NY A08830

Establishes the New York State Autism Council within the Executive Department with 16 members including representatives from state agencies (Health, Education, Office of People with Developmental Disabilities, Department of Financial Services, Office of Children and Family Services), NYFAC, legislators' appointees, and gubernatorial appointees with specific expertise and geographic diversity requirements.

Appoints council members to staggered three-year terms with initial members serving one or two-year terms; requires majority quorum for official action and mandates at least four meetings per year.

Directs the council to approve autism awareness programs, provide information on program and services enhancements to families, establish mechanisms for sharing biomedical research results, coordinate information sharing among researchers, and provide annual reports with recommendations to the Governor.

Amends State Finance Law to authorize expenditure of autism spectrum disorder fund monies for program and services enhancements approved by the council, requires council recommendation of autism research projects, and limits research project spending to no more than 10 percent of annual fund monies.

Becomes effective 180 days after enactment with authority for immediate rule-making to implement the act.