Ahhh, this was a hard battle – to save the Minnesota autism committee which is a cost free task force that has parents, advocates, providers and state agency reps. It was charged to write and implement an autism statewide plan and is suppose to sunset next year.
But the never get tired of writing bad autism legislation – Rep Norton decided she would dismantle and get rid of the work of so many for so many years. Sadly, many DLFers and few GOP reps took her side by totally mis-understanding the work of this committee and assuming autism’s work can be a done.
First, let’s explain something – children with autism become adults with autism and the work of autism is never done, ever ever and ever. Autism is a life long neuro-developmental disorder that affects thousands of Minnesota children and families. Furthermore, most states have permanent autism committees or commissions so that families always have someone in their corner. Needless to say, I thought writing this bill was a waste of time, effort and money. Imagine if the hours we spent on this legislation – we spent it on actually helping and supporting individuals with autism and their families.
At any rate and as we have always done for years now, we fought hard and advocated harder to convince legislatures to NOT eliminate such an important committee. I am glad to say, we prevailed and it was taken out of the health and human services policy omnibus bill in conference committee. We thank all of the conferees who voted to keep the autism task force. They were Rep Mack, Rep Loeffler, Rep Morgan, Sen Lourey, Sen Hayden and Sen Rosen which came out to be the majority of the ten conferees. We hope that we can put this behind us, and unite for the sake of ALL autism children, adults and their families.
In sum, what passed in conference committee is to implement the autism plan and let the committee continue until it sunsets next year which is exactly the language of the original legislation.
Above words do not reflect any agency, committee or candidate.
Thanks!
Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Minority Advocate