Florida Senate - 2009                                     SB 242
       
       
       
       By Senator Ring
       
       
       
       
       32-00024A-09                                           2009242__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to autism; requiring that a physician
    3         refer a minor to an appropriate specialist for
    4         screening for autism spectrum disorder under certain
    5         circumstances; defining the term “appropriate
    6         specialist”; defining the term “neuropsychologist”;
    7         providing an effective date.
    8         
    9  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   10         
   11         Section 1. If the parent or legal guardian of a minor who
   12  is an eligible individual, as defined in s. 627.6686, Florida
   13  Statutes, believes that the minor exhibits symptoms of autism
   14  spectrum disorder, the parent or legal guardian may report his
   15  or her observation to a physician licensed in this state. The
   16  physician shall immediately refer the minor to an appropriate
   17  specialist for screening for autism spectrum disorder. As used
   18  in this section, the term “appropriate specialist” includes, but
   19  is not limited to, a person who is licensed in this state as:
   20         (1) A neuropsychologist and who is competent in the area of
   21  neurological testing. As used in this subsection, the term
   22  “neuropsychologist” means a psychologist who has additional
   23  training and experience in understanding brain-behavior
   24  relationships. A neuropsychologist has an advanced degree in
   25  psychology, known as a Ph.D. or Psy.D., and usually works with
   26  psychiatrists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, physiatrists, and
   27  other medical specialists as a team to coordinate a patient’s
   28  care;
   29         (2) A board-certified behavior analyst;
   30         (3) A psychologist;
   31         (4) A psychiatrist;
   32         (5) A neurologist; or
   33         (6) A developmental or behavioral pediatrician and who
   34  specializes in child neurology.
   35         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.