Bill Text: VA HB1099 | 2010 | Regular Session | Prefiled

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Autism Spectrum Disorders; expand employment programs for individuals therewith.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-3)

Status: (Passed) 2010-04-09 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0307) [HB1099 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2010-HB1099-Prefiled.html

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10101624D
HOUSE BILL NO. 1099 Offered January 13, 2010 Prefiled January 13, 2010 A BILL to establish pilot programs for certain individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. ----------
Patrons-- Sickles, Bulova, Dance, Ebbin, Herring, Hope, Hugo, Keam, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Plum, Rust and Watts
---------- Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  §1. Establishment of pilot programs for the employment of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

A. The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, in coordination with the Department of Rehabilitative Services, shall develop pilot programs to assist individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) to obtain and sustain employment, in areas of the Commonwealth chosen by the Department. The Department shall partner with local community services boards and behavioral health authorities, and may use the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board's Cooperative Employment Program as a model for such pilot programs. The Department shall establish criteria for the selection of pilot areas.

The goals of pilot programs shall be to:

1. Provide skills training for individuals with ASDs in order to help them obtain employment;

2. Provide behavioral supports necessary to ensure success in the workplace;

3. Provide training to reduce behaviors that interfere with successful employment;

4. Offer education and training on ASDs to employers, in order to increase understanding of these disorders and common behaviors associated with them; and

5. Ensure that individuals with ASDs receive the ongoing behavioral and social support needed to retain successful employment status.

B. By November 1, 2010, the Department shall submit to the Joint Commission on Health Care a report outlining the plan for the ASD employment pilot programs, including the criteria developed for selection of pilot areas.