HLS 19RS-489 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 84
BY REPRESENTATIVE FOIL
PUBLIC HEALTH: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to study the feasibility
of issuing a certification card to individuals with an autism spectrum disorder
diagnosis
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to study the feasibility of issuing
3 a certification card denoting that a person has been medically diagnosed with autism
4 spectrum disorder and to report its findings and recommendations to the House
5 Committee on Health and Welfare and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
6 not later than sixty days prior to the convening of the 2020 Regular Session of the
7 Legislature.
8 WHEREAS, autism spectrum disorder refers to a broad range of conditions
9characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and speech and nonverbal
10communication; and
11 WHEREAS, autism is known as a "spectrum" disorder because there is wide
12variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience; and
13 WHEREAS, there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a
14combination of genetic and environmental factors; and
15 WHEREAS, individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder have difficulty
16with social communication and interaction, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors; and
17 WHEREAS, each person diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder has a distinct set
18of strengths and challenges; and
19 WHEREAS, the ways in which people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
20learn, think, and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged; and
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HCR NO. 84
1 WHEREAS, some people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder may require
2significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some
3cases, live entirely independently; and
4 WHEREAS, while scientists do not know the exact causes of autism spectrum
5disorder, research suggests that genes can act together with influences from the environment
6to affect development in ways that lead to autism spectrum disorder; and
7 WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism
8spectrum disorder affects an estimated one in fifty-nine children in the United States today;
9and
10 WHEREAS, there is a need for Louisiana to address the current policies surrounding
11individuals with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis to ensure they have protections and
12are not treated unfairly as a result of their diagnosis; and
13 WHEREAS, upon the request of a person medically diagnosed with autism spectrum
14disorder or his guardian or caregiver, a certification card may be presented to law
15enforcement or in other circumstances as established by the Louisiana Department of Health.
16 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
17urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to study the feasibility of issuing a
18certification card to individuals with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis that they may
19carry on their person and present in certain circumstances.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall, in its
21study, consider the following:
22 (1) The need for inclusion on the certification card of certain information including
23but not limited to:
24 (a) The name of the person to whom the certification card is registered with a
25corresponding card number to be issued by the Louisiana Department of Health.
26 (b) Emergency contact information for the cardholder.
27 (c) Information necessary to indicate that the cardholder has an autism spectrum
28disorder diagnosis.
29 (d) Information necessary to explain that an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis is
30a medical condition that may impair an individual's ability to communicate, may interfere
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HCR NO. 84
1with his ability to understand directions and respond, and may cause agitation when the
2individual is touched or approached closely.
3 (e) Information necessary to explain that certain behaviors are a result of an autism
4spectrum disorder diagnosis and are not an intentional refusal to cooperate or intentional
5defiance.
6 (f) A reference to a website or local organization that can provide more information
7about an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.
8 (2) The inclusion of an official seal on the card.
9 (3) The cost for the initial issuance of the card as well as the cost for a replacement
10card.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Louisiana Department of Health shall submit
12a written report of its findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation, if necessary, to
13the House Committee on Health and Welfare and the Senate Committee on Health and
14Welfare no later than sixty days prior to the convening of the 2020 Regular Session of the
15Legislature.
16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
17secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 84 Original 2019 Regular Session Foil
Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to study the feasibility of issuing a
certification card to individuals with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Further
requests the submission of a written report no later than 60 days prior to the convening of
the 2020 R.S.
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