Bill Text: CA SB1050 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Autism: telehealth task force.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Vetoed) 2012-09-19 - In Senate. Consideration of Governor's veto pending. [SB1050 Detail]
Download: California-2011-SB1050-Enrolled.html
BILL NUMBER: SB 1050 ENROLLED
BILL TEXT
PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 22, 2012
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 21, 2012
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY AUGUST 6, 2012
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 15, 2012
AMENDED IN SENATE MAY 10, 2012
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 12, 2012
INTRODUCED BY Senator Alquist
(Coauthors: Senators Pavley and Wolk)
FEBRUARY 8, 2012
An act to add and repeal Section 4643.4 of the Welfare and
Institutions Code, relating to autism and autism spectrum disorders.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1050, Alquist. Autism: telehealth task force.
Existing law requires the State Department of Developmental
Services to develop evaluation and diagnostic procedures for the
diagnosis of autism disorder and other autistic spectrum disorders,
as specified. Existing law also requires the Superintendent of Public
Instruction to convene, with input from the University of
California, the California State University, the department, and
other appropriate entities, an advisory committee to develop
recommendations identifying the means by which public and nonpublic
schools, including charter schools, can better serve pupils with
autism spectrum disorders and their parents.
This bill would, until January 1, 2019, require the department to
establish an autism telehealth task force and identify a lead
administrator to be responsible for the activities and work of the
task force. The task force would be required to provide the
department with recommendations in the area of telehealth services
for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, as specified.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
(a) Telehealth is an effective mode of delivering health services
to underserved and isolated populations.
(b) Studies have shown that telehealth can be a valuable tool for
increasing the effectiveness of treatment and improving access for
children and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders
(ASDs). At times, patients with ASDs are not diagnosed or are not
treated due to the lack of adequate health services.
(c) The use and implementation of telehealth technology may have
the potential to revolutionize the care available to individuals with
ASDs in a health care climate characterized by limited resources by
providing all of the following:
(1) Greater knowledge and information about ASDs to consumers and
their families.
(2) Improved access to underserved communities and populations.
(3) Enhanced case management.
(4) Increased coordination of care for this complex disorder.
(d) The utilization of telehealth-delivered services can help
achieve the goals of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act that include better care, improved health outcomes, and
reduced per capita cost of care.
(e) By deploying telehealth to better care for children with ASDs,
the state can make larger improvements in its health and social
service systems.
SEC. 2. Section 4643.4 is added to the Welfare and Institutions
Code, to read:
4643.4. (a) The State Department of Developmental Services shall
establish an autism telehealth task force.
(b) The department shall identify a public or nonprofit entity to
act as lead administrator to be responsible for all of the activities
and work of the task force, including identifying financial support
for the task force's costs. The public or nonprofit entity shall have
knowledge or experience in all of the following:
(1) Telehealth.
(2) Community-based clinical trials relating to telehealth.
(3) Providing services to underserved populations.
(c) The lead administrator shall appoint, with the approval of the
department, members of the task force who have knowledge or
experience that includes, but is not limited to, any of the
following:
(1) The early identification of children with autism spectrum
disorders.
(2) The treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
(3) Early intervention services provided by regional centers,
school districts, and community-based services.
(4) Technology or telehealth in providing services to individuals
with autism spectrum disorders.
(5) Continuity of care for individuals with autism spectrum
disorders, and, in particular, for those transitioning from
developmental centers to community placement.
(6) Other areas deemed necessary by the department.
(d) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation,
except for appropriate travel, food, and lodging reimbursement.
(e) (1) The task force shall provide technical assistance and
recommendations in the area of telehealth services for individuals
with autism spectrum disorders to the department.
(2) (A) As part of the recommendations made pursuant to paragraph
(1), the task force may provide recommendations to the department
regarding the implementation of one or more demonstration sites that
promote or evaluate any of the following:
(i) The use of telehealth and technology to assist and improve the
delivery of services for individuals with autism spectrum disorders
by regional centers.
(ii) The use of telehealth to provide seamless integration and
coordination of services among regional centers, school districts,
community-based resources, and health care providers and
organizations.
(iii) The use of telehealth to improve the access of services for
individuals with autism spectrum disorders to underserved individuals
and to reduce the digital divide in underserved communities.
(B) Any recommendations regarding demonstration sites shall
include information about potential sources of funding that may be
available to the department to support the demonstration site.
(f) No moneys from the General Fund shall be appropriated for this
project. The establishment and responsibilities of the task force
shall be contingent upon identification of appropriate and adequate
funding sources.
(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1,
2019, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted
statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2019, deletes or extends
that date.
