California 2011 2011-2012 Regular Session

California Senate Bill SB1050 Amended / Bill

Filed 04/12/2012

 BILL NUMBER: SB 1050AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 12, 2012 INTRODUCED BY Senator Alquist FEBRUARY 8, 2012 An act  to add and repeal Section 4643.4 of the Welfare and Institutions Code,  relating to autism and autism spectrum disorders. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1050, as amended, Alquist. Autism  screening: pilot program.   : telehealth taskforce.  Existing law requires the State Department of Developmental Services to develop evaluation and diagnostic procedures for the diagnosis of autism disorder and other autistic spectrum disorders, as specified. Existing law also requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to convene, with input from the University of California, the California State University, the department, and other appropriate entities, an advisory committee to develop recommendations identifying the means by which public and nonpublic schools, including charter schools, can better serve pupils with autism spectrum disorders and their parents. This bill would  declare the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to establish a pilot program to promote the use of technology and telehealth systems for the screening, diagnosis, and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. The pilot program would be established by an academic institution, in collaboration with school districts and regional centers, and would be funded through private-public partnerships, as specified   , until January 1, 2019, require the department to establish an autism telehealth taskforce and identify a lead administrator to be responsible for the activities and work of the taskforce. The taskforce would be required to provide the department with recommendations in the area of telehealth services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, as specified  . Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee:  no   yes  . State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:  SECTION 1.   The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:   (a) Telehealth is an effective mode of delivering health services to underserved and isolated populations.   (b) Studies have shown that telehealth can be a valuable tool for increasing the effectiveness of treatment and improving access for children and young adults diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). At times, patients with ASD are not diagnosed or are not treated due to the lack of adequate health services.   (c) The use and implementation of telehealth technology may have the potential to revolutionize the care available to individuals with ASD in a healthcare climate characterized by limited resources by providing all of the following:   (1) Greater knowledge and information about ASD to consumers and their families.   (2) Improved access to underserved communities and populations.   (3) Enhanced case management.   (4) Increased coordination of care for this complex disorder.   (d) The utilization of telehealth-delivered services can help achieve the goals of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that include better care, improved health outcomes, and reduced per capita cost of care.   (e) By deploying telehealth to better care for children with ASD, the state can make larger improvements in its health and social service systems.  SEC. 2.   Section 4643.4 is added to the   Welfare and Institutions Code   , to read:   4643.4. (a) The State Department of Developmental Services shall establish an autism telehealth taskforce. (b) The department shall identify a public or nonprofit entity to act as lead administrator to be responsible for all of the activities and work of the taskforce. The public or nonprofit entity shall have knowledge or experience in all of the following: (1) Telehealth. (2) Community-based clinical trials. (3) Providing services to underserved populations. (c) The lead administrator shall appoint with the approval of the department, members of the taskforce who have knowledge or experience that includes, but is not limited to, any of the following: (1) The early identification of children with autism spectrum disorders. (2) The treatment of autism spectrum disorders. (3) Early intervention services provided by regional centers, school districts, and community-based services. (4) Technology or telehealth in providing services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders. (5) Other areas deemed necessary by the department. (d) Members of the taskforce shall serve at the pleasure of the lead administrator without compensation, except for appropriate travel, food, and lodging reimbursement. (e) The taskforce shall provide technical assistance and recommendations in the area of telehealth services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders to the department. The taskforce shall also provide recommendations to the department that include, but are not limited to, the implementation of at least one demonstration site that promotes or evaluates any of the following: (1) The use of telehealth and technology to assist and improve the delivery of services for individuals with ASD by regional centers. (2) The use of telehealth to provide seamless integration and coordination of services among regional centers, school districts, community-based resources, and healthcare providers and organizations. (3) The use of telehealth to improve the access of services for individuals with ASD to underserved individuals and to reduce the "digital divide" in underserved communities. (e) No moneys from the General Fund shall be appropriated for this project. The establishment and responsibilities of the taskforce shall be contingent upon identification of appropriate and adequate funding sources. (f) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2019, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2019, deletes or extends that date.   SECTION 1.   (a) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to establish a pilot program to promote the use of technology and telehealth systems for the screening, diagnosis, and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The pilot program would also focus on providing services, through the use of technology and telehealth, to underserved populations. (b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the pilot program be established by an academic institution, in collaboration with one or more regional centers, one or more school districts, or a combination of one or more regional centers and one or more school districts. (c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the pilot program be funded through public-private partnerships with entities such as foundations and high-tech companies.