Bill Text: HI SR89 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Autism Awareness Month; April; Outreach and Awareness on Autism

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-06-22 - (S) Certified copies of resolutions sent, 06-19-12. [SR89 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-SR89-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3083

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.R. No. 89

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.R. No. 89 entitled:

 

"SENATE RESOLUTION DECLARING THE MONTH OF APRIL OF EACH YEAR AS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH IN HAWAII,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to declare the month of April of each year as Autism Awareness Month in Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Autism Speaks, Community Children's Council of Hawaii, Autism Society, and four individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the incidence of autism spectrum disorders is increasing by ten to seventeen percent per year.  The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that autism affects as many as one in every one hundred ten children, and studies have found that over the last twelve years, the prevalence of autism has dramatically increased by 289.5 percent.  Your Committee also finds that while there is no cure for autism, early identification allows parents to seek early intervention services, which may spare individuals from life-long dependency as a ward of the State.  Your Committee consequently finds that designating April as Autism Awareness Month falls in line with National Autism Awareness Month and provides a special opportunity for advocates and state and private agencies to increase awareness of autism, early developmental screenings, and early intervention services.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 89 and recommends its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

		____________________________ JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair