H.C.R. 9

1

AUTISM, DISABILITIES, AND FAITH
2 CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
3 2010 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Ronda Rudd Menlove
6 Senate Sponsor: Howard A. Stephenson
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor designates April 26 -
11 May 2 as Autism, Disabilities, and Faith Week, and recognizes the importance of fully
12 integrating persons with autism and disabilities and their families into all Utah faith-
13 based organizations.
14 Highlighted Provisions:
15 This resolution:
16 . designates April 26 - May 2, 2010, as Autism, Disabilities, and Faith Week in the
17 state of Utah; and
18 . recognizes the importance of fully integrating persons with autism and disabilities
19 and their families into all Utah faith-based organizations.
20 Special Clauses:
21 None
22
23 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
24 WHEREAS, there is an increasing number of persons with autism and other disabilities
25 living in the state of Utah;
26 WHEREAS, there is an increasing percentage of children, youths, and adults in Utah's
27 population that is impacted by autism and other disabilities;

28 WHEREAS, these individuals and their families would benefit greatly from the support
29 offered by Utah's faith-based organizations;
30 WHEREAS, these individuals and their families have unique needs that must be
31 recognized and accommodated in faith-based organizations;
32 WHEREAS, faith-based curriculum, instruction, and worship services may need to be
33 adapted to include persons with autism and other disabilities and their families;
34 WHEREAS, faith-based instruction and worship are not intended to replace in any way
35 other services provided to support persons with autism and other disabilities and their families;
36 WHEREAS, Utah's faith-based organizations will greatly benefit from the inclusion of
37 persons with autism and other disabilities in their congregations and organizations;
38 WHEREAS, families affected by autism and other disabilities should be welcomed and
39 offered an invitation to participate in faith-based organizations free of judgment;
40 WHEREAS, faith-based organizations and their members would profit from being
41 educated about autism and other disabilities;
42 WHEREAS, faith-based organizations and their members would benefit from having
43 knowledge of the appropriate resources to assist them in their relationship with persons who
44 are autistic or have other disabilities; and
45 WHEREAS, the first Utah Autism and Faith Summit, Empowering Faith Communities
46 to Include Individuals with Autism, was held September 17, 2009:
47 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
48 Governor concurring therein, designate April 26 - May 2, 2010 as Autism, Disabilities, and
49 Faith Week in the state of Utah.
50 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor recognize the
51 importance of fully integrating persons with autism and other disabilities into Utah's
52 faith-based organizations and communities.
53 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Salt Lake
54 Interfaith Roundtable, the Utah Parent Center, the Autism Council of Utah, Family Voices, the
55 Utah Developmental Disabilities Council, Allies with Families, the National Alliance for
56 Mental Illness Utah, the Autism Initiative and the Children with Special Health Care Needs
57 Bureau at the Utah Department of Health, the Utah Statewide Independent Living Council, the
58 Disability Law Center, and the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities.

Legislative Review Note
as of 2-4-10 8:21 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel