Senator Parker Proposes Legislation in honor of Autism Awareness Month

BROOKLYN, NY (4/3/17) – State Senator Kevin Parker introduced legislation this session in support of Autism Awareness Month. Since being elected to office in 2002, the Brooklyn Senator has proudly joined advocates during April’s Autism Awareness Month to increase awareness of the disorder and tolerance of those affected by it. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 68 children born in the US today will be diagnosed with the a Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“New York State has to work closely with the Department of Health to fully monitor Autism cases and begin tracking possible causes so we can combat this disorder,” said Senator Parker. “In addition, we have to work together to keep community members informed about the disorder thereby increasing tolerance, while providing more resources and laws that work to improve the quality of life for those affected,” Senator Parker added.

The package of potential laws being advocated by Senator Parker this Legislative Session includes -- but is not limited to -- the following 10 bills:

• Senate Bill S. 1698 - Provides for the Autism detection, education and mapping program.
• Senate Bill S. 2222 - Requires health insurers to provide full coverage for the prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Senate Bill S. 2240 - Relates to allowing therapy dogs to enter public places and public transportation.
• Senate Bill S. 2431 - Relates to the definition of Autism.
• Senate Bill S. 2432 - Directs the commissioner of health and commissioner of the office for people with developmental disabilities to jointly promulgate rules and regulations requiring pediatric health care providers to screen children beginning at the age of 18 months for Autism Spectrum Disorders during each wellness and preventative care examination.
• Senate Bill S.3397- Creates the New York Autism Spectrum Disorders treatment, training and research council and provides for the powers and duties of the council.
• Senate Bill S.3615 - Relates to the training of police officers and firefighters with respect to persons with disabilities and hearing-impaired people.
• Senate Bill S.3626 - Establishes a registry to help locate individuals with Autism, Alzheimer's and dementia in the event they go missing.
• Senate Bill S.3630 - Establishes a program of tiered eligibility for services offered by OPWDD for persons with learning disabilities and other complex neurological impairments.
• Senate Bill S.3895 - Directs certain commissioners to study and report on the costs to the state of early diagnosis and treatment of Autism.
• Senate Bill S.3896 - Creates the New York State Autism council.

“As a parent of children with autism and a community advocate, I am proud to see elected officials such as State Senator Kevin Parker take a stance and use his legislative platform to advocate for those diagnosed with Autism,” said Stephannie Addo, CEO, Champs For Autism. “My organization works to provide a safe place for children diagnosed with Autism to engage in recreational activities and interact with other children. With Senator Parker’s support, I look forward to seeing an increase -- not only in programs like mine -- but services allocated to families affected by Autism.”

About State Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn community that consists of 318,000 residents in the Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope sections of Brooklyn.  A lifelong Brooklyn resident, he is the Ranking Democratic Member on the State Senate Committees on Energy and Telecommunications, and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. Senator Parker is the Whip of the Senate Democratic Conference, as well as the Assistant Democratic Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs. He is also a Member of the Senate Democratic Conference Policy Group; Member of the Senate Select Committee on Technology & Innovation, and Member of the Senate Democratic Minority and Women-Owned Business Task Force (MWBE). For the 2017-2018 Legislative Session, Senator Parker serves on the Senate Standing Committees on Finance; Rules; Higher education; Labor; Insurance, and Banks.

For more information on Senator Parker, please visit www.nysenate.gov/senators/kevin-s-parker.