TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Florida Gov. Charlie Crist signed legislation Tuesday that will require insurance companies to pay for diagnosis and treatment costs for autistic children up to $36,000 annually with a lifetime cap of $200,000.

Under the Window of Opportunity Act, SB 2654, major insurance companies that operate in the state of Florida, and companies with more than 50 employees, will be required to offer coverage for autism-related disorders.

The legislation gives insurance companies until January 2009 to negotiate a compact with the state to develop autism-coverage plans, before the mandate takes effect in 2010.

The legislation also calls on insurance companies to enhance consumer awareness of the benefits.