114 STAT. 1108 PUBLIC LAW 106-310—OCT. 17, 2000 to the Secretary an application containing such agreements and information as the Secretary may require, including an agreement that the center involved will operate in accordance with the following: (A) The center will collect, analyze, and report autism and pervasive developmental disabilities data according to guidelines prescribed by the Director, after consultation with relevant State and local public health officials, private sector developmental disability researchers, and advocates for those with developmental disabilities. (B) The center will assist with the development and coordination of State autism and pervasive developmental disabilities surveillance efforts within a region. (C) The center will identify eligible cases and controls through its surveillance systems and conduct research into factors which may cause autism and related developmental disabilities. (D) The center will develop or extend an area of special research expertise (including genetics, environmental exposure to contaminants, immunology, and other relevant research specialty areas). (c) CLEARINGHOUSE.— The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall carry out the following: ^ (1) The Secretary shall establish a clearinghouse within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the collection and storage of data generated from the monitoring programs established by this title. Through the clearinghouse, such Centers shall serve as the coordinating agency for autism and pervasive developmental disabilities surveillance activities. The functions of such a clearinghouse shall include facilitating the coordination of research and policy development relating to the epidemiology of autism and other pervasive developmental disabilities. (2) The Secretary shall coordinate the Federal response to requests for assistance from State health department officials regarding potential or alleged autism or developmental disability clusters. (d) DEFINITION.—In this title, the term "State" means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. (e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. — There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. 42 USC 247b--lc. SEC. 103, INFORMATION AND EDUCATION. (a) IN GENERAL. — The Secretary shall establish and implement a program to provide information and education on autism to health professionals and the general public, including information and education on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of autism and training and continuing education through programs for scientists, physicians, and other health professionals who provide care for patients with autism.
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