Senate ResolutionChaptered/Signed
SR 89: Relative to Profound Autism Day.
What SR 89 does, verified April 30, 2026
The bill aims to establish a new state holiday, "Profound Autism Day", to raise awareness and support for individuals with profound autism. This day would be observed on the first Friday in April, a date chosen to be distinct from other awareness days and holidays. The bill encourages schools, businesses, and communities to promote inclusion, acceptance, and understanding of individuals with profound autism. It also seeks to foster a culture of acceptance and support for families and caregivers of individuals with profound autism.
Bill journey
✓IntroducedComplete
✓In CommitteeComplete
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6ChapteredCurrent
Last action: Read. Adopted. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 3695.) (2026-03-26)Alert me
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Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions3 total · showing 3
| Mar. 26, 2026 | Read. Adopted. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 3695.) |
| Mar. 25, 2026 | From committee: Ordered to third reading. |
| Mar. 17, 2026 | Introduced. Referred to Com. on RLS. |
Latest bill textEnrolled version, March 27, 2026 · 398 words
| Enrolled March 27, 2026 |
| Passed IN Senate March 26, 2026 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Resolution
No. 89
| Introduced by Senator Alvarado-Gil (Coauthors: Senators Choi, Ochoa Bogh, and Seyarto) |
March 17, 2026 |
Relative to Profound Autism Day.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SR 89, Alvarado-Gil.
WHEREAS, The term “autism” was first coined in 1911 by psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler, and later refined in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner, whose landmark work identified behaviors distinct from other mental disorders and established a foundation for autism-specific research; and
WHEREAS, In the 1970s, psychiatrist Lorna Wing introduced the concept of the “autism spectrum,” recognizing that the condition encompasses a wide array of traits and symptoms requiring varying levels of clinical intervention; and
WHEREAS, The 2013 publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, established a three-level severity scale to categorize support needs, yet this scale often fails to fully capture the unique requirements of individuals with significant intellectual disabilities and minimal communication skills; and
WHEREAS, In 2021, the Lancet Commission formally introduced the designation of “profound autism” to describe individuals who require care and assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week with daily activities, providing families and clinicians with a vital tool to advocate for those with the most intensive needs; and
WHEREAS, The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2023 that 26.7 percent of eight-year-old children identified with autism spectrum disorder meet the criteria for profound autism; and
WHEREAS, Despite their significant needs, a 2019 study revealed that only 6 percent of clinical autism research studies included participants with profound autism, leaving a critical gap in medical and behavioral understanding; and
WHEREAS, The Profound Autism Alliance, a national nonprofit established in 2023, works tirelessly to bridge this gap through dedicated research, specialized services, and advocacy for a population that has been historically misunderstood and
(a) underrepresented; and
WHEREAS, In 2025, 15 states across the nation recognized Profound Autism Day to foster awareness and support for individuals with severe, high-needs autism; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate hereby recognizes March 17, 2026, as Profound Autism Day in California, and urges all citizens to support efforts to increase research, improve services, and ensure the dignity and care of individuals living with profound autism; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
Text of SR 89 as enrolled, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions