H.B. 263

1

AUTISM AND INFANT AND TODDLER
2 IMMUNE DISORDERS
3 2008 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Eric K. Hutchings
6 Senate Sponsor: ____________
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill amends the Health Promotion and Risk Prevention chapter of the Health Code
11 to provide for the study of, and a public awareness campaign regarding, the causes and
12 risk factors of autism and immune system disorders in infants and toddlers.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This bill:
15 . establishes an advisory committee within the Department of Health to study issues
16 related to autism and infant and toddler immune system disorders; and
17 . requires the department to establish a public awareness campaign for parents and
18 health care professionals regarding the causes and risk factors for autism and
19 immune system disorders in infants and toddlers and preventative measures that
20 may be taken.
21 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
22 This bill appropriates:
23 . as an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints, $25,000 from the
24 General Fund for fiscal year 2007-08 to the Department of Health.
25 Other Special Clauses:
26 None
27 Utah Code Sections Affected:

28 ENACTS:
29 26-7-4, Utah Code Annotated 1953
30
31 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
32 Section 1. Section 26-7-4 is enacted to read:
33 26-7-4. Advisory panel on autism and immune deficiency disorders in infants and
34 toddlers -- Public awareness campaign.
35 (1) The department shall create an advisory panel in accordance with Subsection (2) to:
36 (a) review medical and scientific data regarding any relationship between infant and
37 toddler immune system development and adverse reactions to childhood immunizations;
38 (b) facilitate the development and use of an autism registry in the state to help study the
39 causes of autism;
40 (c) review scientific data regarding the genetic and environmental components of
41 autism and immune system disorders and how that information may lead to preventative
42 measures;
43 (d) create a public awareness campaign, based on the findings of the advisory panel, to
44 educate parents and health care providers about the causes and risk factors for autism and
45 infant and toddler immune system disorders; and
46 (e) report to the Legislature as required under Subsection (3).
47 (2) (a) The advisory panel described in Subsection (1) shall meet for a two-year period,
48 beginning July 1, 2008, and shall consist of the following members:
49 (i) two physicians with knowledge of pediatrics or genetics, appointed by the Utah
50 Medical Association;
51 (ii) a member of the Autism Council of Utah;
52 (iii) a geneticist appointed by the University of Utah Health Sciences Center; and
53 (iv) the executive director or the executive director's designee.
54 (b) Members of the advisory panel will not be compensated for their service on the
55 panel.
56 (c) The department shall provide staff support to the advisory panel.
57 (3) The department shall provide a report to the Legislature's Health and Human
58 Services Interim Committee, regarding the panel's findings, actions, and recommendations, on

59 or before November 1, 2010.
60 Section 2. Appropriation.
61 As an ongoing appropriation, subject to future budget constraints, there is appropriated
62 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2007-08, $25,000 to the Department of Health to provide
63 staff support to the advisory panel created under this bill and to establish the public awareness
64 campaign described in this bill.




Legislative Review Note
as of 12-7-07 6:46 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel