Resolve, To Establish a Statewide Protocol for the Early Detection and Treatment of Autism

Sec. 1. Screening protocol for detection of autism. Resolved: That, within existing resources, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education shall jointly develop and establish a uniform statewide protocol for the screening of children between 18 and 30 months of age for signs of autism; and be it further

Sec. 2. Intervention for children diagnosed with autism. Resolved: That the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education shall jointly develop and implement through the Child Development Services System, as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 7001, subsection 1-A, a program of intensive intervention for the treatment of each child who is diagnosed with autism under the protocol established pursuant to section 1. The departments shall adopt routine technical rules, pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A, to implement this program, incorporating best practices for treatment of autism as supported by evidence-based clinical trials.

summary

This resolve requires the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education, working together and within existing resources, to develop and implement a uniform statewide protocol for the screening of all children between 18 and 30 months of age for signs of autism. The departments are further required to implement through rulemaking a program of intensive treatment for children who are diagnosed with autism through the Child Development Services System.