Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Allows a speech-language pathologist to diagnose autism spectrum disorders if: (1) the child is under 3 years of age; and (2) the speech-language pathologist is trained in autism diagnostic evaluation methods as part of the curriculum of an approved program, through worksite training, or through continuing education. Provides that if a diagnosis requires a plan of care that includes elements that are outside the scope of practice of a speech-language pathologist, the speech-language pathologist must refer the patient to the appropriate medical personnel for further evaluation or management. Makes conforming changes in the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code, and provisions of the Illinois Insurance Code concerning autism spectrum disorders. Effective July 1, 2027.
House Committee Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Allows a speech-language pathologist to diagnose autism spectrum disorders if: (1) the child is under 3 years of age; (2) the speech-language pathologist is trained in autism diagnostic evaluation methods as part of the curriculum of an approved program, through worksite training, or through continuing education; and (3) the diagnosis occurs as part of the Illinois Early Intervention Program. Amends the Department of Early Childhood Act. Requires the Department of Early Childhood to adopt rules consistent with the purposes of the amendatory Act authorizing speech-language pathologists licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to diagnose autism spectrum disorders under the Illinois Early Intervention Program. Provides that the Department of Early Childhood shall consult with relevant stakeholders, including developmental and behavioral pediatricians, when developing the rules. Effective January 1, 2028.
House Floor Amendment No. 3: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. In provisions amending the Illinois Insurance Code, provides that "diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder" includes one or more tests, evaluations, and assessments to diagnose whether an individual has autism spectrum disorder that are prescribed, performed, or ordered by a licensed speech-language pathologist with expertise in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders in children under age 3 (rather than by a licensed speech-language pathologist with expertise in diagnosing autism spectrum disorders). In provisions amending the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act, makes changes to the requirements necessary for a speech-language pathologist to diagnose autism spectrum disorders. In provisions amending the Illinois Public Aid Code, provides that treatment of autism spectrum disorders through applied behavior analysis shall be covered under the medical assistance program for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when ordered by a speech-language pathologist licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation so long as the diagnosis by the speech-language pathologist occurs as part of the Illinois Early Intervention Program (rather than covering treatment by applied behavior analysis for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by a speech-language pathologist licensed by the Department). Effective immediately.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 215 ILCS 5/356, 225 ILCS 110/3, 225 ILCS 110/8, 305 ILCS 5/5
Engrossed: 215 ILCS 5/356, 225 ILCS 110/3, 225 ILCS 110/8, 305 ILCS 5/5