ENTITLED, An Act to require a study of services and insurance coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder for children.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
    Section 1. The Department of Human Services and the Department of Labor and Regulation shall jointly conduct a study of services and insurance coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder for children. The study shall include input from families, autism advocacy groups, legislators, state policy leaders, and other stakeholders. The study shall examine:

            (1)    The issues related to the cost of requiring insurance plans to cover the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder for children, including current autism care services and insurance coverage available in South Dakota;

            (2)    The availability and certification requirements of service providers;

            (3)    The accepted treatment protocols and clinical and other outcomes associated with such treatments;

            (4)    The cost effectiveness of treatments and insurance coverage in surrounding states;

            (5)    The overall cost per insured for coverage of applied behavior analysis;

            (6)    The current costs incurred to the state related to autism, including treatment and associated educational costs; and

            (7)    Other issues as appropriate.

    The departments shall submit a report with findings and any recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than November 15, 2014.
    Section 2. The Department of Human Services and the Department of Labor and Regulation may contract with a consultant for the study required in section 1 of this Act. The consultant shall have demonstrated expertise in autism spectrum disorder and in evaluating the issues relating to the

insurance coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder for children.
    Section 3. Any agency of the state or any organization that has a contract with the state shall cooperate with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Labor and Regulation or its consultant for the purpose of providing facts, figures, data, projections and other information needed to complete the study.

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An Act to require a study of services and insurance coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder for children.

========================= I certify that the attached Act originated in the SENATE as Bill No. 108 ____________________________ Secretary of the Senate =========================     ____________________________ President of the Senate Attest: ____________________________ Secretary of the Senate ____________________________ Speaker of the House Attest: ____________________________ Chief Clerk Senate Bill No. 108 File No. ____ Chapter No. ______

========================= Received at this Executive Office this _____ day of _____________ , 20____ at ____________ M. By _________________________ for the Governor ========================= The attached Act is hereby approved this ________ day of ______________ , A.D., 20___ ____________________________ Governor ========================= STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, ss. Office of the Secretary of State Filed ____________ , 20___ at _________ o'clock __ M. ____________________________ Secretary of State By _________________________ Asst. Secretary of State