§ 280i–2 — Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee

(a) The Secretary shall establish a committee, to be known as the “Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee” (in this section referred to as the “Committee”), to coordinate all efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services concerning autism spectrum disorder. (b) In carrying out its duties under this section, the Committee shall, on a regular basis— (1) monitor autism spectrum disorder research, and to the extent practicable services and support activities, across all relevant Federal departments and agencies, including coordination of Federal activities with respect to autism spectrum disorder; (2) advances in autism spectrum disorder research related to causes, prevention, treatment, early screening, diagnosis or rule out, interventions, including school and community-based interventions, and access to services and supports for individuals with autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan of such individuals; (3) respect to the strategic plan developed under paragraph (5); (4) make recommendations to the Secretary regarding public participation in decisions relating to autism spectrum disorder, and the process by which public feedback can be better integrated into such decisions; (5) develop a strategic plan for the conduct of, and support for, autism spectrum disorder research, as described in section 284g(a)(1) of this title, which shall include— (A) proposed budgetary requirements; and (B) recommendations to ensure that autism spectrum disorder research, and services and support activities to the extent practicable, of the Department of Health and Human Services and of other Federal departments and agencies are not unnecessarily duplicative; and (6) submit to the Congress and the President— (A) an annual update on the summary of advances described in paragraph (2); and (B) a biennial update on the strategic plan described in paragraph (5), including progress made in achieving the goals outlined in such strategic plan and any specific measures taken pursuant to such strategic plan. (1) The Committee shall be composed of the following Federal members— (A) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (B) the Director of the National Institutes of Health, and the Directors of such national research institutes of the National Institutes of Health as the Secretary determines appropriate; (C) the heads of such other agencies as the Secretary determines appropriate, such as the Administration for Community Living, Administration for Children and Families, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Health Resources and Services Administration; and (D) representatives of other Federal Governmental agencies that serve individuals with autism spectrum disorder such as the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, the Department of Justice, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Defense. (2) shall be composed of non-Federal public members to be appointed by the Secretary, of which— (A) at least three such members shall be individuals with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder; (B) at least three such members shall be parents or legal guardians of an individual with an autism spectrum disorder; and (C) at least three such members shall be representatives of leading research, advocacy, and service organizations for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. (A) Non-Federal members shall serve for a term of 4 years, and may be reappointed for one additional 4-year term. (B) A vacancy on the Committee shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made and shall not affect the powers or duties of the Committee. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. A member may serve after the expiration of the member’s term until a successor has been appointed. (d) The following provisions shall apply with respect to the Committee: (1) The Committee shall receive necessary and appropriate administrative support from the Secretary. (2) The Committee shall meet at the call of the chairperson or upon the request of the Secretary. The Committee shall meet not fewer than 2 times each year. (3) All meetings of the Committee shall be public and shall include appropriate time periods for questions and presentations by the public. (e) In carrying out its functions, the Committee may establish subcommittees and convene workshops and conferences. Such subcommittees shall be composed of Committee members and may hold such meetings as are necessary to enable the subcommittees to carry out their duties. (f) This section shall not apply after September 30, 2029, and the Committee shall be terminated on such date.