II 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1058 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
JULY 25, 2019 
Received 
AN ACT 
To amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance activities 
of the National Institutes of Health with respect to re-
search on autism spectrum disorder and enhance pro-
grams relating to autism, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:23 Aug 02, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1058.RDS
H1058
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
HR 1058 RDS
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Autism Collaboration, 
Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 
2019’’ or the ‘‘Autism CARES Act of 2019’’. 
SEC. 2. EXPANSION, INTENSIFICATION, AND COORDINA-
TION OF ACTIVITIES OF THE NIH WITH RE-
SPECT TO RESEARCH ON AUTISM SPECTRUM 
DISORDER. 
Section 409C of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 284g) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘and 
toxicology’’ and inserting ‘‘toxicology, and inter-
ventions to maximize outcomes for individuals 
with autism spectrum disorder’’; and 
(B) by striking the second sentence and in-
serting the following: ‘‘Such research shall in-
vestigate the causes (including possible environ-
mental causes), diagnosis or ruling out, early 
and ongoing detection, prevention, services 
across the lifespan, supports, intervention, and 
treatment of autism spectrum disorder, includ-
ing dissemination and implementation of clin-
ical care, supports, interventions, and treat-
ments.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:23 Aug 02, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1058.RDS
H1058
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
HR 1058 RDS
(A) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) in the second sentence, by striking 
‘‘cause’’ and all that follows through ‘‘dis-
order’’ and inserting ‘‘causes, diagnosis, 
early and ongoing detection, prevention, 
and treatment of autism spectrum disorder 
across the lifespan’’; and 
(ii) in the third sentence, by striking 
‘‘neurobiology’’ 
and 
all 
that 
follows 
through 
the 
period 
and 
inserting 
‘‘neurobiology, 
genetics, 
genomics, 
psychopharmacology, developmental psy-
chology, behavioral psychology, and clinical 
psychology.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(D) REDUCING DISPARITIES.—The Direc-
tor 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 lin-
guistic backgrounds in decisions about awarding 
grants to applicants which meet the scientific 
criteria for funding under this section.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:23 Aug 02, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1058.RDS
H1058
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
HR 1058 RDS
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)(1), by striking ‘‘adults on 
autism spectrum disorder’’ and inserting ‘‘adults 
with autism spectrum disorder’’; 
(2) in subsection (a)(2)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘State and local public 
health officials’’ and inserting ‘‘State, local, and 
Tribal public health officials’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘or other developmental 
disabilities’’ and inserting ‘‘and other develop-
mental disabilities’’; 
(3) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ‘‘a univer-
sity, or any other educational institution’’ and in-
serting ‘‘a university, any other educational institu-
tion, an Indian tribe, or a tribal organization’’; 
(4) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by striking ‘‘rel-
evant State and local public health officials, private 
sector developmental disability researchers, and ad-
vocates for individuals with developmental disabil-
ities’’ and inserting ‘‘State, local, and Tribal public 
health officials, private sector developmental dis-
ability researchers, advocates for individuals with 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:23 Aug 02, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1058.RDS
H1058
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
HR 1058 RDS
autism spectrum disorder, and advocates for individ-
uals with other developmental disabilities’’; 
(5) in subsection (d)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and 
(2) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and 
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as 
so redesignated, the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(1) INDIAN TRIBE; TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.— 
The terms ‘Indian tribe’ and ‘tribal organization’ 
have the meanings given such terms in section 4 of 
the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.’’; and 
(6) in subsection (e), by striking ‘‘2019’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2024’’. 
(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 (a)(1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘individuals with autism 
spectrum disorder or other developmental dis-
abilities’’ and inserting ‘‘individuals with autism 
spectrum disorder and other developmental dis-
abilities’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘children with autism spec-
trum disorder’’ and all that follows through 
‘‘disabilities;’’ and inserting ‘‘individuals with 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:23 Aug 02, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1058.RDS
H1058
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
HR 1058 RDS
autism spectrum disorder and other develop-
mental disabilities across their lifespan;’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘indi-
viduals with’’ before ‘‘autism spectrum dis-
order’’; 
(B) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(4) 
through (6) as paragraphs (5) through (7), re-
spectively; and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the 
following: 
‘‘(4) promote evidence-based screening tech-
niques and interventions for individuals with autism 
spectrum disorder and other developmental disabil-
ities across their lifespan;’’; 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), in the matter pre-
ceding subparagraph (A), by striking ‘‘the 
needs of individuals with autism spectrum dis-
order or other developmental disabilities and 
their families’’ and inserting ‘‘the needs of indi-
viduals with autism spectrum disorder and 
other developmental disabilities across their life-
span and the needs of their families’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:23 Aug 02, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1058.RDS
H1058
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
HR 1058 RDS
(i) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by strik-
ing ‘‘caregivers of individuals with an au-
tism spectrum disorder’’ and inserting 
‘‘caregivers of individuals with autism 
spectrum disorder or other developmental 
disabilities’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(i)(II), by in-
serting ‘‘autism spectrum disorder and’’ 
after ‘‘individuals with’’; and 
(iii) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by in-
serting ‘‘autism spectrum disorder and’’ 
after ‘‘individuals with’’; 
(4) in subsection (e)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by inserting ‘‘across their life-
span’’ before ‘‘and ensure’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(iv), by in-
serting ‘‘across their lifespan’’ after ‘‘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: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:23 Aug 02, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1058.RDS
H1058
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
HR 1058 RDS
‘‘(2) DEVELOPMENTAL-BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRI-
CIAN TRAINING PROGRAMS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—In making awards 
under this subsection, the Secretary may 
prioritize awards to applicants that are develop-
mental-behavioral pediatrician training pro-
grams located in rural or underserved areas. 
‘‘(B) 
DEFINITION
OF
UNDERSERVED 
AREA.—In this paragraph, the term ‘under-
served area’ means— 
‘‘(i) a health professional shortage 
area (as defined in section 332(a)(1)(A)); 
and 
‘‘(ii) an urban or rural area des-
ignated 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’’ after ‘‘other develop-
mental disabilities’’; and 
(6) in subsection (g), by striking ‘‘2019’’ and 
inserting ‘‘2024’’. 
(c) INTERAGENCY
AUTISM
COORDINATING
COM-
MITTEE.—Section 399CC of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 280i–2) is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:23 Aug 02, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1058.RDS
H1058
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
HR 1058 RDS
(A) in the heading, by striking ‘‘YOUNG 
ADULTS AND TRANSITIONING YOUTH’’ and in-
serting ‘‘THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF 
INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DIS-
ORDER 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, the Secretary shall prepare and submit, 
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on En-
ergy and Commerce of the House of Representa-
tives, a report concerning the health and well-being 
of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.’’; 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 au-
tism spectrum disorder;’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
‘‘young adults’’ and all that follows 
through the semicolon and inserting ‘‘the 
health and well-being of individuals with 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:23 Aug 02, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1058.RDS
H1058
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
HR 1058 RDS
autism spectrum disorder, including an 
identification of existing Federal laws, reg-
ulations, 
policies, 
research, 
and 
pro-
grams;’’; and 
(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 pro-
viders receiving Federal funding; 
‘‘(D) comprehensive approaches to improv-
ing health outcomes and well-being for individ-
uals with autism spectrum disorder, including— 
‘‘(i) community-based behavioral sup-
ports 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 im-
prove health outcomes for such individuals, in-
cluding across their lifespan, by addressing— 
‘‘(i) screening and diagnosis of chil-
dren and adults; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:23 Aug 02, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1058.RDS
H1058
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
HR 1058 RDS
‘‘(ii) behavioral and other therapeutic 
approaches; 
‘‘(iii) primary and preventative care; 
‘‘(iv) communication challenges; 
‘‘(v) aggression, self-injury, elope-
ment, and other behavioral issues; 
‘‘(vi) emergency room visits and acute 
care hospitalization; 
‘‘(vii) treatment for co-occurring phys-
ical 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) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘$22,000,000 
for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019’’ and in-
serting ‘‘$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’’ and in-
serting ‘‘$50,599,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 
through 2024’’; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:23 Aug 02, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1058.RDS
H1058
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
HR 1058 RDS
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘there is au-
thorized to be appropriated $190,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2015 through 2019’’ and inserting 
‘‘there 
are 
authorized 
to 
be 
appropriated 
$296,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 
2024’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives July 24, 2019. 
Attest: 
CHERYL L. JOHNSON, 
Clerk. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:23 Aug 02, 2019
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1058.RDS
H1058
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS