Rep. Case praises autism education bill

HARTFORD – Rep. Jay Case supported legislation Thursday strengthening services for high school students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) transitioning into adult life.

The bill, H.B. 6737, provides new, untapped information to parents with ASD students, from a bill of student rights to planning and transitional preparations. Additionally, the bill streamlines state agencies’ definitions of “competitive employment” to better prepare autistic students for a world outside of the classroom.

“For too long, parents of autistic students have been left in the dark,” Case said. “This measure will give families adequate information as they try to integrate their loved ones into the workforce. We want to make sure people with ASD have the same opportunities to live, work and enjoy life that everyone else has.”

The legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee found in December a need to strengthen transitional services – including better information for parents earlier in the students’ transition into adult life – so autistic students could better assimilate to the community and workforce. Students receiving special education services, PRI found, didn’t know their rights, either.

Lawmakers introduced the proposal in February based on the study.

After receiving unanimous approval by both the Human Services and Education committees, the House of Representatives passed the bill unanimously. The Senate must act on it before the legislative session concludes June 3.