The Virginia General Assembly has addressed autism in several committees. The following key legislation is still in play and specifically addresses the priorities of the Virginia Autism Project and the JLARC report on Autism Services in Virginia. We ask that you contact respective Committee members and your own Senators and Delegates to support the following bills:
Senate Bill (SB464) mandates health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders in youth until the age of 10 years old. This bill focuses on early intervention and, based on an INDEPENDENT actuary study,
reflects a cost savings for the public due to the estimated reduction in special education services in the schools. The JLARC, Virginia’s audit agency, identifies a
$147K savings per student if early intervention services (i.e. health coverage) is provided. Thank you Senators Herring and Vogel for your support! Thank you Delegate Rust for your support! See our ACTION ALERT and join us at the Committee Hearing on 2/15 (See EVENTS). See our printable one-pager with all the facts ...
VA 2010 - Autism One Pager.pdf
SB464--ActionAlert_Feb2010.docx
House Bill 581 (HB581) mandates that every teacher seeking a license or renewal of a license with an endorsement of special education and working with individuals with autism shall
obtain a certificate of completion of coursework in Autism as prescribed by the Virginia Autism Council. It also requires paraprofessional aides to receive a minimum of 80 hours of training prior to working with individuals with autism in the local schools. THIS BILL SUCCESSFULLY PASSED IN THE EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE, but we need your help! Patron Del. Jimmie Massie has asked for a crowd of parents who want trained teachers and aides.
WHEN: Wed, 2/10 at 0830.
WHERE: General Assembly Bldg., 9th floor Appropriations conference room. 8:30 a.m. Be prepared to stand up when the bill is called. Write e-mails to the committee members (see General Assembly website).
House Bill 1099 establishes a pilot program to
assist individuals with autism in gaining employment.
Please support these bills!