SACRAMENTO – A bill to extend the sunset of a California law that requires private insurance health plans to cover behavioral health treatment was approved by the California Senate on Friday on a unanimous and bipartisan vote of 38-0.

Senate Bill 126, authored by Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), now heads to the governor for his consideration.

“This unanimous endorsement of California’s landmark legislation for autism provides much needed continuity for the progress that began with the original bill in 2011,” said Steinberg. “Many families still struggle to locate and afford these needed services for their loved ones and I will continue my work to improve the lives of those impacted by autism in the Golden State.”

Senate Bill 126 builds on the success of Sen. Steinberg’s Senate Bill 946, a 2011 law that requires health care service plans and health insurers to provide behavioral health treatment coverage for pervasive developmental disorder and autism. SB126 extends that bill’s sunset date to January 1, 2017.

Since the introduction of California’s autism insurance mandate on July 1, 2012, the Department of Insurance estimates that over 12,500 Californians are receiving early autism treatment under this provision; with an estimated taxpayer savings of up to $200 million dollars annually.

Autism is the most rapidly growing serious developmental disability and is estimated to occur in approximately one in every 50 children in the United States.

Autism occurs more often than childhood cancer, pediatric HIV infections, and juvenile diabetes combined.

Scientists and researchers have established that early behavioral intervention therapy ASD/PPD not only improves brain function but also increases speech and language; promotes a higher IQ and cognitive function, and reduces self-injurious behaviors for a significant number of individuals with these disorders.

SB 126 is supported by Autism Speaks, the Association of Regional Center Agencies, and the Alliance of California Autism Organizations.