Legislation mandating insurers to cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder in children ages 2 to 6 has passed the Virginia Senate and will move to the House of Delegates.

By a 27-13 vote late Feb. 16, the bill sponsored by Sen. Janet D. Howell (D-32nd District) passed, sending it to the House for consideration. A similar piece of legislation (HB 303), introduced by Del. John M. O’Bannon (R-73rd District), died on a tie vote in committee. If the House does approve the measure, it would head to Gov. Bob McDonnell for his signature necessary for it to become law.

The proposed legislation would require health insurers, health care subscription plans and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.  According to the text of the bill approved by the committee, coverage would be offered for children ages 2 to 6, with a maximum annual benefit of $35,000, unless the insurer elects to provide coverage in a greater amount.

The mandate would not apply to individual or small-group policies, contracts or plans and the state employees’ health insurance plan would not need to follow the rule until July 1, 2015, because of the multi-billion dollar budget shortfall in the state.