3571

The University of Puerto Rico, in conjunction with the Department of Education, as well as private entities and institutions that regulate the professionals who render services to the autism population shall have to structure and develop courses and seminars about autism spectrum disorder, the best practices to render services to this population, including diagnosis, proper management and intervention, and treatment.\nIt is hereby provided that every clinical, educational, rehabilitation counseling, and administrative professional or specialist who provide services or treatment or conducts procedures, including primary physicians and pediatricians, to the autism spectrum disorder population shall complete, as part of their required continuing education credits, at least fifteen (15) credit-hours every three (3) years in connection with autism. Failure to meet said requirements shall result in the suspension or cancellation of any license to operate or to practice.\nSpecial education teachers whose main function is to regularly and directly provide care for the autism spectrum disorder population shall be required to complete, as part of their required continuing education credits,

achers whose main function is to regularly and directly provide care for the autism spectrum disorder population shall be required to complete, as part of their required continuing education credits, at least twenty-four (24) credit-hours of continuing education every two (2) years, to update their knowledge, skills, and educational emphasis with regard to management, and proper care and education of the autism population.\nA maximum fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) per credit-hour is hereby imposed, fifty percent (50%) of which shall be used to pay for the personnel who shall teach said course or seminar, and the remaining portion shall be transferred to the Department of the Treasury, which shall be responsible for collecting said moneys to defray any expenses that may arise in connection with the implementation of this chapter.\nHistory —Sep. 4, 2012, No. 220, § 13.