R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-24.1-3: Legislative purpose and policy.

It shall be the goal and purpose of this act to promote the early diagnosis of ASD and therapeutic strategies for treatment and assistance to individuals with autism. The state of Rhode Island must take the lead in combating the increasingly rapid problems associated with “ASD” and the current treatments and strategies. It is the intent of the legislature in enacting this chapter to reinforce screening for children who are uninsured and/or underinsured through the Rhode Island department of health with assistance from experts, service providers and parents. It is the further intent of the general assembly, subject to appropriation and/or the receipt of other resources designated for these purposes, to authorize the Rhode Island department of health to provide appropriate testing and screening models to determine a proper diagnosis of “ASD” and to create a case management system to properly catalogue such diagnosis. In addition, subject to appropriation and/or the receipt of other resources designated for these purposes, this chapter shall authorize programs of outreach, education, increased awareness and cultural competence to the statewide community.