Report Title:

Task Force; Health Coverage; Autism Spectrum Disorders

Description:

Establishes the temporary autism disorders spectrum benefits and coverage task force to research the problems faced by parents of children with autism and what can be done to ensure that proper benefits and services are provided through public and private resources to address the special needs of children with autism, including providing services involving applied behavioral analyses techniques.  (SD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2727
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established in the department of health for administrative purposes a temporary autism disorders spectrum benefits and coverage task force.  The children with special health needs branch shall be responsible for administering the work of the temporary task force, providing a facilitator, and submitting a report to the legislature.  The goals of the temporary task force shall be to discuss and seek input on the problems faced by parents of children with autism and what can be done to ensure that proper health benefits and services are provided through public and private resources to address the special needs of children with autism, including providing services involving applied behavioral analyses techniques.  In addition, the task force shall research health insurance coverage plans that cover autism spectrum disorders in other states and develop a plan of services that health insurers should be mandated to cover.

     (b)  The members of the temporary autism disorders spectrum benefits and coverage task force shall consist of nine members as follows:

     (1)  A member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

     (2)  A member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate;

     (3)  The superintendent of education or the superintendent's designee;

     (4)  The director of human services or the director's designee;

     (5)  The director of health or the director's designee;

     (6)  The insurance commissioner or the insurance commissioner's designee;

     (7)  The chief executive officer of the Hawaii Medical Service Association or the chief executive officer's designee; and

     (8)  Two parents of children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder appointed by the governor.

     (c)  The temporary autism disorders spectrum benefits and coverage task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009.

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020 and shall be repealed on June 30, 2009.