BILL NUMBER: S6189
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the mental hygiene law, in relation to the definition of
autism
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To insert into the mental hygiene law a definition of autism and other
autism spectrum disorders. The definition is the current generally
accepted definition as set forth in the American Psychiatric Associ-
ation's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends Section 1.03 of the mental hygiene law by adding a new,
subdivision 60 to define autism to mean a pervasive developmental disor-
der that meets the criteria set forth in the subdivision, including
Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disor-
der, Rhett's Disorder and Childhood Disintegrative Disoder.
Section 2 is the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Presently, New York's Mental Hygiene law fails to include a definition
of autism and other autism spectrum disorders even though it refers to
the terms. The Mental. Hygiene law should include a- definition for
disorders that are referenced in the statute and are. now occurring in a
significant number of our children. Currently at least 1 in 100 children
are diagnosed with autism or another autism spectrum disorder.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S8944 - Referred to Mental Health and Developmental Disabili-
ties
2019-20: S.3742 - Referred to Mental Health and Developmental Disabili-
ties
2017-18: S.2431 - Referred to Mental Health and Developmental Disabili-
ties
2015-16: S.2876A - Amend and Recommit to .Mental Health anN Develop-
mental Disabilities
2013-14: (Parker) S. 1465A - Amend and Recommit to Mental Health and
Developmental Disabilities
2012: (McDonald) S7072 - Referred to Mental Health and Developmental
Disabilities
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
None to the State.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect September 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S6189: 1.03 mental hygiene law