House OKs bill to create autism commission

The House unanimously passed yesterday a bill that proposes to develop a state plan of services for people with autism.

“There are 58 students diagnosed with autism. I say that’s only the tip of the iceberg,” said House Bill 16-135 author Rep. Heinz Hofschneider shortly before voting was made.

Hofschneider gave the statement in response to comments submitted by Board of Education Committee on Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs chair Lucia L. Blanco-Maratita and Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan, who both opposed the legislation.

“This is a CNMI concern. This is not a territorial dispute,” the lawmaker said. “Don’t oppose progress. Don’t oppose care.”

In casting his vote, Rep. Ralph DLG. Torres, who chairs the House Committee on Health, Education, and Welfare, said he commends the parents who supported the bill.

With 16-0 affirmative votes, the legislation now goes to the Senate for similar passage.

The legislation will establish the Commonwealth Commission on Autism to study and investigate issues, including the early identification and intervention of autism spectrum disorders.

Hofschneider stated in the bill that autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the United States and the Commonwealth.

He said experts estimate that two to six children out of every 1,000 will have autism.

The lawmaker noted that the economic impact of autism in the U.S. is more than $90 billion annually and is expected to more than double in the next decade.

In their opposition to the legislation, Blanco-Maratita and Sablan pointed out that, although the intent to create a commission is commendable, the Public School System cannot support the bill in its current form.

Blanco-Maratita and Sablan said the bill seems to circumvent certain local and federal regulations of both education and governmental entities.

“For example, section 106 of the bill proposes that the Commonwealth Autism Commission would not have to follow the Administrative Procedures Act,” the two education officials said.

Blanco-Maratita and Sablan said the Board of Education Standing Committee on Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs is unsure why CAC would be able to exist outside channels of government that provide for checks and balances.

They said the Committee cautions that CAC would still have to go through proper channels when requesting information from PSS about its students.

The two education officials said the CAC does not and cannot dictate to PSS.

“Conflicts could arise because PSS already has policies and procedures in place regarding special needs children,” they said.

Blanco-Maratita and Sablan also noted that the Committee’s concern is that many departments within PSS are already burdened with a heavy workload and are short-staffed.