Fallin signs autism coverage bill

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has signed seven pieces of legislation into law, including a bill that requires health insurers to cover the treatment of children with autism.

The autism bill signed Wednesday requires coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder in children younger than 9. Under the measure, the children would have access to applied behavior analysis for up to 25 hours a week with a limit of $25,000 a year.

Autism spectrum disorder affects how a person processes sensory information and their ability to interact and relate to others. Oklahoma is one of only seven states in the nation that did not require insurers to cover autism.

Fallin has signed a total of 235 bills approved by the 2016 Oklahoma Legislature and has vetoed two.