[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7213 Engrossed Amendment Senate (EAS)]
<DOC>
In the Senate of the United States,
November 21, 2024.
Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R.
7213) entitled ``An Act to amend the Public Health Service Act to
enhance and reauthorize activities and programs relating to autism
spectrum disorder, and for other purposes.'', do pass with the
following
AMENDMENT:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Autism Collaboration,
Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2024'' or the
``Autism CARES Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH ACTIVITIES.
(a) Expansion of Activities.--Section 409C(a)(1) of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``) shall, subject to the availability''
and inserting the following: ``), in consultation with relevant
Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall--
``(A) subject to the availability'';
(2) by striking ``basic and clinical research in fields
including pathology'' and inserting the following: ``basic and
clinical research--
``(i) in fields, such as pathology'';
(3) by striking ``toxicology, and interventions'' and
inserting the following: ``toxicology, psychiatry, psychology,
developmental behavioral pediatrics, audiology, and
gerontology; and
``(ii) on interventions'';
(4) by striking ``disorder. Such research shall
investigate'' and inserting the following: ``disorder; and
``(B) ensure that research referred to in
subparagraph (A)--
``(i) investigates'';
(5) by striking ``prevention, services across the lifespan,
supports, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum
disorder'' and inserting ``prevention, services and supports
across the lifespan, intervention, and treatment of autism
spectrum disorder and co-occurring conditions''; and
(6) by striking ``treatments.'' and inserting the
following: ``treatments;
``(ii) examines supports for caregivers;
and
``(iii) reflects the entire population of
individuals with autism spectrum disorder,
including those individuals with co-occurring
conditions and the full range of needs for
supports and services, including such supports
and services to ensure the safety, and promote
the well-being, of such individuals.''.
(b) Centers of Excellence.--Section 409C(b) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``including the fields of'' and
inserting ``in fields such as''; and
(B) by striking ``behavioral psychology, and
clinical psychology'' and inserting ``behavioral
psychology, clinical psychology, and gerontology'';
(2) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``five'' and inserting
``seven''; and
(3) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking ``period of not to
exceed'' and inserting ``period not to exceed''.
(c) Public Input.--Section 409C(d) of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 284g(d)) is amended to read as follows:
``(d) Public Input.--
``(1) In general.--The Director shall under subsection
(a)(1) provide for 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
spectrum disorder and through which the Director can receive
comments from the public regarding such programs and
activities.
``(2) Guidance.--The Director may provide guidance to
centers under subsection (b)(1) on strategies, activities, and
opportunities to promote engagement with, and solicit input
from, individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their
family members, guardians, advocates or authorized
representatives, providers, or other appropriate individuals to
inform the activities of the center. Such strategies,
activities, and opportunities should consider including, as
appropriate, individuals, family members, and caregivers of
individuals with autism spectrum disorder who represent the
entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder,
including those individuals with co-occurring conditions and
the full range of needs for supports and services, including
such supports and services to ensure the safety, and promote
the well-being, of such individuals, to inform the activities
of the center.''.
(d) Budget Estimate.--Section 409C of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 284g) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Budget Estimate.--For each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029,
the Director shall prepare and submit, directly to the President for
review and transmittal to Congress, an annual budget estimate for the
initiatives of the National Institutes of Health pursuant to the
strategic plan developed under section 399CC(b)(5) and updated under
section 399CC(b)(6)(B), after reasonable opportunity for comment (but
without change) by the Secretary and the Interagency Autism
Coordinating Committee established under section 399CC.''.
SEC. 3. PROGRAMS RELATING TO AUTISM.
(a) Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research Program.--
Section 399AA of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``an Indian tribe, or
a tribal organization'' and inserting ``an Indian Tribe, or a
Tribal organization'';
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``across the
lifespan'' before the period at the end;
(3) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``tribe;
tribal'' and inserting ``Tribe; tribal'';
(B) by striking ``tribe'' and inserting ``Tribe'';
and
(C) by striking ``tribal'' and inserting
``Tribal''; and
(4) in subsection (e), by striking ``December 20, 2024''
and inserting ``September 30, 2029''.
(b) Autism Education, Early Detection, and Intervention.--Section
399BB of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-1) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``culturally
competent information'' and inserting ``culturally and
linguistically appropriate information'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2)--
(A) by striking ``promote research'' and inserting
``promote research, which may include research that
takes a community-based approach,''; and
(B) by striking ``screening tools'' each place it
appears and inserting ``screening and diagnostic
tools'';
(3) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``at higher risk''
and inserting ``at increased likelihood'';
(4) in subsection (b)(4), by inserting ``, which may give
consideration to the perspectives of parents and guardians''
before the semicolon at the end;
(5) in subsection (b)(7), by striking ``at higher risk''
and inserting ``at increased likelihood'';
(6) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``culturally
competent information'' and inserting ``culturally and
linguistically appropriate information'';
(7) in subsection (c)(2)(A)(ii), by striking ``culturally
competent information'' and inserting ``culturally and
linguistically appropriate information'';
(8) by amending paragraph (1) of subsection (e) to read as
follows:
(9) in subsection (e)(1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
inserting ``, and strengthen the capacity of,'' after
``expand''; and
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``expand existing or
develop new'' and inserting ``expand and
strengthen the capacity of existing, or, in
States that do not have such a program, develop
new,''; and
(ii) by striking ``Act) in States that do
not have such a program'' and inserting
``Act)'';
(C) in subparagraph (B)(v), by inserting ``or other
providers, as applicable'' before the semicolon at the
end; and
(D) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as
follows:
``(C) program sites--
``(i) provide culturally and linguistically
appropriate services;
``(ii) take a multidisciplinary approach
and have experience working with underserved
populations; and
``(iii) identify opportunities to partner
with community-based organizations to expand
the capacity of communities to serve
individuals with autism spectrum disorder or
other developmental disabilities.'';
(10) in subsection (e)(2), by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
``(C) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of the enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2024,
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of
the Senate a report that examines the need for, and
feasibility of, expanding the developmental-behavioral
pediatrician training programs described in
subparagraph (A).'';
(11) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
``(f) Intervention.--The Secretary shall promote research through
grants or contracts, which may include grants or contracts to research
centers or networks, to--
``(1) develop and evaluate evidence-based practices and
interventions to improve outcomes for individuals with autism
spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities by
addressing physical and behavioral health and communication
needs of such individuals across the lifespan;
``(2) develop guidelines for such evidence-based practices
and interventions; and
``(3) disseminate information related to such evidence-
based practices and interventions and guidelines.''; and
(12) in subsection (g), by striking ``December 20, 2024''
and inserting ``September 30, 2029''.
(c) Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.--Section 399CC of
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-2) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
inserting ``, on a regular basis'' after ``shall'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``develop a
summary'' and inserting ``summarize''; and
(C) by striking paragraphs (5) and (6) and
inserting the following:
``(5) develop a strategic plan for the conduct of, and
support for, autism spectrum disorder research, as described in
section 409C(a)(1), which shall include--
``(A) proposed budgetary requirements; and
``(B) recommendations to ensure that autism
spectrum disorder research, and services and support
activities to the extent practicable, of the Department
of Health and Human Services and of other Federal
departments and agencies are not unnecessarily
duplicative; and
``(6) submit to the Congress and the President--
``(A) an annual update on the summary of advances
described in paragraph (2); and
``(B) a biennial update on the strategic plan
described in paragraph (5), including progress made in
achieving the goals outlined in such strategic plan and
any specific measures taken pursuant to such strategic
plan.''; and
(2) in subsection (f), by striking ``December 20, 2024''
and inserting ``September 30, 2029''.
(d) Reports to Congress.--Section 399DD of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-3) is amended--
(1) by striking ``2019'' each place it appears and
inserting ``2024''; and
(2) in subsection (a), by amending paragraph (1) to read as
follows:
``(1) In general.--Not later than 4 years after September
30, 2024, the Secretary, in consultation with other relevant
Federal departments and agencies, shall prepare and submit to
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives, and make publicly available, including through
posting on the website of the Department of Health and Human
Services, a progress report on activities related to autism
spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Such
report shall include activities and research related to the
entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder,
including those individuals with co-occurring conditions and
the full range of needs for supports and services, including
such supports and services to ensure the safety, and promote
the well-being, of such individuals.'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the heading of subsection (b), by striking
``Health and Well-Being'' and inserting ``Mental Health
Needs'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``health and
well-being'' and inserting ``mental health needs''; and
(C) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall contain--
``(A) an overview of policies and programs relevant
to the mental health of individuals with autism
spectrum disorder across their lifespan, including an
identification of existing Federal laws, regulations,
policies, research, and programs; and
``(B) recommendations to improve mental health
outcomes and address related disparities in mental
health care for individuals with autism spectrum
disorder, including prevention, care coordination, and
community-based services.'';
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Update on Young Adults and Youth Transitioning to
Adulthood.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the
Autism CARES Act of 2024, the Secretary, in coordination with other
relevant Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall
prepare and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions of the Senate an update to the report required pursuant to
subsection (b) of this section, as added by section 6 of the Autism
Cares Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-157), and in effect before the date
of enactment of the Autism CARES Act of 2019 (Public Law 116-60),
concerning young adults with autism spectrum disorder and the
challenges related to the transition from existing school-based
services to those services available during adulthood.''.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 399EE of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i-4) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``$23,100,000 for each
of fiscal years 2020 through 2024'' and inserting ``$28,100,000
for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``$50,599,000 for each
of fiscal years 2020 through 2024'' and inserting ``$56,344,000
for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029''; and
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``there are authorized
to be appropriated $296,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020
through 2024'' and inserting ``there is authorized to be
appropriated $306,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through
2029''.
SEC. 4. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO COMMUNICATION TOOLS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') may, at the request
of a State, Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, locality, or territory,
provide training and technical assistance to such jurisdiction on the
manner in which Federal funding administered by the Secretary may be
used to provide individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other
developmental disabilities with access to evidence-based services,
tools, and technologies that support communication needs.
(b) Annual Report.--The Secretary shall annually prepare and submit
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives a report summarizing any technical assistance provided
by the Secretary in the preceding fiscal year under subsection (a) and
any advancements in the development or evaluation of such evidence-
based services, tools, and technologies.
Attest:
Secretary.
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H.R. 7213
_______________________________________________________________________
AMENDMENT