633.200. Commission established, members, duties.
Commission established, members, duties.
633.200. 1. For purposes of this section, the term "autism spectrumdisorder" shall be defined as in standard diagnostic criteria for pervasivedevelopmental disorder, to include autistic disorder; Asperger's syndrome;pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified; childhooddisintegrative disorder; and Rett's syndrome.
2. There is hereby created the "Missouri Commission on AutismSpectrum Disorders" to be housed within the department of mental health.The department of mental health shall provide technical and administrativesupport as required by the commission. The commission shall meet on atleast four occasions annually, including at least two occasions before theend of December of the first year the commission* is fully established.The commission may hold meetings by telephone or video conference. Thecommission shall advise and make recommendations to the governor, generalassembly, and relevant state agencies regarding matters concerning allstate levels of autism spectrum disorder services, including health care,education, and other adult and adolescent services.
3. The commission shall be composed of twenty-four members,consisting of the following:
(1) Four members of the general assembly, with two members from thesenate and two members from the house of representatives. The presidentpro tem of the senate shall appoint one member from the senate and theminority leader of the senate shall appoint one member from the senate.The speaker of the house shall appoint one member from the house ofrepresentatives and the minority leader of the house shall appoint onemember from the house of representatives;
(2) The director of the department of mental health, or his or herdesignee;
(3) The commissioner of the department of elementary and secondaryeducation, or his or her designee;
(4) The director of the department of health and senior services, orhis or her designee;
(5) The director of the department of public safety, or his or herdesignee;
(6) The commissioner of the department of higher education, or his orher designee;
(7) The director of the department of social services, or his or herdesignee;
(8) The director of the department of insurance, financialinstitutions and professional registration, or his or her designee;
(9) Two representatives from different institutions of higherlearning located in Missouri;
(10) An individual employed as a director of special education at aschool district located in Missouri;
(11) A speech and language pathologist;
(12) A diagnostician;
(13) A mental health provider;
(14) A primary care physician;
(15) Two parents of individuals with autism spectrum disorder,including one parent of an individual under the age of eighteen and oneparent of an individual over the age of eighteen;
(16) Two individuals with autism spectrum disorder;
(17) A representative from an independent private provider ornonprofit provider or organization;
(18) A member of a county developmental disability board.
The members of the commission, other than the members from the generalassembly and ex-officio members, shall be appointed by the governor withthe advice and consent of the senate. A chair of the commission shall beselected by the members of the commission. Of the members first appointedto the commission by the governor, half shall serve a term of four yearsand half shall serve a term of two years, and thereafter, members shallserve a term of four years. Members shall continue to serve until theirsuccessor is duly appointed and qualified. Any vacancy on the commissionshall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Membersshall serve on the commission without compensation but may be reimbursedfor their actual and necessary expenses from moneys appropriated to thedepartment of mental health.
4. The members of the commission shall consist of a broadrepresentation of Missouri citizens, both urban and rural, who areconcerned with the health and quality of life for individuals with autismspectrum disorder.
5. The commission shall make recommendations for developing acomprehensive statewide plan for an integrated system of training,treatment, and services for individuals of all ages with autism spectrumdisorder. By July 1, 2009, the commission shall issue preliminary findingsand recommendations to the general assembly.
6. In preparing the state plan, the commission shall specificallyperform the following responsibilities and report on them accordingly, inconjunction with state agencies and the office of autism services:
(1) Study and report on the means for developing a comprehensive,coordinated system of care delivery across the state to address theincreased and increasing presence of autism spectrum disorder and ensurethat resources are created, well-utilized, and appropriately spread acrossthe state:
(a) Determine the need for the creation of additional centers fordiagnostic excellence in designated sectors of the state, which couldprovide clinical services, including assessment, diagnoses, and treatmentof patients;
(b) Plan for effectively evaluating regional service areas throughoutthe state and their capacity, including outlining personnel and skills thatexist within the service area, other capabilities that exist, and resourceneeds that may be unmet;
(c) Assess the need for additional behavioral interventioncapabilities and, as necessary, the means for expanding those capabilitiesin a regional service area;
(d) Develop recommendations for expanding these services inconjunction with hospitals after considering the resources that exist interms of specialty clinics and hospitals, and hospital inpatient carecapabilities;
(2) Conduct an assessment of the need for coordinated, enhanced andtargeted special education capabilities within each region of the state;
(3) Develop a recommendation for enlisting appropriate universitiesand colleges to ensure support and collaboration in developingcertification or degree programs for students specializing in autismspectrum disorder intervention. This may include degree programs ineducation, special education, social work, and psychology; and
(4) Other responsibilities may include but not be limited to:
(a) Provide recommendations regarding training programs and thecontent of training programs being developed;
(b) Recommend individuals to participate in a committee of majorstakeholders charged with developing screening, diagnostic, assessment, andtreatment standards for Missouri;
(c) Participate in recommending a panel of qualified professionalsand experts to review existing models of evidence-based educationalpractices for adaptation specific to Missouri;
(d) Examine the barriers to accurate information of the prevalence ofindividuals with autism spectrum disorder across the state and recommend aprocess for accurate reporting of demographic data;
(e) Explore the need for the creation of interagency councils andevaluation of current councils to ensure a comprehensive, coordinatedsystem of care for all individuals with autism spectrum disorder;
(f) Study or explore other developmental delay disorders and geneticconditions known to be associated with autism, including fragile Xsyndrome; Sotos syndrome; Angelman syndrome; and tuberous sclerosis.
(L. 2008 S.B. 768)*Word "committee" appears in original rolls.