HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2879        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3321

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Garrett J. Bradley

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act permanently establishing a state autism commission.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2879        FILED ON: 1/18/2013

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3321

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act permanently establishing a state autism commission.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 6 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 216 (a) There shall be within the executive office of health and human services a special commission on autism to consist of 34 members, 2 of whom shall be members of the Senate, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; 2 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader; the secretary of health and human services or a designee; the commissioner of developmental services or a designee; the commissioner of mental health or a designee; the secretary of education or a designee; the commissioner of education or a designee; the director of housing and community development or a designee; the secretary of labor and workforce development or a designee; the commissioner of the Massachusetts rehabilitation commission or a designee; the commissioner of early education and care or a designee; the commissioner of elementary and secondary education or a designee; the commissioner of higher education or a designee; the secretary of elder affairs or a designee; the commissioner of children and families or a designee; the commissioner of public health or a designee; the director of the office of Medicaid or a designee; 1 person appointed by the secretary of education; and 14 persons to be appointed by the governor, 10 of whom shall be representatives of a statewide autism group, 2 of whom shall be representatives of the Autism Family and Advocates of Massachusetts. Members shall be persons with demonstrated interest, experience and expertise in autism. All legislators and agency members shall serve as non-voting members of the commission. Citizen members shall be special state employees subject to sections 18 to 25, inclusive, of chapter 30A.

(b) The commission shall be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the recommendations in the March 2013 report by the governor’s special commission relative to autism. The commission shall monitor the effectiveness of the autism commission’s recommendations and update recommendations to reflect current research and the commission’s discussions when applicable.

(c) There shall be an administrator of the commission. The administrator shall be an employee of the executive office of health and human services. The administrator shall have knowledge of the autism service system and agencies delivering these services, legislative experience and a personal connection to autism.

(d) The executive office of health and human services shall provide the commission with such clerical and other assistance as the commission may deem necessary.

(e) The commission shall adopt internal procedures appropriate for the effective performance of its duties.