(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Autism spectrum disorder" means a neurobiological condition that causes significant communication, social, and behavioral challenges that is diagnosed by a team of professionals, including without limitation a licensed physician, licensed psychologist, and a licensed speech-language pathologist;

(2) "Evidence-based strategies" mean treatments that have been proven effective with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as established by the National Standards Report by the National Autism Center; and

(3) "Intensive early intervention treatment" means individualized treatment utilizing evidence-based strategies based on a detailed assessment of the child that occurs:

(A) In the home of the child;

(B) In the presence of the parent or legal guardian of the child; and

(C) For a maximum period of twenty-five (25) hours per week.

(b)

(1) The Department of Human Services shall seek a Medicaid waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to provide intensive early intervention treatment to any eligible child who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

(2)

(A) The waiver shall be for children eighteen (18) months of age through seven (7) years of age.

(B) A child shall not participate in the Medicaid waiver under this section for more than three (3) years.

(C) The Medicaid waiver under this section shall not pay more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) annually per child.

(3) The waiver shall seek to develop skills of children in the areas of cognition, behavior, communication, and social interaction.

(c)

(1) The department shall apply for the Medicaid waiver under this section only as funding becomes available for that purpose.

(2) No later than January 1, 2016, the department shall apply to add an additional fifty (50) eligibility slots to the Medicaid waiver for autism, to the extent that appropriation and funding are available.