Autism CARES Act of 2024

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 / reauthorize certain programs with respect to autism spectrum disorder?], and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2024 Autism CARES Act of 2024 2. National Institutes of Health activities (a) Expansion of activities Paragraph (1) of section 409C(a) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 284g(a) (1) Expansion of activities The Director of NIH (in this section referred to as the Director (A) subject to the availability of appropriations, expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder, including— (i) basic and clinical research in fields including pathology, developmental neurobiology, genetics, epigenetics, pharmacology, nutrition, immunology, neuroimmunology, neurobehavioral development, endocrinology, gastroenterology, toxicology, speech, language and hearing science, psychiatry, psychology, developmental behavioral pediatrics, and gerontology; and (ii) research on interventions to maximize outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder; and (B) ensure that research referred to in subparagraph (A)— (i) investigates the causes (including possible environmental causes), diagnosis or ruling out, early and ongoing detection, prevention, intervention, services, supports across the lifespan for autistic individuals and caregivers, and treatment for autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring conditions, including dissemination and implementation of clinical care, supports, interventions, and treatments; and (ii) reflects the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including the full range of cognitive, communicative, behavioral, and adaptive functioning, as well as co-occurring conditions and needs for support and services, including care necessary for physical safety. . (b) Centers of excellence Section 409C(b) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 284g(b) (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking prevention, and treatment prevention, services, and treatment (B) by striking including the fields including in the fields (C) by striking behavioral psychology, and clinical psychology behavioral psychology, clinical psychology, and gerontology (2) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking not less than five centers not fewer than six centers (3) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking period of not to exceed period not to exceed (c) Public input Section 409C(d) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 284g(d) (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) Opportunities Such public input opportunities may include encouraging the centers under subsection (b)(1) to establish an external advisory board or adopting a comprehensive plan to ensure individuals with various backgrounds and perspectives are represented, among other activities. Such 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 the full range of cognitive, communicative, behavioral, and adaptive functioning, to better inform research findings and future studies. . 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 (1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking and causes causes, and life course (2) in subsection (e), by striking 2024 2029 (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)(2), by striking subsequent interventions subsequent interventions and services (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking culturally competent information culturally and linguistically responsive information (3) in subsection (b)(2)— (A) by striking promote research promote research, which may include community-based participatory research, (B) by striking screening tools screening and diagnostic tools (4) in subsection (b)(3), by striking at higher risk at increased likelihood (5) in subsection (b)(4), by inserting , which may include such individuals utilizing parents and guardians trained to provide interventions, services, and supports (6) in subsection (c)(1), by striking culturally competent information culturally and linguistically responsive information (7) in subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii)— (A) by striking advocates, advocates, self-advocates, (B) by striking culturally competent information culturally and linguistically responsive information (8) by amending paragraph (1) of subsection (e) to read as follows: (1) Training The Secretary, in coordination with activities conducted under title V of the Social Security Act, shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, strengthen the capacity of existing training programs and expand existing interdisciplinary training opportunities or opportunities to increase the number of programs that address the health and well-being of individuals who have or are at increased likelihood for autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disabilities across their lifespan. Activities under the preceding sentence shall include— (A) awarding competitive grants or cooperative agreements to public or nonprofit agencies, including institutions of higher education, to expand existing or develop new maternal and child health interdisciplinary leadership education in neurodevelopmental and related disabilities programs (similar to the programs developed under section 501(a)(2) of the Social Security Act) in States that do not have such a program; (B) ensuring that trainees under such training programs— (i) receive an appropriate balance of academic, clinical, and community opportunities; (ii) are culturally and linguistically responsive; (iii) are from various backgrounds; (iv) demonstrate a capacity to evaluate, diagnose or rule out, develop, and provide evidence-based interventions and programs to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities across their lifespan; and (v) demonstrate an ability to use a person- and family-centered approach, which may include collaborating with research centers or networks to provide training for providers of respite care (as defined in section 2901); (C) ensuring that program sites provide culturally and linguistically responsive services; and (D) encouraging training programs to partner with appropriate entities to build community capacity. ; (9) in subsection (e)(2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (C) Report Not later than 2 years after September 30, 2024, the Comptroller General of the United States 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 a report examining how to increase the number of developmental-behavioral pediatricians, including through the developmental behavioral pediatrician training program. ; (10) in subsection (f)— (A) by striking promote research promote research, including community-based participatory research, (B) by striking physical and behavioral health of individuals physical and behavioral health, and communication needs, of individuals (C) by striking disseminate information related to such research and guidelines disseminate information relating to such research and guidelines to improve the quality of life and long-term outcomes (11) in subsection (g), by striking 2024 2029 (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 striking develop a summary develop and update a summary (B) in paragraphs (3) and (4), by striking make recommendations make and update recommendations (C) by striking paragraphs (5) and (6) and inserting the following: (5) develop and update a strategic plan for the conduct of, and support for, autism spectrum disorder research, including as practicable for services and supports, for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan of such individuals and the families of such individuals, and across the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including the full range of cognitive, communicative, behavioral, and adaptive functioning, as well as co-occurring conditions and needs for support and services, including care necessary for physical safety, which such plan shall include proposed budgetary requirements and 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 President— (A) an annual update on the summary of advances described in paragraph (2); and (B) each update to the strategic plan described in paragraph (5), including any steps that have already been taken to implement the recommendations in such updated strategic plan and progress made in achieving the goals outlined in such updated strategic plan. ; and (2) in subsection (f), by striking 2024 2029 (d) Reports to Congress Section 399DD of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 280i–3 (1) by striking Autism CARES Act of 2019 Autism CARES Act of 2024 (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 and coordination with other Federal departments and agencies that serve individuals with autism spectrum disorder, 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 internet 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 the full range of cognitive, communicative, behavioral, and adaptive functioning, as well as co-occurring conditions and needs for support and services, including care necessary for physical safety. ; and (3) 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 Public Law 113–157 (d) Professional judgment budget For each fiscal year through fiscal year 2029, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, in coordination with other relevant agencies, as appropriate, shall prepare and submit, directly to the President for review and transmittal to Congress, after reasonable opportunity for comment, but without change, by the Secretary and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee established under section 399CC(a), an annual budget estimate for carrying out the strategic plan developed and updated under section 399CC(b)(5). . (e) Authorization of appropriations Section 399EE of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 280i–4 (1) in subsection (a), by striking $23,100,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 $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 $56,344,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 (3) in subsection (c), by striking there are authorized to be appropriated $296,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 there is authorized to be appropriated $341,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 Amend the title so as to read: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance and reauthorize activities and programs relating to autism spectrum disorder, and for other purposes. July 30, 2024 Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2024 or the Autism CARES Act of 2024This bill reauthorizes several programs that support autism education, research, and resources.Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2029 (1) the Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research Program that is administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (2) activities administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support autism education, early detection, and intervention; and (3) the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee in HHS.It also updates and establishes various related reporting requirements, including by requiring the Government Accountability Office to report on how to increase the number of developmental-behavioral pediatricians through certain training programs.