Bill Text: NY A02954 | 2011-2012 | General Assembly | Amended
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Creates the New York autistic spectrum disorders treatment, training and research council and provides for the powers and duties of the council.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 24-12)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-06-12 - reported referred to ways and means [A02954 Detail]
Download: New_York-2011-A02954-Amended.html
Bill Title: Creates the New York autistic spectrum disorders treatment, training and research council and provides for the powers and duties of the council.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 24-12)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-06-12 - reported referred to ways and means [A02954 Detail]
Download: New_York-2011-A02954-Amended.html
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 2954--A 2011-2012 Regular Sessions I N A S S E M B L Y January 21, 2011 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. WEISENBERG, MAISEL, BENEDETTO, MILLMAN, TITUS, JAFFEE, SCHIMEL, CASTRO, TITONE, P. RIVERA, GOLDFEDER -- Multi-Spon- sored by -- M. of A. ABBATE, AUBRY, BARCLAY, BURLING, CONTE, CROUCH, DUPREY, FINCH, GABRYSZAK, GIBSON, HOOPER, JORDAN, LIFTON, LUPARDO, MARKEY, McENENY, McKEVITT, RABBITT, RAIA, SAYWARD, SCARBOROUGH, SWEE- NEY, THIELE, TOBACCO, ZEBROWSKI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health -- reference changed to the Committee on Mental Health -- recommitted to the Committee on Mental Health in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to creating the New York autism spectrum disorders treatment, training and research council and providing for the powers and duties of the council THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 1 Section 1. Intent. The legislature hereby finds and declares that 2 autism spectrum disorders, hereinafter ASDs, currently affect approxi- 3 mately one in 110 children and are considered to be an "urgent public 4 health concern" by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 5 The legislature further finds that New York state has not responded 6 sufficiently to this crisis. In its 2010 report, the New York state 7 Interagency Task Force on Autism, hereinafter Task Force, identified 8 five primary needs of the growing population of New York citizens 9 affected by ASDs: coordination of state services, early identification, 10 lifelong service delivery, increased dissemination of information, and 11 coordination of research efforts. First, as a collaborative effort of 11 12 independent state agencies that each serve individuals impacted by ASDs, 13 the Task Force itself exemplifies the need for coordination of research, 14 treatment and training responsibilities. Second, while the Task Force 15 determined that early identification and intervention were crucial to 16 minimizing the symptoms and impact of ASDs, it reported that only eight EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD01579-03-2 A. 2954--A 2 1 percent of pediatricians routinely screen for ASDs and approximately 30 2 percent of children with ASDs do not receive the early intervention 3 services provided by the New York State Department of Health. Third, 4 recognizing that the thousands of children diagnosed with ASDs will soon 5 age out of the state's educational system, the Task Force noted a dearth 6 of post-secondary training and transitional services. Fourth, the Task 7 Force determined that individuals and families affected by ASDs would 8 benefit from a centralized clearinghouse of relevant information, and 9 called for the provision of user-friendly access to such information. 10 Finally, the Task Force reported that collaboratively determining the 11 direction of future ASD research would best utilize available public and 12 private funding. 13 The legislature therefore declares that there is a need to expand 14 treatment, training and research with regard to ASDs -- including the 15 enhancement of efforts to improve access to, and the efficacy of, needed 16 services, support and treatment. 17 S 2. This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the "New York 18 autism spectrum disorders treatment, training and research act". 19 S 3. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 41-A to read 20 as follows: 21 ARTICLE 41-A 22 NEW YORK AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 23 TREATMENT, TRAINING AND RESEARCH COUNCIL 24 SECTION 908. DEFINITIONS. 25 908-A. NEW YORK AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS TREATMENT, TRAINING 26 AND RESEARCH COUNCIL; PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION. 27 908-B. FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL. 28 S 908. DEFINITIONS. WHEN USED IN THIS ARTICLE: 29 1. "AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" OR "ASD" MEANS A NEUROBIOLOGICAL CONDI- 30 TION THAT INCLUDES AUTISM, ASPERGER SYNDROME, RETT'S SYNDROME, OR PERVA- 31 SIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER; 32 2. "FAMILY" MEANS THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF AN INDIVIDUAL DIAG- 33 NOSED WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER; AND 34 3. "PATIENT" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL DIAGNOSED WITH AN AUTISM SPECTRUM 35 DISORDER. 36 S 908-A. NEW YORK AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS TREATMENT, TRAINING AND 37 RESEARCH COUNCIL; PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION. 1. THERE SHALL BE WITHIN THE 38 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT THE NEW YORK AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS TREATMENT, 39 TRAINING AND RESEARCH COUNCIL, HEREINAFTER COUNCIL, WHOSE PURPOSES SHALL 40 BE TO: 41 (A) DEVELOP A COORDINATED NEW YORK STATE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS 42 TREATMENT, TRAINING AND RESEARCH POLICY AND PLAN, HEREINAFTER STATE 43 POLICY AND PLAN, WITH RESPECT TO THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO PATIENTS 44 AND THEIR FAMILIES; 45 (B) REVIEW STATE AGENCY INITIATIVES FOR THEIR CONSISTENCY WITH THE 46 STATE POLICY AND PLAN; 47 (C) PROVIDE A CONTINUING FORUM FOR DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE DEVELOP- 48 MENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATE POLICY AND PLAN; AND 49 (D) TAKE THE STEPS ENUMERATED HEREIN TO EXPAND AND COORDINATE TREAT- 50 MENT, TRAINING AND RESEARCH. 51 2. THE COUNCIL SHALL BE COMPRISED OF TWENTY-EIGHT MEMBERS AS FOLLOWS: 52 (A) THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE COMMISSIONER OF 53 THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND 54 FAMILY SERVICES, THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE 55 OFFICE OF MENTAL HEALTH, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH 56 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY A. 2954--A 3 1 AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE INSURANCE DEPART- 2 MENT, THE CHANCELLOR OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, THE CHANCELLOR 3 OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, THE CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL ON CHILDREN 4 AND FAMILIES, THE CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION ON QUALITY OF CARE AND ADVOCA- 5 CY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE 6 DISABILITIES PLANNING COUNCIL, ALL OF WHOM SHALL SERVE EX OFFICIO AND 7 WHO MAY DESIGNATE REPRESENTATIVES TO ACT ON THEIR BEHALF; 8 (B) SEVEN MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WHO SHALL POSSESS EXPER- 9 TISE IN ASDS. AT LEAST TWO APPOINTEES SHALL REPRESENT NOT-FOR-PROFIT 10 ENTITIES WITH THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO EDUCATION, 11 INFORMATION AND/OR SERVICES RELATED TO THE CARE OF PATIENTS; AND 12 (C) EIGHT MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF 13 THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AS FOLLOWS: 14 (1) THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE 15 ASSEMBLY SHALL EACH RECOMMEND THREE MEMBERS TO THE COUNCIL. THE TEMPO- 16 RARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY SHALL EACH 17 RECOMMEND AT LEAST ONE CLINICAL OR RESEARCH EXPERT IN THE FIELD OF ASDS 18 AND AT LEAST ONE FAMILY MEMBER OF A PATIENT; AND 19 (2) THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE AND THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE 20 ASSEMBLY SHALL EACH RECOMMEND ONE MEMBER TO THE COUNCIL. 21 3. VACANCIES IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL SHALL BE FILLED IN THE 22 MANNER PROVIDED FOR ORIGINAL APPOINTMENTS. 23 4. THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE COMMISSIONER 24 OF THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SHALL SERVE, EX 25 OFFICIO, AS CO-CHAIRS OF THE COUNCIL. ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF THE COUN- 26 CIL SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF, AND EXECUTED BY, THE DEPARTMENT OF 27 HEALTH AND THE OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PURSU- 28 ANT TO AN AGREEMENT EFFECTED BY THE CO-CHAIRS. 29 5. MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION FOR THEIR 30 SERVICES BUT SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR NECESSARY EXPENSES. 31 6. THE COUNCIL SHALL MEET QUARTERLY, OR MORE FREQUENTLY IF ITS BUSI- 32 NESS SHALL REQUIRE, PROVIDED THAT THE COMMUNITY FORUMS REQUIRED PURSUANT 33 TO SECTION NINE HUNDRED EIGHT-B OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL CONSTITUTE A 34 FORMAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. 35 S 908-B. FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL. 1. NOT LATER 36 THAN ONE YEAR AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE, THE COUNCIL 37 SHALL CONDUCT COMMUNITY FORUMS TO GAIN INPUT FROM PATIENTS, FAMILY 38 MEMBERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, EXPERT RESEARCHERS AND OTHER INTERESTED 39 PARTIES CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE POLICY AND PLAN REQUIRED 40 BY THIS SECTION. THE COUNCIL SHALL THEN CONDUCT COMMUNITY FORUMS EVERY 41 FIVE YEARS, OR MORE FREQUENTLY AS THE COUNCIL SHALL DETERMINE. COMMUNITY 42 FORUMS SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN OR AROUND ALBANY, BINGHAMTON, BUFFALO, LONG 43 ISLAND, NEW YORK CITY, NORTHERN METROPOLITAN NEW YORK, PLATTSBURGH, 44 POTSDAM, POUGHKEEPSIE, ROCHESTER, SYRACUSE, AND OTHER AREAS AS THE COUN- 45 CIL SHALL DETERMINE. 46 2. THE COUNCIL SHALL PROVIDE THE INITIAL REPORT OF THE STATE POLICY 47 AND PLAN REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE ON 48 OR BEFORE FEBRUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN, AND SHALL PROVIDE AN 49 UPDATE OF SUCH POLICY AND PLAN BY FEBRUARY FIRST OF EVERY YEAR THEREAFT- 50 ER. THE STATE POLICY AND PLAN SHALL INCLUDE COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION, 51 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOW- 52 ING: 53 (A) COORDINATION OF SERVICES, INCLUDING: COORDINATING STATE SERVICES 54 AND PROVIDING CASE MANAGEMENT; CLARIFYING AND STREAMLINING ELIGIBILITY 55 AND INTAKE PROCESSES FOR STATE SERVICE SYSTEMS; ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF 56 PATIENTS WHO FAIL TO MEET ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA OF STATE AGENCIES; AND A. 2954--A 4 1 UNITING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE AGENCIES IN A MANNER THAT WILL BEST SERVE 2 PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IN ASSESSING THE STRENGTHS AND GAPS IN 3 SERVICES FOR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, THE STATE POLICY AND PLAN 4 SHALL INCLUDE EVALUATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY REGION; 5 (B) EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND INTERVENTION, INCLUDING: STANDARDIZING 6 ASD SCREENING PRACTICES; TRAINING EDUCATORS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND 7 OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS TO RECOGNIZE AND TREAT ASDS; AND PROMOTING EARLY 8 CHILDHOOD SCREENING BY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS; 9 (C) LIFELONG SERVICE DELIVERY, INCLUDING: PROMOTING ACCESS TO 10 EVIDENCE-BASED SERVICES FOR PATIENTS OF ALL AGES; ESTABLISHING TREATMENT 11 GUIDELINES AND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR CAREGIVERS; PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL 12 SUPPORTS TO ADULT PATIENTS; AND IMPLEMENTING EMPLOYMENT TRAINING AND 13 POST-SCHOOL TRANSITIONAL SERVICES; 14 (D) FAMILY SUPPORT, INCLUDING: EXPANDING RESPITE CARE OPTIONS AND 15 IMPLEMENTING OTHER MEANS TO REDUCE STRAIN ON FAMILIES; 16 (E) INCREASED DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION, INCLUDING: INCREASING ASD 17 AWARENESS PROGRAMS; DISTRIBUTING BEST PRACTICES TO EDUCATORS, MEDICAL 18 PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS; CONTINUING THE TASK FORCE'S 19 EFFORTS TO CREATE A CENTRALIZED HUB OF INFORMATION ON ASDS THROUGH THE 20 LAUNCH OF AN ONLINE INITIATIVE FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN ON THE SPECTRUM 21 (NEW YORK ACTS); AND ENHANCING SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES IN 22 NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING COMMUNITIES; 23 (F) COORDINATED RESEARCH, INCLUDING: UTILIZING AVAILABLE RESEARCH 24 FUNDS IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT MANNER; TRANSLATING RESULTS 25 INTO IMPROVED TREATMENT PRACTICES; DISTRIBUTING RESULTS TO EDUCATORS, 26 MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS; AND UNITING ASD 27 RESEARCHERS IN SEEKING TO ACHIEVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF ASDS; 28 (G) FINANCING TRAINING, TREATMENT AND RESEARCH IN THE STATE, INCLUD- 29 ING: MAKING FINANCING MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE; STRENGTHENING FAMILY 30 SERVICES AND SUPPORTS; PROVIDING A SEAMLESS SPECTRUM OF SERVICES IRRE- 31 SPECTIVE OF AGENCY JURISDICTION; IDENTIFYING EXISTING AND POTENTIAL 32 SOURCES OF FUNDING; AND PARTNERING WITH PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS, FOUNDATIONS 33 AND OTHER ENTITIES; AND 34 (H) A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF DATA CONCERNING THE PREVALENCE OF AUTISM 35 IN NEW YORK STATE, BOTH STATEWIDE AND BY REGION; A LISTING OF AVAILABLE 36 AND PROPOSED PROGRAMS, AND THEIR AVAILABILITY BY REGION; A LISTING OF 37 AVAILABLE AND PROPOSED EXPENDITURES, AND THEIR AVAILABILITY BY REGION; A 38 LISTING OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES 39 TO PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE COUN- 40 CIL SHALL DEEM RELEVANT. 41 3. EXCEPT WHERE OTHERWISE PROHIBITED BY STATE STATUTE OR BY FEDERAL 42 LAW, RULE OR REQUIREMENT, THE PLAN SHALL BE BINDING UPON MEMBER STATE 43 AGENCIES, WHICH SHALL PROMULGATE REGULATIONS AND TAKE SUCH OTHER ACTIONS 44 REQUIRED TO EFFECTUATE THE STATE POLICY AND PLAN. 45 4. THE COUNCIL SHALL SELECT AND DESIGNATE REGIONAL NEW YORK CENTERS ON 46 AUTISM AND RELATED DISABILITIES, HEREINAFTER NYCARD FACILITIES, FOR THE 47 PURPOSE OF IDENTIFYING, DISSEMINATING, AND ASSISTING IN THE IMPLEMENTA- 48 TION OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES TO SERVE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. 49 (A) THE COUNCIL SHALL ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION AND DESIG- 50 NATION OF NYCARD FACILITIES, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE AN ASSESSMENT OF APPLI- 51 CANT FACILITIES': 52 (1) PARTICIPATION IN TRAINING TEACHERS, PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS; 53 (2) LEVEL OF NON-STATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT OPER- 54 ATIONS; 55 (3) UNDERSTANDING OF PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ARTICULATED BY THE 56 COUNCIL; A. 2954--A 5 1 (4) PROPOSED GEOGRAPHICAL AREA TO BE SERVED; 2 (5) PROPOSED WORK PLAN AND STAFF EXPERTISE; 3 (6) RELATIONSHIP WITH ENTITIES OR COMMUNITIES TO BE SERVED, EVIDENCED 4 BY SUCH FACTORS AS REPRESENTATION ON BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OR ADVISORY 5 COMMITTEES; AND 6 (7) SUCH OTHER FACTORS AS THE COUNCIL SHALL DETERMINE. 7 (B) THE COUNCIL SHALL DEVELOP A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, A REQUEST FOR 8 QUALIFICATIONS, OR A REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST AS IT DEEMS 9 APPROPRIATE; AND IT SHALL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS IN RESPONSE FOR DESIG- 10 NATION AS A NYCARD FACILITY FROM NOT-FOR-PROFIT, ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH 11 ENTITIES IN THE STATE. WITHIN EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE 12 OF THIS ARTICLE THE COUNCIL SHALL: 13 (1) DESIGNATE AS NYCARD FACILITIES: FEDERAL STUDIES TO ADVANCE AUTISM 14 RESEARCH AND TREATMENT (STAART) NETWORK PROGRAMS LOCATED WITHIN THE 15 STATE, THE CODY CENTER FOR AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT 16 STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY, AND THE CENTER FOR AUTISM AND RELATED DISABILI- 17 TIES AT THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY; 18 (2) EXPAND CURRENT NYCARD FACILITIES LOCATED IN OR AROUND ALBANY, 19 BUFFALO, NEW YORK CITY, NORTHERN METROPOLITAN NEW YORK AND ROCHESTER; 20 AND 21 (3) CREATE ONE OR MORE NYCARD FACILITIES IN OR AROUND BINGHAMTON, 22 PLATTSBURGH, POTSDAM, POUGHKEEPSIE, SYRACUSE AND SUCH OTHER AREAS AS THE 23 COUNCIL SHALL DETERMINE. 24 (C) NYCARD FACILITIES SHALL PROVIDE TRAINING, REFERRAL AND INFORMATION 25 FOR PARENTS, EDUCATORS, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER SERVICE PROVID- 26 ERS, INCLUDING; 27 (1) INFORMATION AND REFERRAL; 28 (2) EDUCATION AND TRAINING; 29 (3) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CONSULTATION; 30 (4) PROVISION OF, OR REFERRAL TO, FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS; 31 (5) DISSEMINATION OF EVIDENCE-BASED MODELS OF PRACTICE FOR EFFECTIVE 32 SERVICE DELIVERY; AND 33 (6) SUCH OTHER SERVICES AS THE COUNCIL SHALL REQUIRE. 34 (D) WHERE FEASIBLE, NYCARD FACILITIES SHALL ALSO PROVIDE 35 TREATMENT-BASED SERVICES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, CASE CONSULTA- 36 TION AND CLINICAL SERVICES. 37 (E) THE COUNCIL IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO CONTRACT FOR SERVICES WITH 38 DESIGNATED NYCARD FACILITIES PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION AND TO PROVIDE 39 GRANTS PURSUANT TO SUCH CONTRACTS WITHIN AMOUNTS DESIGNATED SPECIFICALLY 40 THEREFORE. THE COUNCIL MAY ACT THROUGH ONE OR MORE MEMBER STATE AGEN- 41 CIES, WHICH IT SHALL DESIGNATE BY MAJORITY VOTE, FOR ADMINISTRATION OF 42 SUCH CONTRACTS AND GRANTS. INSOFAR AS POSSIBLE, WHERE PROVISION OF SUCH 43 SERVICES IS PAID FOR, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH A 44 STATE AGENCY, THE COST CHARGED TO RECIPIENTS SHALL BE REDUCED PRO RATA. 45 CONTRACTS WITH NYCARD FACILITIES SHALL VARY DEPENDING ON THE SERVICES TO 46 BE PROVIDED, AND ANY SUCH CONTRACT SHALL REQUIRE THAT FUNDING PROVIDED 47 BY, THROUGH OR PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION, NOT BE USED TO OFFSET 48 EXISTING EXPENDITURES FOR THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROGRAMS. 49 5. NYCARD FACILITIES, AS WELL AS ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING FEDERAL OR 50 NON-STATE GRANT FUNDS FOR RESEARCH, MAY RECEIVE GRANTS PURSUANT TO THIS 51 SUBDIVISION FOR RESEARCH WITHIN AMOUNTS DESIGNATED SPECIFICALLY THERE- 52 FORE. THE COUNCIL IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ADMINISTER SUCH GRANTS AND 53 MAY ACT THROUGH ONE OR MORE MEMBER STATE AGENCIES WHICH IT SHALL DESIG- 54 NATE BY MAJORITY VOTE. SUCH GRANTS MAY ALLOW FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF 55 ACTIVITIES FUNDED FROM SUCH NON-STATE SOURCES THAT ARE ALREADY BEING 56 UNDERTAKEN BY SUCH ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING: THE CONTINUATION OF ONGOING A. 2954--A 6 1 RESEARCH; THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL INFORMATION; GUIDANCE FOR PRACTI- 2 TIONERS ON ASD CARE STRATEGIES, THERAPIES, MEDICATIONS AND OTHER 3 RELATED MATTERS; COLLABORATIONS WITH PRACTITIONERS, SCHOOLS AND 4 NETWORKS; AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THE COUNCIL DEEMS APPROPRIATE. SUCH 5 GRANTS MAY BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE IN FURTHERANCE OF SUCH ACTIVITIES 6 INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, 7 PAYMENT OF SALARIES, OR OTHER ACTIVITIES AND PURPOSES AS APPROVED BY THE 8 COUNCIL. 9 S 4. This act shall take effect immediately.