State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Connecticut > Title17a > Chap319b > Sec17a-215cSec. 17a-215c. Division of Autism Spectrum Services. Services and programs for state residents with autism spectrum disorders. (a) There is established a Division of Autism Spectrum Services within the Department of Developmental Services.
(b) The Department of Developmental Services shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to define the term "autism", establish eligibility standards and criteria for the receipt of services by any resident of the state with an autism spectrum disorder, regardless of age, and data collection, maintenance and reporting processes. The commissioner may implement policies and procedures necessary to administer the provisions of this section prior to adoption of such regulations, provided the commissioner shall publish notice of intent to adopt such regulations not later than twenty days after implementation of such policies and procedures. Any such policies and procedures shall be valid until such regulations are adopted.
(c) The Division of Autism Spectrum Services may, within available appropriations, research, design and implement the delivery of appropriate and necessary services and programs for all residents of the state with autism spectrum disorders. Such services and programs may include the creation of: (1) The Autism-Specific Early Intervention Program, (AEI), designed to deliver services to any child who becomes at risk or is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and who was previously placed in the "birth-to-three" program administered by the Department of Developmental Services; (2) age three to twenty-one, inclusive, support services including educational, recreation, life and skill coaching, and vocational and transition services; and (3) over age twenty-one adult services, including those services as defined by the pilot autism spectrum disorder program established pursuant to section 17a-215b, as well as related services deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Developmental Services.
(d) The Department of Developmental Services shall serve as the lead state agency for the purpose of the federal Combating Autism Act, P.L. 109-416 and for applying for and receiving funds and performing any related responsibilities concerning autism spectrum disorders which are authorized pursuant to any state or federal law.
(e) On or before February 1, 2009, and annually thereafter, the Department of Developmental Services shall make recommendations to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health concerning legislation and funding required to provide necessary services to persons with autism spectrum disorders.
(f) The Division of Autism Spectrum Services shall research and locate possible funding streams for the continued development and implementation of services for persons with autism spectrum disorders without mental retardation. The division shall take all necessary action, in coordination with the Department of Social Services, to secure Medicaid reimbursement for home and community-based individualized support services for adults with autism spectrum disorders, but who are not mentally retarded. Such action may include applying for a Medicaid waiver pursuant to Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, in order to secure the funding for such services.
(g) The Division of Autism Spectrum Services, within available appropriations, shall: (1) Design and implement a training initiative that shall include training to develop a workforce; (2) develop an autism-specific curriculum in coordination with the Department of Higher Education; and (3) to the extent federal reimbursement permits, develop an education and training initiative eligible for the receipt of funding pursuant to the federal Combating Autism Act, P.L. 109-416.
(h) The case records of the Division of Autism Spectrum Services maintained by the division for any purpose authorized pursuant to subsections (b) to (g), inclusive, of this section shall be subject to the same confidentiality requirements, under state and federal law, that govern all client records maintained by the Department of Developmental Services.
(i) The Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Developmental Services, may seek approval of an amendment to the state Medicaid plan or a waiver from federal law, whichever is sufficient and most expeditious, to establish and implement a Medicaid-financed home and community-based program to provide community-based services and, if necessary, housing assistance, to adults with autism spectrum disorders who are not mentally retarded.
(j) On or before January 1, 2008, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Developmental Services, and in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health, on the status of any amendment to the state Medicaid plan or waiver from federal law as described in subsection (i) of this section and on the establishment and implementation of the program authorized pursuant to subsection (i) of this section.
(k) The independent council established pursuant to section 17a-215b shall advise the Commissioner of Developmental Services on all matters relating to autism.
(P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a), (b); June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4, S. 109-111, 113, 114.)
History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 07-4 effective June 29, 2007; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 "Commissioner of Mental Retardation" and "Department of Mental Retardation" were changed editorially by the Revisors to "Commissioner of Developmental Services" and "Department of Developmental Services", effective October 1, 2007.
