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Senate adopts SCR 44 recognizing World Autism Awareness Day and urges action on services
Summary
The Senate unanimously adopted SCR 44, designating April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day in California. Sponsors and supporters used the floor to urge expanded services and protections for people with autism, raising concerns about federal program cuts and uneven regional services.
Senator Valadares introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 44 on April 1, 2025, asking colleagues to commemorate April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day and to recognize the needs of Californians with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). "ASD continues to be one of the most common developmental disabilities affecting people in California," Valadares said, noting personal experience: "For me, it's also personal. My niece was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2."
Nut graf: The resolution passed on the Senate floor and was presented as both a day of recognition and a call to legislative attention for services, education access, and workplace inclusion for people with autism. Supporters emphasized gaps in services, disparities in regional access, and the risk of harm from federal funding cuts.
Floor discussion: Senator Mangavar (remarks on personal connection and regional disparities) and Senator Weiner (warning about federal cuts) supported the resolution. Mangavar recounted local struggles with regional center services and said services are "predominantly given to white parents and not parents of color," urging more investment in services and transportation to day programs. Weiner warned that reductions to Medicaid, the Department of Education, or Social Security would "harm folks with autism dramatically" and urged protecting those programs.
Formal action: The resolution was adopted on a recorded roll call (the transcript records an affirmative vote; the floor reported the resolution adopted). The text of SCR 44 recognizes April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day and calls attention to educational, health and employment barriers facing autistic Californians. The Senate record on the floor includes two numeric references cited by the sponsor: Valadares said "4 in 100 boys and 1 in 100 girls are identified with ASD," and later a floor speaker said "Only 21 percent of people with disabilities... are securing job opportunities." The resolution itself is symbolic and calls for awareness and policy attention; the floor debate highlighted priorities for expanded services and protection of federal supports.
Ending: With SCR 44 adopted, members said they will continue pursuing policy and budget actions to improve service access. The resolution does not by itself appropriate funds or change eligibility for programs; subsequent legislative or budget actions would be required to effect those changes.
