093_HB1809ham003











                                     LRB093 04822 DRJ 14105 a

 1                    AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 1809

 2        AMENDMENT NO.     .  Amend House Bill 1809  by  replacing
 3    everything after the enacting clause with the following:

 4        "Section   5.  The   Mental   Health   and  Developmental
 5    Disabilities Administrative Act is amended by adding  Section
 6    57.5 as follows:

 7        (20 ILCS 1705/57.5 new)
 8        Sec. 57.5.  Autism diagnosis education program.
 9        (a)  Subject  to  appropriations,  the  Department  shall
10    establish  an autism diagnosis education program for children
11    who are  5  years  of  age  or  less.  The  Department  shall
12    establish  the program at 3 different sites in the State. The
13    program shall have the following goals:
14             (1)  Providing, to medical professionals and  others
15        statewide, a systems development initiative that promotes
16        best  practice  standards for the diagnosis and treatment
17        planning for children who are 5 years of age or less  and
18        have  autism  spectrum  disorders,  for  the  purpose  of
19        helping  existing  systems of care to build solid circles
20        of expertise within their ranks.
21             (2)  Educating   medical    practitioners,    school
22        personnel,  day  care  providers,  parents, and community
 
                            -2-      LRB093 04822 DRJ 14105 a
 1        service providers (including, but not limited  to,  early
 2        intervention  and  developmental  disabilities providers)
 3        throughout  the  State  on  appropriate   diagnosis   and
 4        treatment of autism.
 5             (3)  Supporting  systems  of  care for children with
 6        autism spectrum disorders who are 5 years of age or less.
 7             (4)  Working   together   with   universities    and
 8        developmental  disabilities  providers  to identify unmet
 9        needs and resources.
10        (b)  Before January 1, 2006, the Department shall  report
11    to  the  Governor  and  the  General  Assembly concerning the
12    progress  of   the   autism   diagnosis   education   program
13    established under this Section.".