Mandates autism screening, that is in compliance with guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics for children three years of age and under.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9868A
SPONSOR: Santabarbara TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the public health law, in relation to
autism screening for children three years of age and under
PURPOSE:
To establish screening tools and guidelines for autism spectrum disor-
ders (ASD) in children three years of age and younger.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends the public health law to require the commissioner of
health to include developmental screening for children age three or
younger in best practice protocols for screening of children for autism
spectrum disorders and require that such protocols be updated on a bien-
nial basis.
Section 2: Effective Date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Currently, there is no standardized screening approach for the early
identification of autism. Screening is a way to detect a disorder, such
as autism, before the onset of symptoms. ASD can sometimes be detected
at 18 months or younger. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced profes-
sional can be considered very reliable.
To promote and improve the early identification of autism, the American
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recently published practice guidelines
that recommends screening for ASD at the 18 and 24 month visits. Despite
these guidelines, most busy pediatric practices do not consistently
implement screening. As a result, most children are not diagnosed until
age 3 or later. This delay means that children with an ASD might not get
the help they need.
Early treatment of autism can have a significantly positive impact on
the health and well-being of children and their families.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New legislation
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law; provided, however, the amendment and/or repeal of any rule
or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effec-
tive date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or
before such effective date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9868--A
IN ASSEMBLY
February 15, 2018
___________
Introduced by M. of A. SANTABARBARA -- read once and referred to the
Committee 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 autism screening
for children three years of age and under
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The opening paragraph of subdivision 1 of section 2500-j of
2 the public health law, as added by chapter 335 of the laws of 2008, is
3 amended to read as follows:
4 The commissioner shall establish, for use by pediatric primary care
5 providers, best practice protocols for early screening of children for
6 autism spectrum disorders, including but not limited to developmental
7 screening for children three years of age and under. Such protocols
8 shall incorporate standards and guidelines established by the American
9 Academy of [Pediatricians] Pediatrics, shall be updated at least bienni-
10 ally, and shall include, but not be limited to:
11 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14566-02-8
