A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS for the AUTISM SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA FOR THE ASD PARTNERS TRAINING PROGRAM.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, the sum of four million two hundred thousand dollars ($4,200,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year.  These funds shall be allocated for the development of seven model programs of early intervention for autism across the State.  The Department shall contract directly with the providers of these programs. Early intervention with children with autism includes children from birth to age 10.
SECTION 1.(b)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Autism Society of North Carolina, a nonprofit organization, the sum of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) for the 2007‑2008 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used for the ASD Partners Training Program.
SECTION 2.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, shall work with the Autism Society of North Carolina to identify community partners and resources to combine with State dollars to develop model programs in the following areas: Pitt, New Hanover, Wake, Forsyth, Cumberland, Mecklenburg, and Buncombe Counties.
SECTION 3.  The Autism Society of North Carolina shall enhance its training initiative (ASD Partners) to collaborate with the model programs developed under Section 2 of this act.  The training staff of the Autism Society of North Carolina shall work to expand early intervention practices to other community providers, including local school systems.
SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.