Autism CARES Act of 2019

To amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder and enhance programs relating to autism, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019 Autism CARES Act of 2019 2. Expansion, intensification, and coordination of activities of the NIH with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder Section 409C of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 284g (1) in subsection (a)(1)— (A) in the first sentence, by striking and toxicology toxicology, and interventions to maximize outcomes for persons with autism spectrum disorder (B) by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: Such research shall investigate the causes (including possible environmental causes), diagnosis or rule out, early and ongoing detection, prevention, services across the lifespan, supports, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including dissemination and implementation of clinical care, supports, interventions, and treatments. (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (2)— (i) in the second sentence, by striking cause disorder causes, diagnosis, early and ongoing detection, prevention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan (ii) in the third sentence, by striking neurobiology neu­ro­bi­ol­ogy, genetics, genomics, psy­cho­phar­ma­col­ogy, developmental psychology, behavioral psychology, and clinical psychology. (B) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following: (D) Reducing disparities The Director may consider, as appropriate, the extent to which a center can demonstrate availability and access to clinical services for youth and adults from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, or linguistic backgrounds in decisions about awarding grants to applicants which meet the scientific criteria for funding under this section. . 3. Programs relating to autism (a) Developmental disabilities surveillance and research program Section 399AA(e) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 280i(e) 2019 2024 (b) Autism education, early detection, and intervention Section 399BB of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 280i–1 (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking children with autism spectrum disorder disabilities; individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities across their lifespan; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (2), by inserting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (B) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (6) as paragraphs (5) through (7), respectively; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: (4) promote evidence-based screening techniques and interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities across their lifespan; ; (3) in subsection (c)(1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting across their lifespan and their families (4) in subsection (e)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting across their lifespan and ensure (ii) in subparagraph (B)(iv), by inserting across their lifespan other developmental disabilities (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Developmental-behavioral pediatrician training programs (A) In general In making awards under this subsection, the Secretary may prioritize awards to applicants that are developmental-behavioral pediatrician training programs located in rural or underserved areas. (B) Definition of underserved area In this paragraph, the term underserved area (i) a health professional shortage area (as defined in section 332(a)(1)(A)); and (ii) an urban or rural area designated by the Secretary as an area with a shortage of personal health services as described in section 330(b)(3)(A)). ; (5) in subsection (f), by inserting across the lifespan of such individuals other developmental disabilities (6) in subsection (g), by striking 2019 2024 (c) Interagency autism coordinating committee Section 399CC of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 280i–2 (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (2), by inserting across the lifespan of such individuals (B) in paragraph (5), by inserting across the lifespan of such individuals and the families (2) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (1)(D), by inserting , the Department of Labor, the Department of Justice, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Education (B) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking one or more additional 4-year terms one additional 4-year term (3) in subsection (f), by striking 2019 2024 (d) Reports to Congress Section 399DD of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 280i–3 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking Autism CARES Act of 2014 Autism CARES Act of 2019 (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraphs (A), (B), (D), and (E), by striking Autism CARES Act of 2014 Autism CARES Act of 2019 (ii) in subparagraph (G), by striking age of the child age of the individual (iii) in subparagraph (H), by striking ; and ; (iv) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period and inserting ; and (v) by adding at the end the following: (J) information on how States use home- and community-based services and other supports to ensure that individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities are living, working, and participating in their community. ; and (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in the heading, by striking young adults and transitioning youth the health and well-Being of individuals with autism spectrum disorder across their lifespan (B) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2019 ; and (C) in paragraph (2)— (i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: (A) demographic factors associated with the health and well-being of individuals with autism spectrum disorder; ; (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking young adults the health and well-being of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including an identification of existing Federal laws, regulations, policies, research, and programs; (iii) by amending subparagraphs (C), (D), and (E) to read as follows: (C) recommendations on establishing best practices guidelines to ensure interdisciplinary coordination between all relevant service providers receiving Federal funding; (D) comprehensive approaches to improving health outcomes and well-being for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including— (i) community-based behavioral supports and interventions; (ii) nutrition, recreational, and social activities; and (iii) personal safety services related to public safety agencies or the criminal justice system for such individuals; and (E) recommendations that seek to improve health outcomes for such individuals, including across their lifespan, by addressing— (i) screening and diagnosis of children and adults; (ii) behavioral and other therapeutic approaches; (iii) primary and preventative care; (iv) communication challenges; (v) aggression, self-injury, elopement, and other behavioral issues; (vi) emergency room visits and acute care hospitalization; (vii) treatment for co-occurring physical and mental health conditions; (viii) premature mortality; (ix) medical practitioner training; and (x) caregiver mental health. . (e) Authorization of appropriations Section 399EE of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 280i–4 (1) in subsection (a), by striking $22,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019 $23,100,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 (2) in subsection (b), by striking $48,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019 $50,599,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 (3) in subsection (c), by striking there is authorized to be appropriated $190,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019 there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024

Summary: Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019 or the Autism CARES Act of 2019 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and revises several programs and activities relating to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Among other things, the bill reauthorizes provisions relating to (1) expanded ASD research at the National Institutes of Health; (2) ASD education, early detection, and intervention activities supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration; and (3) the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. The bill also generally revises the scope of such programs and activities to encompass ASD individuals of all ages, rather than only youth.