H 4477 General Bill, By Limehouse and Vaughn
 A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 33, TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY
 DESIGNATING SECTIONS 59-33-10 THROUGH 59-33-110 AS ARTICLE 1, ENTITLED
 "GENERAL PROVISIONS", AND BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 SO AS TO ESTABLISH AND PROVIDE
 FOR THE AUTISM TRAINING TASK FORCE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS,
 AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DUTIES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA AUTISM SOCIETY AND THE
 TASK FORCE.

   12/17/03  House  Prefiled
   12/17/03  House  Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
                     Public and Municipal Affairs
   01/13/04  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-89
   01/13/04  House  Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
                     Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-89

TO AMEND CHAPTER 33, TITLE 59, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY DESIGNATING SECTIONS 59-33-10 THROUGH 59-33-110 AS ARTICLE 1, ENTITLED "GENERAL PROVISIONS", AND BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 SO AS TO ESTABLISH AND PROVIDE FOR THE AUTISM TRAINING TASK FORCE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE DUTIES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA AUTISM SOCIETY AND THE TASK FORCE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Sections 59-33-10 through 59-33-110 of the 1976 Code are designated Article 1, Chapter 33, Title 59 of the 1976 Code entitled "General Provisions".

SECTION    2.    Chapter 33, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Article 3

Section 59-33-310.    For purposes of this article:

(1)    'Autism' means an Autism Spectrum Disorder including Autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified, and Asperger's Disorder.

(2)    'Task force' means the Autism Training Task Force of South Carolina.

Section 59-33-320.    (A)    The South Carolina Autism Society shall assemble an Autism Training Task Force of South Carolina. The task force must be composed of:

(1)    three persons from professional fields related to autism, including, but not limited to, education, advocacy, community-based treatment providers, psychology, hearing and speech specialties, neurology, pediatrics, and psychiatry;

(2)    at least three family members or guardians of people with autism; and

(3)    a representative appointed by each of the following state agencies:

(a)    Department of Disabilities and Special Needs;

(b)    Department of Education;

(c)    Department of Health and Human Services; and

(d)    Babynet.

(B)    The task force shall collect information from at least the following:

(1)    Department of Disabilities and Special Needs;

(2)    Department of Education;

(3)    Department of Health and Human Services;

(4)    Department of Mental Health;

(5)    Babynet;

(6)    Department of Vocational Rehabilitation;

(7)    developmental pediatrics departments located in South Carolina hospitals;

(8)    the University of South Carolina University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities;

(9)    institutions of higher learning including, but not limited to, MUSC, USC, and Clemson; and

(10)    six family members or guardians of people with autism, one from each congressional district.

Section 59-33-330.    The task force shall:

(1)    inventory current training and education options for identification, assessment, intervention, treatment, and support across the lifespan of a person with autism;

(2)    assess current training and education available within the State;

(3)    determine needs that are not met in the areas of training and education;

(4)    compile a report and plan of action to address identified areas of need, including projected costs, revenues, and outcomes, recommend possible public and private sources of financial support; and

(5)    make training and education recommendations that relate to programs and practices grounded in scientifically-based research.

Section 59-33-340.    The task force shall report on the findings, activities, and recommendations to the legislature by May 15, 2005."

SECTION    3.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.