Interim Welsh Conservative Leader Paul Davies AM has formally laid his Autism (Wales) Bill before the National Assembly.
Following the summer recess, the bill will be scrutinised by Health and Social Care Committee.
The proposed bill will:
- Introduce a strategy for meeting the needs of children and adults in Wales with autistic spectrum disorder conditions
- Ensure a clear pathway to diagnosis of autism in local areas
- Ensure that local authorities and Health Boards understand and take necessary action so that children and adults with autism get the timely support they need
- Establish a register of autistic children and adults so that local areas can plan accordingly
- Regularly review the strategy and guidance to ensure progress
The Welsh Government has proven reluctant to support the Bill despite the 34,000-strong autistic community in Wales expressing their support for the proposal.
Mr Davies said:
“There is overwhelming support for primary legislation and I sincerely hope the Welsh Government will be open minded and support this Bill.
“The introduction of primary legislation would ensure that services for both children and adults are put on a statutory footing, which is desperately needed to address some of the many hurdles faced by the Welsh autism community.
“Similar laws exist in other parts of the UK – and it’s time for the same rights to be extended to people with autism in Wales.
“Such a bill could ensure that there are clear pathways to diagnosis and help staff dealing with people with autism get the training they need, so I hope members from all political parties will back the Bill.
“This is a significant opportunity for the National Assembly to introduce a bespoke piece of legislation which will have a profoundly positive influence on the autism community in Wales.”