BILL NUMBER: SB 1050 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 12, 2012
INTRODUCED BY Senator Alquist
FEBRUARY 8, 2012
An act to add and repeal Section 4643.4 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code, relating to autism and autism spectrum
disorders.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1050, as amended, Alquist. Autism screening: pilot
program. : telehealth taskforce.
Existing law requires the State Department of Developmental
Services to develop evaluation and diagnostic procedures for the
diagnosis of autism disorder and other autistic spectrum disorders,
as specified. Existing law also requires the Superintendent of Public
Instruction to convene, with input from the University of
California, the California State University, the department, and
other appropriate entities, an advisory committee to develop
recommendations identifying the means by which public and nonpublic
schools, including charter schools, can better serve pupils with
autism spectrum disorders and their parents.
This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to
enact legislation to establish a pilot program to promote the use of
technology and telehealth systems for the screening, diagnosis, and
evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. The pilot
program would be established by an academic institution, in
collaboration with school districts and regional centers, and would
be funded through private-public partnerships, as specified
, until January 1, 2019, require the department to establish an
autism telehealth taskforce and identify a lead administrator to be
responsible for the activities and work of the taskforce. The
taskforce would be required to provide the department with
recommendations in the area of telehealth services for individuals
with autism spectrum disorders, as specified .
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no
yes . State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all
of the following:
(a) Telehealth is an effective mode of delivering health services
to underserved and isolated populations.
(b) Studies have shown that telehealth can be a valuable tool for
increasing the effectiveness of treatment and improving access for
children and young adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders
(ASD). At times, patients with ASD are not diagnosed or are not
treated due to the lack of adequate health services.
(c) The use and implementation of telehealth technology may have
the potential to revolutionize the care available to individuals with
ASD in a healthcare climate characterized by limited resources by
providing all of the following:
(1) Greater knowledge and information about ASD to consumers and
their families.
(2) Improved access to underserved communities and populations.
(3) Enhanced case management.
(4) Increased coordination of care for this complex disorder.
(d) The utilization of telehealth-delivered services can help
achieve the goals of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act that include better care, improved health outcomes, and
reduced per capita cost of care.
(e) By deploying telehealth to better care for children with ASD,
the state can make larger improvements in its health and social
service systems.
SEC. 2. Section 4643.4 is added to the
Welfare and Institutions Code , to read:
4643.4. (a) The State Department of Developmental Services shall
establish an autism telehealth taskforce.
(b) The department shall identify a public or nonprofit entity to
act as lead administrator to be responsible for all of the activities
and work of the taskforce. The public or nonprofit entity shall have
knowledge or experience in all of the following:
(1) Telehealth.
(2) Community-based clinical trials.
(3) Providing services to underserved populations.
(c) The lead administrator shall appoint with the approval of the
department, members of the taskforce who have knowledge or experience
that includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
(1) The early identification of children with autism spectrum
disorders.
(2) The treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
(3) Early intervention services provided by regional centers,
school districts, and community-based services.
(4) Technology or telehealth in providing services to individuals
with autism spectrum disorders.
(5) Other areas deemed necessary by the department.
(d) Members of the taskforce shall serve at the pleasure of the
lead administrator without compensation, except for appropriate
travel, food, and lodging reimbursement.
(e) The taskforce shall provide technical assistance and
recommendations in the area of telehealth services for individuals
with autism spectrum disorders to the department. The taskforce shall
also provide recommendations to the department that include, but are
not limited to, the implementation of at least one demonstration
site that promotes or evaluates any of the following:
(1) The use of telehealth and technology to assist and improve the
delivery of services for individuals with ASD by regional centers.
(2) The use of telehealth to provide seamless integration and
coordination of services among regional centers, school districts,
community-based resources, and healthcare providers and
organizations.
(3) The use of telehealth to improve the access of services for
individuals with ASD to underserved individuals and to reduce the
"digital divide" in underserved communities.
(e) No moneys from the General Fund shall be appropriated for this
project. The establishment and responsibilities of the taskforce
shall be contingent upon identification of appropriate and adequate
funding sources.
(f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2019, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2019, deletes or extends
that date.
SECTION 1. (a) It is the intent of the
Legislature to enact legislation to establish a pilot program to
promote the use of technology and telehealth systems for the
screening, diagnosis, and evaluation of children with autism spectrum
disorders (ASD). The pilot program would also focus on providing
services, through the use of technology and telehealth, to
underserved populations.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the pilot program be
established by an academic institution, in collaboration with one or
more regional centers, one or more school districts, or a combination
of one or more regional centers and one or more school districts.
(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the pilot program be
funded through public-private partnerships with entities such as
foundations and high-tech companies.