For contracted support services for families of children with autism through the autism division at the department of developmental services; provided, that the department shall expend not less than $5,500,000 to provide services under the children's autism spectrum disorder waiver under section 1915 of the Social Security Act; provided further, that the waiver shall include children with autism spectrum disorder ages 0 to 8, inclusive, including children with autism spectrum disorder ages 0 to 3, inclusive, who are receiving services through the department of public health's early intervention program; provided further, that the department of developmental services shall take all steps necessary to ensure that the waiver program is fully enrolled and that eligible children with autism immediately begin to receive services under said waiver; provided further, that the department shall immediately file any waiver amendment that may be necessary with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to comply with the requirements of this item; provided further, that not later than January 16, 2026, the department shall submit a report to the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on education and the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities on: (i) the number of contracted support services provided for families with children with autism under this item; (ii) the costs associated with such services; (iii) the services provided by the children's autism spectrum disorder waiver, with information regarding the number of children enrolled in the waiver and receiving services; (iv) the linguistic and cultural diversity, age, gender and geographic representation of the applicants and the children enrolled in the program; (v) the department's plans to continue to assess the demand for waiver services; (vi) any plans by the executive office of health and human services to expand the waiver for children on the autism spectrum of all ages in the future; and (vii) other information determined to be relevant by the department; and provided further, that the department shall submit copies of amended waivers to the house and senate committees on ways and means, the joint committee on education and the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities upon submission of the amendment
