3rd Session, 43rd Legislature

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Bill 232

THE AUTISM STRATEGY ACT

(Assented to                                         )

WHEREAS the number of Manitobans diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder has increased significantly in recent decades;

AND WHEREAS autistic persons have diverse needs that evolve over the course of their lives;

AND WHEREAS supports and services for autistic persons and their families and caregivers must be accessible in all areas of the province;

AND WHEREAS there is currently no long-term, coordinated strategy in Manitoba to provide the ongoing supports and services needed by autistic persons and their families and caregivers;

AND WHEREAS an integrated provincial strategy that addresses the necessary medical, educational and financial supports and services along with employment and housing assistance would significantly improve the lives of autistic persons and their families and caregivers;

THEREFORE HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, enacts as follows:

Definitions

1   The following definitions apply in this Act.

"minister" means the minister appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council to administer this Act. (« ministre »)

"provincial autism strategy" means the strategy established under section 2. (« stratégie provinciale sur l'autisme »)

Provincial autism strategy

2(1)   The government must establish a provincial autism strategy.

Required measures

2(2)   The provincial autism strategy must identify measures that address the following needs:

(a) timely access to screening and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder;

(b) supports and services for autistic children in early learning and child care facilities and at all levels of their education;

(c) supports and services for autistic adults, including supports in relation to employment and housing;

(d) supports and services for families and caregivers of autistic persons;

(e) research on autism spectrum disorder;

(f) comprehensive data collection and statistical analysis respecting autistic persons.

Measures to apply across Manitoba

2(3)   The provincial autism strategy must include a plan to provide the supports and services identified in the strategy to autistic persons residing in all areas of Manitoba.

Development of strategy

3(1)   The development of the provincial autism strategy is to be led by the minister.

Interdepartmental involvement

3(2)   When developing the provincial autism strategy, the minister must work with all government departments to identify the support and service needs of autistic persons and their families and caregivers.

Focus on Indigenous communities

3(3)   During the development of the provincial autism strategy, the minister must specifically consider the needs and circumstances of autistic persons and their families and caregivers in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

Required consultations

4   During the development of the provincial autism strategy, the minister must consult with

(a) autistic persons and their families and caregivers;

(b)  organizations that advocate on behalf of autistic persons and their families and caregivers, such as the Autism Alliance of Canada;

(c) physicians and research professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder; and

(d) representatives from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

Deadline to finalize strategy

5(1)   The minister must finalize the provincial autism strategy within two years after this Act comes into force.

Tabling strategy in the Assembly

5(2)   The minister must table a copy of the provincial autism strategy in the Assembly on any of the first 15 days on which the Assembly is sitting after the strategy is finalized.

Strategy to be publicly available

5(3)   The minister must make the provincial autism strategy publicly available on a government website as soon as practicable after the strategy is tabled in the Assembly.

Annual implementation report

6(1)   The minister must prepare a report every year after the provincial autism strategy has been tabled in the Assembly that sets out the following:

(a) the measures identified in the strategy that have been implemented during the year;

(b) an analysis of the effectiveness of the measures that have been implemented in meeting the needs of autistic persons and their families and caregivers;

(c) for any measure in the strategy that has not yet been implemented, an explanation as to why it has not been implemented and a timeline for its implementation.

Tabling implementation report in the Assembly

6(2)   The minister must table a copy of the annual implementation report in the Assembly on any of the first 15 days on which the Assembly is sitting after the report is completed.

Review of strategy

7(1)   The minister must conduct a review of the provincial autism strategy every five years after this Act comes into force.

Consultations during review

7(2)   The minister must consult with the persons and organizations set out in section 4 during the review.

Updates to strategy

7(3)   If the review results in changes to the provincial autism strategy, the minister must update the strategy. Subsections 5(2) and (3) apply to the updated strategy.

C.C.S.M. reference

8   This Act may be referred to as chapter A185 of the Continuing Consolidation of the Statutes of Manitoba.

Coming into force

9   This Act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.