HB943: HB943 Social services; establish a pilot program for autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care; provide

26 LC 48 1741S/AP House Bill 943 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Silcox of the 53rd, Hawkins of the 27th, Cooper of the 45th, Franklin of the 160th, and Schofield of the 63rd A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 programs and protection for children and youth, so as to establ ish a pilot program relating2 to the provision of screenings, clinical evaluations, training, services, and resources for3 autism spectrum disorder to children in foster care; to provide for definitions; to provide for4 the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of Human Services to5 develop and implement such pilot program; to provide for a fina l report and6 recommendations; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide for automatic repeal; to7 provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and8 for other purposes.9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:10 SECTION 1.11 Chapter 5 of Title 49 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated , relating to programs and12 protection for children and youth, is amended in Article 1, rel ating to children and youth13 services, by adding a new Code section to read as follows:14 "49-5-26.15 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:16 H. B. 943 - 1 - 26 LC 48 1741S/AP (1) 'Autism spectrum disorder' means a neurobiological disorde r or developmental17 disability characterized by challenges with verbal communicatio n, nonverbal18 communication, social skills, and restricted or repetitive beha viors, as defined by the19 most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Such20 term shall also include autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome, pervasive developmental21 disorder not otherwise specified, and childhood disintegrative disorder.22 (2) 'Caregiver' means a parent, legal guardian, foster parent, or kinship caregiver of a23 child in foster care.24 (3) 'Clinical evaluation' means a comprehensive process conduc ted by a healthcare25 professional to diagnose whether a child has autism spectrum disorder and to develop a26 treatment plan.27 (4) 'Division' means the Division of Family and Children Services of the Department of28 Human Services.29 (5) 'Screening' means a relatively brief process using tools s uch as questionnaires or30 surveys to identify potential developmental concerns indicating further clinical evaluation31 is necessary to determine if a child has autism spectrum disorder.32 (b) Subject to appropriations, the division shall develop and implement a five-year pilot33 program for the purpose of providing screenings and clinical ev aluations for autism34 spectrum disorder to children in foster care and providing training, services, and resources35 on autism spectrum disorder to regional directors, county directors, division supervisors,36 division case managers, other division staff, healthcare providers, and caregivers. All or37 part of such training, services, and resources may be provided online. The pilot program38 shall be established in three regional service areas in the first year and shall be expanded39 to additional regional service areas each subsequent year of th e pilot program until all40 regional service areas are included. To the extent possible, t he pilot program should41 prioritize screenings, clinical evaluations, and services for children in foster care who have42 H. B. 943 - 2 - 26 LC 48 1741S/AP been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder or reactive attachment disorder43 or who have been prescribed psychotropic medications.44 (c) As part of the pilot program, the division shall establish plans for the incremental45 expansion of the pilot program, adopt strategies for effectivel y communicating with46 caregivers, ensure sufficient medical consultants are available in regional service areas, and47 provide technical assistance and dedicated staff for the pilot program.48 (d) Upon one year of operation of the pilot program, and annua lly thereafter until49 July 1, 2031, the division shall submit a detailed written report on the implementation and50 effectiveness of the pilot program to the Governor, Speaker of the House of51 Representatives, President of the Senate, and chairpersons of t he House Committee on52 Public and Community Health, the House Judiciary Juvenile Committee, and the Senate53 Health and Human Services Committee. Such report shall also include recommendations54 as to the implementation of the pilot program into division operations and identification of55 screenings, clinical evaluations, training, services, and resources that shall be provided by56 the division.57 (e) The division shall be authorized to establish such rules a nd regulations as may be58 necessary to implement the pilot program established pursuant to this Code section.59 (f) This Code section shall be repealed by operation of law on July 1 of the year following60 the submittal of the report as provided in subsection (d) of this Code section."61 SECTION 2.62 This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law63 without such approval.64 SECTION 3.65 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.66 H. B. 943 - 3 -