Maryland Education Section 8-605

CAUTION: READ FULL TEXT OF SECTION FOR SPECIAL NOTE

// SPECIAL NOTE: THE FOLLOWING SECTION WAS ADDED BY CHAPTER 340 OF 2005 AND WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2008 //

      Beginning July 1, 2006, the Department, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, shall:

            (1)      Collect baseline data on participating providers':

                  (i)      Screening practices and procedures for identifying autism spectrum disorders; and

                  (ii)      Referral practices when an autism spectrum disorder is identified;

            (2)      Prior to conducting the training required under item (3) of this section, test participating providers' knowledge of:

                  (i)      Screening practices and procedures for identifying autism spectrum disorders; and

                  (ii)      Early indicators of autism spectrum disorders;

            (3)      (i)      1.      Coordinate with the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Center for Autism and Related Disorders to train participating providers on screening practices for autism spectrum disorders, including the use of screening instruments; and

                        2.      Train participating providers on referral practices when an autism spectrum disorder is identified; and

                  (ii)      Ensure that participating providers receive monetary compensation or continuing medical education credit for the training;

            (4)      After conducting the training required under item (3) of this section, retest participating providers' knowledge of:

                  (i)      Screening practices and procedures for identifying autism spectrum disorders; and

                  (ii)      Early indicators of autism spectrum disorders;

            (5)      Compare and analyze the results of the tests conducted under items (1) and (4) of this section;

            (6)      Establish the use of autism spectrum disorders screening instruments in participating providers' health care practices;

            (7)      After training participating providers and establishing the use of screening instruments:

                  (i)      Collect data at regular intervals on participating providers' screening practices; and

                  (ii)      Use the data to analyze participating providers' use of screening instruments before and after receiving training; and

            (8)      Collect information on the efficacy of autism spectrum disorders screening instruments.