---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 284g"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "284g"
heading: "Expansion, intensification, and coordination of activities of National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/284g"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter III — National Research Institutes"
  - "Part B — General Provisions Respecting National Research Institutes"
---

# §284g. Expansion, intensification, and coordination of activities of National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder

- (a) **In general—**
  - (1) **Expansion of activities—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of NIH (in this section referred to as the “[Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5)”), in consultation with relevant Federal departments and [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), as appropriate, shall—
    - (A) subject to the availability of appropriations, expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder, including basic and [clinical research](/usc/42/284d.md?p=b)—
      - (i) in fields, such as pathology, developmental neurobiology, genetics, epigenetics, pharmacology, nutrition, immunology, neuroimmunology, neurobehavioral development, endocrinology, gastroenterology, toxicology, psychiatry, psychology, developmental behavioral pediatrics, audiology, and gerontology; and
      - (ii) on interventions to maximize outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder; and
    - (B) ensure that research referred to in [subparagraph (A)](#a-1-A)—
      - (i) investigates the causes (including possible environmental causes), diagnosis or ruling out, early and ongoing detection, prevention, [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) and supports across the lifespan, intervention, and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) of autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring conditions, including dissemination and implementation of clinical care, supports, interventions, and [treatments](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11);
      - (ii) examines supports for caregivers; and
      - (iii) reflects the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including those individuals with co-occurring conditions and the full range of needs for supports and [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a), including such supports and [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) to ensure the safety, and promote the well-being, of such individuals.
  - (2) **Consolidation—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) may consolidate [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) activities under this section if such consolidation would improve [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) efficiencies and outcomes.
  - (3) **Administration of program; collaboration among agencies—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) shall carry out this section acting through the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the National Institute of Mental Health and in collaboration with any other [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) that the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) determines appropriate.
- (b) **Centers of excellence—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) shall under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) make awards of grants and contracts to public or [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) private entities to pay all or part of the cost of planning, establishing, improving, and providing basic operating support for centers of excellence regarding research on autism spectrum disorder.
  - (2) **Research—** Each center under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall conduct basic and [clinical research](/usc/42/284d.md?p=b) into autism spectrum disorder. Such research should include investigations into the causes, diagnosis, early and ongoing detection, prevention, and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) of autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan. The centers, as a group, shall conduct research in fields such as developmental neurobiology, genetics, genomics, psychopharmacology, developmental psychology, behavioral psychology, clinical psychology, and gerontology.
  - (3) **Services for patients—**
    - (A) **In general—** A center under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) may expend amounts provided under such paragraph to carry out a [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to make individuals aware of opportunities to participate as subjects in research conducted by the centers.
    - (B) **Referrals and costs—** A [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under [subparagraph (A)](#b-3-A) may, in accordance with such criteria as the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) may establish, provide to the subjects described in such subparagraph, referrals for health and other [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a), and such patient care costs as are required for research.
    - (C) **Availability and access—** The extent to which a center can demonstrate availability and access to clinical [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) shall be considered by the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) in decisions about awarding grants to applicants which meet the scientific criteria for funding under this section.
    - (D) **Reducing disparities—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) may consider, as appropriate, the extent to which a center can demonstrate availability and access to clinical [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) for youth and adults from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, or linguistic backgrounds in decisions about awarding grants to applicants which meet the scientific criteria for funding under this section.
  - (4) **Organization of centers—** Each center under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) shall use the facilities of a single institution, or be formed from a [consortium](/usc/42/17061.md?p=4) of cooperating institutions, meeting such requirements as may be prescribed by the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5).
  - (5) **Number of centers; duration of support—**
    - (A) **In general—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) shall provide for the establishment of not less than seven centers under [paragraph (1)](#b-1).
    - (B) **Duration—** Support for a center established under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) may be provided under this section for a period not to exceed 5 years. Such period may be extended for one or more additional periods not exceeding 5 years if the operations of such center have been reviewed by an appropriate technical and scientific peer review group established by the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) and if such group has recommended to the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) that such period should be extended.
- (c) **Facilitation of research—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) shall under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) provide for a [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under which samples of tissues and genetic materials that are of use in research on autism spectrum disorder are donated, collected, preserved, and made available for such research. The [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) shall be carried out in accordance with accepted scientific and medical standards for the donation, collection, and preservation of such samples.
- (d) **Public input—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) shall under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) provide for means through which the public can obtain information on the existing and planned [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) and activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to autism spectrum disorder and through which the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) can receive comments from the public regarding such [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) and activities.
  - (2) **Guidance—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) may provide guidance to centers under [subsection (b)(1)](#b-1) on strategies, activities, and opportunities to promote engagement with, and solicit input from, individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their [family members](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-15), guardians, advocates or authorized representatives, [providers](/usc/42/299b–21.md?p=8), or other appropriate individuals to inform the activities of the center. Such strategies, activities, and opportunities should consider including, as appropriate, individuals, [family members](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-15), and caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorder who represent the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including those individuals with co-occurring conditions and the full range of needs for supports and [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a), including such supports and [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) to ensure the safety, and promote the well-being, of such individuals, to inform the activities of the center.
- (e) **Budget estimate—** For each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029, the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) shall prepare and submit, directly to the President for review and transmittal to Congress, an annual budget estimate for the initiatives of the National Institutes of Health pursuant to the strategic plan developed under [section 280i–2(b)(5) of this title](/usc/42/280i–2.md?p=b-5) and updated under [section 280i–2(b)(6)(B) of this title](/usc/42/280i–2.md?p=b-6-B), after reasonable opportunity for comment (but without change) by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee established under [section 280i–2 of this title](/usc/42/280i–2.md).

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IV, § 409C, as added Pub. L. 106–310, div. A, title I, § 101, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1105; amended Pub. L. 109–416, §§ 2(a), 4(b), Dec. 19, 2006, 120 Stat. 2821, 2830; Pub. L. 109–482, title I, §§ 103(b)(9), 104(b)(1)(D), Jan. 15, 2007, 120 Stat. 3687, 3693; Pub. L. 116–60, § 2, Sept. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 1110; Pub. L. 118–180, § 2, Dec. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 2614.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Another section 409C of act July 1, 1944, was renumbered section 409G and is classified to section 284k of this title.

### Amendments

2024—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 118–180, § 2(a), made numerous amendments to text and structure of par. (1). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Director of NIH (in this section referred to as the “Director”) shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder, including basic and clinical research in fields including pathology, developmental neurobiology, genetics, epigenetics, pharmacology, nutrition, immunology, neuroimmunology, neurobehavioral development, endocrinology, gastroenterology, toxicology, and interventions to maximize outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Such research shall investigate the causes (including possible environmental causes), diagnosis or ruling out, early and ongoing detection, prevention, services across the lifespan, supports, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including dissemination and implementation of clinical care, supports, interventions, and treatments.”

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 118–180, § 2(b)(1), substituted “in fields such as” for “including the fields of” and “behavioral psychology, clinical psychology, and gerontology” for “behavioral psychology, and clinical psychology”.

Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 118–180, § 2(b)(2), substituted “seven centers” for “five centers”.

Subsec. (b)(5)(B). Pub. L. 118–180, § 2(b)(3), substituted “period not to exceed” for “period of not to exceed”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 118–180, § 2(c), amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Director shall under subsection (a)(1) provide for means through which the public can obtain information on the existing and planned programs and activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to autism spectrum disorder and through which the Director can receive comments from the public regarding such programs and activities.”

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 118–180, § 2(d), added subsec. (e).

2019—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 116–60, § 2(1), substituted “toxicology, and interventions to maximize outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder” for “and toxicology” and “Such research shall investigate the causes (including possible environmental causes), diagnosis or ruling out, early and ongoing detection, prevention, services across the lifespan, supports, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder, including dissemination and implementation of clinical care, supports, interventions, and treatments.” for “Such research shall investigate the cause (including possible environmental causes), diagnosis or rule out, early detection, prevention, services, supports, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.”

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–60, § 2(2)(A), substituted “causes, diagnosis, early and ongoing detection, prevention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan” for “cause, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, control, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder” and “neurobiology, genetics, genomics, psychopharmacology, developmental psychology, behavioral psychology, and clinical psychology.” for “neurobiology, genetics, and psychopharmacology.”

Subsec. (b)(3)(D). Pub. L. 116–60, § 2(2)(B), added subpar. (D).

2007—Subsec. (b)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 109–482, § 104(b)(1)(D), redesignated pars. (5) and (6) as (4) and (5), respectively, and struck out heading and text of former par. (4). Text read as follows: “The Director shall, as appropriate, provide for the coordination of information among centers under paragraph (1) and ensure regular communication between such centers, and may require the periodic preparation of reports on the activities of the centers and the submission of the reports to the Director.”

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–482, § 103(b)(9), which directed the striking of subsec. (e), could not be executed because of prior amendment by Pub. L. 109–416. See 2006 Amendment note below.

2006—Pub. L. 109–416, § 2(a)(1), substituted “autism spectrum disorder” for “autism” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–416, § 2(a)(3), added pars. (1) and (2), redesignated former par. (2) as (3), and struck out heading and text of former par. (1). Text read as follows: “The Director of NIH (in this section referred to as the ‘Director’) shall expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism.”

Subsec. (b)(1), (2). Pub. L. 109–416, § 2(a)(2), substituted “autism spectrum disorder” for “autism” in par. (1) and in two places in par. (2).

Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 109–416, § 2(a)(2), substituted “autism spectrum disorder” for “autism”.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–416, § 4(b), struck out heading and text of subsec. (e). Text read as follows: “There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section. Amounts appropriated under this subsection are in addition to any other amounts appropriated for such purpose.”

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2007 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–482 applicable only with respect to amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2007 or subsequent fiscal years, see section 109 of Pub. L. 109–482, set out as a note under section 281 of this title.