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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7213 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.R.7213

                     One Hundred Eighteenth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America

                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

         Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
         the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-four

                                 An Act

 
   To amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance and reauthorize 
 activities and programs relating to autism spectrum disorder, and for 
                             other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
     This Act may be cited as the ``Autism Collaboration, 
Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2024'' or the 
``Autism CARES Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH ACTIVITIES.
    (a) Expansion of Activities.--Section 409C(a)(1) of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g(a)(1)) is amended--
        (1) by striking ``) shall, subject to the availability'' and 
    inserting the following: ``), in consultation with relevant Federal 
    departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall--
            ``(A) subject to the availability'';
        (2) by striking ``basic and clinical research in fields 
    including pathology'' and inserting the following: ``basic and 
    clinical research--
                ``(i) in fields, such as pathology'';
        (3) by striking ``toxicology, and interventions'' and inserting 
    the following: ``toxicology, psychiatry, psychology, developmental 
    behavioral pediatrics, audiology, and gerontology; and
                ``(ii) on interventions'';
        (4) by striking ``disorder. Such research shall investigate'' 
    and inserting the following: ``disorder; and
            ``(B) ensure that research referred to in subparagraph 
        (A)--
                ``(i) investigates'';
        (5) by striking ``prevention, services across the lifespan, 
    supports, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder'' 
    and inserting ``prevention, services and supports across the 
    lifespan, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder 
    and co-occurring conditions''; and
        (6) by striking ``treatments.'' and inserting the following: 
    ``treatments;
                ``(ii) examines supports for caregivers; and
                ``(iii) reflects the entire population of individuals 
            with autism spectrum disorder, including those individuals 
            with co-occurring conditions and the full range of needs 
            for supports and services, including such supports and 
            services to ensure the safety, and promote the well-being, 
            of such individuals.''.
    (b) Centers of Excellence.--Section 409C(b) of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g(b)) is amended--
        (1) in paragraph (2)--
            (A) by striking ``including the fields of'' and inserting 
        ``in fields such as''; and
            (B) by striking ``behavioral psychology, and clinical 
        psychology'' and inserting ``behavioral psychology, clinical 
        psychology, and gerontology'';
        (2) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``five'' and inserting 
    ``seven''; and
        (3) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking ``period of not to 
    exceed'' and inserting ``period not to exceed''.
    (c) Public Input.--Section 409C(d) of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 284g(d)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d) Public Input.--
        ``(1) In general.--The Director shall under subsection (a)(1) 
    provide for means through which the public can obtain information 
    on the existing and planned programs and activities of the National 
    Institutes of Health with respect to autism spectrum disorder and 
    through which the Director can receive comments from the public 
    regarding such programs and activities.
        ``(2) Guidance.--The Director may provide guidance to centers 
    under subsection (b)(1) on strategies, activities, and 
    opportunities to promote engagement with, and solicit input from, 
    individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their family members, 
    guardians, advocates or authorized representatives, providers, or 
    other appropriate individuals to inform the activities of the 
    center. Such strategies, activities, and opportunities should 
    consider including, as appropriate, individuals, family members, 
    and caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorder who 
    represent the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum 
    disorder, including those individuals with co-occurring conditions 
    and the full range of needs for supports and services, including 
    such supports and services to ensure the safety, and promote the 
    well-being, of such individuals, to inform the activities of the 
    center.''.
    (d) Budget Estimate.--Section 409C of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 284g) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Budget Estimate.--For each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029, 
the Director shall prepare and submit, directly to the President for 
review and transmittal to Congress, an annual budget estimate for the 
initiatives of the National Institutes of Health pursuant to the 
strategic plan developed under section 399CC(b)(5) and updated under 
section 399CC(b)(6)(B), after reasonable opportunity for comment (but 
without change) by the Secretary and the Interagency Autism 
Coordinating Committee established under section 399CC.''.
SEC. 3. PROGRAMS RELATING TO AUTISM.
    (a) Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research Program.--
Section 399AA of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i) is 
amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``an Indian tribe, or a 
    tribal organization'' and inserting ``an Indian Tribe, or a Tribal 
    organization'';
        (2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``across the lifespan'' 
    before the period at the end;
        (3) in subsection (d)(1)--
            (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``tribe; tribal'' 
        and inserting ``Tribe; tribal'';
            (B) by striking ``tribe'' and inserting ``Tribe''; and
            (C) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting ``Tribal''; and
        (4) in subsection (e), by striking ``December 20, 2024'' and 
    inserting ``September 30, 2029''.
    (b) Autism Education, Early Detection, and Intervention.--Section 
399BB of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-1) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``culturally competent 
    information'' and inserting ``culturally and linguistically 
    appropriate information'';
        (2) in subsection (b)(2)--
            (A) by striking ``promote research'' and inserting 
        ``promote research, which may include research that takes a 
        community-based approach,''; and
            (B) by striking ``screening tools'' each place it appears 
        and inserting ``screening and diagnostic tools'';
        (3) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``at higher risk'' and 
    inserting ``at increased likelihood'';
        (4) in subsection (b)(4), by inserting ``, which may give 
    consideration to the perspectives of parents and guardians'' before 
    the semicolon at the end;
        (5) in subsection (b)(7), by striking ``at higher risk'' and 
    inserting ``at increased likelihood'';
        (6) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``culturally competent 
    information'' and inserting ``culturally and linguistically 
    appropriate information'';
        (7) in subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii), by striking ``culturally 
    competent information'' and inserting ``culturally and 
    linguistically appropriate information'';
        (8) by amending paragraph (1) of subsection (e) to read as 
    follows:
        (9) in subsection (e)(1)--
            (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
        ``, and strengthen the capacity of,'' after ``expand''; and
            (B) in subparagraph (A)--
                (i) by striking ``expand existing or develop new'' and 
            inserting ``expand and strengthen the capacity of existing, 
            or, in States that do not have such a program, develop 
            new,''; and
                (ii) by striking ``Act) in States that do not have such 
            a program'' and inserting ``Act)'';
            (C) in subparagraph (B)(v), by inserting ``or other 
        providers, as applicable'' before the semicolon at the end; and
            (D) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows:
            ``(C) program sites--
                ``(i) provide culturally and linguistically appropriate 
            services;
                ``(ii) take a multidisciplinary approach and have 
            experience working with underserved populations; and
                ``(iii) identify opportunities to partner with 
            community-based organizations to expand the capacity of 
            communities to serve individuals with autism spectrum 
            disorder or other developmental disabilities.'';
        (10) in subsection (e)(2), by adding at the end the following 
    new subparagraph:
            ``(C) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
        enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2024, the Secretary shall 
        submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
        and Pensions of the Senate a report that examines the need for, 
        and feasibility of, expanding the developmental-behavioral 
        pediatrician training programs described in subparagraph 
        (A).'';
        (11) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
    ``(f) Intervention.--The Secretary shall promote research through 
grants or contracts, which may include grants or contracts to research 
centers or networks, to--
        ``(1) develop and evaluate evidence-based practices and 
    interventions to improve outcomes for individuals with autism 
    spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities by addressing 
    physical and behavioral health and communication needs of such 
    individuals across the lifespan;
        ``(2) develop guidelines for such evidence-based practices and 
    interventions; and
        ``(3) disseminate information related to such evidence-based 
    practices and interventions and guidelines.''; and
        (12) in subsection (g), by striking ``December 20, 2024'' and 
    inserting ``September 30, 2029''.
    (c) Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.--Section 399CC of 
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-2) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (b)--
            (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting ``, 
        on a regular basis'' after ``shall'';
            (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``develop a summary'' and 
        inserting ``summarize''; and
            (C) by striking paragraphs (5) and (6) and inserting the 
        following:
        ``(5) develop a strategic plan for the conduct of, and support 
    for, autism spectrum disorder research, as described in section 
    409C(a)(1), which shall include--
            ``(A) proposed budgetary requirements; and
            ``(B) recommendations to ensure that autism spectrum 
        disorder research, and services and support activities to the 
        extent practicable, of the Department of Health and Human 
        Services and of other Federal departments and agencies are not 
        unnecessarily duplicative; and
        ``(6) submit to the Congress and the President--
            ``(A) an annual update on the summary of advances described 
        in paragraph (2); and
            ``(B) a biennial update on the strategic plan described in 
        paragraph (5), including progress made in achieving the goals 
        outlined in such strategic plan and any specific measures taken 
        pursuant to such strategic plan.''; and
        (2) in subsection (f), by striking ``December 20, 2024'' and 
    inserting ``September 30, 2029''.
    (d) Reports to Congress.--Section 399DD of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-3) is amended--
        (1) by striking ``2019'' each place it appears and inserting 
    ``2024''; and
        (2) in subsection (a), by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
    follows:
        ``(1) In general.--Not later than 4 years after September 30, 
    2024, the Secretary, in consultation with other relevant Federal 
    departments and agencies, shall prepare and submit to the Committee 
    on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the 
    Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, 
    and make publicly available, including through posting on the 
    website of the Department of Health and Human Services, a progress 
    report on activities related to autism spectrum disorder and other 
    developmental disabilities. Such report shall include activities 
    and research related to the entire population of individuals with 
    autism spectrum disorder, including those individuals with co-
    occurring conditions and the full range of needs for supports and 
    services, including such supports and services to ensure the 
    safety, and promote the well-being, of such individuals.'';
        (3) in subsection (b)--
            (A) in the heading of subsection (b), by striking ``Health 
        and Well-Being'' and inserting ``Mental Health Needs'';
            (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``health and well-being'' 
        and inserting ``mental health needs''; and
            (C) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
        ``(2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall 
    contain--
            ``(A) an overview of policies and programs relevant to the 
        mental health of individuals with autism spectrum disorder 
        across their lifespan, including an identification of existing 
        Federal laws, regulations, policies, research, and programs; 
        and
            ``(B) recommendations to improve mental health outcomes and 
        address related disparities in mental health care for 
        individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including 
        prevention, care coordination, and community-based services.'';
        (4) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Update on Young Adults and Youth Transitioning to 
Adulthood.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the 
Autism CARES Act of 2024, the Secretary, in coordination with other 
relevant Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall 
prepare and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions of the Senate an update to the report required pursuant to 
subsection (b) of this section, as added by section 6 of the Autism 
Cares Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-157), and in effect before the date 
of enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-60), 
concerning young adults with autism spectrum disorder and the 
challenges related to the transition from existing school-based 
services to those services available during adulthood.''.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 399EE of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-4) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``$23,100,000 for each of 
    fiscal years 2020 through 2024'' and inserting ``$28,100,000 for 
    each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029'';
        (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``$50,599,000 for each of 
    fiscal years 2020 through 2024'' and inserting ``$56,344,000 for 
    each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029''; and
        (3) in subsection (c), by striking ``there are authorized to be 
    appropriated $296,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 
    2024'' and inserting ``there is authorized to be appropriated 
    $306,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029''.
SEC. 4. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO COMMUNICATION TOOLS.
    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') may, at the request 
of a State, Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, locality, or territory, 
provide training and technical assistance to such jurisdiction on the 
manner in which Federal funding administered by the Secretary may be 
used to provide individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other 
developmental disabilities with access to evidence-based services, 
tools, and technologies that support communication needs.
    (b) Annual Report.--The Secretary shall annually prepare and submit 
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the 
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives a report summarizing any technical assistance provided 
by the Secretary in the preceding fiscal year under subsection (a) and 
any advancements in the development or evaluation of such evidence-
based services, tools, and technologies.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.
```