Autism Legislation
Pending Legislation
Here are some of the bills with which Autism New Jersey is actively engaged:
State
A2021/S1943 – Provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support autism programs
Status: Pending advancement in Assembly Women and Children Committee
ANJ to review and discuss with Chair Pamela Lampitt.
S2635 – Establishes task force to study various issues related to improving special education programs and services for public school students
Status: Passed by Senate in 2011; pending advancement in Assembly Education Committee
ANJ has provided testimony in support.
A1319/S1252 – Provides a plan to rebalance state resources to provide community services and supports for persons with developmental disabilities
Status: Pending advancement in Assembly Human Services Committee
ANJ has reviewed and is assessing necessity in light of developmental center closings announced by state.
A2893/S254 “Innovative Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act” – promotes additional options for residential services
Status: Passed Assembly Human Services Committee and Assembly Appropriations Committee; pending Assembly vote
ANJ has provided testimony in support.
A2419/S137 – Provides for certain psychologists to prescribe medications
Status: Passed Assembly Regulated Professions Committee; pending Assembly vote
ANJ has provided testimony in support.
S2189 – Establishes Response to Intervention initiative to DOE to support and encourage school districts in implementation of Response to Intervention framework
Status: Passed Senate Education Committee; pending Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
ANJ has provided testimony in support.
SJR29/AJR28 -Designates April 2nd of each year as “World Autism Awareness Day”
Status: Passed by Senate, pending Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee
ANJ has provided testimony in support.
A1120 – Requires training for certain staff working with persons with developmental disabilities
Status: Pending advancement in Assembly Human Services Committee
ANJ to review and discuss with Chair, Valerie Vainieri-Huttle.
A1150 – Directs certain recoveries of federal funds for services to persons with developmental disabilities to be used for grants to support community infrastructure purposes
Status: Pending advancement in Assembly Women and Children Committee
ANJ to review and discuss wiht Chair, Pamela Lampitt
S2333 – Requires Department of Education to train teachers and administrators and monitor districts on bias and discrimination in special education classification
Status: Pending Senate Education Committee
ANJ to review and discuss with Chair, Theresa Ruiz.
S2334 – Directs Department of Education to make database of special education decisions available on website
Status: Pending Senate Education Committee
ANJ to review and discuss with Chair, Theresa Ruiz.
S2386/A2431 – Permits person with Developmental Disability and legal guardian to audio record sessions of interdisciplinary team in which person or guardian participates
Status: Passed Assembly; Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
ANJ to review and discuss with Chair, Joseph Vitale.
ACR129/SCR114 – Memorializes Congress and President to enact “Caring for Military Kids with Autism Act.”
Status: Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee
ANJ has provided testimony in support.
S2317/A3403 – Directs the Department of Law and Public Safety to create a Voluntary Registry for Individuals with a Mental Illness or Developmental Disability, in order to provide law enforcement agencies with information to help the agencies assist individuals with a mental illness or developmental disability in obtaining medical, mental health, and social services.
Status: Passed Assembly Human Services Committee; pending Assembly
ANJ has provided testimony in support.
Federal
H.R. 3423/S1872 – “ABLE Act of 2011.” Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for the tax treatment of ABLE accounts, established under state programs, for the care of family members with disabilities and for other purposes
ANJ to discuss with New Jersey federal legislators.
S850 – “Autism Services and Workforce Acceleration Act of 2011.” Provides for enhanced treatment, support, services, and research for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families
ANJ to discuss with New Jersey federal legislators.
H.R. 2007/S1132 – “Autism Spectrum Disorders Services Act of 2011.” Establishes grant programs related to autism spectrum disorders, expands federal oversight and support services
ANJ to discuss with New Jersey federal legislators.
H.R. 2006/S1128 – “National Autism Spectrum Disorders Initiative Act of 2011.” Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Autism Spectrum Disorders Initiative in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve the lives of persons with autism spectrum disorders through research focused on prevention, treatment, services, and cures
ANJ to discuss with New Jersey federal legislators.
Recently-Enacted Legislation
Autism New Jersey has provided input and advocacy for the following bills that recently became laws:
State
A2573/S599 “Tara’s Law” – Provides protections for individuals with developmental disabilities residing in community care residences and for investigations of abuse of individuals with developmental disabilities
Status: Passed by both Senate & Assembly. Signed by Governor in December 2012
ANJ provided testimony in support and assisted Senator Jennifer Beck.
List updated January 2013