For the second time in two years the New York State Legislature has approved a bill that would require insurance companies to cover autism-related screenings, diagnoses and treatments.

Governor Paterson vetoed the measure last year. But those who support the bill are hopeful things will be different this time around.

"We needed speech and language therapy,” said Julie Buick of Henrietta.

Buick’s kids Bobby, 9, and Billy, 12, both have autism.

"That was the first thing we needed for my kids, they were both non verbal early on," Buick said.

Buick had a hard time finding the money to pay for services outside of what her school district already offered.

"I mean to pay out of pocket for a speech therapist to work with your child? It's expensive," said Buick.

Buick got help through the Upstate New York Families for Effective Autism Treatment or UNYFEAT. For non profits and school districts there isn't always enough funding to meet the growing need.

"The school can't afford the amount of kids that we have being diagnosed with disabilities and Autism specifically," said Buick. "We just can't afford not to go the insurance companies and see if they can help."

A second bill that would require insurance companies to help has made its way through the New York State Legislature. State Assemblyman Joe Morelle was one of the original sponsors of the bill. He said what held up the bill the first time was confusion and fear over the potential effect on insurance premiums

"We believe it will be very modest," said Morelle. "We believe it will be less than one half of one percent."

Unlike the previous version, this piece of legislation clearly states a service must be clinically proven, evidence based, and medically necessary to be covered.

"If there are experimental treatments that show some effectiveness, and can be proven over time, they would be added to the services that could be provided," Morelle said.

While every case is different Buick says a child with autism, who isn't helped early, will need more costly therapy later on.

"I think that this is going to lead to delivering services in a much more economical way for the kids," Buick said.

If Governor Cuomo signs this bill New York would become the 26th state to require autism insurance coverage. Unlike other states this bill would not cap on how much money in benefits a family could get.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says the autism rate in New York is increasing by about 15 percent annually, now effecting close to one in 90 children.

Upstate New York Families for Effective Autism Treatment