The Autism Management Bill, 2025
Status Timeline
Proposed
Active now
Public Review
Pending
Debate
Pending
Executive
Pending
Final
Pending
Establishment of National and County Diagnostic Centers
The Bill mandates the National Government to establish National Diagnostic Centers in all existing referral hospitals. It also requires County Governments to establish County Diagnostic Centers in all existing county level 4 and 5 hospitals to facilitate early detection and management of autism.
Creation of Dedicated Autism Units and Databases
Requires the Cabinet Secretary and County Executive Committee members to establish dedicated autism units within their health departments. These units will collect and collate local prevalence data to maintain synchronized national and county databases for planning purposes.
Mandatory Budget Allocations
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and County Executive Committee members must set aside specific funding allocations from their respective national and county health budgets to support screening programs, diagnostic infrastructure, professional training, and public awareness.
Integration of Autism Training in School Curriculums
Obligates the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD), under Cap 211A, to integrate autism awareness into both pre-service and in-service teacher training, and to develop specialized syllabuses to ensure autism care is taught at all educational levels.
Bill No.
Senate Bills No. 19
Gazette No.
Supplement No. 163
Sponsor
Karen Nyamu
Background
The Autism Management Bill, 2025 is anchored in Article 43(1)(a) of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees every individual the right to the highest attainable standard of health. Drawing on data from the National Council for Persons with Disability (2024), the Bill seeks to address severe gaps in autism awareness, diagnosis, and support systems in Kenya, where challenges such as late diagnoses, limited specialized education, and a shortage of trained professionals persist.
Key Provisions
- National and County Diagnostic Centers: Mandates the establishment of dedicated diagnostic centers within all national referral hospitals and county level 4 and 5 hospitals to enable early screening and detection.
- Autism Units: Establishes specialized autism units under the Ministry of Health and county public health departments. These units are responsible for collecting data, updating the national database, and coordinating support programs.
- National Autism Strategy: Requires the National Government to formulate and monitor a National Autism Strategy aligning with international best practices.
- Information Dissemination: Directs both national and county governments to conduct comprehensive, nation-wide education and information campaigns in schools, institutions of learning, and local communities to combat stigma.
New Obligations
- Financial Allocations: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and County Executive Committee members must dedicate specific portions of the national and county health budgets to fund autism early screening, infrastructure, and community support groups.
- Teacher Training Requirements: The Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) must ensure that autism awareness is integrated into pre-service and in-service teacher training, and must develop management curriculums for all educational levels.
- Data Collaboration: County autism units are required to periodically share local prevalence data with the national government to ensure the national autism database remains updated.
- Rights Realization: Directs that persons living with autism shall fully enjoy all rights, protections, and privileges provided under the Persons Living with Disability Act, 2025 and other relevant laws.
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Updates will be visible here once they are approved and applied to this bill.