The Massachusetts Legislature recently passed the Autism Omnibus Bill.  Massachusetts Advocates for Children, which provided vital advocacy in support of the Bill, has summarized the key provisions as follows:

• A requirement that MassHealth cover medically necessary treatments for children with ASD who are under 21 years old – including ABA therapies as well as dedicated and non-dedicated AAC devices;
• Extension of Department of Developmental Services (DDS) eligibility to many persons with Autism, Prader Willi Syndrome and Smith-Magenis syndrome;
• The creation of an Autism Endorsement for special education teachers to enable them to voluntarily gain in-depth knowledge about the complexities of educating students with ASD;
• The creation of tax-free saving accounts (called “Achieving a Better Life Experience” or ABLE) to help families cover anticipated disability-related expenses for individuals with ASD and other physical and developmental disabilities;
• Requiring DMH and DDS to develop and implement a plan to provide services to individuals who have both a mental illness and a developmental disabilities; and
• Establishing the Autism Commission as a permanent entity.

Mass Advocates Web Site Summary

Mass Advocates has also published:

• A fact sheet, which you can find here: Mass Advocates Fact Sheet; and
• The complete Bill, which you can find here: Autism Omnibus Bill.

The Law Office of James M. Baron represents students and parents in special education and other school-related legal matters throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  Please visit http://www.lawbaron.com, or call 781-209-1166 for more information.