HI HR139

Urges the Department of Education, Department of Health, and relevant stakeholders to develop a strategic plan for Hawaii's participation in the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network to estimate autism prevalence statewide.

Requests departments identify necessary resources, training, and infrastructure improvements to support comprehensive autism data collection and analysis for CDC surveillance purposes.

Directs departments to establish public health surveillance agreements and execute memorandums of understanding to facilitate autism data collection efforts.

Requires a joint report from the Department of Education and Department of Health outlining progress toward CDC participation to be submitted to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2026 Regular Session convenes.

Notes the Autism CARES Act of 2024 provides $2 billion over five years, including $28 million annually for CDC developmental disabilities surveillance, creating funding opportunities for Hawaii's participation in autism prevalence monitoring.