II 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7213 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 
Received 
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 Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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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 avail-
ability’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘), in consulta-
tion with relevant Federal departments and agen-
cies, as appropriate, shall— 
‘‘(A) subject to the availability’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘basic and clinical research in 
fields including pathology’’ and inserting the fol-
lowing: ‘‘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 
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‘‘(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 ‘‘preven-
tion, services and supports across the lifespan, inter-
vention, 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-occur-
ring 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 indi-
viduals.’’. 
(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)— 
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(A) by striking ‘‘including the fields of’’ 
and inserting ‘‘in fields such as’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘behavioral psychology, 
and clinical psychology’’ and inserting ‘‘behav-
ioral psychology, clinical psychology, and geron-
tology’’; 
(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 strat-
egies, activities, and opportunities to promote en-
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gagement with, and solicit input from, individuals 
with autism spectrum disorder and their family 
members, guardians, advocates or authorized rep-
resentatives, providers, or other appropriate individ-
uals to inform the activities of the center. Such 
strategies, activities, and opportunities should con-
sider including, as appropriate, individuals, family 
members, and caregivers of individuals with autism 
spectrum disorder who represent the entire popu-
lation of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, 
including those individuals with co-occurring condi-
tions and the full range of needs for supports and 
services, including such supports and services to en-
sure 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 add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) BUDGET ESTIMATE.—For each of fiscal years 
2026 through 2029, the Director shall prepare and sub-
mit, 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 stra-
tegic plan developed under section 399CC(b)(5) and up-
dated under section 399CC(b)(6)(B), after reasonable op-
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portunity for comment (but without change) by the Sec-
retary and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Com-
mittee 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 In-
dian 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; TRIB-
AL’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘tribe’’ and inserting 
‘‘Tribe’’; and 
(C) by striking ‘‘tribal’’ and inserting 
‘‘Tribal’’; and 
(4) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘2024’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2029’’. 
(b) AUTISM EDUCATION, EARLY DETECTION, AND 
INTERVENTION.—Section 399BB of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–1) is amended— 
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(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 in-
serting ‘‘promote research, which may include 
research that takes a community-based ap-
proach,’’; 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 ‘‘cul-
turally competent information’’ and inserting ‘‘cul-
turally and linguistically appropriate information’’; 
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(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 de-
velop 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 linguis-
tically appropriate services; 
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‘‘(ii) take a multidisciplinary approach 
and have experience working with under-
served populations; and 
‘‘(iii) identify opportunities to partner 
with community-based organizations to ex-
pand 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 Com-
mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pen-
sions of the Senate a report that examines the 
need for, and feasibility of, expanding the devel-
opmental-behavioral pediatrician training pro-
grams described in subparagraph (A).’’; 
(11) by amending subsection (f) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(f) INTERVENTION.—The Secretary shall promote 
research through grants or contracts, which may include 
grants or contracts to research centers or networks, to— 
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‘‘(1) develop and evaluate evidence-based prac-
tices and interventions to improve outcomes for indi-
viduals with autism spectrum disorder or other de-
velopmental 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 ‘‘2024’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2029’’. 
(c) INTERAGENCY
AUTISM
COORDINATING
COM-
MITTEE.—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: 
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‘‘(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 in-
clude— 
‘‘(A) proposed budgetary requirements; 
and 
‘‘(B) recommendations to ensure that au-
tism spectrum disorder research, and services 
and support activities to the extent practicable, 
of the Department of Health and Human Serv-
ices and of other Federal departments and 
agencies are not unnecessarily duplicative; and 
‘‘(6) submit to the Congress and the Presi-
dent— 
‘‘(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 ‘‘2024’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2029’’. 
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(d) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Section 399DD of the 
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i–3) is amend-
ed— 
(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 con-
sultation with other relevant Federal departments 
and agencies, shall prepare and submit to the Com-
mittee 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 re-
lated to autism spectrum disorder and other develop-
mental disabilities. Such report shall include activi-
ties 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, in-
cluding such supports and services to ensure the 
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safety, and promote the well-being, of such individ-
uals.’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in the heading of subsection (b), by 
striking ‘‘HEALTH AND WELL-BEING’’ and in-
serting ‘‘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 pro-
grams; and 
‘‘(B) recommendations to improve mental 
health outcomes and address related disparities 
in mental health care for individuals with au-
tism spectrum disorder, including prevention, 
care coordination, and community-based serv-
ices.’’; 
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(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 Com-
mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the 
Senate an update to the report required pursuant to sub-
section (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 serv-
ices 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 in-
serting ‘‘$28,100,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 
through 2029’’; 
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(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘$50,599,000 
for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024’’ and in-
serting ‘‘$56,344,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 
through 2029’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘there are au-
thorized 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 ‘‘Sec-
retary’’) may, at the request of a State, Indian Tribe, 
Tribal organization, locality, or territory, provide training 
and technical assistance to such jurisdiction on the man-
ner in which Federal funding administered by the Sec-
retary may be used to provide individuals with autism 
spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities 
with access to evidence-based services, tools, and tech-
nologies that support communication needs. 
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Secretary shall annually 
prepare and submit to the Committee on Health, Edu-
cation, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Com-
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mittee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report summarizing any technical assistance 
provided by the Secretary in the preceding fiscal year 
under subsection (a) and any advancements in the devel-
opment or evaluation of such evidence-based services, 
tools, and technologies. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 18, 
2024. 
Attest: 
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER, 
Clerk. 
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