A Virginia House committee signed off on legislation Thursday that would extend insurance coverage for the diagnosis and and treatment of autism in children.

Dels. Tim Hugo, R-Fairfax, and Tag Greason, R-Loudoun, introduced two bills that were combined into one and passed out of the Commerce and Labor Committee on a 15-6 vote. The legislation would extend coverage to children ages 2-6 affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD.

“Early diagnosis and treatment for children with autism is very important to families coping with autism,” Hugo said.

The legislation will go to the full House next week.