PRINTER'S NO. 977
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
183
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY D. MILLER, MURT, BISHOP, COHEN, YOUNGBLOOD,
THOMAS, CALTAGIRONE, V. BROWN, DRISCOLL, READSHAW, BROWNLEE,
DAVIDSON, D. COSTA, KINSEY, SCHLOSSBERG, STURLA, DeLUCA,
DEASY, HARHAI, GIBBONS, McCARTER AND SABATINA, MARCH 24, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, MARCH 24, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a comprehensive review of data maintained by the
Department of Education and the Department of Human Services
on the number of transition-age youth and young adults
diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
WHEREAS, The Autism census report update in 2014, using data
from the 2011 census and social service databases, indicated
that there were approximately 8,395 adults 21 years of age and
older with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in 2013 and projects
that by 2020 there will be more than 36,000 adults with ASD; and
WHEREAS, In fiscal year 2014-2015, an estimated 518 slots for
Adult Autism Waivers (AAW) are available and an estimated 146
slots for Adult Community Autism Program (ACAP) are available;
and
WHEREAS, The Bureau of Autism Services (BAS) reports that it
maintains interest lists for AAW and ACAP which do not guarantee
either a place in line or that services will be received and, in
December 2014, there were an estimated 1,400 people on the
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interest lists; and
WHEREAS, There is an unknown number of individuals with ASD
receiving services through the intellectual disabilities service
system, Medicaid waiver services administered through the Office
of Long-Term Living, mental health services or the Office of
Vocational Rehabilitation; and
WHEREAS, There is an unknown number of individuals with ASD
who are not dually diagnosed with other disabilities and do not
meet the eligibility criteria for one of the Medicaid waivers
for people with intellectual disabilities and people with
physical disabilities or other similar programs and are
therefore in need of services administered by the BAS; and
WHEREAS, There is an unknown number of individuals with ASD
who are found in other State and community service systems
including homeless services, State hospitals, the criminal
justice system and the correction system; and
WHEREAS, There is an unknown number of individuals with ASD
not served in any State or community system who are living at
home and reliant on aging parents or siblings; and
WHEREAS, The Office of Developmental Programs has developed
and maintains a comprehensive waiting list for people with
intellectual disabilities that categorizes the level of support
needed by each individual, the county of residence and if the
person resides with an elderly caregiver, however, that type of
list has not been developed for people with ASD; and
WHEREAS, The budget for fiscal year 2014-2015 allocated
funding for an additional 1,100 people with intellectual
disabilities but only allocated funding for an additional 100
people with ASD; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
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Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a
comprehensive review of data maintained by the Department of
Education and the Department of Human Services on the number of
transition-age youth and young adults diagnosed with Autism
Spectrum Disorder; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the
Department of Human Services and the Bureau of Autism Services
and recommend a plan to provide home-based and community-based
supports for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and also
issue an electronic copy of the report to the House of
Representatives no later than six months from the adoption of
this resolution.
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