Major autism legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to authorize $1.8 billion over five years to help children and adults with autism by funding research, early detection and treatment was signed into law today by President Trump.
Smith said the “comprehensive new law,” cosponsored by Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) “will fund critical biomedical autism research as well as the development of best practices to enhance the lives of persons with autism. We need answers now and treatment options and interventions that work,” he said.
Specifically the Autism CARES Act of 2019:
Authorizes $1.8 billion—including annual funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at $296 million, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at $23.1 million, and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) at $50 million.