A state House member, who admits to holding hostage a Senate bill that mandates insurance coverage for autism, plans to introduce his own legislation later today.

Rep. Richard Smith (R-Columbus), who chairs the House Insurance Committee, is proposing a .2 percent sales tax to treat all children with autism in Georgia.

He went before the full House Wednesday saying he has no plans to pass SB 1 that would mandate insurance coverage for kids through age six because it would only affect 15 out of every 100 families seeking treatment for their children.

“The way that bill is written, the only ones who would receive treatment are those who work for small businesses,” he says.

He says larger companies have self-insured plans that are under the regulation of the federal government which does not mandate autism coverage.

Smith says if his constitutional amendment is approved by voters, it would raise the $200 to $300 million it would cost for such treatment.

“Under this new option, all Georgia autistic children under the age of 18 will be treated,” he says.

Smith says he and other members of the House Insurance Committee have been harassed by the public as well as Senators urging a vote be allowed on SB 1.

Sen. Tommie Williams, whose great niece was the inspiration for the Senate bill named “Ava’s Law”, is in disbelief over Smith’s proposal.

“Sales tax is something that should be used for the benefit over everybody not just a few,” he tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

Williams believes Smith is just looking for a reason not to pass the bill.