HB 159 also contains a section defining health insurance coverage for autism with differentials from ages 1-6 years and 7-21 years with applied behavior analysis and practice defined, included under the category of "habilitative and rehabilitative care". The competencies of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board are specified in HB 159 under the definitions and in meeting the licensure requirements.
Today, the Kentucky Legislative website reports that a substitute bill for HB 159 (HCS) passed favorably from the House Standing Committee on Local Government now specifies establishment of a separate licensing board - the "Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board".
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HB 159 - AMENDMENTS
HCS/HM - Delete the provisions relating to regulation and licensure of applied behavior analysis for behavior disorders by the Board of Examiners of Psychology and in lieu thereof establish a new KRS Chapter 319B to create the Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board including the definitions, membership, terms, per diem and authority of the board, the requirements for licensure, and the exemptions from licensure; retain the provisions containing the health mandate, but clarify that the large group mandate for individuals is for individuals through age six by providing that individuals between the ages of one and their seventh birthday shall receive the mandated benefits.
"(...)SECTION 20. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 319B IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
(1) (a) There is hereby created the Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensing Board. The board shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the Governor.
(b) The initial board members shall be appointed as follows:
1. Four (4) members shall be credentialed behavior analysts nominated by a credentialed behavior analyst practicing in the state;
2. One (1) member shall be a psychologist licensed in the state, the majority of whose practice is related to the treatment of behavior disorders, including but not limited to autism spectrum disorders. The psychologist member shall be nominated by a credentialed behavior analyst practicing in the state; and
3. Two (2) members shall be the parent of a child diagnosed with and treated for a behavior disorder, including but not limited to an autism spectrum disorder, selected from the state at large.
(c) Subsequent board members shall be appointed by the Governor as follows:
1. Four (4) members shall be licensed behavior analysts nominated by a licensed behavior analyst practicing in the state;
2. One (1) member shall be a psychologist licensed in the state, the majority of whose practice is related to the treatment of behavior disorders, including but not limited to autism spectrum disorders. The psychologist member shall be nominated by a licensed behavior analyst practicing in the state; and
3. Two (2) members shall be the parent of a child diagnosed with and treated for a behavior` disorder, including but not limited to an autism spectrum disorder, selected from the state at large.
(...)"
Other specifications and conditions stated in full text of the amendment
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Should HB 159 proceed in the legislative season into enacted statute, Kentucky would join Arizona, Pennsylvania [behavior specialists], Nevada and Oklahoma in specifying a licensure condition for the practice of applied behavior analysis.
FOR FURTHER READING
Record of HB 159 at Kentucky Legislature
Autism Votes Kentucky
Model licensing Act ABA International
BACB Model Licensing Act
Association of Professional Behavior Analysts members only
Past blog posts
Thursday, January 14, 2010
LEG. NEWS: Kentucky - Bill Introduced to Establish Licensure of Behavior Analysts
Monday, January 11, 2010
ABAI NEWSFLASH: ABA International Announces Model Licensing Act for Behavior Analysts
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org
