SB12-159 Summary

• Establishes mandatory ongoing evaluation process for children receiving autism services under Colorado's Medicaid waiver program, with assessments at entry, every six months during services, and at termination.

• Requires evaluations to assess expressive and receptive communication, adaptive skills, and severity of maladaptive behaviors using standardized, norm-referenced assessments determined by the state department.

• Prohibits use of ongoing evaluations to alter a child's eligibility status in the program.

• Directs the state department to annually review the Colorado Autism Treatment Fund balance to determine if additional eligible children can be served and to prioritize children on the wait list with imminent service needs based on an objective assessment process.

• Appropriates $6,925 for fiscal year 2012-2013 ($3,463 from the autism treatment fund and $3,462 from anticipated federal funds) for implementation and takes effect July 1, 2012.