BALTIMORE — Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh has joined a bipartisan coalition of 47 attorneys general calling upon Congress to authorize an act that provides ongoing federal support for research into autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as well as services for those affected.
The legislation is called the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019 or CARES Act.
“Those who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and their families, will benefit enormously from support and programming stemming from the reauthorization of the Autism CARES Act,” said Attorney General Frosh. “Congress has the power to prevent the expiration of this important legislation, and our coalition strongly supports its continuance.”
The Autism CARES Act, if reauthorized would "respond to the rising number of individuals diagnosed with ASD by continuing and expanding multi-agency efforts".
The legislation would also incentivize those programs and research in rural and underdeveloped communities throughout the country. It would prioritize community-based solutions to enhance daily life skills and employment for adults with ASD.
A previous version of this legislation is set to expire on September 30. The Autism CARES Act of 2019 currently exists as H.R. 1058 in the U.S. House of Representatives and S. 427 in the U.S. Senate.
