The council must address autism-related service issues, advise the legislature, and identify service gaps; it may also develop or recommend legislation and comment on pending bills.
Sec. 114.007. DUTIES. (a) Expired. (b) The council with input from people with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, their families, and related advocacy organizations shall address contemporary issues affecting services available to persons with autism or other pervasive developmental disorders in this state, including: (1) successful intervention and treatment strategies, including transitioning; (2) personnel preparation and continuing education; (3) referral, screening, and evaluation services; (4) day care, respite care, or residential care services; (5) vocational and adult training programs; (6) public awareness strategies; (7) contemporary research; (8) early identification strategies; (9) family counseling and case management; and (10) recommendations for monitoring autism service programs. (c) The council with input from people with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, their families, and related advocacy organizations shall advise the legislature on legislation that is needed to develop further and to maintain a statewide system of quality intervention and treatment services for all persons with autism or other pervasive developmental disorders. The council may develop and recommend legislation to the legislature or comment on pending legislation that affects those persons. (d) The council shall identify and monitor apparent gaps in services currently available from various state agencies for persons with autism or other pervasive developmental disorders and shall advocate improvements on behalf of those persons. Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 956, Sec. 9.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 838 (S.B. 882), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 837 (S.B. 200), Sec. 1.22(e), eff. September 1, 2015.