BILL NUMBER:  S2562A

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to direct the commissioner of the office for people with
developmental disabilities to study and report upon the cost to the
state for the early diagnosis and long-term treatment of autism
spectrum disorder

 PURPOSE OF BILL :

To study the costs to the state for the early diagnosis of autism
spectrum disorder and the long-term treatment of individuals with
autism spectrum disorder.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

Section 1 of the bill requires the commissioners of the office for
people with developmental disabilities, education, health, the office
for children and family services and mental health to cause a study to
be performed on the costs to the state for the early diagnosis of
autism spectrum disorder and the long-term treatment of individuals
with autism spectrum disorder. The study shall include a projected
estimate of future state costs associated with state services that
will be needed to accommodate the growth in the number of individuals
being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
              

Section 2 requires the commissioners to deliver a copy of the findings
of the study and any necessary legislative recommendations to the
governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the
assembly, the chair of the mental health and developmental
disabilities committee of the senate, and the chair of the mental
health committee of the assembly on or before April 1, 2019.

Section 3 is the effective date.

 JUSTIFICATION :

More than 1 in 88 children in New York State are diagnosed with autism
spectrum disorder. This number has increased significantly over the
last decade. While thousands of state residents currently receive
services for the treatment and care of autism spectrum disorders from
the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities including
long-term residential care; this number will increase steadily as more
children are being diagnosed annually.

The state already has custody or will take custody of many individuals
diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as they grow older. The
longterm fiscal impact to the state must be assessed immediately in
order to plan for the funding necessary to provide proper service
levels and improve programs for this vulnerable and increasing
population.

Most states do not require private insurance companies to cover even
essential autism treatments and services. In the absence of coverage,
families often pay for out-of-pocket services that can cost upwards of
$50,000 per year. In the process, many risk their homes and the
educations of their unaffected children - essentially mortgaging their
entire futures.

 PRIOR HISTORY :

2014: A538A passed assembly;
2012: A9014A referred to mental health;
2011: A6403 referred to mental health;
2010; A8625B referred to mental health.
 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.