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

Sec. 1. Work group. Resolved: That the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services shall convene an interdepartmental work group to develop and establish a uniform statewide protocol for screening children from 18 to 30 months of age for signs of autism, to examine models that meet criteria for evidence-based clinical trials to support individual young children with the diagnosis of autism served through the Child Development Services System and to examine the interdepartmental system for capacity and service availability. The interdepartmental work group shall report to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs and health and human services matters by January 15, 2009. The joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education and cultural affairs and health and human services matters may submit legislation to the First Regular Session of the 124th Legislature.