"AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS. "

After the last section, add the following and renumber sections and internal references accordingly:

"Sec. 501. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2010) (a) As used in this section, "mandated health benefit" means any existing statutory obligation of an insurer, health care center, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, fraternal benefit society or other entity that offers individual or group health insurance or medical or health care benefits plan in this state to: (1) Permit an insured or enrollee to obtain health care treatment or services from a particular type of health care provider; (2) offer or provide coverage for the screening, diagnosis or treatment of a particular disease or condition; or (3) offer or provide coverage for a particular type of health care treatment or service, or for medical equipment, medical supplies or drugs used in connection with a health care treatment or service.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, an insurer, health care center, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, fraternal benefit society or other entity that offers individual or group health insurance or medical or health care benefits plan in this state may offer any mandated health benefit as an optional benefit that may be purchased separately, individually or in any combination thereof, provided such insurer, health care center, hospital service corporation, medical service corporation, fraternal benefit society or other entity shall offer and make available for purchase each such mandated health benefit. "