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Bill S-203

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First Session, Forty-fourth Parliament,

70 Elizabeth II, 2021

SENATE OF CANADA

BILL S-203
An Act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder
FIRST READING, November 24, 2021

THE HONOURABLE SENATOR Housakos
4412120


SUMMARY

This enactment provides for the development of a federal framework designed to support autistic Canadians, their families and their caregivers.

Available on the Senate of Canada website at the following address:
www.sencanada.ca/en


1st Session, 44th Parliament,

70 Elizabeth II, 2021

SENATE OF CANADA

BILL S-203

An Act respecting a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder

Preamble

Whereas autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that includes impairments in language, communication skills and social interactions, combined with restricted and repetitive behaviours, interests or activities;

Whereas Parliament recognizes that there is a need for autistic persons and their families to receive direct, timely and ongoing access to financial support, treatment and services;

Whereas there is no coordinated national strategy that would expand the scope of support to ensure consistency and long-term solutions, especially for persons over the age of 18 years;

And whereas autistic Canadians, their families and their caregivers would benefit from the development and implementation of a federal framework that provides for best practices, research, education, awareness, treatment, equal access to medical and financial supports, and assistance with employment and housing challenges;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Short Title

Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Federal Framework on Autism Spectrum Disorder Act.

Federal Framework on Autism Spectrum Disorder

Federal framework

2 (1) The Minister of Health must develop a federal framework on autism spectrum disorder.

Measures to be provided

(2) The framework must identify measures to provide

  • (a) financial support for autistic persons and their families, including the establishment or expansion of tax benefits as required;

  • (b) support for caregivers of autistic persons;

  • (c) a national research network to promote research and improve data collection on autism spectrum disorder;

  • (d) a national public awareness campaign to enhance knowledge and understanding about autism spectrum disorder;

  • (e) an online resource on best practices to support autistic persons, their families and their caregivers; and

  • (f) mechanisms to ensure accountability in the use of federal funds for autistic persons and their families.

Consultations

(3) For the purpose of developing the federal framework, the Minister must consult with

  • (a) the Minister of Finance, the Minister of National Revenue, the Minister of Employment and Social Development and any other ministers with relevant responsibilities;

  • (b) representatives of the provincial governments, including those responsible for health; and

  • (c) relevant stakeholders, including representatives from the medical, research and advocacy communities that focus on autism spectrum disorder.

Conference

(4) The Minister must, no later than 12 months after the day on which this Act receives royal assent, hold at least one conference with the persons referred to in subsection (3) for the purpose of developing the federal framework.

Reports to Parliament

Tabling of federal framework

3 (1) Within 18 months after the day on which this Act receives royal assent, the Minister of Health must cause to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament a report setting out the federal framework on autism spectrum disorder developed under section 2.

Publication

(2) The Minister must publish the report on the website of the Department of Health within 10 days after the day on which the report is tabled in Parliament.

Report

4 (1) Within five years after the day on which the report referred to in section 3 is tabled in Parliament, the Minister of Health must cause to be tabled in each House of Parliament a report that sets out

  • (a) the measures from the federal framework that have been implemented and their effectiveness in supporting autistic persons, their families and their caregivers; and

  • (b) with respect to any measure included in the federal framework that was not implemented, the reason it has not been implemented and the timeline for its implementation.

Published under authority of the Senate of Canada

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