Assembly Bill A8906

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 8906--A

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              June 15, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. GUNTHER -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Health -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted
  as amended and recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the development of
  autism assessment centers

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  The  public health law is amended by adding a new article
27-M to read as follows:

                              ARTICLE 27-M
                        AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS
SECTION 2799-T. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.
        2799-U. DEFINITIONS.
        2799-V. COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS ESTABLISHED.
        2799-W. STATE IDENTIFICATION AND  DEVELOPMENT  OF  COMPREHENSIVE
                  AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS.
        2799-X. REPORTING/RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS.
  S  2799-T.  LEGISLATIVE  FINDINGS.  THE  LEGISLATURE FINDS THAT AUTISM
SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASD) ARE LIFELONG,  NEURODEVELOPMENTAL  DISABILITIES
THAT  INCLUDE  AUTISM,  PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER - NOT OTHERWISE
SPECIFIED (PDD-NOS), AND ASPERGER SYNDROME.  EACH  OF  THESE  CONDITIONS
SHARES  SOME  OF THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS; HOWEVER, THEY DIFFER IN ONSET
OF SYMPTOMS, SEVERITY OF SYMPTOMS, AND THE NATURE OF THE SYMPTOMS. THESE
CONDITIONS ALONG WITH CHILDHOOD DISINTEGRATIVE DISORDER (CDD)  AND  RETT
SYNDROME  CONSTITUTE  THE  BROADER  CATEGORY  OF PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL
DISORDER. THERE IS NO MEDICAL TEST TO DIAGNOSE ASD, INSTEAD A  DIFFEREN-
TIAL DIAGNOSIS IS MADE ON THE BASIS OF OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT OF THE
CHILD AS WELL AS AN INTERVIEW PROCESS WITH THE CAREGIVER OR CAREGIVERS.
  THE  LEGISLATURE  FURTHER FINDS THAT ASDS OCCUR IN ALL RACIAL, ETHNIC,
AND SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS AND ARE FOUR TIMES  MORE  LIKELY  TO  OCCUR  IN

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD14349-03-9
              

A. 8906--A                          2

MALES. THE UNITED STATES CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC) ESTIMATES THAT
ONE  IN  ONE HUNDRED FIFTY EIGHT-YEAR-OLDS HAVE ASD. RECENT STUDIES HAVE
ALSO INDICATED THAT IN NEW YORK STATE IN TWO  THOUSAND  ONE  THERE  WERE
SEVEN  THOUSAND  NINE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF FOUR
AND TWENTY-ONE WHO WERE IDENTIFIED AS HAVING ASD IN THE  SCHOOL  SYSTEM.
IN  TWO  THOUSAND  SIX,  THAT  NUMBER INCREASED TO FIFTEEN THOUSAND FOUR
HUNDRED FIFTY-NINE WITH A MAJORITY OF THESE  CHILDREN  (ELEVEN  THOUSAND
FIVE HUNDRED SIXTY-NINE) BEING BETWEEN THE AGES OF FOUR AND THIRTEEN.
  THE LEGISLATURE FURTHER FINDS THAT THE DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE PREVA-
LENCE  OF  INDIVIDUALS  WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS AND OTHER COMPLEX
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE IN  ENSUR-
ING  THE  PROPER  ASSESSMENT  OF  THESE  CHILDREN AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF
APPROPRIATE INDIVIDUALIZED INTERVENTIONS. THE SEVERE,  PERVASIVE  NATURE
OF THESE DISABILITIES IS MANIFESTED NOT ONLY IN DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAV-
IORAL  PROBLEMS, BUT IN PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS AS WELL. PRESENTING CHARACTER-
ISTICS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS AND  COMPLEX  DISA-
BILITIES INCLUDE SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT; LANGUAGE DISTURBANCES;
PROBLEMS  WITH  ATTENTION  AND SELF-REGULATION; REPETITIVE, STEREOTYPED,
AGGRESSIVE, SELF-INJURIOUS BEHAVIORS; OFTEN  CO-OCCURRING  WITH  MEDICAL
CONDITIONS  SUCH  AS  SEIZURE  AND SLEEP DISORDERS; AND, PSYCHIATRIC AND
HEALTH CONDITIONS SUCH AS FRAGILE X SYNDROME AND TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS.
  RESEARCH HAS EMERGED INDICATING THAT CHILDREN WITH ASD MAY ALSO  EXPE-
RIENCE  A  RANGE  OF  MEDICAL/NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS THAT PRESENT ADDI-
TIONAL CHALLENGES IN UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS  DISORDER  AND
HOW  TO  BEST  PROVIDE  THE  APPROPRIATE  INTERVENTIONS. THE LEGISLATURE
FURTHER FINDS THAT MANY TIMES FAMILIES AND PRACTITIONERS, INCLUDING  BUT
NOT  LIMITED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, DO NOT HAVE THE APPROPRIATE ASSESSMENT
INFORMATION ABOUT THESE CHILDREN THAT CAN ENSURE THAT A PROPER  PLAN  IS
DEVELOPED  AND  THAT  APPROPRIATE  INTERVENTIONS ARE PROVIDED. WITHOUT A
PROPER ASSESSMENT, CHILDREN RISK NOT RECEIVING  NECESSARY  SERVICES  AND
BEING PLACED INAPPROPRIATELY IN LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES.
  FOR  THESE REASONS, THE LEGISLATURE DECLARES THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
NEW SHORT-TERM BEHAVIORAL AND ASSESSMENT INTERVENTION UNITS  TO  PROVIDE
FOR  THE ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN WITH ASD IS NECESSARY.
THE ACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH ASD IS  THE  FIRST  STEP  IN
DEVELOPING  APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS FOR THESE CHILDREN AND PROVIDING NECES-
SARY SUPPORTS TO THEIR FAMILIES, AND, THEREFORE,  THE  STATE  MUST  TAKE
IMMEDIATE  ACTION TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED, INTERDIS-
CIPLINARY APPROACH FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN'S  FUNCTIONAL  CHARAC-
TERISTICS  AND  EFFECTIVE  TREATMENT  PROTOCOLS TO RESPOND TO THE VARIED
NEEDS OF THOSE AFFECTED.
  S 2799-U. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE "AUTISM  SPEC-
TRUM  DISORDER"  IS  DEFINED  AS A GROUP OF NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
INCLUDING: AUTISM; PERVASIVE  DEVELOPMENTAL  DISORDER  -  NOT  OTHERWISE
SPECIFIED (PDD-NOS); RETT'S SYNDROME; ASPERGER'S DISORDER; AND CHILDHOOD
DISINTEGRATIVE  DISORDER.  AUTISM  IS CHARACTERIZED BY A TRIAD OF ISSUES
SUCH AS LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL DISTURBANCE, AND RESTRICTIVE AND  REPETITIVE
PATTERNS  OF  PLAY WITH A RIGID ADHERENCE TO SAMENESS. ADDITIONAL CO-OC-
CURRING IMPAIRMENTS MAY INCLUDE AUDITORY  HYPERSENSITIVITY,  TEMPERATURE
REGULATION  ISSUES,  SEIZURE  DISORDERS,  ABNORMAL  PAIN  THRESHOLD  AND
PSYCHIATRIC CONDITIONS SUCH AS OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER, DEPRESSION
AND ANXIETY.
  S 2799-V. COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM  ASSESSMENT  CENTERS  ESTABLISHED.  THE
COMMISSIONER  SHALL  FACILITATE  THE  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ESTABLISHMENT OF
AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED  WITH  AUTISM  SPECTRUM
DISORDERS.  THE  AUTISM  ASSESSMENT CENTERS SHALL BE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE

A. 8906--A                          3

CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF FIVE AND SEVENTEEN YEARS WITH AN INTENSIVE,
INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT IN  THE  AREAS  OF  COMMUNICATION,  SOCIALIZATION,
GENERAL  FUNCTIONING,  BEHAVIORAL, NEUROLOGICAL, PSYCHIATRIC AND MEDICAL
FUNCTIONING.  THE  AUTISM  ASSESSMENT  CENTERS SHALL UTILIZE AN ARRAY OF
DISCIPLINES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: PHYSICAL, MEDICAL, AND PSYCHI-
ATRIC; NEUROBEHAVIORAL, NUTRITION; GASTROENTEROLOGY; MOTOR AND  FITNESS;
SLEEP  ANALYSIS;  COMMUNICATION  AND  SOCIAL;  AND PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL TO
ASSESS THE NEEDS OF THESE CHILDREN AND TO DEVELOP APPROPRIATE SHORT-TERM
INTERVENTIONS AND INDIVIDUAL  TREATMENT  PLANS  WHICH  ARE  DESIGNED  TO
MANAGE  AND IMPROVE FUNCTIONING. SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE AUTISM ASSESS-
MENT CENTERS SHALL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS:
  1. INTENSIVE ASSESSMENT SERVICES, INCLUDING INTEGRATED, INTERDISCIPLI-
NARY ANALYSIS OF A RESIDENT'S FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS  AND  DISABILI-
TIES.  UTILIZING  ASSESSMENT TOOLS SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICA-
TION OF FUNCTIONING DISABILITY AND HEALTH - CHILDREN AND YOUTH (ICF-CY),
AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS SHALL  COMPREHENSIVELY  ASSESS  THE  RANGE  OF
FUNCTIONING  AND  DEVELOPMENT  OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO CHILD-ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS, BODY FUNCTIONING,  ACTIVITY
LIMITATIONS AND PARTICIPATION RESTRICTIONS.
  2.  RESIDENTIAL  SERVICES THAT PROVIDE SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
FOR CHILDREN ADMITTED TO THE CENTER WHO REQUIRE A  SHORT  STAY  FOR  THE
PERIOD IN WHICH THE ASSESSMENT IS CONDUCTED. THESE SERVICES ARE INTENDED
TO  PROVIDE  SUPPORT FOR  THE ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES AND ARE NOT INTENDED
TO BE LONG-TERM OR IN THE CAPACITY OF PERMANENT HOUSING.
  3. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH EARLY/ACADEMIC PROGRAM-
MING CONSISTENT WITH THE CHILD'S HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT'S  CURRICULUM  AND
PARTICULAR EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. THE AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTER SHALL CONSULT
WITH  THE  CHILD'S HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DEVELOP AN APPROPRIATE EDUCA-
TIONAL PLAN.
  4. MEDICAL CLINICAL SERVICES. EACH AUTISM ASSESSMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH
CENTER SHALL HAVE THE CAPACITY ON-SITE TO  PROVIDE  FOR  THE  RESIDENT'S
MEDICAL AND CLINICAL NEEDS. THESE SERVICES SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE
MEDICAL  SERVICES TO ADDRESS GENERAL, CHRONIC, ONGOING, AS WELL AS EMER-
GENCY MEDICAL CONDITIONS. MEDICAL AND CLINICAL SERVICES AVAILABLE AT THE
AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTER SHALL ALSO BE UTILIZED IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THE
CHILD'S CONDITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN  INTERVENTION  AND/OR  TREATMENT
PLAN.
  S 2799-W. STATE IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM
ASSESSMENT CENTERS. WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL,
PURSUANT  TO A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP COMPREHENSIVE
AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS AS ESTABLISHED IN THIS ARTICLE.
  S 2799-X. REPORTING/RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS. 1. EACH RECIPIENT OF  FUND-
ING  PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO
THE DEPARTMENT:
  A. THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN RECEIVING SERVICES PURSUANT  TO  THIS
ARTICLE;
  B.  THE  AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY OF THOSE CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE SERVICES
AT SUCH CENTERS;
  C. THE TYPE OF PROGRAMS AND INTERVENTIONS THAT CHILDREN RECEIVED;
  D. A SUMMARY OF BOTH THE SHORT AND LONG-TERM OUTCOMES FOR THOSE  CHIL-
DREN SERVED;
  E. THE PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN SERVED WHO AVOIDED LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL
PLACEMENT; AND
  F. THE ESTIMATED SAVINGS TO THE STATE THAT RESULTED FROM THIS OUTCOME.
  2.  THE  DEPARTMENT  SHALL COMPILE SUCH REPORTS ON THE CENTERS' ACTIV-
ITIES AND FINDINGS AND REPORT TO THE  GOVERNOR  AND  LEGISLATURE  ON  OR

A. 8906--A                          4

BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBER, TWO THOUSAND TEN AND EACH YEAR THERE-
AFTER.
  3.  THE  COMMISSIONER SHALL ASSIST IN AND ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF
RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS  BETWEEN  THE  COMPREHENSIVE  AUTISM  ASSESSMENT
CENTERS  AND RELEVANT STATE AGENCY FACILITIES, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, PRIVATE RESEARCH ENTITIES.  SUCH  COLLABORATIONS
SHALL  INCLUDE  BUT  NOT  BE LIMITED TO EXAMINATION OF THE PREVALENCE OF
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER DIAGNOSES, THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL  FACTORS
ON  THE  DEVELOPMENT OF AUTISM, THE INFLUENCE OF NUTRITION AND GASTROIN-
TESTINAL HEALTH ON AUTISM AND, THE EFFICACY OF CERTAIN ASSESSMENT  TOOLS
AND APPROACHES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 8906--B

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              June 15, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. GUNTHER -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Health -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted
  as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee  discharged,
  bill  amended,  ordered  reprinted  as amended and recommitted to said
  committee

AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the development of
  autism assessment centers

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1.  The  public health law is amended by adding a new section
2822 to read as follows:
  S 2822. AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS.  1. THE LEGISLATURE FINDS THAT  THE
DRAMATIC  INCREASE  IN  THE  PREVALENCE  OF  INDIVIDUALS IDENTIFIED WITH
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASP) AND OTHER COMPLEX DEVELOPMENTAL DISABIL-
ITIES REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE IN ENSURING THE PROPER  ASSESS-
MENT  AND  DEVELOPMENT  OF  APPROPRIATE INDIVIDUALIZED INTERVENTIONS FOR
CHILDREN WITH SEVERE MANIFESTATIONS  OF  ASD.    THE  SEVERE,  PERVASIVE
NATURE OF THESE DISABILITIES IS MANIFESTED NOT ONLY IN DEVELOPMENTAL AND
BEHAVIORAL  PROBLEMS, BUT IN THE MORE SEVERE CASES, PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS AS
WELL. PRESENTING CHARACTERISTICS OF  INDIVIDUALS  WITH  AUTISM  SPECTRUM
DISORDERS  AND COMPLEX DISABILITIES INCLUDE SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE IMPAIR-
MENT; LANGUAGE DISTURBANCES; PROBLEMS WITH  ATTENTION  AND  SELF-REGULA-
TION;  REPETITIVE,  STEREOTYPED,  AGGRESSIVE,  SELF-INJURIOUS BEHAVIORS;
AND, OFTEN COMPLEX AND SEVERE CASES CO-OCCURRING WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS
SUCH AS SEIZURE AND SLEEP DISORDERS; AND, PSYCHIATRIC AND HEALTH  CONDI-
TIONS SUCH AS FRAGILE X SYNDROME AND TUBEROUS SCLEROSIS.
  FOR  THESE REASONS, THE LEGISLATURE DECLARES THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
NEW SHORT-TERM BEHAVIORAL AND ASSESSMENT INTERVENTION UNITS  TO  PROVIDE
FOR  THE  ASSESSMENT  AND INTERVENTION FOR CHILDREN WITH SEVERE FORMS OF
ASD IS NECESSARY. THE ACCURATE ASSESSMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH ASD IS THE
FIRST STEP IN DEVELOPING APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS  FOR  THESE  CHILDREN  AND

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD14349-04-9
              

A. 8906--B                          2

PROVIDING  NECESSARY  SUPPORTS  TO THEIR FAMILIES, AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS,
THEREFORE, THE STATE MUST TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE  DEVELOP-
MENT  OF AN INTEGRATED, INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF
CHILDREN'S  FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT PROTOCOLS
TO RESPOND TO THE VARIED NEEDS OF THOSE AFFECTED.
  2. DEFINITIONS. (A) FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION "AUTISM  SPECTRUM
DISORDER"  MEANS  ANY OF A GROUP OF NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS INCLUD-
ING: AUTISM; PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER - NOT OTHERWISE  SPECIFIED
(PDD-NOS);  RETT'S SYNDROME; ASPERGER'S DISORDER; AND CHILDHOOD DISINTE-
GRATIVE DISORDER. AUTISM IS CHARACTERIZED BY A TRIAD OF ISSUES  SUCH  AS
LANGUAGE AND SOCIAL DISTURBANCE, AND RESTRICTIVE AND REPETITIVE PATTERNS
OF  PLAY  WITH  A  RIGID  ADHERENCE TO SAMENESS. ADDITIONAL CO-OCCURRING
IMPAIRMENTS IN THOSE SEVERELY AFFECTED MAY INCLUDE SENSORY PROBLEMS SUCH
AS AUDITORY HYPERSENSITIVITY,  TEMPERATURE  REGULATION  ISSUES,  SEIZURE
DISORDERS,  ABNORMAL  PAIN  THRESHOLD,  GASTROINTESTINAL  PROBLEMS,  AND
PSYCHIATRIC CONDITIONS SUCH AS OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER, DEPRESSION
AND ANXIETY.
  (B) "COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM  ASSESSMENT  CENTER"  OR  "CENTER"  MEANS  A
CENTER DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
  3.  COMPREHENSIVE  AUTISM  ASSESSMENT CENTERS ESTABLISHED. THE COMMIS-
SIONER SHALL FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT AND ESTABLISHMENT OF, AND DESIG-
NATE, COMPREHENSIVE CENTERS FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM  SPECTRUM
DISORDERS.  THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA FOR
THE DESIGNATION OF SUCH CENTERS  CONSISTENT  WITH  THIS  SECTION.    THE
CENTERS SHALL BE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE CHILDREN PRIMARILY BETWEEN THE AGES
OF  FIVE  AND EIGHTEEN YEARS WITH AN INTENSIVE, INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT IN
THE AREAS OF COMMUNICATION, SOCIALIZATION, GENERAL  FUNCTIONING,  BEHAV-
IORAL,  NEUROLOGICAL,  PSYCHIATRIC  AND MEDICAL FUNCTIONING. THE CENTERS
SHALL UTILIZE AN ARRAY OF DISCIPLINES  WHICH  MAY  INCLUDE  BUT  NOT  BE
LIMITED  TO: PHYSICAL, MEDICAL, AND PSYCHIATRIC; NEUROBEHAVIORAL, NUTRI-
TION; GASTROENTEROLOGY; MOTOR AND FITNESS; SLEEP ANALYSIS; COMMUNICATION
AND SOCIAL; AND PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL TO ASSESS THE NEEDS OF THESE CHILDREN
AND TO  DEVELOP  APPROPRIATE  SHORT-TERM  INTERVENTIONS  AND  INDIVIDUAL
TREATMENT  PLANS  WHICH  ARE DESIGNED TO MANAGE AND IMPROVE FUNCTIONING.
SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT
BE LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS:
  (A) INTENSIVE ASSESSMENT SERVICES, INCLUDING  INTEGRATED,  INTERDISCI-
PLINARY ANALYSIS OF A RESIDENT'S FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND DISABIL-
ITIES.  UTILIZING  A  COMPREHENSIVE  FRAMEWORK SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL
CLASSIFICATION OF FUNCTIONING DISABILITY AND HEALTH - CHILDREN AND YOUTH
(ICF-CY) (WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION 2007), CENTERS SHALL COMPREHENSIVELY
ASSESS THE RANGE OF FUNCTIONING AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WITH  AUTISM
INCLUDING  BUT  NOT  LIMITED  TO  CHILD-ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS, BODY
FUNCTIONING, ACTIVITY LIMITATIONS AND PARTICIPATION RESTRICTIONS.
  (B) RESIDENTIAL SERVICES THAT PROVIDE SHORT-TERM  RESIDENTIAL  SUPPORT
FOR  CHILDREN  ADMITTED  TO  THE CENTER WHO REQUIRE A SHORT STAY FOR THE
PERIOD IN WHICH THE ASSESSMENT IS CONDUCTED. THESE SERVICES ARE INTENDED
TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR  THE ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES AND ARE  NOT  INTENDED
TO  BE  LONG-TERM  NOR ARE THEY INTENDED TO BE PROVIDED IN A HOSPITAL OR
NURSING HOME AS DEFINED IN THIS ARTICLE OR IN THE CAPACITY OF  PERMANENT
HOUSING.
  (C)  A  CENTER  ESTABLISHED  BY THIS SECTION SHALL PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL
SERVICES APPROVED BY THE  STATE  EDUCATION  DEPARTMENT.  SUCH  EDUCATION
SERVICES  PROVIDED  SHALL  BE  ACADEMIC  PROGRAMMING CONSISTENT WITH THE
CHILD'S HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT'S CURRICULUM AND THE PARTICULAR EDUCATIONAL

A. 8906--B                          3

NEEDS OF THE CHILD.   THE CENTER SHALL CONSULT  WITH  THE  CHILD'S  HOME
SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DEVELOP AN APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL PLAN.
  (D)  MEDICAL  CLINICAL  SERVICES.  EACH CENTER SHALL HAVE THE CAPACITY
ON-SITE OR READILY ACCESSIBLE TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESIDENT'S MEDICAL  AND
CLINICAL  NEEDS.  THESE  SERVICES  SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE MEDICAL
SERVICES TO ADDRESS GENERAL, CHRONIC, AND  ONGOING  MEDICAL  CONDITIONS.
MEDICAL  AND  CLINICAL  SERVICES  AVAILABLE  AT THE CENTER SHALL ALSO BE
UTILIZED IN THE ASSESSMENT OF THE CHILD'S CONDITION AND  DEVELOPMENT  OF
AN INTERVENTION AND/OR TREATMENT PLAN.
  4.  GRANTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS.
WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL PROVIDE FUNDING FOR,
PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR  PROPOSALS,  COMPREHENSIVE  AUTISM  ASSESSMENT
CENTERS AS ESTABLISHED IN THIS SECTION.
  5.  REPORTING/RESEARCH  REQUIREMENTS.  (A)  EACH  RECIPIENT OF FUNDING
PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO  THE
DEPARTMENT:
  (I)  THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN RECEIVING SERVICES PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION;
  (II) THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY OF THOSE CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE SERVICES
AT SUCH CENTERS;
  (III) THE TYPE OF PROGRAMS AND INTERVENTIONS THAT CHILDREN RECEIVED;
  (IV) A SUMMARY OF BOTH THE SHORT  AND  LONG-TERM  OUTCOMES  FOR  THOSE
CHILDREN SERVED;
  (V)  THE  PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN SERVED WHO AVOIDED LONG-TERM RESIDEN-
TIAL PLACEMENT; AND
  (VI) THE ESTIMATED SAVINGS  TO  THE  STATE  THAT  RESULTED  FROM  THIS
OUTCOME.
  (B)  THE  DEPARTMENT SHALL COMPILE SUCH REPORTS ON THE CENTERS' ACTIV-
ITIES AND FINDINGS AND REPORT TO THE  GOVERNOR  AND  LEGISLATURE  ON  OR
BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBER, TWO THOUSAND TEN AND EACH YEAR THERE-
AFTER.
  (C)  THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ASSIST IN AND ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF
RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN THE CENTERS AND  RELEVANT  STATE  AGENCY
FACILITIES,  COLLEGES  AND  UNIVERSITIES AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, PRIVATE
RESEARCH ENTITIES. SUCH COLLABORATIONS SHALL INCLUDE BUT NOT BE  LIMITED
TO  EXAMINATION OF THE PREVALENCE OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER DIAGNOSES,
THE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON THE DEVELOPMENT  OF  AUTISM,  THE
INFLUENCE  OF  NUTRITION  AND GASTROINTESTINAL HEALTH ON AUTISM AND, THE
EFFICACY OF CERTAIN ASSESSMENT TOOLS AND APPROACHES IN  THE  DEVELOPMENT
OF EFFECTIVE INTERVENTIONS.
  S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 8906--C

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              June 15, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. GUNTHER -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Health -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted
  as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee  discharged,
  bill  amended,  ordered  reprinted  as amended and recommitted to said
  committee -- recommitted to the Committee on Health in accordance with
  Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
  reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee

AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the development of
  comprehensive autism assessment centers

  THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section  1. Subdivision 1 of section 2801 of the public health law, as
separately amended by chapters 297 and 416  of  the  laws  of  1983,  is
amended to read as follows:
  1.  "Hospital"  means a facility or institution engaged principally in
providing services by or under the supervision of a physician or, in the
case of a dental clinic or dental dispensary,  of  a  dentist,  for  the
prevention,  diagnosis  or  treatment  of  human  disease, pain, injury,
deformity or physical condition, including, but not limited to, a gener-
al hospital, public health center, diagnostic center, treatment  center,
dental  clinic,  dental  dispensary,  rehabilitation center other than a
facility used solely for vocational rehabilitation, nursing home, tuber-
culosis hospital, chronic disease hospital, maternity  hospital,  lying-
in-asylum,  out-patient  department, out-patient lodge, dispensary and a
laboratory or central service facility serving one or more  such  insti-
tutions, A COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTER, but the term hospital
shall  not  include an institution, sanitarium or other facility engaged
principally in providing  services  for  the  prevention,  diagnosis  or
treatment  of  mental  disability  and which is subject to the powers of
visitation, examination, inspection and investigation of the  department
of  mental  hygiene  except  for those distinct parts of such a facility

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD14349-10-0
              

A. 8906--C                          2

which provide hospital service. The provisions of this article shall not
apply to a facility or  institution  engaged  principally  in  providing
services by or under the supervision of the bona fide members and adher-
ents  of  a  recognized  religious  organization whose teachings include
reliance on spiritual means through prayer  alone  for  healing  in  the
practice  of  the  religion  of such organization and where services are
provided in accordance with those teachings.
  S 2. Section 2801 of the public health law is amended by adding a  new
subdivision 11 to read as follows:
  11.  "COMPREHENSIVE  AUTISM  ASSESSMENT  CENTER" MEANS A COMPREHENSIVE
AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTER UNDER SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE
OF THIS ARTICLE.
  S 3. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2823  to
read as follows:
  S  2823. COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS.  1. DEFINITIONS. FOR
THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY REQUIRES OTHER-
WISE:
  (A) "AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" MEANS ANY OF A GROUP  OF  NEURODEVELOP-
MENTAL  DISORDERS  INCLUDING: AUTISM; PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER -
NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED (PDD-NOS); RETT'S SYNDROME; ASPERGER'S DISORDER;
AND CHILDHOOD DISINTEGRATIVE DISORDER.  AUTISM  SPECTRUM  DISORDERS  MAY
INCLUDE  CHARACTERISTICS  SUCH  AS LANGUAGE DISTURBANCE, SOCIAL DISTURB-
ANCE, AND RESTRICTIVE AND REPETITIVE  PATTERNS  OF  PLAY  WITH  A  RIGID
ADHERENCE  TO  SAMENESS.  ADDITIONAL  CO-OCCURRING  IMPAIRMENTS IN THOSE
SEVERELY AFFECTED MAY INCLUDE SENSORY PROBLEMS SUCH AS  AUDITORY  HYPER-
SENSITIVITY,  TEMPERATURE REGULATION ISSUES, SEIZURE DISORDERS, ABNORMAL
PAIN THRESHOLD, GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS,  AND  PSYCHIATRIC  CONDITIONS
SUCH AS OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.
  (B)  "COMPREHENSIVE  AUTISM  ASSESSMENT  CENTER"  OR  "CENTER" MEANS A
CENTER DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSIONER UNDER THIS SECTION.
  2.  COMPREHENSIVE  AUTISM  ASSESSMENT  CENTERS  ESTABLISHED.  (A)  THE
COMMISSIONER  SHALL FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT AND ESTABLISHMENT OF, AND
DESIGNATE, COMPREHENSIVE CENTERS FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN PRIMARI-
LY BETWEEN THE AGES OF FIVE AND EIGHTEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM  SPECTRUM
DISORDERS  AND  DEVELOPMENT  OF APPROPRIATE SHORT-TERM INTERVENTIONS AND
INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT PLANS WHICH ARE  DESIGNED  TO  MANAGE  AND  IMPROVE
FUNCTIONING.  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL ESTABLISH PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA
FOR THE DESIGNATION OF SUCH CENTERS CONSISTENT WITH THIS SECTION.
  (B) THE CENTERS SHALL  UTILIZE  AN  ARRAY  OF  DISCIPLINES  WHICH  MAY
INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: PHYSICAL, MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC; NEURO-
BEHAVIORAL; NUTRITION; GASTROENTEROLOGY; MOTOR AND FITNESS; SLEEP ANALY-
SIS; COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL; AND PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL. SERVICES PROVIDED
BY  THE  CENTERS  MAY INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING COMPO-
NENTS:
  (I) INTENSIVE ASSESSMENT SERVICES, INCLUDING  INTEGRATED,  INTERDISCI-
PLINARY ANALYSIS OF A RESIDENT'S FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND DISABIL-
ITIES. UTILIZING A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK SUCH AS INTERNATIONAL CLASSI-
FICATION   OF  FUNCTIONING  DISABILITY  AND  HEALTH-CHILDREN  AND  YOUTH
(ICF-CY)(WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION 2007), CENTERS SHALL  COMPREHENSIVELY
ASSESS  THE RANGE OF FUNCTIONING AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
SPECTRUM DISORDERS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: COMMUNICATION; SOCIALI-
ZATION; GENERAL, BEHAVIORAL, NEUROLOGICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, BODY AND MEDICAL
FUNCTIONING; CHILD-ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS; ACTIVITY LIMITATIONS; AND
PARTICIPATION RESTRICTIONS.

A. 8906--C                          3

  (II) DEVELOPMENT OF APPROPRIATE SHORT-TERM INTERVENTIONS AND  INDIVID-
UAL TREATMENT PLANS WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO MANAGE AND IMPROVE FUNCTIONING
FOR THE CHILDREN ASSESSED BY THE CENTER.
  (III) RESIDENTIAL SERVICES THAT PROVIDE SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT
FOR  CHILDREN  ADMITTED  TO  THE CENTER WHO REQUIRE A SHORT STAY FOR THE
PERIOD IN WHICH THE ASSESSMENT IS CONDUCTED. THESE SERVICES ARE INTENDED
TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE ASSESSMENT  ACTIVITIES  AND  ARE  NOT  TO  BE
LONG-TERM  NOR  ARE THEY TO BE PROVIDED IN A GENERAL HOSPITAL OR NURSING
HOME AS DEFINED IN THIS ARTICLE NOR IN THE CAPACITY OF  PERMANENT  HOUS-
ING.
  (IV)  EDUCATIONAL SERVICES APPROVED BY THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
SUCH EDUCATION SERVICES PROVIDED SHALL BE CONSISTENT  WITH  THE  CHILD'S
HOME  SCHOOL  DISTRICT'S  CURRICULUM  AND  THE  EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE
CHILD, AND APPROPRIATE TO THE CHILD'S SHORT-TERM STAY IN THE CENTER. THE
CENTER SHALL CONSULT WITH THE CHILD'S HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DEVELOP AN
APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL PLAN.
  (V) MEDICAL CLINICAL SERVICES. EACH CENTER  SHALL  HAVE  THE  CAPACITY
ON-SITE  OR READILY ACCESSIBLE TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESIDENT'S MEDICAL AND
CLINICAL NEEDS. THESE SERVICES SHALL BE  AVAILABLE  TO  PROVIDE  MEDICAL
SERVICES TO ADDRESS GENERAL, CHRONIC AND ONGOING MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
  3.  GRANTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS.
WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED, THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  PROVIDE  FUNDING,
PURSUANT  TO  A  REQUEST  FOR  PROPOSALS,  TO  AID IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS.
  4. REPORTING/RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS.  (A)  EACH  RECIPIENT  OF  FUNDING
PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION  SHALL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AND
SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE DEPARTMENT  MAY  REASONABLY  REQUIRE  WITH
RESPECT  TO  THE  CENTER  TO THE DEPARTMENT, ANNUALLY AS REQUIRED BY THE
DEPARTMENT:
  (I) THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN RECEIVING SERVICES PURSUANT TO  THIS
SECTION;
  (II) THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY OF THOSE CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE SERVICES
AT THE CENTER; AND
  (III) THE TYPE OF PROGRAMS AND INTERVENTIONS THAT CHILDREN RECEIVED.
  (B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ANNUALLY COMPILE SUCH REPORTS ON THE CENTERS'
ACTIVITIES  AND  FINDINGS  AND REPORT ON THE CENTERS TO THE GOVERNOR AND
LEGISLATURE ON OR BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBER, TWO THOUSAND ELEVEN
AND EACH YEAR THEREAFTER.
  (C) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ASSIST IN AND ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT  OF
RESEARCH  COLLABORATIONS  BETWEEN  THE CENTERS AND RELEVANT STATE AGENCY
FACILITIES, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND,  WHERE  APPROPRIATE,  PRIVATE
RESEARCH ENTITIES.
  S 4. This act shall take effect immediately.

                            
                    S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________

                                 8906--D

                       2009-2010 Regular Sessions

                          I N  A S S E M B L Y

                              June 15, 2009
                               ___________

Introduced  by M. of A. GUNTHER -- read once and referred to the Commit-
  tee on Health -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted
  as amended and recommitted to said committee -- committee  discharged,
  bill  amended,  ordered  reprinted  as amended and recommitted to said
  committee -- recommitted to the Committee on Health in accordance with
  Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
  reprinted as amended and recommitted to said  committee  --  committee
  discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
  to said committee

AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the development of
  comprehensive autism assessment centers

  THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 2801 of the public health law,  as
separately  amended  by  chapters  297  and  416 of the laws of 1983, is
amended to read as follows:
  1. "Hospital" means a facility or institution engaged  principally  in
providing services by or under the supervision of a physician or, in the
case  of  a  dental  clinic  or dental dispensary, of a dentist, for the
prevention, diagnosis or  treatment  of  human  disease,  pain,  injury,
deformity or physical condition, including, but not limited to, a gener-
al  hospital, public health center, diagnostic center, treatment center,
dental clinic, dental dispensary, rehabilitation  center  other  than  a
facility used solely for vocational rehabilitation, nursing home, tuber-
culosis  hospital,  chronic disease hospital, maternity hospital, lying-
in-asylum, out-patient department, out-patient lodge, dispensary  and  a
laboratory  or  central service facility serving one or more such insti-
tutions, A COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTER, but the term hospital
shall not include an institution, sanitarium or other  facility  engaged
principally  in  providing  services  for  the  prevention, diagnosis or
treatment of mental disability and which is subject  to  the  powers  of

 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                      [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                           LBD14349-12-0
              

A. 8906--D                          2

visitation,  examination, inspection and investigation of the department
of mental hygiene except for those distinct parts  of  such  a  facility
which provide hospital service. The provisions of this article shall not
apply  to  a  facility  or  institution engaged principally in providing
services by or under the supervision of the bona fide members and adher-
ents of a recognized  religious  organization  whose  teachings  include
reliance  on  spiritual  means  through  prayer alone for healing in the
practice of the religion of such organization  and  where  services  are
provided in accordance with those teachings.
  S  2. Section 2801 of the public health law is amended by adding a new
subdivision 11 to read as follows:
  11. "COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM ASSESSMENT  CENTER"  MEANS  A  COMPREHENSIVE
AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTER UNDER SECTION TWENTY-EIGHT HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE
OF THIS ARTICLE.
  S  3. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2823 to
read as follows:
  S 2823. COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS.  1. DEFINITIONS.  FOR
THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT CLEARLY REQUIRES OTHER-
WISE:
  (A)  "AUTISM  SPECTRUM DISORDER" MEANS ANY OF A GROUP OF NEURODEVELOP-
MENTAL DISORDERS INCLUDING: AUTISM; PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL  DISORDER  -
NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED (PDD-NOS); RETT'S SYNDROME; ASPERGER'S DISORDER;
AND  CHILDHOOD  DISINTEGRATIVE  DISORDER.  AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS MAY
INCLUDE CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS LANGUAGE  DISTURBANCE,  SOCIAL  DISTURB-
ANCE,  AND  RESTRICTIVE  AND  REPETITIVE  PATTERNS  OF PLAY WITH A RIGID
ADHERENCE TO SAMENESS.  ADDITIONAL  CO-OCCURRING  IMPAIRMENTS  IN  THOSE
SEVERELY  AFFECTED  MAY INCLUDE SENSORY PROBLEMS SUCH AS AUDITORY HYPER-
SENSITIVITY, TEMPERATURE REGULATION ISSUES, SEIZURE DISORDERS,  ABNORMAL
PAIN  THRESHOLD,  GASTROINTESTINAL  PROBLEMS, AND PSYCHIATRIC CONDITIONS
SUCH AS OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.
  (B) "COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM  ASSESSMENT  CENTER"  OR  "CENTER"  MEANS  A
CENTER DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSIONER UNDER THIS SECTION.
  2.  COMPREHENSIVE  AUTISM  ASSESSMENT  CENTERS  ESTABLISHED.  (A)  THE
COMMISSIONER SHALL FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT AND ESTABLISHMENT OF,  AND
DESIGNATE, COMPREHENSIVE CENTERS FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN PRIMARI-
LY  BETWEEN THE AGES OF FIVE AND EIGHTEEN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM
DISORDERS AND DEVELOPMENT OF APPROPRIATE  SHORT-TERM  INTERVENTIONS  AND
INDIVIDUAL  TREATMENT  PLANS  WHICH  ARE  DESIGNED TO MANAGE AND IMPROVE
FUNCTIONING. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH  PROCEDURES  AND  CRITERIA
FOR THE DESIGNATION OF SUCH CENTERS CONSISTENT WITH THIS SECTION.
  (B)  THE  CENTERS  SHALL  UTILIZE  AN  ARRAY  OF DISCIPLINES WHICH MAY
INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO: PHYSICAL, MEDICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC; NEURO-
BEHAVIORAL; NUTRITION; GASTROENTEROLOGY; MOTOR AND FITNESS; SLEEP ANALY-
SIS; COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL; AND PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL. SERVICES PROVIDED
BY THE CENTERS MAY INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO  THE  FOLLOWING  COMPO-
NENTS:
  (I)  INTENSIVE  ASSESSMENT SERVICES, INCLUDING INTEGRATED, INTERDISCI-
PLINARY ANALYSIS OF A RESIDENT'S FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND DISABIL-
ITIES. UTILIZING A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK SUCH AS INTERNATIONAL CLASSI-
FICATION  OF  FUNCTIONING  DISABILITY  AND  HEALTH-CHILDREN  AND   YOUTH
(ICF-CY)(WORLD  HEALTH ORGANIZATION 2007), CENTERS SHALL COMPREHENSIVELY
ASSESS THE RANGE OF FUNCTIONING AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN WITH  AUTISM
SPECTRUM DISORDERS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: COMMUNICATION; SOCIALI-
ZATION; GENERAL, BEHAVIORAL, NEUROLOGICAL, PSYCHIATRIC, BODY AND MEDICAL
FUNCTIONING; CHILD-ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS; ACTIVITY LIMITATIONS; AND
PARTICIPATION RESTRICTIONS.

A. 8906--D                          3

  (II)  DEVELOPMENT OF APPROPRIATE SHORT-TERM INTERVENTIONS AND INDIVID-
UAL TREATMENT PLANS WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO MANAGE AND IMPROVE FUNCTIONING
FOR THE CHILDREN ASSESSED BY THE CENTER.
  (III) RESIDENTIAL SERVICES THAT PROVIDE SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT
FOR  CHILDREN  ADMITTED  TO  THE CENTER WHO REQUIRE A SHORT STAY FOR THE
PERIOD IN WHICH THE ASSESSMENT IS CONDUCTED. THESE SERVICES ARE INTENDED
TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE ASSESSMENT  ACTIVITIES  AND  ARE  NOT  TO  BE
LONG-TERM  NOR  ARE THEY TO BE PROVIDED IN A GENERAL HOSPITAL OR NURSING
HOME AS DEFINED IN THIS ARTICLE NOR IN THE CAPACITY OF  PERMANENT  HOUS-
ING.
  (IV)  EDUCATIONAL SERVICES APPROVED BY THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
SUCH EDUCATION SERVICES PROVIDED SHALL BE CONSISTENT  WITH  THE  CHILD'S
HOME  SCHOOL  DISTRICT'S  CURRICULUM  AND  THE  EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF THE
CHILD, AND APPROPRIATE TO THE CHILD'S SHORT-TERM STAY IN THE CENTER. THE
CENTER SHALL CONSULT WITH THE CHILD'S HOME SCHOOL DISTRICT TO DEVELOP AN
APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL PLAN.
  (V) MEDICAL CLINICAL SERVICES. EACH CENTER  SHALL  HAVE  THE  CAPACITY
ON-SITE  OR READILY ACCESSIBLE TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESIDENT'S MEDICAL AND
CLINICAL NEEDS. THESE SERVICES SHALL BE  AVAILABLE  TO  PROVIDE  MEDICAL
SERVICES TO ADDRESS GENERAL, CHRONIC AND ONGOING MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
  3.  GRANTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS.
WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED, THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  PROVIDE  FUNDING,
PURSUANT  TO  A  REQUEST  FOR  PROPOSALS,  TO  AID IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
COMPREHENSIVE AUTISM ASSESSMENT CENTERS.
  4. REPORTING/RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS.  (A)  EACH  RECIPIENT  OF  FUNDING
PURSUANT  TO  THIS  SECTION  SHALL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AND
SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE DEPARTMENT  MAY  REASONABLY  REQUIRE  WITH
RESPECT  TO  THE  CENTER  TO THE DEPARTMENT, ANNUALLY AS REQUIRED BY THE
DEPARTMENT:
  (I) THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN RECEIVING SERVICES PURSUANT TO  THIS
SECTION;
  (II) THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY OF THOSE CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE SERVICES
AT THE CENTER; AND
  (III) THE TYPE OF PROGRAMS AND INTERVENTIONS THAT CHILDREN RECEIVED.
  (B) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ANNUALLY COMPILE SUCH REPORTS ON THE CENTERS'
ACTIVITIES AND FINDINGS AND ANNUALLY REPORT ON THE CENTERS TO THE GOVER-
NOR AND LEGISLATURE.
  (C)  THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ASSIST IN AND ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF
RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN THE CENTERS AND  RELEVANT  STATE  AGENCY
FACILITIES,  COLLEGES  AND  UNIVERSITIES AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, PRIVATE
RESEARCH ENTITIES.
  S 4. This act shall take effect immediately.