Sec. 1. Developmental disabilities and autism services plan. The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services; the Department of Education; the Department of Corrections; and the Department of Human Services shall work together to plan for the delivery of comprehensive developmental disabilities and autism services to families of the State. The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, referred to in this section as the "department," is designated the lead agency in this initiative.

1. Identification of children and families in need of services. The department shall work with other state agencies, statewide advocacy organizations, consumers of state services and their families, professionals working in the fields of developmental disabilities and autism and provider agencies to improve the identification of children and families in need of services. The department shall develop a definition for use in all settings, departments and agencies.

2. Identification of services needed. The department shall work with the entities listed in this section to identify the services needed by children and families, to project those needs 6 years into the future and to inventory the services that are currently available across the State.

3. Plan for development of services. The department shall use the list of unmet needs to draft a plan for the development of and payment for services. The plan must be based on delivery of services to all children and families. The plan must specify the responsibility of each state department as to the unmet needs and must identify any actions required for each to fulfill its responsibilities. The plan must address resource development and training and staff development within state departments and at community agencies and among providers of services. The plan must address cost savings from coordination among departments and maximization of federal funds.

4. Report. By February 1, 2002, the department shall provide a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services on the work under this section, including the plan for the development of and payment for services, and any necessary legislation. The committee may report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 120th Legislature regarding comprehensive developmental disabilities and autism services for children and families.