House bill NO. 952

INTRODUCED BY C. Sprunger, L. Brewster

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MONTANA AUTISM FACILITIES GRANT PROGRAM; CREATING AN AUTISM FACILITIES SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; PROVIDING A DEFINITION; TRANSFERRING FUNDS; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

WHEREAS, during the past decade, the prevalence of autism in the United States has increased; and

WHEREAS, approximately half a million children with autism will legally become adults within the next decade; and

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Legislature that adults with autism living in Montana have access to supportive services and housing options to meet their needs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Autism facilities grant -- purpose -- eligibility -- rulemaking. (1) There is an autism facilities grant program administered by the department of public health and human services for the purpose of providing grants for the construction of autism facilities designed and equipped to provide services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

(2) To be eligible for a grant from the department, a nonprofit or government entity shall:

(a) match each $1 of the grant with $1 raised from public or private sources; and

(b) provide the department with plans for the construction and development of autism facilities in the state.

(3) The department shall adopt rules for administration of the grant program.

(4) For the purposes of this section, "autism facility" is a facility in the state that provides services to children or adults, or both, with autism spectrum disorder, including but not limited to housing, therapy, and other support services.

Section 2. Autism facilities special revenue account. (1) There is an autism facilities account in the state special revenue fund established in 17-2-102 to the credit of the department of public health and human services.

(2) The purpose of the account is to provide funding for autism facilities grants awarded in accordance with [section 1].

(3) The account consists of

(a) money appropriated to or transferred into the account by the legislature;

(b) any funds available through and identified by the department for the autism facilities grant program; and

Section 3. Transfer of funds. No later than August 1, 2023, the state treasurer shall transfer $400,000 from the general fund to the autism facilities special revenue account provided for in [section 2].

Section 4. Appropriation. There is appropriated $400,000 from the autism facilities special revenue account provided for in [section 2] to the department of public health and human services for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, to provide grants for autism facilities as allowed under [section 1].

Section 5. Notification to tribal governments. The secretary of state shall send a copy of [this act] to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana.

Section 6. Codification instruction. [Sections 1 and 2] are intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 53, chapter 20, and the provisions of Title 53, chapter 20, apply to [sections 1 and 2].

Section 7. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2023.