Ocean County Leader

Comprehensive legislation authored by Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ) aimed at providing substantial funding and support for Americans with autism is set to be signed into law. The Autism CARES Act of 2024 received strong backing, passing the House with a vote of 374-15 after gaining Senate approval in November.

The bill will allocate over $1.95 billion across five years to fund programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). "At CDC, the funding will support ongoing developmental disability surveillance and research; at HRSA, the funding will cover education, early detection and intervention services; at NIH, the funding will drive research as well as the coordination of autism-related activities, including the Inter Agency Coordinating Committee (IACC)," said Smith during debate on the House Floor.

Smith has been a leading figure behind this legislation and its predecessors from 2011, 2014, and 2019. He emphasized that it would significantly impact millions of Americans with autism by supporting effective early detection and intervention services. "As the prime author of the Autism Cares Act of 2024... I know this legislation will help make a huge difference in the lives of millions," he stated.

According to Smith, "1 in 36 children in the United States—including 1 in 35 children in my home state of New Jersey—are on the autism spectrum." His bill aims to address critical research goals and focus on interventions for an estimated 6.8 million individuals with autism.

Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) co-sponsored Smith's bill alongside bipartisan support from 61 other members. Dr. Cuellar expressed satisfaction with its passage: “I am pleased to help pass this bipartisan legislation... This bipartisan bill will provide vital funding to expand research and care for Americans with autism.”

The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act outlines several objectives. These include directing NIH to explore issues related to aging among individuals with autism, increasing NIH Centers of Excellence from six to seven, introducing a professional bypass budget for prioritizing research areas, and promoting assistive communication technologies.

Smith's advocacy began in September 1997 after meeting Bobbie and Billy Gallagher from Brick Township who were dedicated to helping their two children with autism. His efforts led to federal investigations revealing high autism prevalence rates in Ocean County communities. This prompted him to author significant portions of what became Title I of the Children’s Health Act of 2000.