Chapter
349
2005 -- S 0740 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/19/05
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY
Introduced By: Senators Tassoni, Doyle, McBurney, and Roberts
Date Introduced: February 17, 2005
It is
enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION
1. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "Health and Safety" is
hereby
amended
by adding thereto the following chapter:
CHAPTER
79
THE RHODE ISLAND AUTISM
SPECTRUM DISORDER EVALUATION AND
TREATMENT ACT
23-79-1.
Short title. – This chapter shall be known and may be cited as
"The Rhode
Island
Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluation and Treatment Act."
23-79-2.
Legislative purpose and policy. – Autism Spectrum Disorders
("ASD") is a
neurological
disorder that affects one in one hundred fifty-seven (157) children within the
state of
Rhode
Island as of the enactment of this law. In 1992, this disorder affected one in
ten thousand
(10,000)
children nationally. Modern scientific and neurological studies have not
identified any
one
factor contributing to the increase in diagnosis. Early diagnosis and
therapeutic strategies
greatly
assists in the assistance to children with autism. The Rhode Island general
assembly
declares
"ASD" to be a matter of public health and urgency to assist children
and adults affected
with
this disorder and hereby creates the "Rhode Island Autism Spectrum
Disorder Evaluation
and
Treatment Act."
23-79-3.
Legislative findings. – It is hereby found and declared as follows:
(a)
Autism is a significant neurological disorder that is a threat to the
development of
children.
Autism Spectrum Disorder ("ASD") has rapidly increased in diagnosis
over the past
decade.
(b)
The incidence of autism spectrum disorder continues to increase at a dramatic
rate. In
1992,
one in ten thousand (10,000) children were diagnosed with "ASD". By
2003, one in one
hundred
fifty-seven (157) children was diagnosed with this disorder.
(c)
"ASD" exacts an enormous economic toll on society, including the
public school
system
and family finances.
(d)
Medical and psychological experts still do not know the causes of
"ASD", prevention
of
"ASD" or unified strategies dealing with children and adults
afflicted with such disorder.
(e)
The State of Rhode Island must take the lead in combating the increasingly
rapid
problems
associated with "ASD" and the current treatments and strategies.
(f)
It is the intent of the legislature in enacting this chapter to reinforce screening
for
children
who are uninsured and/or underinsured through the Rhode Island department of
health
with
assistance from experts, service providers and parents.
(g)
It is the further intent of the general assembly, subject to appropriation and/or
the
receipt
of other resources designated for these purposes, to authorize the Rhode Island
department
of
health to provide appropriate testing and screening models to determine a
proper diagnosis of
"ASD"
and to create a case management system to properly catalogue such diagnosis.
(h)
In addition, subject to appropriation and/or the receipt of other resources
designated
for
these purposes, this chapter shall authorize programs of outreach, education,
increased
awareness
and cultural competence to the statewide community.
SECTION 2. This act shall
take effect upon passage.
=======
LC01802/SUB A
=======