H.R.2421: Combating Autism Act of 2005

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 18, 2005

Combating Autism Act of 2005 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish: (1) a program to provide information and education on autism and its risk factors to health professionals and the general public; and (2) the Autism Coordinating Committee to coordinate autism related activities within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to award grants or cooperative agreements to develop statewide autism screening, diagnosis, and intervention programs and systems.

Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to award grants or cooperative agreements to provide technical assistance to state agencies to conduct applied autism research.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Bono, Mary [R-CA-45] · R–CA

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

247 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jun 3, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
May 18, 2005
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
May 18, 2005
Introduced in House
May 18, 2005
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · May 18, 2005 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

S 843 · Combating Autism Act of 2006

Source last updated: Aug 15, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2421 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.2421, 109th Congress: Combating Autism Act of 2005

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/2421

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-05-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr2421/BILLS-109hr2421ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:56:53Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.2421 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2421 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2421, 109th Congress: Combating Autism Act of 2005

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/2421

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-05-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr2421/BILLS-109hr2421ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:56:53Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2421 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2421 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2421, 109th Congress: Combating Autism Act of 2005

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/2421

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-05-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr2421/BILLS-109hr2421ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:56:53Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2421 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2421 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.2421, 109th Congress: Combating Autism Act of 2005

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/2421

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-05-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr2421/BILLS-109hr2421ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T17:56:53Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.2421 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.