1. For purposes of this section, the term “autism spectrum disorder” shall have the same meaning as the term is defined in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

2. There is hereby created the “Missouri Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders” to be housed within the department of mental health. The department of mental health shall provide technical and administrative support as required by the commission. The commission shall meet on at least four occasions annually, including at least two occasions before the end of December of the first year the commission is fully established. The commission may hold meetings by telephone or video conference.

3. The Missouri commission on autism spectrum disorders shall have the mission of producing an “Autism Roadmap for Missouri” encompassing the lifespan of a person living with an autism spectrum disorder. The autism roadmap shall discuss best practices for care and services within health care, education, vocational support, and community resources and highlight opportunities for improvement. The autism roadmap shall include:

(1) A targeted review of existing autism resources, initiatives, and funding;

(2) The identification of unmet needs or gaps; and

(3) Tangible recommendations for system improvements, including specific policy, programmatic, legislative, and funding recommendations.

4. The commission shall be composed of twenty-five members, consisting of the following:

(1) The director of the office of autism services within the department of mental health;

(2) The directors from three of the designated Missouri autism centers receiving state funding, or their designees;

(3) Two independent providers of autism diagnosis and related services in Missouri;

(4) Three representatives from separate not-for-profit applied behavioral analysis and related allied health service providers in Missouri;

(5) Two representatives from the rural health care community whose practices or health care systems include care of individuals with autism;

(6) Two representatives from organizations providing vocational rehabilitation, educational, or adult service opportunities for individuals with autism spectrum disorders;

(7) Two special education professionals or administrators representing primary and secondary education in Missouri;

(8) The director of the department of mental health, or his or her designee;

(9) The commissioner of education, or his or her designee;

(10) The commissioner of higher education, or his or her designee;

(11) The director of the department of health and senior services, or his or her designee;

(12) The director of the department of social services^*, or his or her designee;

(13) The director of the department of commerce and insurance, or his or her designee;

(14) Two parents of individuals on the autism spectrum, one of whom shall be a parent of a child who is on the autism spectrum and who is preschool- or school-aged and the other shall be a parent of an adult who is on the autism spectrum; and

(15) Two adults with autism spectrum disorders.

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With the exception of department directors, the members of the commission shall be appointed by the director of the department of mental health. A chair of the commission shall be selected by the members of the commission. Members shall serve a term of four years, except that the directors of the designated Missouri autism centers shall only serve two year terms, but may be reappointed and shall continue to serve until their successor is duly appointed and qualified. Any vacancy on the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Members shall serve on the commission without compensation but may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses from moneys appropriated to the department of mental health.

5. The commission shall conduct its work in four phases, with such phases including:

(1) Transitioning to adulthood for those living with autism spectrum disorders, which shall include:

(a) Organizing and reviewing existing systems, resources, and programs available to those living with autism spectrum disorders who are approaching adulthood;

(b) Identifying unmet needs or gaps and prioritizing such needs for those living with an autism spectrum disorder who are approaching adulthood; and

(c) Reviewing best practices and developing strategic goals to meet the needs of those living with an autism spectrum disorder who are approaching adulthood;

(2) Early identification and intervention for those living with autism spectrum disorders, which shall include:

(a) Organizing and reviewing existing systems, resources, and programs available to quickly identify and intervene in the lives of those living with an autism spectrum disorder;

(b) Identifying unmet needs or gaps and prioritizing such needs to quickly identify and intervene in the lives of those living with an autism spectrum disorder; and

(c) Reviewing best practices and developing strategic goals to quickly identify and intervene in the lives of those living with an autism spectrum disorder;

(3) Access to care for those living with autism spectrum disorders, which shall include:

(a) Organizing and reviewing existing systems, resources, and programs available that provide access to care for those living with an autism spectrum disorder;

(b) Identifying unmet needs or gaps and prioritizing such needs in providing access to care for those living with an autism spectrum disorder; and

(c) Reviewing best practices and developing strategic goals for providing access to care for those living with an autism spectrum disorder; and

(4) Challenging behavior and crisis care for those living with autism spectrum disorders, which shall include:

(a) Organizing and reviewing existing systems, resources, and programs available for challenging behavior and crisis care for those living with an autism spectrum disorder;

(b) Identifying unmet needs or gaps and prioritizing such needs for challenging behavior and crisis care for those living with an autism spectrum disorder; and

(c) Reviewing best practices and developing strategic goals for challenging behavior and crisis care for those living with an autism spectrum disorder.

6. The commission shall submit a report to the director of the department of mental health and the governor upon the completion of each phase. In addition, a final document summarizing all completed tasks and remaining recommendations shall be submitted to the director of the department of mental health and the governor upon the completion of all phases.

7. The first phase of work done by the commission shall commence on January 1, 2022, with each new phase commencing on January first of each of the following three years. The work in each phase shall be complete by December thirty-first of the year in which the phase began. Each report shall be submitted to the director of the department of mental health and the governor no later than April first following the completion of the phase.