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Autism CARES Act Passes Senate
The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024 passed the Senate on November 21, 2024. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes key programs for the next five years to support individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, including:
- Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Programs
- Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) Training Programs
- Learn the Signs. Act Early. (LTSAE)
- Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM)
The Autism CARES Act also introduces new measures to expand research, improve mental health supports, enhance communication resources for nonverbal individuals, and streamline the transition to adulthood for people with autism. These updates address critical needs within the developmental disability community and aim to advance equity and accessibility in care and services.
What’s Next? The bill will now return to the House of Representatives for a final vote before being signed into law by President Biden.
For more details about the Autism CARES Act, visit the AUCD website.
