With the nation’s primary autism law set to expire, federal lawmakers are inching forward on renewing roughly $2 billion in spending on the developmental disability, but leaving little time to spare.

Activities funded under the measure known as the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support, or Autism CARES, Act will come to an end if the law is not extended by Sept. 30.

The measure, which originated in 2006, allocates federal dollars for research, prevalence tracking, screening, professional training and other government activities related to autism. The law was last passed in 2019.

So far this summer, the Autism CARES Act of 2024 has been approved by committees in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, but it has yet to progress further in either chamber despite broad bipartisan support.

There are differences between the House and Senate bills, but both seek to increase funding to renew many existing autism-related programs for five years while also expanding the focus on issues related to aging among those on the spectrum and supporting people with limited speech or language. Each version also requires the National Institutes of Health to produce an annual budget plan for autism research, a change that advocates say could help ensure that federal investment keeps pace with the needs of the community.

“The House and Senate bills are different but not so different that they cannot be worked out in conference,” said Kim Musheno, vice president of public policy at the Autism Society of America. “There are provisions in each that are stronger or weaker, but both address the needs of those with autism across the lifespan.”

Other provisions in the proposals include a push for a more inclusive approach to autism research to ensure better representation of those who need 24-hour care, for example, as well as calls for a government report looking at how to increase the number of developmental behavioral pediatricians and a separate study examining the challenges of young adults with autism transitioning to adulthood.

“The Autism CARES Act is the most important bill when it comes to the federal investment in autism research, training and data efforts,” said Keith Wargo, president and CEO of Autism Speaks. “The enhancements included in the bill will help to further advance progress in addressing the gaps in access to health care, services and supports that too many autistic people face. We look forward to seeing the House and Senate work collaboratively to ensure Autism CARES Act is reauthorized before the Sept. 30 deadline.”

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