President Joe Biden recently signed into law a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) that will expand federal support for research, services, and training related to autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.
Specifically, the Autism CARES Act of 2024, H.R. 7213, reauthorizes the Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research Program that is administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through fiscal year 2029; activities administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support autism education, early detection, and intervention; and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee at HHS.
The new law also updates and establishes various related reporting requirements, including by requiring HHS to report on the feasibility of expanding certain training programs for developmental-behavioral pediatricians, according to the Congressional Record bill summary.
“This bill will continue the successful programming across HHS that helps us better understand the causes and the symptoms of the Autism spectrum disorder and improve the lives of families affected by it,” Sen. Collins said on Monday. “I am proud that we have reauthorized this important law, which is critical to expanding research at the NIH [National Institutes of Health], supporting the CDC’s effort to increase public awareness and early detection of autism spectrum disorder, and strengthening and expanding the Health Research and Services Administration’s workforce training to identify and support children and youth with autism as well as their families.”
President Biden on Dec. 23 enacted H.R. 7213, which U.S. Reps. Christopher Smith (R-NJ) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) introduced in February 2024. Sen. Collins and U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) sponsored the same-named S. 4762 in July 2024.
“Due to the research and increased training and awareness spurred by the Autism CARES Act, children are being diagnosed earlier and are receiving appropriate services from trained providers,” said Sen. Luján. “Not only does the Autism CARES Act of 2024 renew federal support for autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities, but it also expands critical research and training programs that benefit people with autism and their families.”
The Autism CARES Act includes over $2 billion in authorized federal spending on autism research and training programs for the next five years, and new language that directs the NIH director to ensure a more inclusive approach to autism research.
Additionally, the law requires the Government Accountability Office to issue a study and report on how to increase the number of developmental behavioral pediatricians, and creates a new Autism Intervention Research Network for Communication Needs that will benefit autistic individuals who may be unable or limited in using speech or language to communicate, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
Autism Speaks, the Profound Autism Alliance, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, and the Autism Society supported the legislation.