareness Month
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution designates April 2010 as Autism
Awareness Month, recognizes and commends 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, expresses
support for the work of the Senate Select Committee on
Autism and Related Disorders, members of regional autism
taskforces, and Statewide Coordinating Council of Autism
Taskforces, and recognizes and commends the work of certain
ASD programs.
ANALYSIS :
This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
1. Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that
typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. Autism
is part of a group of disorders known as ASDs.
2. ASDs are neurodevelopmental disorders of unknown
CONTINUED
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etiology that may cause significant impairments in
language, communications, and social interactions,
abnormalities in behaviors, and other physical
manifestations.
3. 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.
4. 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 AIDS
combined.
5. 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.
6. Many Californians are not adequately informed about
ASDs and the value and importance of early
identification, assessment, and treatment of these
disorders.
7. 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.
8. 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
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education.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. In 2009, Senator Price, who at the time was a member
of the Assembly, authored Assembly Concurrent
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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.
13. 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.
14. 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
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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.
15. Public information and awareness efforts are of
paramount importance in accelerating early
identification efforts and the proliferation of early
intervention programs and services.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
CTW:do 3/24/10 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: NONE RECEIVED
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