Profound Autism Day in SC

2025-2026 Bill 5314: Profound Autism Day in SC - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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H. 5314
STATUS INFORMATION
House Resolution
Sponsors: Reps. Moss, Alexander, Anderson, Atkinson, Bailey, Ballentine, Bamberg, Bannister, Bauer, Beach, Bernstein, Bowers, Bradley, Brewer, Brittain, Burns, Bustos, Calhoon, Caskey, Chapman, Chumley, Clyburn, Cobb-Hunter, Collins, Cox, Crawford, Cromer, Davis, Dillard, Duncan, Edgerton, Erickson, Ford, Forrest, Frank, Gagnon, Garvin, Gatch, Gibson, Gilliam, Gilliard, Gilreath, Govan, Grant, Guest, Guffey, Haddon, Hager, Hardee, Harris, Hart, Hartnett, Hartz, Hayes, Henderson-Myers, Herbkersman, Hewitt, Hiott, Hixon, Holman, Hosey, Howard, Huff, J.E. Johnson, J.L. Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kilmartin, King, Kirby, Landing, Lastinger, Lawson, Ligon, Long, Lowe, Luck, Magnuson, Martin, McCabe, McCravy, McDaniel, McGinnis, C. Mitchell, D. Mitchell, Montgomery, J. Moore, T. Moore, Morgan, Neese, B. Newton, W. Newton, Oremus, Pace, Pedalino, Pope, Rankin, Reese, Rivers, Robbins, Rose, Rutherford, Sanders, Schuessler, Scott, Sessions, G.M. Smith, M.M. Smith, Spann-Wilder, Stavrinakis, Taylor, Teeple, Terribile, Vaughan, Waters, Weeks, Wetmore, White, Whitmire, Wickensimer, Williams, Willis, Wooten and Yow
Document Path: LC-0335HA-JAH26.docx
Introduced in the House on March 4, 2026
Adopted by the House on March 4, 2026
Summary: Profound Autism Day in SC
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

3/4/2026

House

Introduced and adopted (
House Journal-page 84
)

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
03/04/2026

A
house
RESOLUTION

to declare March 17, 2026, as profound Austism Day
in south carolina.

W
hereas, the members of
the South Carolina House of Representatives recognize March 17, 2026, as
Profound Autism Day in South Carolina and seek to raise awareness and promote
understanding of profound autism; and

W
hereas, the definition
of autism has evolved over time, resulting in an increasingly broad and diverse
spectrum. While the entire autism spectrum warrants recognition and support,
the term "profound autism" provides important clarification regarding
individuals who require continuous, lifelong care from an adult caregiver.
Individuals with profound autism may also have severe intellectual disabilities
or minimal to no functional language. Due to the complexity of their needs,
they are often underrepresented in research initiatives and underserved by
existing support programs; and

W
hereas, in April 2023,
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its first prevalence
study addressing profound autism. The study found that 26.7% percent of
eight-year-old children diagnosed with autism in the United States meet the
criteria for profound autism, approximately one in four children with autism.
The research further indicated that children with profound autism are more
likely to be female; to come from racial and ethnic minority communities; to be
of lower socioeconomic status; to have been born preterm or at low birth weight;
to experience self-injurious behaviors or seizure disorders; and to demonstrate
lower adaptive functioning scores; and

W
hereas, individuals
with profound autism and their caregivers are valued members of our
communities, yet many experience isolation and significant challenges in
accessing appropriate care and support. Meaningful inclusion and thoughtful
recognition of their distinct and complex needs are essential. Now, therefore,

B
e it resolved by the
House of Representatives
:

T
hat the members of the
South Carolina
House of Representatives
,
by this resolution, declare March 17, 2026, as Profound Autism Day in South
Carolina.

This web page was last updated on March 4, 2026 at 5:26 PM