PUBLIC LAW 116-60 - Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019

Oct 15, 2026

Public Law 116-60 (Sept. 30, 2019), titled the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019, amends the Public Health Service Act to expand and coordinate NIH activities for research on autism spectrum disorder. The Act targets studies on causes, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, services across the lifespan, and clinical dissemination and implementation. It also updates programs for developmental disabilities surveillance and autism education, early detection, and intervention, including provisions addressing disparities in access to clinical services.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

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Short Title

NIH Activities for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

Amendments to Section 409C

Programs Relating to Autism

Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research Program

Autism Education, Early Detection, and Intervention

PUBLIC LAW 116–60—SEPT. 30, 2019 AUTISM COLLABORATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT ACT OF 2019 133 STAT. 1110 PUBLIC LAW 116–60—SEPT. 30, 2019 Sept. 30, 2019 [H.R. 1058] Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019. 42 USC 201 note. Public Law 116–60 116th Congress An Act To amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder and enhance programs relating to autism, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019’’ or the‘‘Autism CARES Act of 2019’’. SEC. 2. EXPANSION, INTENSIFICATION, AND COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES OF THE NIH WITH RESPECT TO RESEARCH ON AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. Section 409C of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 284g) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1)— (A) in the first sentence, by striking ‘‘and toxicology’’and inserting ‘‘toxicology, and interventions to maximize outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder’’; and (B) by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: ‘‘Such research shall investigate the causes (including possible environmental causes), diagnosis or ruling out, early and ongoing detection, prevention, services across the lifespan, supports, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including dissemination and implementation of clinical care, supports, interventions, and treatments.’’; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (2)— (i) in the second sentence, by striking ‘‘cause’’ and all that follows through ‘‘disorder’’ and inserting‘‘causes, diagnosis, early and ongoing detection, prevention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan’’; and (ii) in the third sentence, by striking ‘‘neurobiology’’and all that follows through the period and inserting‘‘neurobiology, genetics, genomics, psychopharmacology, developmental psychology, behavioral psychology, and clinical psychology.’’; and (B) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following:‘‘(D) REDUCING DISPARITIES.—The Director may con sider, as appropriate, the extent to which a center can PUBLIC LAW 116–60—SEPT. 30, 2019 133 STAT. 1111 demonstrate availability and access to clinical services for youth and adults from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, or linguistic backgrounds in decisions about awarding grants to applicants which meet the scientific criteria for funding under this section.’’. SEC. 3. PROGRAMS RELATING TO AUTISM. (a) DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SURVEILLANCE AND RESEARCH PROGRAM.—Section 399AA of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280i) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘adults on autism spectrum disorder’’ and inserting ‘‘adults with autism spectrum disorder’’; (2) in subsection (a)(2)— (A) by striking ‘‘State and local public health officials’’and inserting ‘‘State, local, and Tribal public health officials’’; (B) by striking ‘‘or other developmental disabilities’’and inserting ‘‘and other developmental disabilities’’; (3) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ‘‘a university, or anyother educational institution’’ and inserting ‘‘a university, anyother educational institution, an Indian tribe, or a tribal organization’’; (4) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by striking ‘‘relevant State and local public health officials, private sector developmental disability researchers, and advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities’’ and inserting ‘‘State, local, and Tribal public health officials, private sector developmental disability researchers, advocates for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and advocates for individuals with other developmental disabilities’’; (5) in subsection (

FAQs

What is the short title of Public Law 116-60 (Sept. 30, 2019)?

The Act may be cited as the “Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2019” or the “Autism CARES Act of 2019.”

What does the Act change regarding NIH research on autism spectrum disorder?

It expands, intensifies, and coordinates NIH activities by revising research scope to include causes, diagnosis, early and ongoing detection, prevention, services across the lifespan, supports, intervention, and treatment, along with dissemination and implementation of clinical care.

What programs relating to autism does the Act amend?

It amends the Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research Program and the Autism Education, Early Detection, and Intervention program, including updates to program language and emphasis on evidence-based screening techniques and interventions across the lifespan.

Oct 15, 2026

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