[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 843 Reported in Senate (RS)]
Calendar No. 578
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 843
[Report No. 109-318]
To amend the Public Health Service Act to combat autism through
research, screening, intervention and education.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 19, 2005
Mr. Santorum (for himself, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Corzine, Mr. Lieberman, Mr.
Lautenberg, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. Kerry, Mr.
Coleman, Ms. Collins, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Akaka, Mr. Leahy, Mrs. Clinton,
Mr. Dayton, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Isakson, Mr. DeWine, Ms.
Mikulski, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Biden, Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Schumer,
Mr. Menendez, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Reed, Mrs.
Murray, Mr. Sununu, Mr. Vitter, Mr. McCain, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Talent,
Mr. Nelson of Florida, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Harkin, Mrs.
Hutchison, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Burr, Mr. Frist, Mr. Durbin, Mr.
Chambliss, and Mr. Thune) introduced the following bill; which was read
twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions
August 3, 2006
Reported by Mr. Enzi, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to combat autism through
research, screening, intervention and education.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Combating Autism Act of
2005''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE AUTISM-RELATED RESEARCH AND
FUNDING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Title IV of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 281
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``PART J--AUTISM-RELATED ACTIVITIES</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 499A. AUTHORITY OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTES OF HEALTH RELATING TO AUTISM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Identifying Total Expenditures on Autism Spectrum
Disorders.--The Director of NIH, in coordination with the National
Institute of Mental Health and other institutes of the National
Institutes of Health, shall identify the total amount of expenditures,
both intramural and extramural, by the National Institutes of Health
for autism spectrum disorders for fiscal year 2005.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Budget for Autism Research and Coordination of
Activities and Programs.--The Director of NIH, based on the strategic
plan developed under subsection (c), shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) develop and oversee the implementation of a
scientifically justified budget for research on autism spectrum
disorders at the National Institutes of Health;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) coordinate all research activities and
programs on autism spectrum disorders at the institutes,
centers, and divisions of the National Institutes of Health;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) evaluate all such activities and
programs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Strategic Plan for Autism Research.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Director of NIH shall
develop and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive,
long-range plan for the conduct and support of research on
autism spectrum disorders by the institutes, centers, and
divisions of the National Institutes of Health.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Requirements.--The plan developed under
paragraph (1) shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) be updated on an annual
basis;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) be based on the research
recommendations contained in the Autism Research
Roadmap and Matrix of the Interagency Autism
Coordinating Committee;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) determine and establish priorities
among critical scientific questions related to autism
spectrum disorders;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) based on the priorities established
under subparagraph (C), specify the short and long-
range objectives to be achieved, and estimate the
resources needed to achieve these objectives;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) evaluate the sufficiency of existing
research programs on autism spectrum disorders to meet
the objectives specified under subparagraph (D), and
establish objectives, timelines, and criteria for
evaluating future research programs; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) make recommendations for changes to
existing research programs on autism spectrum
disorders.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Budgetary Authority.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Director of NIH shall--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) in accordance with the strategic
plan developed under subsection (c), annually prepare
and submit to Congress a scientifically justified
budget estimate for research on autism spectrum
disorders to be conducted within the agencies of the
National Institutes of Health, which shall include the
amount of funds that will be required for--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the continued funding of
ongoing discretionary program initiatives at
the institutes, centers, and divisions of the
National Institutes of Health; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) the funding of new and
complementary program initiatives.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) receive all research funds for
autism spectrum disorders described in subparagraph
(A), and allocate those funds to the institutes,
centers, and divisions of the National Institutes of
Health.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Effective date.--Paragraph (1)(B) shall
become effective in the fiscal year following the submission of
the autism budget described in paragraph (1)(A).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Evaluation and Report.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Evaluation.--The Director of NIH shall
evaluate the effect of this section on the planning and
coordination of research programs on autism spectrum disorders
at the institutes, centers, and divisions of the National
Institutes of Health, and the extent to which funding mandated
under this section has followed the recommendation of the
strategic plan developed under subsection (c).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the Director of NIH shall
prepare and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor,
and Pensions and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate,
a report based on the evaluation described in paragraph
(1).</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 499B. EXPANSION, INTENSIFICATION, AND COORDINATION OF
ACTIVITIES OF NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WITH RESPECT
TO RESEARCH ON AUTISM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Expansion of activities.--The Director of
NIH shall expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of
the National Institutes of Health with respect to research on
autism.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Administration of program; coordination
among agencies.--The Director of NIH shall carry out this
section acting through the Director of the National Institute
of Mental Health and in collaboration with the National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National
Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, and
any other agencies that the Director determines
appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Centers of Excellence.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection
(a)(1), the Director of NIH shall award grants and contracts to
public or nonprofit private entities to pay all or part of the
cost of planning, establishing, improving, and providing basic
operating support for centers of excellence regarding research
on autism.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Research.--Each center of excellence that
receives funding under paragraph (1) shall conduct basic and
clinical research into autism. Such research--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) shall be conducted in the fields of
developmental neurobiology, genetics, and
psychopharmacology, and, beginning on July 1, 2008,
immunology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, and
toxicology; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) should include--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) investigations into the
cause, diagnosis, early detection, prevention,
control, treatment, and cure of autism;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) research on high-risk
infant siblings.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Services for patients.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--A center of excellence
that receives funding under paragraph (1) may expend
amounts provided under a grant or contract under such
paragraph to carry out a program to make individuals
aware of opportunities to participate as subjects in
research conducted by the centers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Referrals and costs.--A program
carried out under subparagraph (A) may, in accordance
with such criteria as the Director of NIH may
establish, provide to the subjects described in such
subparagraph, referrals for health and other services,
and such patient care costs as are required for
research.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Availability and access.--The extent
to which a center of excellence that receives funding
under paragraph (1) can demonstrate availability and
access to clinical services shall be considered by the
Director of NIH in decisions about awarding grants or
contracts to applicants that meet the scientific
criteria for funding under this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Coordination of centers of excellence.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--The Director of NIH
shall, as appropriate, provide for the coordination of
information among centers of excellence that receive
funding under paragraph (1) and centers of excellence
that receive funding under section 463C, and ensure
regular communication between such centers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Periodic reports.--The Director of
NIH may require the periodic preparation of reports on
the activities of the centers described in subparagraph
(A) and the submission of such reports to the
Director.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Collection and storage of data.--The
Director of NIH shall establish and fund mechanisms and
entities for collecting, storing, and coordinating data
collected by the centers referred to in subparagraph
(A) and data generated from public and private research
partnerships.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Organization.--Each center of excellence
that receives funding under paragraph (1) shall use the
facilities of a single institution, or be formed from a
consortium of cooperating institutions, meeting such
requirements as may be prescribed by the Director of
NIH.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) Number and duration.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--The Director shall
provide for the establishment of not less than 10
centers under paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Duration.--A grant or contract
awarded under paragraph (1) shall not exceed a period
of 5 years. Such period may be extended for 1 or more
additional periods not exceeding 5 years if the
operations of the center of excellence involved have
been reviewed by an appropriate technical and
scientific peer review group established by the
Director of NIH and the group has recommended to the
Director that such period should be extended.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Facilitation of research.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) Establishment of program.--
The Director of NIH shall establish a program
under which samples of tissues and genetic and
other biological materials that are of use in
research on autism are donated, collected,
preserved, and made available for such
research.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Accepted scientific
standards.--The program established under
clause (i) shall be carried out in accordance
with accepted scientific and medical standards
for the donation, collection, and preservation
of such samples, and shall be conducted so that
the tissues and other materials saved, as well
as any database compiled from such tissues and
materials, are available to researchers at a
reasonable cost.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) Public input.--In carrying out this
section, the Director of NIH shall provide for a 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
and through which the Director can receive comments
from the public regarding such programs and
activities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $30,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011. Amounts appropriated under
this subsection shall be in addition to any other amounts appropriated
for such purpose.</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 499C. COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS OF EXCELLENCE IN
AUTISM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--The Director of NIH, acting through the
Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development and the Director of the National Institute on Deafness and
Other Disorders, shall award grants and contracts to public or
nonprofit private entities to pay all or part of the cost of planning,
establishing, improving, and providing basic operating support for the
Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Research.--Each program established under subsection
(a) shall conduct basic and clinical research into autism. Such
program--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) shall conduct research in the fields of
developmental neurobiology, genetics, and psychopharmacology,
and, beginning July 1, 2008, in the fields of immunology,
endocrinology, gastroenterology, and toxicology; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) should conduct--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) investigations into the cause,
diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control,
treatment, and cure of autism; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) research on high-risk infant
siblings.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Coordination of Programs.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Director of NIH shall, as
appropriate, provide for the coordination of information among
programs established under subsection (a), and centers of
excellence that receive funding under section 463C and 499B,
and ensure regular communication between such
centers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Periodic reports.--The Director of NIH may
require the periodic preparation of reports on the activities
of the programs described in paragraph (1) and the submission
of such reports to the Director.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Collection and storage of data.--The
Director of NIH shall establish and fund mechanisms and
entities for collecting, storing, and coordinating data
collected by the programs referred to in paragraph (1) and data
generated from public and private research
partnerships.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Organization.--Each program that receives funding
under subsection (a) shall use the facilities of a single institution,
or be formed from a consortium of cooperating institutions, meeting
such requirements as may be prescribed by the Director of
NIH.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Number and Duration.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Director shall provide for
the establishment of not less than 10 programs under paragraph
(1).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Duration.--A grant or contract awarded under
subsection (a) shall not exceed a period of 5 years. Such
period may be extended for 1 or more additional periods not
exceeding 5 years if the operations of the program involved
have been reviewed by an appropriate technical and scientific
peer review group established by the Director of NIH and the
group has recommended to the Director that such period should
be extended.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $14,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011. Amounts appropriated under
this subsection shall be in addition to any other amounts appropriated
for such purpose.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SURVEILLANCE AND RESEARCH
PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end thereof the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``PART R--PROGRAMS RELATING TO AUTISM</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 399AA. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SURVEILLANCE AND
RESEARCH PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) National Autism and Pervasive Developmental
Disabilities Surveillance Program.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through
the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
may award grants and cooperative agreements to eligible
entities for the collection, analysis, and reporting of
epidemiological data on autism and pervasive developmental
disabilities. In making such awards, the Secretary may provide
direct technical assistance in lieu of cash.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a
grant or cooperative agreement under paragraph (1), an entity
shall be a public or nonprofit private entity (including a
health department of a State or political subdivisions of a
State, a university, or any other educational institution), and
submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Centers of Excellence in Autism and Pervasive
Developmental Disabilities Epidemiology.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through
the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
shall establish not less than 6 regional centers of excellence
in autism and pervasive developmental disabilities epidemiology
for the purpose of collecting and analyzing information on the
number, incidence, incidence trend over time, correlates, and
causes of autism and related developmental
disabilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Recipients of awards.--Each center of
excellence under paragraph (1) shall be established and
operated through the awarding of grants or cooperative
agreements to public or nonprofit private entities that conduct
research, including health departments of States and political
subdivisions of States, and universities and other educational
entities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Requirements.--To be eligible to receive a
grant or cooperative agreement under paragraph (2), an entity
shall submit to the Secretary an application containing such
agreements and information as the Secretary may require,
including an agreement that the center to be established shall
operate in accordance with the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) The center will collect, analyze,
and report autism and pervasive developmental
disabilities data according to guidelines prescribed by
the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, after consultation with relevant State and
local public health officials, private sector
developmental disability researchers, and advocates for
those with developmental disabilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) The center will assist with the
development and coordination of State autism and
pervasive developmental disabilities surveillance
efforts within a region.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) The center will identify eligible
cases and controls through its surveillance systems and
conduct research into factors which may cause or
increase the risk of autism and related developmental
disabilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) The center will develop or extend an
area of special research expertise (including genetics,
environmental exposure to contaminants, immunology, and
other relevant research specialty areas).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Clearinghouse.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall carry
out the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall
establish a clearinghouse within the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention for the collection and storage of data
generated from the monitoring programs established under this
part and part J of title IV. Through the clearinghouse, such
Centers shall serve as the coordinating agency for autism and
pervasive developmental disabilities surveillance activities.
The functions of such clearinghouse shall include facilitating
the coordination of research and policy development relating to
the epidemiology of autism and other pervasive developmental
disabilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Federal response.--The Secretary shall
coordinate the Federal response to requests for assistance from
State health department officials regarding potential or
alleged autism or developmental disability clusters.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Facilitation of research.--The Secretary
shall provide for the establishment of a program under which
samples of tissues and genetic and other biological materials
that are of use in research on autism are donated, collected,
preserved, and made available for such research. Such program
shall be carried out in accordance with accepted scientific and
medical standards for the donation, collection, and
preservation of such samples, and shall be conducted so that
the tissues and other materials saved, as well as any database
compiled from such tissues and materials, are available to
researchers at a reasonable cost.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Coordination.--The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention shall coordinate research and
surveillance activities of such Centers with the National
Institutes of Health, other appropriate Federal agencies, and
interested nonprofit private entities, in a manner consistent
with the research recommendations contained in the Autism
Research Roadmap and Matrix of the Interagency Autism
Coordinating Committee, which shall be updated as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) State.--In this part, the term `State' means each of
the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and the Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $12,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011.</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 399BB. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION RELATING TO
AUTISM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and
implement a program to provide information and education on autism and
its risk factors 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, physicians, and other health professionals who
provide care for patients with autism. The program shall place special
emphasis on early identification of autism and those at risk for autism
and prompt referral for appropriate services.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011.</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 399CC. INTERAGENCY AUTISM COORDINATING
COMMITTEE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a
committee to be known as the `Autism Coordinating Committee' (in this
section referred to as the `Committee') 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 Prevention under the
amendments made by the National Autism Research Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Membership.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Committee shall be composed
of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the Director of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the Directors of such national
research institutes of the National Institutes of
Health as the Secretary determines
appropriate;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) the heads of such other agencies as
the Secretary determines appropriate; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) the additional members appointed
under paragraph (2) (if any).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Additional members.--If determined
appropriate by the Secretary, the Secretary may appoint to the
Committee--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) individuals with autism or other
pervasive developmental disorders;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) parents or legal guardians of
individuals with autism or other pervasive
developmental disorders;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) representatives of leading autism
research and service organizations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) representatives of other
governmental agencies that serve children with autism
such as the Department of Education.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Administrative Support; Terms of Services; Other
Provisions.--The following shall apply with respect to the
Committee:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) The Committee shall receive necessary and
appropriate administrative support from the
Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Members of the Committee appointed under
subsection (b)(2)(A) shall serve for a term of 3 years, and may
serve for an unlimited number of terms if
reappointed.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) The Committee shall meet not less than 2
times each year.</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 399DD. SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM;
MEDICAL CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Statewide Autism Screening, Diagnosis, and
Intervention Programs and Systems.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through
the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services
Administration, shall award grants or cooperative agreements to
eligible entities to develop statewide autism screening,
diagnosis, and intervention programs and systems for the
purposes described in paragraph (2).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Purposes.--The purposes described in this
paragraph are the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) To develop and monitor the efficacy
of statewide autism screening, diagnosis, and
intervention programs and systems, ensuring that all
children are screened for autism before their second
birthday, and that children at risk for autism receive
appropriate services as early as possible. Intervention
includes referral to schools and agencies, including
community, consumer, and parent-based agencies, and
organizations and other programs mandated by part C of
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which
offer programs specifically designed to meet the unique
needs of children with autism.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) To collect data on statewide autism
screening, diagnosis, and intervention programs and
systems that can be used for applied research, program
evaluation, and policy development.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) To provide comprehensive medical
care for individuals with autism through evidence-based
practices, with specific attention to medical
conditions that may be associated with autism, and to
disseminate information on the medical care of
individuals with autism to health professionals and the
general public. In carrying out the program under this
paragraph, a grant shall be awarded to a national
organization that will establish and support regional
centers of clinical excellence to provide medical care
to individuals with autism and promote research aimed
at improving the treatment of such individuals, and
that will build a shared national medical database to
record the results of treatments and studies at the
regional centers.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Set aside of funds.--From amounts
appropriated under subsection (e), the Secretary shall set-
aside not less than $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007
through 2011 to carry out activities described in paragraph
(2)(C).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Technical Assistance, Data Management, and Applied
Research.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, shall award grants or cooperative
agreements to provide technical assistance to State agencies to conduct
applied research related to autism screening, diagnosis, and
intervention programs and systems. In carrying out this section the
Secretary shall develop standardized procedures for data management and
program effectiveness and costs, including procedures--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) to ensure quality monitoring of autism
screening, diagnosis, and intervention programs and
systems;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) to provide technical assistance on data
collection and management;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) to study the costs and effectiveness of
autism screening, diagnosis, and intervention programs and
systems conducted by State-based programs in order to address
issues of importance to State and national
policymakers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) to identify the causes and risk factors for
autism;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) to study the effectiveness of autism
screening, diagnosis, and intervention programs and systems by
assessing the intellectual and social development, cognitive
status, and language skills of children with autism at school
age; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) to promote the sharing of data regarding
autism with State-based birth defects and developmental
disabilities monitoring programs and environmental discharge
monitoring programs of the Environmental Protection Agency for
the purpose of identifying previously unknown causes of and
risk factors for autism.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Coordination and Collaboration.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--In carrying out programs under
this section, the Administrator of the Health Resources and
Services Administration, the Director of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, and the Director of the
National Institutes of Health shall collaborate and consult
with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) other Federal, State and local
agencies, including those responsible for early
intervention services pursuant to title XIX of the
Social Security Act (particularly the Medicaid Early
and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment
Program), title XXI of the Social Security Act (State
Children's Health Insurance Program), title V of the
Social Security Act (Maternal and Child Health Block
Grant Program), and part C of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) consumer groups of, and that serve,
individuals with autism and their families;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) appropriate national medical and
other health and education specialty
organizations;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) individuals with autism and their
families;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) other qualified personnel who
possess the specialized knowledge, skills, and
attributes needed to serve autistic children and their
families; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) related commercial
industries.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Policy development.--The Administrator of
the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Director
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the
Director of the National Institutes of Health shall coordinate
and collaborate on recommendations for policy development at
the Federal and State levels and with the private sector,
including consumer, medical, and other health and education
professional-based organizations, with respect to autism
screening, diagnosis, and intervention programs and
systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) State early detection, diagnosis, and
intervention programs and systems.--The Administrator of the
Health Resources and Services Administration and the Director
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall
coordinate and collaborate in assisting States to establish
autism screening, diagnosis, and intervention programs and
systems under subsection (a) and to develop a data collection
system under subsection (b).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Physician Reimbursement for Development Screening.--
To make developmental screening more readily available, the Secretary,
acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services, shall assign a relative value unit to the diagnostic code for
developmental screening.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) to carry out subsection (a), $75,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) to carry out subsection (b), $25,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011.</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 399EE. ANNUAL REPORT ON AUTISM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) In General.--Not later than January 1, 2006, and
each January 1 thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to
the appropriate committees of Congress, a report concerning the
implementation of this part and part J of title IV.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Contents.--The report, utilizing uniform reporting
methods and procedures, shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) provide the dollar amount that each
institute of the National Institutes of Health expended on
autism research in the year for which the report was prepared;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) detail the progress and success of the
National Institutes of Health in implementing and funding the
recommendations contained in the Autism Research Roadmap and
Matrix of the Interagency Autism Coordinating
Committee.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH PROGRAMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Subpart 12 of part C of title IV of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285l et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 463C. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH PROGRAMS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Centers of Excellence.--The Director of NIH, acting
through the Director of the Institute, shall awards grants and
contracts to public or nonprofit private entities to pay all or part of
the cost of planning, establishing, improving, and providing basic
operating support for centers of excellence regarding environmental
health and autism.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Research.--Each center of excellence under
subsection (a) shall conduct basic and clinical research into possible
environmental causes of and risk factors for autism and the mechanisms
by which they may lead to autism, and the developmental effects of
environmental agents that may be associated with autism.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Coordination; Reports.--The Director of NIH shall,
as appropriate, provide for the coordination of information among
centers of excellence established under subsection (a) and section 499B
and ensure regular communication between such centers. The Director may
require the periodic preparation of reports on the activities of the
centers and the submission of such reports to the Director. The
Director shall establish and fund mechanisms and entities for
collecting, storing, and coordinating data collected by the centers
established under this section and data generated from public and
private research partnerships.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Organization.--Each center of excellence under
subsection (a) shall use the facilities of a single institution, or be
formed from a consortium of cooperating institutions, meeting such
requirements as may be prescribed by the Director of NIH.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Number of Centers; Duration.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Director shall provide for
the establishment of not less than 3 centers under subsection
(a).</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Duration.--A grant or contract
awarded under subsection (a) shall not exceed a period
of 5 years. Such period may be extended for 1 or more
additional periods not exceeding 5 years if the
operations of the center of excellence involved have
been reviewed by an appropriate technical and
scientific peer review group established by the
Director of NIH and the group has recommended to the
Director that such period should be extended.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $6,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011.''.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Combating Autism Act of 2006''.
SEC. 2. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE AUTISM-RELATED RESEARCH.
Section 409C of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g) is
amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 409C. AUTHORITY OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF
HEALTH RELATING TO AUTISM.
``(a) Strategic Plan for Autism Research.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director, shall develop and implement a strategic plan for the
conduct and support of research related to autism spectrum
disorder.
``(2) Requirements.--The strategic plan developed under
paragraph (1)--
``(A) shall--
``(i) be updated annually;
``(ii) take into account the research
recommendations of the Interagency Autism
Coordinating Committee under section 399CC; and
``(iii) using professional judgment,
outline the proposed budgetary requirements of
the strategic plan, including specific funding
expectations for continued multi-year program
activities, as well as new and complementary
program activities, subject to the availability
of appropriations; and
``(B) may include investigator-initiated research.
``(3) Report.--Not later than April 1, 2008, and annually
thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall
prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a
report that contains--
``(A) the strategic plan under paragraph (1) that
will be applicable to the upcoming fiscal year; and
``(B) a description of the actual dollar
expenditures for autism spectrum disorder during the
previous fiscal year.
``(b) Expansion, Intensification, and Coordination of Activities.--
The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall, subject to the
availability of appropriations, expand, intensify, and coordinate the
activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to autism
spectrum disorder.
``(c) Centers of Excellence.--
``(1) Autism centers of excellence.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary, acting through
the Director, shall, subject to the availability of
appropriations, award grants or contracts to public or
nonprofit private entities to assist such entities in
paying all or part of the costs of planning,
establishing, improving, and providing basic operating
support for centers of excellence concerning research
on autism spectrum disorder.
``(B) Research activities.--A center of excellence
that receives funding under this paragraph shall
conduct basic and clinical research into autism
spectrum disorder. Such research shall--
``(i) be conducted in the fields of
developmental neurobiology, genetics,
epigenetics, pharmacology, nutrition,
immunology, neuroimmunology, neurobehavioral
development, endocrinology, gastroenterology,
psychopharmacology, or toxicology; and
``(ii) include investigations into the
causation, diagnosis or rule out, early
detection, prevention, services, supports, or
intervention of autism spectrum disorder.
``(C) Services.--
``(i) In general.--A center of excellence
that receives funding under this paragraph may
expend amounts provided under a grant or
contract under such paragraph to carry out a
program to make individuals aware of
opportunities to participate as subjects in
research conducted by the center.
``(ii) Referrals and costs.--A program
carried out under clause (i) may, in accordance
with such criteria as the Director may
establish, provide to the subjects described in
such clause, referrals for health and other
services and reimbursement of care for
individuals as are required for such research.
``(iii) Availability and access.--The
extent to which a center of excellence that
receives funding under this paragraph can
demonstrate the availability of and access to
clinical services shall be considered by the
Director in making decisions concerning the
awarding of grants or contracts to applicants
that meet the scientific criteria for funding
under this section.
``(D) Coordination of centers of excellence.--The
Director shall provide for the appropriate coordination
of information among centers of excellence that receive
funding under this paragraph and ensure regular
communication between such centers.
``(E) Organization.--A center of excellence that
receives funding under this paragraph shall use the
facilities of a single institution, or be formed
through a consortium of cooperating institutions, that
meets such requirements as may be required by the
Director.
``(F) Duration.--The term of a grant or contract
awarded under this paragraph shall not exceed a period
of 5 years. Such period may be extended for 1 or more
additional periods not exceeding 5 years if the
operations of the center of excellence involved have
been reviewed by an appropriate technical and
scientific peer review group established by the
Director and the group has recommended to the Director
the extension of such period.
``(G) Geographic diversity.--The Director shall
consider geographic diversity in awarding centers of
excellence.
``(2) Centers of excellence in environmental health and
autism.--
``(A) In general.--The Director shall, subject to
the availability of appropriations, award grants or
contracts to public or nonprofit private entities to
pay all or part of the cost of planning, establishing,
improving, and providing basic operating support for
centers of excellence regarding environmental health
and autism spectrum disorder.
``(B) Research.--A center of excellence established
under this paragraph shall conduct basic and clinical
research of a broad array of environmental factors that
may have a possible role in autism spectrum disorder.
``(C) Coordination and organization.--The
Secretary, acting through the Director of NIH, shall
apply to the centers under this paragraph the same
requirements concerning coordination, reporting, and
organization as the requirements applied to the centers
of excellence under subparagraphs (D), (E), (F), and
(G) of paragraph (1).
``(d) Collection and Storage of Data.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director and in coordination with the Director of the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, shall, subject to the
availability of appropriations, establish and provide funding
for mechanisms and entities that provide for the collection,
storage, coordination, and public availability of data that is
collected by the centers of excellence under this section,
under section 399AA(b), and under section 409C(c) and, to the
extent possible, data generated from public and private
research partnerships. In establishing such mechanisms and
entities, the Secretary--
``(A) shall ensure that there is data sharing among
autism spectrum disorder researchers; and
``(B) may utilize existing facilities.
``(2) Facilitation of research.--
``(A) Establishment of program.--The Secretary
shall establish a program under which samples of
tissues and genetic and other biological materials that
are of use in research on autism spectrum disorder are
donated, collected, preserved, and made available for
such research.
``(B) Accepted scientific standards.--The program
established under paragraph (1) shall be--
``(i) carried out in accordance with
accepted scientific and medical standards for
the donation, collection, and preservation of
such samples; and
``(ii) conducted so that the tissues and
other materials saved, as well as any database
compiled from such tissues and materials, are
available to researchers at a reasonable cost
and on an expedited basis.
``(e) Consolidation.--The Secretary, acting through the Director,
may consolidate program activities under this section if such
consolidation would improve program efficiencies and outcomes.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated--
``(A) $68,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $82,000,000
for fiscal year 2008, $96,000,000 for fiscal year 2009,
$120,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and $134,000,000 for
fiscal year 2011, to carry out subsections (a), (b),
and (d);
``(B) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $32,500,000
for fiscal year 2008, $39,000,000 for fiscal year 2009,
$45,500,000 for fiscal year 2010, and $52,000,000 for
fiscal year 2011, to carry out subsection (c)(1); and
``(C) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $7,500,000
for fiscal year 2008, $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2009,
$10,500,000 for fiscal year 2010, and $12,000,000 for
fiscal year 2011, to carry out subsection (c)(2).
``(2) General usage.--Of the amounts appropriated under
subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1), not to exceed 5
percent of such amounts may be utilized by the National
Institutes of Health for administrative and other expenses.
``(g) Sunset.--This section shall not apply after September 30,
2011.''.
SEC. 3. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SURVEILLANCE AND RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Title III of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 241 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``PART R--PROGRAMS RELATING TO AUTISM
``SEC. 399AA. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SURVEILLANCE AND RESEARCH
PROGRAM.
``(a) Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental
Disabilities.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may
award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities for
the collection, analysis, and reporting of State
epidemiological data on autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities. An eligible entity shall assist
with the development and coordination of State autism spectrum
disorder and other developmental disability surveillance
efforts within a region. In making such awards, the Secretary
may provide direct technical assistance in lieu of cash.
``(2) Data standards.--In submitting epidemiological data
to the Secretary pursuant to subsection (a), an eligible entity
shall report data according to guidelines prescribed by the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
after consultation with relevant State and local public health
officials, private sector developmental disability researchers,
and advocates for individuals with autism spectrum disorder or
other developmental disabilities.
``(3) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive an award
under paragraph (1), an entity shall be a public or nonprofit
private entity (including a health department of a State or a
political subdivision of a State, a university, or any other
educational institution), and submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.
``(b) Centers of Excellence in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Epidemiology.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, award
grants or cooperative agreements for the establishment of
regional centers of excellence in autism spectrum disorder and
other developmental disabilities epidemiology for the purpose
of collecting and analyzing information on the number,
incidence, correlates and causes of autism spectrum disorder
and other developmental disabilities.
``(2) Requirements.--To be eligible to receive a grant or
cooperative agreement under paragraph (1), an entity shall
submit to the Secretary an application containing such
agreements and information as the Secretary may require,
including an agreement that the center to be established under
the grant or cooperative agreement shall operate in accordance
with the following:
``(A) The center will collect, analyze, and report
autism spectrum disorder and other developmental
disability data according to guidelines prescribed by
the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, after consultation with relevant State and
local public health officials, private sector
developmental disability researchers, and advocates for
individuals with developmental disabilities.
``(B) The center will develop or extend an area of
special research expertise (including genetics,
epigenetics, epidemiological research related to
environmental exposures), immunology, and other
relevant research specialty areas.
``(C) The center will identify eligible cases and
controls through its surveillance system and conduct
research into factors which may cause or increase the
risk of autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities.
``(c) Federal Response.--The Secretary shall coordinate the Federal
response to requests for assistance from State health, mental health,
and education department officials regarding potential or alleged
autism spectrum disorder or developmental disability clusters.
``(d) Definitions.--In this part:
``(1) Other developmental disabilities.--The term `other
developmental disabilities' has the meaning given the term
`developmental disability' in section 102(8) of the
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of
2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002(8)).
``(2) State.--The term `State' means each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and the Trust Territory of
the Pacific Islands.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there is authorized to be appropriated, $15,000,000 for fiscal year
2007, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008
through 2011.
``(f) Sunset.--This section shall not apply after September 30,
2011.
``SEC. 399BB. AUTISM EDUCATION, EARLY DETECTION, AND INTERVENTION .
``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section--
``(1) to increase awareness, reduce barriers to screening
and diagnosis, promote evidence-based interventions for
individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other
developmental disabilities, and train professionals to utilize
valid and reliable screening tools to diagnose or rule out and
provide evidence-based interventions for children with autism
spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities; and
``(2) to conduct activities under this section with a focus
on an interdisciplinary approach (as defined in programs
developed under section 501(a)(2) of the Social Security Act)
that will also focus on specific issues for children who are
not receiving an early diagnosis and subsequent interventions.
``(b) In General.--The Secretary shall, subject to the availability
of appropriations, establish and evaluate activities to--
``(1) provide information and education on autism spectrum
disorder and other developmental disabilities to increase
public awareness of developmental milestones;
``(2) promote research into the development and validation
of reliable screening tools for autism spectrum disorder and
other developmental disabilities and disseminate information
regarding those screening tools;
``(3) promote early screening of individuals at higher risk
for autism spectrum disorder and other developmental
disabilities as early as practicable, given evidence-based
screening techniques and interventions;
``(4) increase the number of individuals who are able to
confirm or rule out a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and
other developmental disabilities;
``(5) increase the number of individuals able to provide
evidence-based interventions for individuals diagnosed with
autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities;
and
``(6) promote the use of evidence-based interventions for
individuals at higher risk for autism spectrum disorder and
other developmental disabilities as early as practicable.
``(c) Information and Education.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (b)(1), the
Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education and
the Secretary of Agriculture, shall, subject to the
availability of appropriations, provide culturally competent
information regarding autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities, risk factors, characteristics,
identification, diagnosis or rule out, and evidence-based
interventions to meet the needs of individuals with autism
spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities and their
families through--
``(A) Federal programs, including--
``(i) the Head Start program;
``(ii) the Early Start program;
``(iii) the Healthy Start program;
``(iv) programs under the Child Care and
Development Block Grant Act of 1990;
``(v) programs under title XIX of the
Social Security Act (particularly the Medicaid
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and
Treatment Program);
``(vi) the program under title XXI of the
Social Security Act (the State Children's
Health Insurance Program);
``(vii) the program under title V of the
Social Security Act (Maternal and Child Health
Block Grant Program);
``(viii) the program under parts B and C of
the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act;
``(ix) the special supplemental nutrition
program for women, infants, and children
established under section 17 of the Child
Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786); and
``(x) the State grant program under the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
``(B) State licensed child care facilities; and
``(C) other community-based organizations or points
of entry for individuals with autism spectrum disorder
and other developmental disabilities to receive
services.
``(2) Lead agency.--
``(A) Designation.--The governor of a State shall
designate a public agency as a lead agency to
coordinate the activities provided for under paragraph
(1) in the State at the State level.
``(B) Information.--The Governor or a State, acting
through the lead agency under subparagraph (A), shall
make available to individuals and their family members,
guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives,
providers, and other appropriate individuals in the
State, comprehensive culturally competent information
about State and local resources regarding autism
spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities,
risk factors, characteristics, identification,
diagnosis or rule out, available services and supports,
and evidence-based interventions. Such information
shall be provided through--
``(i) toll-free telephone numbers;
``(ii) Internet websites;
``(iii) mailings; or
``(iv) other means as the Governor may
require.
``(C) Requirements of agency.--In designating the
lead agency under subparagraph (A), the Governor
shall--
``(i) select an agency that has
demonstrated experience and expertise in--
``(I) autism spectrum disorder and
other developmental disability issues;
and
``(II) developing, implementing,
conducting, and administering programs
and delivering education, information,
and referral services (including
technology-based curriculum-development
services) to individuals with
developmental disabilities and their
family members, guardians, advocates or
authorized representatives, providers,
and other appropriate individuals
locally and across the State; and
``(ii) consider input from individuals with
developmental disabilities and their family
members, guardians, advocates or authorized
representatives, providers, and other
appropriate individuals.
``(d) Tools.--
``(1) In general.--To promote the use of valid and reliable
screening tools for autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities, the Secretary shall develop a
curriculum for continuing education to assist individuals in
recognizing the need for valid and reliable screening tools and
the use of such tools.
``(2) Collection, storage, coordination, and
availability.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the
Secretary of Education, shall provide for the collection,
storage, coordination, and public availability of tools
described in paragraph (1), educational materials and other
products that are used by the Federal programs referred to in
subsection (c)(1)(A), as well as--
``(A) programs authorized under the Developmental
Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000;
``(B) early intervention programs or interagency
coordinating council's authorized under part C of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and
``(C) children with special health care needs
programs authorized under title V of the Social
Security Act.
``(3) Required sharing.--In establishing mechanisms and
entities under this subsection, the Secretary, and the
Secretary of Education, shall ensure the sharing of tools,
materials, and products developed under this subsection among
entities receiving funding under this section.
``(e) Diagnosis.--
``(1) Training.--The Secretary, in coordination with
activities conducted under title V of the Social Security Act,
shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, expand
existing interdisciplinary training opportunities or
opportunities to increase the number of sites able to diagnose
or rule out individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other
developmental disabilities and ensure that--
``(A) competitive grants or cooperative agreements
are awarded to public or non-profit agencies, including
institutions of higher education, to expanding existing
or develop new maternal and child health
interdisciplinary leadership education in
neurodevelopmental and related disabilities programs
(similar to the programs developed under section
501(a)(2) of the Social Security Act) in States that do
not have such a program;
``(B) trainees under such training programs--
``(i) receive an appropriate balance of
academic, clinical, and community
opportunities;
``(ii) are culturally competent;
``(iii) are ethnically diverse;
``(iv) demonstrate a capacity to evaluate,
diagnose or rule out, develop, and provide
evidence-based interventions to individuals
with autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities; and
``(v) demonstrate an ability to use a
family-centered approach; and
``(C) program sites provide culturally competent
services.
``(2) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may award one or
more grants under this section to provide technical assistance
to the network of interdisciplinary training programs.
``(3) Best practices.--The Secretary shall promote research
into additional valid and reliable tools for shortening the
time required to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of autism
spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities and
detecting individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other
developmental disabilities at an earlier age.
``(f) Intervention.--The Secretary shall promote research, through
grants or contracts, to determine the evidence-based practices for
interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other
developmental disabilities, develop guidelines for those interventions,
and disseminate information related to such research and guidelines.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there is authorized to be appropriated, $32,000,000 for fiscal year
2007, $37,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $42,000,000 for fiscal year
2009, $47,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, and $52,000,000 for fiscal year
2011, of which--
``(1) $5,000,000 shall be made available in each fiscal
year for activities described in subsection (c); and
``(2) $3,000,000 shall be made available in fiscal year
2007, $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2008, $9,000,000 in fiscal year
2009, $12,000,000 in fiscal year 2010, and $15,000,000 in
fiscal year 2011, for activities described in subsection (f).
``(h) Sunset.--This section shall not apply after September 30,
2011.
``SEC. 399CC. INTERAGENCY AUTISM COORDINATING COMMITTEE.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a committee, to
be known as the `Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee' (in this
section referred to as the `Committee'), to coordinate all efforts
within the Department of Health and Human Services concerning autism
spectrum disorder.
``(b) Responsibilities.--In carrying out its duties under this
section, the Committee shall--
``(1) make recommendations concerning the strategic plan
described in section 409C(a);
``(2) develop and annually update advances in autism
spectrum disorder research related to causes, early screening,
diagnosis or rule out, intervention, and access to services and
supports for individuals with autism spectrum disorder; and
``(3) make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the
public participation in decisions relating to autism spectrum
disorder.
``(c) Membership.--
``(1) In general.--The Committee shall be composed of--
``(A) the Director of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention;
``(B) the Director of the National Institutes of
Health, and the Directors of such national research
institutes of the National Institutes of Health as the
Secretary determines appropriate;
``(C) the heads of such other agencies as the
Secretary determines appropriate;
``(D) representatives of other Federal Governmental
agencies that serve individuals with autism spectrum
disorder such as the Department of Education; and
``(E) the additional members appointed under
paragraph (2).
``(2) Additional members.--Not fewer than 6 members of the
Committee, or 1/3 of the total membership of the Committee,
whichever is greater, shall be composed of non-federal public
members to be appointed by the Secretary, of which--
``(A) at least one such member shall be an
individual with a diagnosis of autism spectrum
disorder;
``(B) at least one such member shall be a parent or
legal guardian of an individual with an autism spectrum
disorder; and
``(C) at least one such member shall be a
representative of leading research, advocacy, and
service organizations for individuals with autism
spectrum disorder.
``(d) Administrative Support; Terms of Service; Other Provisions.--
The following provisions shall apply with respect to the Committee:
``(1) The Committee shall receive necessary and appropriate
administrative support from the Secretary.
``(2) Members of the Committee appointed under subsection
(c)(2) shall serve for a term of 4 years, and may be
reappointed for one or more additional 4 year term. Any member
appointed to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term shall be
appointed for the remainder of such term. A member may serve
after the expiration of the member's term until a successor has
taken office.
``(3) The Committee shall meet at the call of the
chairperson or upon the request of the Secretary. The Committee
shall meet not fewer than 2 times each year.
``(4) All meetings of the Committee shall be public and
shall include appropriate time periods for questions and
presentations by the public.
``(e) Compensation and Expenses.--Members of the Committee who are
officers or employees of the Federal Government shall serve as members
of the Committee without compensation in addition to that received in
their regular government employment. Other members of the Committee
shall receive compensation at rates not to exceed the daily equivalent
of the annual rate in effect for grade GS-18 of the General Schedule
for each day (including travel time) they are engaged in the
performance of their duties as members of the Committee.
``(f) Subcommittees; Establishment and Membership.--In carrying out
its functions, the Committee may establish subcommittees and convene
workshops and conferences. Such subcommittees shall be composed of
Committee members and may hold such meetings as are necessary to enable
the subcommittees to carry out their duties.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section,
there is authorized to be appropriated, such sums as may be necessary
for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011.
``(h) Sunset.--This section shall not apply after September 30,
2011 and the Committee shall be terminated on such date.
``SEC. 399DD. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 4 years after the date of
enactment of the Combating Autism Act of 2006, the Secretary, in
coordination with the Secretary of Education, shall prepare and submit
to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee of the Senate
and the Energy and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives a
progress report on activities related to autism spectrum disorder and
other developmental disabilities.
``(b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) shall
contain--
``(1) a description of the progress made in implementing
the provisions of the Combating Autism Act of 2006;
``(2) a description of the amounts expended on the
implementation of the particular provisions of Combating Autism
Act of 2006;
``(3) information on the incidence of autism spectrum
disorder and trend data of such incidence since the date of
enactment of the Combating Autism Act of 2006;
``(4) information on the average age of diagnosis for
children with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities,
including how that age may have changed over the 4-year period
beginning on the date of enactment of this Act;
``(5) information on the average age for intervention for
individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities, including how that age may have
changed over the 4-year period beginning on the date of
enactment of this Act;
``(6) information on the average time between initial
screening and then diagnosis or rule out for individuals with
autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities,
as well as information on the average time between diagnosis
and evidence-based intervention for individuals with autism
spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities;
``(7) information on the effectiveness and outcomes of
interventions for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum
disorder, including by various subtypes, and other
developmental disabilities and how the age of the child may
affect such effectiveness;
``(8) information on the effectiveness and outcomes of
innovative and newly developed intervention strategies for
individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other
developmental disabilities; and
``(9) information on services and supports provided to
individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities who have reached the age of majority
(as defined for purposes of section 615(m) of the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1415(m)).''.
(b) Repeals.--The following sections of the Children's Health Act
of 2000 (Public Law 106-310) are repealed:
(1) Section 101 (42 U.S.C. 247b-4a) relating to research
activities at the National Institutes of Health.
(2) Section 102 (42 U.S.C. 247b-4b) relating to the
Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research Program.
(3) Section 103 (42 U.S.C. 247b-4c) relating to information
and education.
(4) Section 104 (42 U.S.C. 247b-4d) relating to the Inter-
Agency Autism Coordinating Committee.
(5) Section 105 (42 U.S.C. 247b-4e) relating to reports.
Calendar No. 578
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 843
[Report No. 109-318]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to combat autism through
research, screening, intervention and education.
_______________________________________________________________________
August 3, 2006
Reported with an amendment