42 U.S.C. § 280i — Developmental disabilities surveillance and research program

The Secretary^*, acting through the Director^* of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may award grants or cooperative agreements to eligible entities for the collection, analysis, and reporting of State epidemiological data for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. An eligible entity shall assist with the development and coordination of State autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disability surveillance efforts within a region. In making such awards, the Secretary may provide direct technical assistance in lieu of cash.

In submitting epidemiological data to the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1), an eligible entity shall report data according to guidelines prescribed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, after consultation with relevant State, local, and Tribal public health officials, private sector developmental disability researchers, and advocates for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities.

To be eligible to receive an award under paragraph (1), an entity shall be a public or nonprofit private entity (including a health department of a State or a political subdivision of a State, a university, any other educational institution, an Indian Tribe, or a Tribal organization), and submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, award grants or cooperative agreements for the establishment or support of regional centers of excellence in autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities epidemiology for the purpose of collecting and analyzing information on the number, incidence, correlates, and causes of autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities for children and adults across the lifespan.

To be eligible to receive a grant or cooperative agreement under paragraph (1), an entity shall submit to the Secretary an application containing such agreements and information as the Secretary may require, including an agreement that the center to be established or supported under the grant or cooperative agreement shall operate in accordance with the following:

The terms “Indian Tribe” and “Tribal organization” have the meanings given such terms in section 1603 of title 25.

The term “other developmental disabilities” has the meaning given the term “developmental disability” in section 15002(8) of this title.

The term “State” means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.