Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS

Children & Family Services Committee

SB 5311

Brief Description: Creating an autism task force.

Sponsors: Senators Rasmussen, Jacobsen, McAuliffe, Mulliken, Stevens, Roach, Shin, Kohl-Welles and Spanel.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Creates the Caring for Washington Children with Autism Task Force to study and make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the growing incidence of autism and ways to improve the delivery and coordination of autism services in the state.

Hearing Date: March 28, 2005.

Staff: Cynthia Forland (786-7152).

Background:

Autism is a neurologically based developmental disability that impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Autism affects an estimated one in 250 births, resulting in as many as 1.5 million Americans with autism. The incidence of autism is estimated to be growing at a rate of 10 to 17 percent each year.

Research into the neurobiological, genetic, and environmental bases of autism is ongoing. Currently, there is no known single cause of the disorder. Autism can be detected as early as 18 months of age, which offers the opportunity for intervention during the period when the brain is most plastic. Such early intervention can result in a significant increase in IQ and language ability and a decrease in support services needed later in life.

Autism is a disorder that may qualify an individual for services through the Division of Development Disabilities (DDD) in the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). The DDD provides or purchases a broad range of residential, therapeutic, employment, family support, and nursing services for eligible persons and their families both in institutions and in the community. Approximately 1,300 individuals whose primary diagnosis is autism are served by the DDD, making up three percent of the total number of individuals who have been determined to be eligible for services through the DDD.

Summary of Bill:

The Caring for Washington Children with Autism Task Force (Task Force) is created to study and make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the growing incidence of autism and ways to improve the delivery and coordination of autism services in the state.

The Task Force is to consist of 14 members, as follows:

The Task Force is required to:

The DOH is required to be the lead agency in providing staff needed for the performance of the work of the Task Force. The DOH may seek additional staff assistance from the OSPI and the committee staff of the Legislature.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.