[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7213 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.7213
One Hundred Eighteenth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-four
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
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.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.