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S. 843: Combating Autism Act of 2006

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S. 843: Combating Autism Act of 2006

109th Congress · introduced 2005-04-19 · Health · Latest: Became Public Law No: 109-416.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2005-04-19 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 109-416. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Combating Autism Act of 2006

Plain summary

Combating Autism Act of 2006 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Public Health Service Act to rewrite provisions governing National Institutes of Health (NIH) autism research. Authorizes the Director of NIH to consolidate program activities to improve program efficiencies and outcomes. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of NIH, to review and report to Congress on NIH centers of excellence. (Sec. 3) Allows the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to awards grants or cooperative agreements for the collection, analysis, and reporting of state epidemiological data on autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC, to award grants or cooperative agreements for the establishment of regional centers of excellence in such disabilities epidemiology to collect and analyze information on the number, incidence, correlates and causes of such disabilities. Requires the Secretary to establish and evaluate activities to: (1) inform and educate on such disabilities to increase awareness of developmental milestones; (2) promote research into the development and validation of reliable screening tools for such disabilities; (3) promote early screening of individuals at higher risk for such disabilities; and (4) increase the number of individuals who are able to confirm or rule out a diagnosis of such a disability and provide evidence-based interventions for individuals diagnosed with such disabilities. Directs the Secretary to provide culturally competent information regarding such disabilities and evidence-based interventions for individuals and their families through state and federal programs and community organizations. Requires states to provide individuals with information about state and local resources. Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop a curriculum for continuing education to assist individuals in recognizing the need for, and using, valid and reliable screening tools; (2) collect, store, coordinate, and make publicly available such tools and other products that are used by federal programs; (3) expand existing interdisciplinary training opportunities or opportunities to increase the number of sites able to diagnose individuals with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities; (4) promote research into additional tools for shortening the time required to confirm diagnoses of such disabilities and for detecting individuals with such disabilities at an early age; and (5) promote research to determine evidence-based practices for interventions for such individuals, develop guidelines for those interventions, and disseminate information related to such research and guidelines. Requires the Secretary to establish the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee to: (1) coordinate all efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning autism spectrum disorder; (2) develop and update advances in research; (3) monitor and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding federal activities related to such disorder; (4) make recommendations to the Secretary regarding public participation in decisions relating to such disorder; (5) develop and annually update a strategic plan for autism spectrum disorder research; and (6) submit to Congress such strategic plan and related updates. Sets forth reporting requirements. Repeals provisions that: (1) allow the Secretary, acting through the Director of CDC, to make awards of grants and cooperative agreements to collect, analyze, and report data on autism and pervasive developmental disabilities; (2) require the Secretary to establish a program to provide information and education on autism to health professionals and the general public; and (3) require the Secretary to establish the Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate all HHS efforts concerning autism. (Sec. 4) Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2011.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Combating Autism Act of 2006

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA] · 48 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 843, Combating Autism Act of 2006 (2006-08-03); CBO cost estimate: S. 843, Combating Autism Act of 2006 (2006-08-03)

Cosponsors on this site

Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Susan M. Collins (R-ME), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Patty Murray (D-WA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), John Thune (R-SD)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)
Appropriation
Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong109-s843 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong109 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong109