riod may be extended for one or more additional pe-
riods not exceeding 5 years if the operations of such
center have been reviewed by an appropriate tech-
nical and scientific peer review group established by
the Director and if such group has recommended to
the Director that such period should be extended.
‘‘(c) FACILITATION
OF RESEARCH.—The Director
shall under subsection (a)(1) provide for a program under
which samples of tissues and genetic materials that are
of use in research on autism are donated, collected, pre-
served, and made available for such research. The pro-
gram shall be carried out in accordance with accepted sci-
entific and medical standards for the donation, collection,
and preservation of such samples.
‘‘(d) PUBLIC INPUT.—The Director shall under sub-
section (a)(1) provide for means through which the public
can obtain information on the existing and planned pro-
grams and activities of the National Institutes of Health
with respect to autism and through which the Director can
receive comments from the public regarding such pro-
grams and activities.
‘‘(e) FUNDING.—For the purpose of carrying out this
section, there are authorized to be appropriated
$33,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, and such sums as may
be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2001 through
2004. Such authorizations of appropriations are in addi-
tion to any other authorization of appropriations that is
available for such purpose.’’.
SEC. 4. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish and
implement a program to provide information and edu-
cation on autism to health professionals and the general
public, including information and education on advances
in the diagnosis and treatment of autism and training and
continuing education through programs for scientists, phy-
sicians, and other health professionals who provide care
for patients with autism.
(b) STIPENDS.—The Secretary may use amounts
made available under this section to provide stipends for
health professionals who are enrolled in training programs
under this section.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—To carry
out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated
$6,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2000 through
2004.
SEC. 5. AUTISM COORDINATING COMMITTEE.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish
a committee to be known as the ‘‘Autism Coordinating
Committee’’ (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Commit-
tee’’) to coordinate all efforts within the Department of
Health and Human Services concerning autism, including
activities carried out through the National Institutes of
Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion under this Act (and the amendment made by this
Act).
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Committee shall be
composed of ex officio members in accordance with
paragraph (2) and 11 appointed members in accord-
ance with paragraph (3).
(2) EX OFFICIO MEMBERS.—The following offi-
cials shall serve as ex officio members of the Com-
mittee:
(A) The Director of the National Institutes
of Health.
(B) The Director of the National Institute
on Mental Health.
(C) The Director of the Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Prevention.
(D) The Administrator of the Health Re-
sources and Services Administration.
(3) APPOINTED
MEMBERS.—Appointments to
the Committee shall be made in accordance with the
following:
(A) Two members shall be research sci-
entists with demonstrated achievements in re-
search related to autism and related develop-
mental disabilities. The scientists shall be ap-
pointed by the Secretary in consultation with
the National Academy of Sciences.
(B) Five members shall be representatives
of the 5 national organizations whose primary
emphasis is on research into autism and other
pervasive developmental disabilities. One rep-
resentative from each of such organizations
shall be appointed by the Secretary in consulta-
tion with the National Academy of Sciences.
(C) Two members shall be clinicians whose
practice is primarily devoted to the treatment of
individuals with autism and other pervasive de-
velopmental disabilities. The clinicians shall be
appointed by the Secretary in consultation with
the Institute of Medicine and the National
Academy of Sciences.
(D) Two members shall be individuals who
are the parents or legal guardians of a person
or persons with autism or other pervasive devel-
opmental disabilities. The individuals shall be
appointed by the Secretary in consultation with
the ex officio members under paragraph (1) and
the 5 national organizations referred to in sub-
paragraph (B).
(c) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT; TERMS OF SERVICE;
OTHER PROVISIONS.—The following shall apply with re-
spect to the Committee:
(1) The Committee shall receive necessary and
appropriate administrative support from the Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services.
(2) Members of the Committee shall be ap-
pointed for a term of 3 years, and may serve for an
unlimited number of terms if reappointed.
(3) The Committee shall meet not less than 2
times per year.
(4) Members of the Committee shall not receive
additional compensation for their service. Such
members may receive reimbursement for appropriate
and additional expenses that are incurred through
service on the Committee which would not have in-
curred had they not been a member of the Commit-
tee.
SEC. 6. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
Not later than January 1, 2000, and each January
1 thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress, a report concern-
ing the implementation of this Act and the amendments
made by this Act.
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