BILL NO. 282
(as introduced)
1st Session, 64th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
1 Charles III, 2023
Private Member's Bill
Autism Strategy Act
Lisa Lachance
Halifax Citadel–Sable Island
First Reading: March 29, 2023
Second Reading:
Third Reading:
An Act to Create an Autism Strategy
WHEREAS in Nova Scotia there are significant gaps in supports for families and individuals living with autism spectrum disorder;
AND WHEREAS people are struggling to access mental health support and there are barriers to health-care delivery, gaps in the education system, shortage in funding for family respite, lack of transition to employment programs and supports and limited residential supports;
AND WHEREAS according to Autism Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia has the highest autism prevalence for five-year olds in the country, at the rate of one in 34;
AND WHEREAS there is a need for government support in the areas of intervention and support services for families with preschool and school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder;
AND WHEREAS there is a need for government support for adults with autism spectrum disorder and their families, including providing skills training and awareness and partnerships to support programming and services;
AND WHEREAS the federal government is preparing to introduce a National Autism Strategy in the coming months;
THEREFORE be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as the Autism Strategy Act.
2 (1) The Government shall develop an autism strategy in accordance with this Section.
(2) The Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Minister of Community Services, the Minister of Health and Wellness and the Minister responsible for the Office of Addictions and Mental Health shall lead the development of the strategy.
(3) The government shall consult with people with autism, families of people with autism, caregivers, advocates and stakeholder organizations in developing the strategy.
(4) The government shall conduct a public consultation in developing the strategy.
(5) The strategy must include consideration of
(a) access to health and mental health supports;
(b) supports in the education system;
(c) a transitioning out of school to employment program;
(d) family respite supports; and
(6) The strategy must be completed no later than March 31, 2024.
3 The government shall report annually on its progress in implementing the strategy.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2023 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created March 29, 2023. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
