SB 161 (Ava's Law): A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Code Section 33-24-59.10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance coverage for autism, so as to require certain insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
which was introduced in 2009 and Tabled in March of 2009 has been removed from the Table and recommitted by the Georgia Senate on 1/11/10
Brief History
Introduced in 2009
03/12/2009 Senate Tabled
01/11/2010 Senate Taken from Table
01/11/2010 Senate Recommitted
In Senate Committee on Insurance and Labor (I&L)
SB 161 [As introduced LC 37 0853]
has been subject to committee substitute and considerable amendment, but it seems that the bill still retains reference to applied behavior analysis, in re:
Committee sub LC 33 3069S
Retains definition of applied behavior analysis, and definition of "habilitative and rehabilitative care" to mean behavioral interventions and related services...and treatment programs including applied behavior analysis and other structured behavioral programs provided by a licensed psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed behavioral therapist, certified behavioral analyst, or other qualified professional as prescribed by a licensed physician, licensed physician's assistant, or certified nurse practitioner.
Floor amend 1 AM 37 0067 which appears to have substantially amended the bill by striking lines and making subbstitutions in lieu of that language,
(3) 'Behavioral therapy' means discrete trial training, pivotal response training, verbal behavior intervention, and early intensive behavioral intervention.Floor amend 1a
...Coverage shall be provided for behavioral therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy when such therapies are prescribed in accordance with the treatment plan...
For purposes of this Code section, behavioral therapy shall be considered to be a medical benefit as opposed to a mental health benefit.
Amend amendment #1 (AM 37 0067) to SB 161 by adding on line 27 after "behavioral" the following: "or developmental"Most recent floor amendment,
Floor amend 2 AM 33 0774
is related to type of policy.
Please see legislative website and the specific amendments and substitutes for exact language.
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For further info
Autism Votes - Georgia
Ava's Law - Georgia Autism Insurance Mandate Facebook page
Georgia General Assembly
ABAI Chapters in/serving Georgia
Georgia Association for Behavior Analysis (GABA)
Related - in GABA newsletter -
"Georgia Improves Options for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities"
Clint Trusty, MS, BCBA
GABA Newsletter, Volume 3 Number 1
Summer 2009
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Georgia Department of Behavioral health and Developmental Disabilities
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Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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