Representative Diana DiZoglio (D-Methuen) has joined her colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass comprehensive autism legislation that will help foster independence for autistic individuals and provide their families with financial tools for long-term planning.
The bill permanently establishes a state Autism Commission and creates new programs and enhances resources for individuals, families, and education professionals. The Autism Commission will be responsible for making recommendations and monitoring the implementation of policies to improve autism care in the Commonwealth.
"With this legislation, we set forth a comprehensive proposal to provide additional services to individuals with disabilities," said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Brian S. Dempsey (D-Haverhill). "By implementing these changes that require additional teacher training, extend state services, and encourage financial planning, we recognize the unique needs of residents with autism and provide them with the flexibility necessary to meet those challenges. Our focus is on increasing access to quality services that provide the best foundation of care for both children and adults with autism."
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“I am proud to join my colleagues in passing legislation to support individuals with autism” said DiZoglio. “Among the things to celebrate in this legislation is that families in the Merrimack Valley and across Massachusetts will now be able to proceed with greater peace of mind as their children become more independent into adulthood.”
One provision, widely referred to as the ABLE program (Achieving a Better Life Experience), is designed to encourage and assist families with financial planning for individuals with disabilities. Modeled on a federal bill pending in Congress, the tax-advantaged savings accounts can be used to help plan for disability-related expenses, enabling parents of children with disabilities, as well as older individuals with disabilities, to pay for long- term costs. Contributions to the account grow tax-free and distributions from the account for qualified disability expenses are also tax-free. Eligible costs include expenses for education, medical and dental care, job training, housing, transportation, financial management, assistive technology, home improvements and other uses.
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The legislation also ensures that as the number of students with autism increases, school districts and teachers are able to provide effective education. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will develop a training program to help teachers educate those with autism in a manner that is individualized and allows them to stay in classrooms, if appropriate. The bill will also expand the IQ-based eligibility requirement for adult services provided by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) so that these services can be effectively extended to those requiring care.
