S1217

An Act establishing an autism awareness program and supplementing Titles 26 and 52 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. Autism is a developmental disorder of brain function which is typically manifested in impaired social interaction, problems with verbal and nonverbal communication and imagination, and unusual or severely limited activities and interests. These symptoms generally appear during the first three years of childhood and continue throughout life;

b. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, one of every 94 children in this State has autism, which is the highest rate among the states examined by the CDC in the most comprehensive study of the prevalence of autism to date; and

c. Firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and police officers may unexpectedly encounter or be asked to locate a person diagnosed with autism. Given the high number of individuals affected by autism, it is altogether fitting and proper to ensure that emergency responders are uniformly trained in recognizing the behavioral symptoms and characteristics of an autistic child or adult, and are educated in the high risks associated with autism as well as basic response techniques.

2. a. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services and the Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute and the New Jersey State First Aid Council, shall develop a training curriculum with the purpose of informing emergency responders of the risks associated with autism, as well as providing instruction in appropriate autism recognition and response techniques. The curriculum shall be incorporated into existing time requirements for training and continuing education of emergency responders.

b. Prior to certification by the Department of Health and Senior Services, each emergency medical technician trained in basic life support services as defined in section 1 of P.L.1985, c.351 (C.26:2K-21) shall be required to satisfactorily complete the training developed under subsection a. of this section. Every emergency medical technician certified prior to the effective date of this act shall, within 36 months of the effective date of this act, satisfactorily complete the training in autism recognition and response techniques through existing continuing education requirements.

c. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to effectuate the purposes of this act.

3. a. The Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute, shall adopt a training course regarding the risks associated with autism and appropriate autism recognition and response techniques based on the curriculum developed by the Departments of Health and Senior Services and Human Services pursuant to subsection a. of section 2 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). The course curriculum and instruction shall be administered to every firefighter recruit, volunteer or paid.

b. Each person, volunteer or paid, who is engaged in fire suppression, firefighting, or fire rescue before the effective date of this act shall, within 36 months of the effective date of this act, satisfactorily complete a training course in autism recognition and response techniques.

c. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to effectuate the purposes of this act.

4. a. The Police Training Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety shall adopt a training course regarding the risks associated with autism and appropriate autism recognition and response techniques based on the curriculum developed by the Departments of Health and Senior Services and Human Services pursuant to subsection a. of section 2 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). The training course shall be administered by the employing agency as part of the in-service training provided to each local police officer in each law enforcement unit operating in this State.

b. Prior to being appointed to permanent status as a local police officer in a law enforcement unit, an individual shall be required to complete the training course adopted under subsection a. of this section. Every local police officer appointed prior to the effective date of this act shall, within 36 months of the effective date of this act, satisfactorily complete a training course in autism recognition and response techniques.

c. The Police Training Commission shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), to effectuate the purposes of this act.

5. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month following enactment.

STATEMENT

This bill requires the Departments of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and Human Services (DHS) to establish an autism awareness program for emergency responders in this State, including emergency medical technicians, police officers, and firefighters.

Specifically, the bill provides as follows:

· The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services and the Commissioner of Human Services, in consultation with the New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute and the New Jersey State First Aid Council, are to develop a training curriculum with the purpose of informing emergency responders of the risks associated with autism, as well as providing instruction in appropriate autism recognition and response techniques. The curriculum is to be incorporated into existing time requirements for training and continuing education of emergency responders.

-- Prior to certification by DHSS, each emergency medical technician (EMT) trained in basic life support services as defined in section 1 of P.L.1985, c.351 (C.26:2K-21) is required to satisfactorily complete the training developed by DHSS and DHS.

-- Every EMT certified prior to the effective date of the bill must, within 36 months of that effective date, satisfactorily complete the training in autism recognition and response techniques through existing continuing education requirements.

· The Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs, in consultation with the New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute, is to adopt a training course regarding the risks associated with autism and appropriate autism recognition and response techniques based on the curriculum developed by DHSS and DHS.

-- The course curriculum and instruction will be administered to every firefighter recruit, volunteer or paid.

-- Each person, volunteer or paid, who is engaged in fire suppression, firefighting, or fire rescue before the effective date of the bill must, within 36 months of that effective date, satisfactorily complete a training course in autism recognition and response techniques.

· The Police Training Commission in the Department of Law and Public Safety is to adopt a training course regarding the risks associated with autism and appropriate autism recognition and response techniques based on the curriculum developed by DHSS and DHS. The course is to be administered by the employing agency as part of the in-service training provided to each local police officer in each law enforcement unit operating in the State.

-- Prior to being appointed to permanent status as a local police officer in a law enforcement unit, an individual is to complete the training course.

-- Every local police officer appointed prior to the effective date of the bill must, within 36 months of that effective date, satisfactorily complete a training course in autism recognition and response techniques.

· The bill takes effect on the first day of the seventh month following its enactment.