Legislation
HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION 2015
S.B. 791, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, C.D. 1 – Requires health insurance companies to include coverage for autism diagnosis and
treatment after January 1, 2016 for persons under 14 years of age.
ABA therapy is limited to $25,000 per year. Covered services include (1) behavioral health treatment,
(2) pharmacy care, (3) psychiatric care, (4) psychological care, and
(5) therapeutic care. Deductibles and co-insurance must be no less favorable than provisions for other medical services.
H.B. 119, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, C.D. 1 – Authorizes “ABLE Savings Accounts” for individuals who become disabled before age 26. Funds contributed to such accounts cannot exceed the federal gift tax exemption ($14,000 in 2015) or a maximum of $300,000. Means-tested public benefits would not be reduced because of such accounts that are available for qualified disability expenses, including education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology and personal support services, health, prevention and wellness, financial management and administrative services, legal fees, expenses for oversight and monitoring, funeral and burial expenses, and other expenses approved by the Secretary of the Treasury. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 206 on July 2, 2015.
HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION 2014
H.B. No 1796, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, C.D. 1 Prohibits seclusion and
chemical and mechanical restraint in public schools, limits physical
restraint to situations involving an immediate threat of property
damage or injury to students or staff. Requires notice to parents
within 24 hours of any restraint and at least annual training of
DOE staff. The Governor signed the bill into law as Act 206 on July 2, 2014.
S.B. 2054, S.D.3, , H.D. 3, C.D. 1 Mandates health insurance
coverage for autism treatments. Bill gutted and replaced by requirement
that Insurance Commissioner award a $50,000 non-bid contract for
an actuarial study of the cost of autism insurance to be submitted
to the Legislature prior to its 2015 regular session.
HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION 2013
S.B. No. 668 Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies,
and health maintenance organizations to provide health care coverage
and benefits for autism spectrum disorders beginning after 12/31/2013.
HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION 2012
S.B. No. 2145 Restores community mental health services that
were discontinued by the Adult Mental Health Division in July 2009
as a cost-saving measure; requires the DOE and the Department of
Health to prepare an IEP for children ages 3 to 21 who are in need
of mental health services regardless of school enrollment status.
S.B. No. 2631 Mandates insurance for autism diagnosis and treatment.
This proposal would mandate coverage in health insurance policies
for the costs of early identification and treatment of autism, including,
but not limited to, Applied Behavior Analysis therapy.
H.R. 137 Asks the State Auditor to re-open Report No. 09-09 and
advise the Legislature regarding the need for autism insurance prior
to the 2013 Regular Session.
UNITED STATES CONGRESS, 112th Congress (2011-2012)
H.R. No. 1208 and S.613 Amends the IDEA to include expert witness
fees, including the reasonable costs of any test or evaluation necessary
for the preparation of the parents' or guardians' case in the action
or proceeding, within the definition of "attorneys' fees" that may
be awarded to the prevailing party in a civil action brought under
such Act.
S. 1132 Provides grants to enable protection and advocacy systems
to address the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
S. 2020 Prohibits seclusion and restraint in public and private
schools that receive IDEA funding; limits physical restraint to
immediate threats of injury to student or staff. Co-sponsored by
Sens. Harkin (Iowa) and Hirono (Hawaii).
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