(a) The department, in consultation with the Department of Insurance, shall convene an Autism Advisory Task Force by February 1, 2012, in collaboration with other agencies, departments, advocates, autism experts, health plan and health insurer representatives, and other entities and stakeholders that it deems appropriate. The Autism Advisory Task Force shall develop recommendations regarding behavioral health treatment that is medically necessary for the treatment of individuals with autism or pervasive developmental disorder. The Autism Advisory Task Force shall address all of the following:

(1) Interventions that have been scientifically validated and have demonstrated clinical efficacy.

(2) Interventions that have measurable treatment outcomes.

(3) Patient selection, monitoring, and duration of therapy.

(4) Qualifications, training, and supervision of providers.

(5) Adequate networks of providers.

(b) The Autism Advisory Task Force shall also develop recommendations regarding the education, training, and experience requirements that unlicensed individuals providing autism services shall meet in order to secure a license from the state.

(c) The department shall submit a report of the Autism Advisory Task Force to the Governor, the President pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the Senate and Assembly Committees on Health by December 31, 2012, on which date the task force shall cease to exist.

(Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 162, Sec. 82. (SB 1171) Effective January 1, 2013.)