The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act establishes a federal grant program to assist states in operating a statewide comprehensive system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. (20 U.S.C. §§ 1431 et seq.) Existing law establishes the Autism Treatment Assistance Program within the Aging and Disability Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Services to serve as the primary autism program within the Department and to provide and coordinate services to persons diagnosed or determined to have autism spectrum disorders through the age of 19 years. (NRS 427A.875) Existing law requires the Division to refer an infant or toddler with a disability who has autism spectrum disorder and is eligible for early intervention services to the Program and develop a plan of treatment for the infant or toddler. (NRS 427A.880) Existing law additionally requires certain providers of health care to notify an agency which provides child welfare services when the provider knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a newborn infant has been affected by a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. (NRS 432B.220) To the extent that money is available, this bill requires the Division to create a pilot program to serve children diagnosed with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. This bill requires the program to provide: (1) evidence-based services and support for such children who do not qualify to receive services from other existing programs; and (2) training for providers of health care and providers of other services relating to the provision of health care and other services to such children. This bill requires the pilot program to be administered by the Autism Treatment Assistance Program.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 427A.880
BDR: 427A.880