Bill Text: CA SCR29 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: California Autism Awareness Month.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-4)
Status: (Passed) 2011-05-24 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 24, Statutes of 2011. [SCR29 Detail]
Download: California-2011-SCR29-Chaptered.html
BILL NUMBER: SCR 29 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT
RESOLUTION CHAPTER 24
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE MAY 24, 2011
ADOPTED IN SENATE MAY 23, 2011
ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 12, 2011
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 28, 2011
INTRODUCED BY Senators Pavley, Correa, De León, Evans, Kehoe,
Runner, Steinberg, Vargas, and Wolk
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Ammiano, Blumenfield, Dickinson,
Garrick, Harkey, Huffman, Jeffries, Jones, Ma, Monning, and Yamada)
MARCH 30, 2011
Relative to California Autism Awareness Month.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 29, Pavley. California Autism Awareness Month.
This measure would designate April 2011 as California Autism
Awareness Month, would affirm the Legislature's commitment to the
important issues related to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), would
emphasize that each and every individual with an ASD is a valued and
important member of our society, would recognize and commend the
parents and relatives of individuals with ASDs for their sacrifice
and dedication in providing for the special needs of individuals with
ASDs, would recognize and commend the work of all nonprofit
organizations that are contributing to the well-being of individuals
with autism and their families, would stress the need to identify
children with ASD and begin early intervention services immediately
after a childhood diagnosis, and would stress the need for these
intervention services, as well as supports, for individuals with ASDs
and their families in an integrated, seamless, comprehensive, and
competent manner that is delivered across the child's lifespan.
WHEREAS, Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) now impact one out of
every 110 children, and one in every 70 boys, in the United States
and are the fastest growing serious developmental disability, making
these disorders more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) combined; and
WHEREAS, The prevalence of autism is increasing by 10 to 17
percent annually and ASDs cost the nation over $35 billion per year,
and is estimated to exceed $200 billion in 10 years; and
WHEREAS, Most school districts in California have seen a doubling
of students with ASDs in the past five years. The number of
Californians with ASDs who are served by the State Department of
Developmental Services now exceeds 50,000, which is a number that has
increased fivefold since 1998, and is more than 12 times what it was
in 1987; and
WHEREAS, Many Californians are not adequately informed about ASDs
and the value and importance of early identification, assessment, and
treatment of these disorders; and
WHEREAS, Current scientific research demonstrates that the early
identification of and intervention with children with ASDs can result
in significant positive outcomes in many children with ASDs; and
WHEREAS, The Legislature supports the goal of increasing research
to learn the root causes of autism and identify the best methods of
early intervention and treatment, expanding programs for individuals
with autism across their lifespan, and promoting understanding of the
special needs of people with autism; and
WHEREAS, Parents and family members have made invaluable
contributions through their commitment, care, and advocacy, to
important advances in research, education, and treatment for
individuals with ASDs; and
WHEREAS, Public information and awareness efforts are of paramount
importance in accelerating early identification efforts and the
proliferation of early intervention programs and services; and
WHEREAS, The Senate Select Committee on Autism and Related
Disorders has appointed regional autism taskforces that are comprised
of consumers and their family members, advocates, providers,
researchers, and other experts in the area of ASDs, and other
stakeholders, to provide assistance to, and to support the work of,
the select committee. Senator Steinberg, as Chair of the Senate
Select Committee on Autism and Related Disorders, has established the
Statewide Coordinating Council of Autism Taskforces that consists of
the leadership of the regional autism taskforces and has provided
input and integrated recommendations for consideration by the Senate
Select Committee on Autism and Related Disorders; and
WHEREAS, California has been the established leader in providing
services and support for the early identification, assessment,
intervention, education, and treatment of individuals with ASDs. This
leadership began with the passage of landmark state legislation,
such as the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act in 1969
and Assembly Bill 3854 (Chapter 1527 of the Statutes of 1974),
relating to autism and public education; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, the Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism
submitted its report, "An Opportunity to Achieve Real Change for
Californians with Autism Spectrum Disorders," which provided specific
findings and recommendations; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, the Senate Committee on Rules, pursuant to
Senate Rule 12.5, established the Senate Select Committee on Autism
and Related Disorders and this committee has appointed regional
autism taskforces; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates April 2011 as
California Autism Awareness Month, affirms the Legislature's
commitment to the important issues related to ASDs, and emphasizes
that each and every individual with an ASD is a valued and important
member of our society; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes and commends the parents
and relatives of individuals with ASDs for their sacrifice and
dedication in providing for the special needs of individuals with
ASDs; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes and commends the work of
all of the nonprofit organizations that are contributing to the
well-being of individuals with autism and their families; and be it
further
Resolved, That the Legislature stresses the need to identify
children with ASDs and to begin early intervention services
immediately after a child has been diagnosed with autism; and be it
further
Resolved, That the Legislature also stresses the need to provide
these intervention services, as well as supports, for individuals
with ASDs and their families in an integrated, seamless,
comprehensive, and competent manner that is delivered across the
child's lifespan; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
