Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday signed into law a state mandate for increased health insurance benefits to help autistic children.

"Autism affects thousands of Florida's families and this legislation is a step in the right direction toward helping them receive much needed resources that will improve the quality of their children's lives," said Crist.

It is estimated that one in every 150 children develops autism.

The legislation calls for the state to negotiate with insurance companies for increased coverage for therapy and behavioral analysis - and mandates autism benefits of up to $36,000 a year ($200,000 over a lifetime) from any insurance carrier that does not comply with the compact.

"It's giving me chills, just thinking of the opportunity this will give so many children in Florida," said Dan Marino, the former Miami Dolphins quarterback and member of the NFL Hall of Fame who has an autistic son and has lobbied for insurance coverage for more than a decade.

Crist is also scheduled to hold a ceremonial signing of the bill at 2 p.m. today at Bauduin Preschool at Nova Southeastern University in Davie.

The bill sponsors were Rep. Ari Porth, D-Coral Springs, and Senate Democratic Leader Steve Geller, D-Cooper City. Geller filed the bill for 10 years.

"Sen. Geller has been an absolute champion for the autism cause and passage of this bill," said Crist, who has been a friend of Geller's since their college days at Florida State University. "Great credit goes to him."

The autism bill was the final bill to pass during the recently completed 2008 legislative session.

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By Linda Kleindienst

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