Skip to main content
S 706 111th Congress Senate Health Education programs funding Employment and training programs Health programs administration and funding Housing and community development funding Housing for the elderly and disabled Neurological disorders

Helping HANDS for Autism Act of 2009

Introduced: March 25, 2009 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 25, 2009
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mar 25, 2009
Introduced in Senate
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Helping Housing, Awareness, and Navigation Demonstration Services for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders Act of 2009 or the Helping HANDS for Autism Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a demonstration program to award grants to eligible entities to develop an autism navigator program to create a more efficient, effective, coordinated use of the health, housing, education, and social service systems for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder.

Directs the Secretary to determine the functions of autism navigators, which may include: (1) case management and psychosocial assessment and care; (2) notifying individuals of autism clinical trials; (3) helping individuals overcome barriers in accessing and securing appropriate services in a timely manner; and (4) coordinating with relevant departments providing services to individuals with an autism spectrum disorder and their families.

Requires a navigator program to provide centralized access for individuals with an autism spectrum disorder to multiple federal and state activities and programs related to autism spectrum disorders.

Requires grantees to collect autism data and ensure confidentiality.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) disseminate a standard curriculum for training first responders in assisting individuals with autism and other cognitive behavioral disabilities and their families during emergencies; and (2) award grants to states and local governments for such training.

Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide for a program for adults with autism spectrum disorder with the goal of providing individualized housing and services.

What's happening now March 25, 2009

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 706: Helping HANDS for Autism Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-706/
MLA
"S. 706: Helping HANDS for Autism Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-706/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 706, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-706/.
Markdown link
[S. 706: Helping HANDS for Autism Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-706/)
Report a problem