HLS 24RS-3247 ORIGINAL
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 222
BY REPRESENTATIVE EDMONSTON
CHILDREN/ABUSE: Requests the Louisiana Department of Health to evaluate factors
affecting children who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in this state and
their families
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to evaluate factors affecting
3 children who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in this state and
4 their families.
5 WHEREAS, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, ASD is a
6neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact, communicate,
7learn, and behave with others; and
8 WHEREAS, there are many determining symptoms for an ASD diagnosis; and
9 WHEREAS, ASD symptoms include but are not limited to difficulties with social
10interaction and communication, issues with transitioning from one activity to another,
11problems with focusing on certain details, and unusual reactions to sensations; and
12 WHEREAS, children who are diagnosed with ASD often experience various health-
13related conditions which include but are not limited to epilepsy, depression, anxiety, and
14attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; and
15 WHEREAS, between 2000 and 2020, one in thirty-six children were diagnosed with
16ASD; and
17 WHEREAS, statistically, the amount of grade school children diagnosed with ASD
18has risen in recent years; and
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HR NO. 222
1 WHEREAS, as a result, family members, caretakers, and educators of children with
2ASD have been impacted by the increased needs that caring for a child with ASD presents;
3and
4 WHEREAS, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2022, only
5twenty-one percent of those with disabilities such as ASD were employed; and
6 WHEREAS, additionally, males are three to four times more likely to be diagnosed
7with ASD than females while the statistics of children diagnosed with ASD remains to be
8genetically diverse; and
9 WHEREAS, this data-based diversity indicates that genetics do not account for all
10instances of ASD; and
11 WHEREAS, the increased prevalence of ASD in certain socioeconomic
12demographics and geographic locations has also generated great interest in the potential
13involvement of environmental factors and toxicants in our environment; and
14 WHEREAS, the role of environmental factors and toxicants in the development of
15ASD is critical, because environmental factors impact epigenetics significantly and influence
16the risk for developing ASD; and
17 WHEREAS, ASD is associated with roughly four million dollars in lifetime costs per
18individual; and
19 WHEREAS, the lifetime costs in the United States to date for ASD is more than
20seven trillion dollars; and
21 WHEREAS, the projected societal costs for ASD in the United States over the next
22decade is estimated to increase significantly if prevalence remains the same; and
23 WHEREAS, this data illustrates the need to evaluate and identify risks, etiology,
24environmental factors, and toxicants that affect ASD rates within our state; and
25 WHEREAS, an evaluation of the infrastructure needed to provide equitable
26diagnostics, treatments, and support services with a sound economic impact on children with
27ASD and their families is pertinent.
28 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
29Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health
30to evaluate factors affecting children who are diagnosed with ASD in this state and their
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HR NO. 222
1families and submit its findings in the form of a written report to the House Committee on
2Health and Welfare by February 1, 2025.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the evaluation shall include but not be limited
4to access to early diagnosis, treatment options, medical and homecare costs, education
5challenges, employment challenges, environmental factors, toxicants, epigenetics, and
6long-term care options.
7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall
8evaluate and understand the prevalence of ASD in this state by region.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall
10evaluate and understand the environmental and toxicant factors that may be affecting
11children in regions of the state wherein ASD diagnosis has increased in comparison to other
12regions of the state.
13 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Health shall
14evaluate and understand the fiscal impact of ASD on the individuals affected by the disease
15and how it impacts the state's healthcare and education systems.
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)]
HR 222 Original 2024 Regular Session Edmonston
Requests the La. Dept. of Health to evaluate factors affecting children who are diagnosed
with autism spectrum disorder in this state and their families.
Requests the submission of a report to the House Committee on Health and Welfare by
February 1, 2025.
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