Led by New Jersey Rep. Chris Smith, R-NJ, and Senator Robert Menendez, D-NJ, Congress has authorized $1.8 billion in spending on autism in the coming years by extending the Autism CARES Act (Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support), which was set to expire at the end of September. The Act, enacted in 2006, allocates funding for research, prevalence tracking, screening, professional training, and other government activities related to autism. The new legislation provides $369 million annually for autism efforts through 2024, and expands the focus of CARES to address lifespan issues.
In addition, the legislation increases the number of self-advocates, parents, and autism group representatives on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to produce a report for Congress on the health and well-being of individuals with autism.
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