Bill
HR 36
Designates March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day and April as Autism Month in Indiana to honor, raise awareness, and promote inclusion and support for autistic individuals and fami
Title: Recognizing March 17, 2026, as Profound Autism Day and April as National Autism Month
Jurisdiction: Indiana
Introduction
- Type: House Resolution
- Introduced by: Representative Olthoff and a broad group of co-authors
- Status: Introduced and coauthored (as of the provided text)
- Purpose: Recognize and designate March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day and April as National Autism Month to honor and support individuals with autism across the spectrum, including those with profound autism, and to promote understanding, inclusion, and support for affected individuals and their caregivers.
1) Main Purpose and Intent
- Public acknowledgement: Establishes a formal recognition by the Indiana House of Representatives of Profound Autism Day on March 17, 2026 and Autism Month in April.
- Inclusion and awareness: Emphasizes the full diversity of the autism spectrum and the unique challenges faced by individuals with profound autism.
- Supportive framing: Seeks to encourage greater understanding, inclusion, and support for autistic individuals and for lifelong caregivers.
2) Key Provisions and Changes
- Section 1: Proclaims March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day and declares April as National Autism Month within Indiana.
- This designation aims to honor individuals with autism, including those with profound autism, and to recognize their families, caregivers, educators, and professionals who support them.
- Section 2: Administrative directive
- The Principal Clerk of the Indiana House is tasked with transmitting copies of the resolution to specific lawmakers for distribution (notably to State Representative Julie Olthoff for dissemination).
- No new statutory mandates, funding programs, or regulatory changes are proposed.
- The bill uses descriptive language to emphasize awareness, inclusion, and support rather than creating new state programs or obligations.
3) Who or What Would Be Affected
- Individuals with autism in Indiana, including those identified as having profound autism.
- Families, caregivers, educators, and professionals who support individuals with autism.
- General public, through formal recognition and awareness-raising efforts during Profound Autism Day and Autism Month.
- No direct fiscal impact, administrative rule changes, or new state program requirements are articulated in the bill text.
4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects
- Timing: The resolution designates a specific day (March 17, 2026) and a month (April) for recognition.
- Legislative action: The bill has been introduced and co-authored by a large roster of representatives, indicating broad sponsorship.
- Next steps: As a resolution, if passed, it would serve as an official expression of the Indiana General Assembly. There is no indication of mandatory actions or funding; implementation is largely ceremonial and educational.
Notes for readers
- This is a non-binding, symbolic measure designed to raise awareness and honor contributions of autistic individuals and their communities.
- It complements ongoing efforts to promote inclusion and support but does not establish new programs or allocate state funds.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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