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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 616
WHEREAS, April is National Autism Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life in one of every 500 children; and
WHEREAS, autism knows no racial, ethnic, social, economic, or educational boundaries; and
WHEREAS, children diagnosed with autism can learn and function productively and can show gains when given the appropriate education and treatment; and
WHEREAS, there exists a need for further exploration of the causes of autism and the involvement of the state in providing support for families affected by autism:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the members of the Missouri Senate, Ninety-first General Assembly, First Regular Session, that a Committee on Autism be created to study the causes, effects, and implications of autism on Missouri's children and their families and to explore and develop effective methods of assistance for those affected by autism; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Committee shall be composed of eight members, appointed by the President Pro Tem of the Senate, including two Republican Senators, two Democrat Senators, a representative of the Department of Health, a representative of the Department of Social Services, a representative of the Department of Mental Health, and a representative of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said committee shall elect a chair and shall prepare a report as necessary and submit it to the President Pro Tem of the Senate; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Senate Research shall provide such legal, research, clerical, technical and bill drafting services as the committee may require in the performance of its duties; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the actual and necessary expenses of the committee, its members and any staff personnel assigned to the committee incurred in attending meetings of the committee shall be paid from the Senate Contingent Fund.