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HB 3846

Relating to the Ochoco National Forest.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Court Boice and 6 co-sponsors

Creates an Underserved Populations Autism Task Force in DHS to develop a strategic plan that closes autism awareness, diagnosis, and service gaps for underserved Illinois groups.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3846

Summary — HB 3846: Underserved Populations Autism Task Force

Status: Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee
Introduced: Feb. 18, 2025 (Rep. Michael Crawford). Companion: SB 2144.
Effective date (if enacted): July 1, 2025.

Purpose

Creates an Underserved Populations Autism Task Force within the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop a strategic plan addressing gaps in autism awareness, early diagnosis, intervention, treatment delivery, coordination, accessibility, and cost‑effective services across the lifespan for underserved groups.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the Underserved Populations Autism Task Force in DHS.
  • Requires the Task Force to develop an Autism Spectrum Disorder Strategic Plan focused on:
    • Improving awareness, early diagnosis, and early intervention for underserved populations.
    • Ensuring delivery, coordination, accessibility, and cost‑effectiveness of treatments and services throughout an individual's lifetime.
  • Strategic plan deadline: submit to the Governor, General Assembly, and DHS by December 31, 2030.
  • Annual progress reports due July 1 of each year for 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. Reports must summarize meetings, hearings, findings, and progress toward the plan.
  • DHS must provide administrative support. Task Force members serve without compensation. Meetings held at the call of the co‑chairs.

Membership (as provided)

The bill lists a mix of legislative appointees and stakeholder representatives, including:
- Legislative co‑chairs (House member appointed by Speaker; a Senate co‑chair appointed by the President of the Senate) and minority caucus appointees.
- Appointed public members by the Governor: family members of individuals with autism from underserved populations, physicians from underserved populations, and representatives of autism advocacy groups.
- The Secretary of Human Services (or designee) and the State Superintendent of Education (or designee).

(Note: the bill text contains numbering/formatting errors; the summary above reflects the membership categories specified in the draft.)

Definition — "Underserved populations"

Includes:
- Racial/ethnic groups (Black, Latino, Indigenous/Native American, Asian American & Pacific Islander, and other persons of color);
- Rural populations (areas outside standard metropolitan statistical areas or rural census tracts);
- Households at or below 150% of the federal poverty level; and
- Sexual or gender minorities.

Timeline & sunset

  • Annual reports: July 1, 2026–2030.
  • Strategic plan due: December 31, 2030.
  • Task Force dissolved and the section repealed on July 1, 2031.

Who is affected / expected impact

  • Individuals with autism from the defined underserved populations and their families (through improved outreach, diagnosis, and service coordination).
  • State agencies (DHS and Education) that will receive the plan and reports and may implement recommendations.
  • Health care providers, advocacy groups, and local service systems that may be engaged by the Task Force or be affected by recommended policy or program changes.

Legislative actions (selected)

  • First reading: Feb. 18, 2025. Referred to Rules Committee; later referred to Human Services and Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs. Public hearings and committee substitute occurred in April 2025; reported favorably as substituted in late April/early May 2025. Re‑referred to Rules under Rule 19(a) on March 21, 2025.

If enacted, HB 3846 would create a time‑limited, stakeholder‑driven effort to identify and recommend strategies to reduce autism service disparities for Illinois’ underserved communities.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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