(a)There is created the Tennessee council on autism spectrum disorder to establish a long-term plan for a system of care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families. The council shall make recommendations and provide leadership in program development regarding matters concerning all levels of autism spectrum disorder services, including, but not limited to, health care, education, and other adult, adolescent, and children's services.
(b)The council shall consist of the following members:
(1)The commissioner of disability and aging or the commissioner's designee;
(2)The commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee;
(3)The commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee;
(4)The commissioner of human services or the commissioner's designee;
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(a) There is created the Tennessee council on autism spectrum disorder to establish a long-term plan for a system of care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families. The council shall make recommendations and provide leadership in program development regarding matters concerning all levels of autism spectrum disorder services, including, but not limited to, health care, education, and other adult, adolescent, and children's services. (b) The council shall consist of the following members: (1) The commissioner of disability and aging or the commissioner's designee; (2) The commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee; (3) The commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee; (4) The commissioner of human services or the commissioner's designee; (5) The commissioner of commerce and insurance or the commissioner's designee; (6) The deputy commissioner of the bureau of TennCare or the deputy commissioner's designee; (7) The commissioner of mental health and substance abuse services or the commissioner's designee; (8) The executive director of the commission on children and youth or the executive director's designee; (9) One (1) representative of the council on developmental disabilities; and (10) (A) Nine (9) adults who have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, or who are either family members or primary caregivers of persons with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Three (3) of these adult members shall represent each grand division of the state, and these persons shall be appointed by the governor after the governor receives nominations from Tennessee not-for-profit organizations that serve persons with autism spectrum disorder and their families; (B) Initial appointees to the council pursuant to subdivision (b)(10)(A) shall serve staggered terms as follows: (i) Persons appointed from the western grand division shall serve initial terms terminating on June 30, 2019; (ii) Persons appointed from the middle grand division shall serve initial terms terminating on June 30, 2020; and (iii) Persons appointed from the eastern grand division shall serve initial terms terminating on June 30, 2021; (C) Following the expiration of members' initial terms as prescribed in subdivision (b)(10)(B), all appointments to the council shall be for terms of three (3) years and shall begin on July 1 and terminate on June 30, three (3) years thereafter; (D) All members shall serve until the expiration of the term to which they were appointed and until their successors are appointed and qualified; (E) Successors shall be appointed from the same grand divisions from which the members they are replacing were initially appointed; (F) Members shall be eligible for reappointment to the council following the expiration of their terms, but shall serve no more than two (2) consecutive three-year terms. (c) A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The governor shall appoint a chair from the members named to the council. (d) The council shall meet quarterly and may meet more often upon a call of the chair. (e) The council shall be administratively attached to the department of disability and aging. All appropriate agencies of state government shall provide assistance to the council upon request of the council. (f) If vacancies occur on the council for any cause, the vacancies shall be filled by the respective appointing authority within sixty (60) days for the duration of the unexpired term, if applicable. (g) The members of the council serve without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel expenses incurred for attendance at meetings of the council. Reimbursement for travel expenses must be in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter. (h) The council shall: (1) Assess the current and future impact of autism spectrum disorder on the residents of the state; (2) Assess the availability of programs and services currently provided for early screening, diagnosis, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder; (3) Seek additional input and recommendations from stakeholders, including, but not limited to, families, providers, clinicians, institutions of higher education, and those concerned with the health and quality of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorder; (4) Develop a comprehensive statewide plan for an integrated system of training, treatment, and services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder; (5) Ensure interagency collaboration as the comprehensive statewide system of care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder is developed and implemented; (6) Coordinate available resources related to developing and implementing a system of care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder; and (7) Coordinate state budget requests related to systems of care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder based on the studies and recommendations of the council.