House Passes Autism Act
July 25, 2019
By: Michelle Diament
Source: Disability Scoop
Federal legislation allocating over $1.8 billion in government spending on autism efforts is one step closer to being approved. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support, or Autism CARES, Act, by a voice vote Wednesday. The legislation, H.R. 1058, would renew a federal law that originated in 2006 and ensures support for research, prevalence tracking, screening, professional training and other government activities related to autism.
As it stands, the current version of the Autism CARES Act is set to expire at the end of September, meaning that without action from Congress, programs established through the act will come to a halt. “Renewal is critically important because Autism CARES is vital to pursuing research and high-quality services for people with autism,” said Stuart Spielman, senior vice president of advocacy at Autism Speaks. Under the measure approved by the House this week, the federal government would spend $369 million on autism efforts annually through 2024.