Senate Bill 1232, which would reconstitute the existing autism advisory council as a permanent Autism Commission with authority to hire full-time staff, was reported by the Senate Rules Committee and re-referred to the Senate Finance Committee after a unanimous electronic vote.

The bill sponsor, Senator Aaron Ayer, presented the measure as a response to recommendations from the Behavioral Health Commission and the current autism advisory council, which voted unanimously on Dec. 18 to seek a new, staffed commission. "The advisory council should become a commission ... to allow for an ongoing and robust examination of how we can best as a Commonwealth deliver services to the autism community," Ayer said.

The bill drew several minutes of public testimony. Randy Pearson of 2 Capitalist Consulting spoke for the Virginia Autism Foundation in support. Kate Fletcher of Midlothian, a parent of three children with autism, said families need more access to supports: "Please make it enough." Anne Flippen, executive director of the Autism Society of Central Virginia, described herself as a sibling of a young man with autism and said her organization "strongly support[s] this bill." Brian McCann, president and CEO of the Faison Center, and other advocates described services across the life span and backed the change.

Supporters told the committee the current council is scheduled to expire in 2027 and that converting it to a commission would permit hiring dedicated staff including an executive director to coordinate services, policy review and implementation. Teresa Champion of the Virginia Autism Project said the commission "needs the staff to do the work that the legislature is sending to them and no one else is doing about autism." Melissa Chabot, a special educator and researcher, urged attention to adult employment supports and workplace training.

Committee members questioned sponsors about cost and budgeting. Senator Ayer acknowledged there will be a fiscal impact for commission staff but did not provide a detailed appropriation during the hearing; in committee discussion, members recorded that a budget amendment had been included. Senator Ayer then moved that the bill be reported and re-referred to Finance; the motion carried on an electronic vote recorded as Ayes 15, No 0.

Action on SB 1232 now awaits Senate Finance Committee review and any budget language that committee may require.

Votes at the committee: Moved and seconded that Senate Bill 1232 be reported and re-referred to Finance. Vote: Ayes 15, No 0.