HJR 137

HJR137 ENROLLED
1 HJR137
2 BY17N4Q-2
3 By Representative Clarke
4 RFD: Rules
5 First Read: 17-Feb-26
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1 Enrolled, An Act,
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3 RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE OBSERVANCE OF PROFOUND AUTISM
4 DAY.
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6WHEREAS, the definition of autism has evolved over
7 time, resulting in an increasingly heterogeneous spectrum of
8 abilities, needs, and life experiences; and
9WHEREAS, while the entire autism spectrum deserves
10 recognition, understanding, and support, the term profound
11 autism is intended to provide clarity regarding individuals
12 who require 24-hour care from an adult caregiver throughout
13 their lives; and
14WHEREAS, individuals with profound autism may also
15 have a severe intellectual disability and may have minimal
16 or no functional language, creating distinct and complex
17 support needs; and
18WHEREAS, due to these unique challenges, individuals
19 with profound autism are frequently excluded from research
20 initiatives, services, and support programs that are not
21 adequately designed to meet their level of need; and
22WHEREAS, in April 2023, the Centers for Disease
23 Control and Prevention released its first prevalence study
24 on profound autism, concluding that 26.7 percent of children
25 eight years of age with autism in the United States meet the
26 criteria for profound autism, meaning that approximately one
27 in four children with autism are profoundly affected; and
28WHEREAS, the study further found that, compared to
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29 children with non-profound autism, children with profound
30 autism were more likely to be female; to come from racial
31 and ethnic minority groups; to experience low socioeconomic
32 status; to be born prematurely or with low birth weight; to
33 exhibit self-injurious behaviors; to have seizure disorders;
34 and to have significantly lower adaptive functioning scores;
35 and
36WHEREAS, individuals with profound autism and the
37 families and caregivers who support them live in our
38 communities, often in isolation, and require meaningful
39 inclusion, understanding, and sustained support; and
40WHEREAS, specific recognition of the unique
41 challenges faced by individuals with profound autism is
42 critical to ensuring equitable access to care, research,
43 education, and community-based services; now therefore,
44BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
45 HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the Profound Autism Alliance
46 is honored and commended on the observance of Profound
47 Autism Day on March 17, 2026, and this resolution is offered
48 in highest tribute to those whose dedicated efforts promote
49 dignity, inclusion, and meaningful support for individuals
50 living with profound autism.
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61________________________________________________
62Speaker of the House of Representatives
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66________________________________________________
67President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
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70House of Representatives
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72I hereby certify that the within Act originated in
73 and was passed by the House 24-Feb-26.
74
75John Treadwell
76Clerk
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82 Senate  25-Feb-26  Adopted
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