(Repealed effective January 1, 2024) 1.    The department shall establish a voucher program pilot project beginning July 1, 2014, to assist in funding equipment and general educational needs related to autism spectrum disorder for individuals below two hundred percent of the federal poverty level from age three to under age eighteen who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The program may include funding for assistive technology; video modeling videos or equipment; language-generating devices; training and educational material for parents; parenting education; sensory equipment; tutors; safety equipment; travel tools; self-care equipment; timers; visual representation systems; respite care; specialized day care; language comprehension equipment; and registration and related expenses for workshops and training to improve independent living skills, employment opportunities, and other executive or social skills.

2.    The department shall adopt rules addressing management of this voucher program pilot project and establishing the eligibility requirements and exclusions for this voucher program pilot project. The program may not provide a voucher for early intensive behavioral intervention, including applied behavioral analysis, intensive early interventional behavioral therapy, intensive behavioral intervention, the Lovaas method, the Denver model, LEAP (learning experiences – an alternative program for preschoolers and parents), TEACCH (treatment and education of autistic and related     communication handicapped children), pivotal response training, or discrete trial training.

3.    A decision on a voucher application which is issued by the department under this section may be appealed as provided under chapter 28-32.

4.    The department shall report to the legislative management regarding the autism spectrum disorder program pilot project.