Autism CARES Act of 2024

The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support (CARES) Act of 2024 was signed into law by President Biden on December 23, 2024. The Autism CARES Act reauthorizes and expands the provisions of previous iterations of this legislation. The Autism CARES Act ensures support for research, services, prevalence tracking, and other government activities. The legislation reauthorizes the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) and other programs named in the Act through September 2029.

Milestones in the reauthorization process are summarized below.

Topic	Topic Description
December 23, 2024	Signed into Law The President signed the Autism CARES Act (H.R. 7213) into law. White House Press Release Sponsor Rep. Chris Smith Press Release Sen. Susan Collins Press Release Association of University Centers on Disabilities Press Release Disability Scoop Press Release Public Law 118-180
December 16, 2024	Senate Amendment Passes House, H.R. 7213 Sent to the President Reps. Larry Bucshom, Kathy Castor, Chris Smith, and Buddy Carter spoke in support of the Autism CARES Act of 2024 and the Senate amendment. The Senate amendment was passed by a 2/3 vote. The legislation was sent to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. for signature. WATCH: Debate on Senate amendment to H.R. 7213 Sponsor Rep. Chris Smith Press Release Rep. Henry Cuellar Press release Energy and Commerce Chair Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers Press Release Autism Speaks Press Release The Arc Press Release Legislative Session
November 22, 2024	The Senate passed the Autism Cares Act Sen. Susan Collins Press Release WATCH: Sen. George Helmy bring legislation to Senate floor Amendment (S.A. 3305) offered by Sen. Helmy in the Nature of a Substitute was agreed upon by Unanimous Consent Autism Speaks Press Release AUCD Press Release Profound Autism Alliance Statement
September 26, 2024	Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 Signed into Law The Continued Appropriations and Extensions Act extends the FY2024 federal budget and other federal activities to December 20, 2024. This includes programs and activities related to autism, such as the IACC. Public Law 118-83 Section-by-Section Summary White House Press Release: Bill Signed: H.R. 9747
September 18, 2024	The House passed the Autism CARES Act (H.R. 7213) WATCH: Sponsor Rep. Chris Smith Speaks in favor of Autism CARES Act Sponsor Rep. Smith Press Release Co-Chair of Congressional Autism Congress Rep. Henry Cuellar Press Release Autism Speaks Press Release Disability Scoop Press Release
July 31, 2024	Bipartisan Markup on Critical Health Legislation The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held an executive session on July 31, 2024 to discuss the Autism CARES Act and other legislation related to health and well-being. WATCH: Bipartisan Markup on Critical Health Legislation S. 4762 Legislation, the “Autism CARES Act of 2024," as amended was forwarded to the full Senate Floor by a vote of 20-1. Manager’s Amendment offered in the nature of a substitute. S. 4762 Section-by-Section
July 24, 2024	Introduced in Senate The Autism CARES Act (S. 4762) was introduced into the U.S. Senate on July 24, 2024. The Senate referred S. 4762 to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. S. 4762 Legislation S. 4762 Section-by-Section
June 12, 2024	Markup of Bills, Full Committee The House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce met in open markup session on June 12, 2024. WATCH: Full Committee Markup of 13 Health Bills H.R. 7213, the "Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (Autism CARES) Act of 2024," was unanimously forwarded to the full House Floor by a vote of 42-0. Amendment offered by Rep. Latta in the Nature of a Substitute was agreed upon.
May 16, 2024	Markup of Bills, Subcommittee on Health The House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health met in open markup session of bills on May 16, 2024. WATCH: Subcommittee Markup of 23 Bills H.R. 7213, the "Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2024" or the “Autism CARES Act of 2024," was unanimously agreed to on a vote of 22-0. Amendments were offered by Rep. Guthrie in the Nature of a Substitute was agreed upon.
Feb. 14, 2024	Hearing on "Legislative Proposals to Support Patients and Caregivers" The House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health held a legislative hearing entitled "Legislative Proposals to Support Patients and Caregivers" on February 14, 2024, to discuss the Autism CARES Act and other legislation designed to improve the health and well-being of patients and provide support to their caregivers. The subcommittee heard from a panel of witnesses who testified on the importance of these bills. WATCH: Legislative Proposals to Support Patients and Caregivers Andy Shih, Ph.D., Testimony WATCH: Dr. Shih’s Testimony Mr. Corey Feist, J.D., M.B.A., Testimony Dr. Joanne Pike, Dr.PH., Testimony Dr. Gordon Tomaselli, M.D., Testimony Ms. Michelle Whitten, Testimony Mr. Randy Strozyk, Testimony Dr. Christina Annunziata, M.D., Ph.D., Testimony
Feb. 1, 2024	Introduced in House The Autism CARES Act (H.R. 7213) was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives on February 1, 2024. The House referred H.R. 7213 to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health. H. R. 7213 Legislation