FYI: AZ "HB 2207: Behavior Analysts" Passes in the Legislature

Arizona HB 2207 [amended]
was passed on 7/1/09, the last day of the regular session, by both houses of the legislature, transmitted to the Governor on the same day, and is pending signature.

It introduces changes to previous recently-passed statute on the licensure of Behavior Analysts in the state of Arizona which put Behavior Analysts under the purview of the Board of Psychologist Examiners. The just-passed HB 2207 specifies creation of a separate Board, some timeline changes, and other provisions of professional behavior and practice for Behavior Analysts. For status and current version of HB 2207, see the Arizona Legislative website.

As some background,

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2207 : Behavior Analysts (Barto, Bradley)
Prepared for the AZ Senate on 6/22/09
(Please note that some amendments on the specifics were made to the bill during subsequent Committee work to this Fact Sheet. It's provided just as general information to the gist of the bill.)

"Purpose
Specifies additional requirements for the licensure and regulation of behavior analysts by the Board of Psychologist Examiners.

Background

Laws 2008, Chapter 288, established a licensure and regulatory framework for behavior analysts under the Board of Psychologist Examiners (Board). The legislation required a person who wishes to practice as a behavior analyst to be licensed by the Board beginning January 1, 2010. Additionally, the legislation outlined the educational and experience requirements of licensees and enumerated the duties of the Board, including the licensing and regulating of behavior analysts, prescribing fees, conducting investigations of complaints and taking disciplinary action. Finally, the law designated acts of unprofessional conduct and established grounds for disciplinary action..."

--------
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors 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,

FYI: Steven's Law Goes Into Effect in Arizona

Disclaimer: This is provided for informational purposes only to direct to potentially helpful resources.

Steven's Law (Arizona HB 2847/SB 1253 of 2008) is the Arizona insurance mandate passed in March 2008, allowing for coverage of behavioral services for autism treatment.

Steven's Law is stated to go into effect as law on July 1, 2009.

The Arizona Autism Coalition has provided a couple of guides on Steven's Law,

1. A powerpoint presentation on Steven's Law and what it states.
Steven's Law Facts and Information
Posted May 5, 2009

and

2. A step by step guide,
Steven’s Law Step-by Step Eligibility Questions
Posted June 29, 2009

--------
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors 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,

NEWS: CT Governor Rell Signs Autism Insurance Reform Bill s.SB 301 into Law on 6/9/09

Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell's website states,

"P.A. 09-115
s.S.B. 301 AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS

This Act passed as amended by Senate Amendment Schedule A and shall take effect January 1, 2010 The Governor signed this bill on June 9, 2009."

To repeat the clauses in s.S.B. 301 that might be of particular interest to those seeking reimbursement of behavioral therapies, and practicing behavior analysts,

"AN ACT CONCERNING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS.

(...) 12 (3) "Behavioral therapy" means interactive therapies derived from
13 evidence-based research that are provided to children less than
14 thirteen years of age, including, but not limited to, applied behavior
15 analysis that is provided or supervised by a behavior analyst who is
16 certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (....)"

See the prior post for bill text and other background on CT s.SB 301, (now P.A. 09-115).

Thursday, May 28, 2009
NEWS: Connecticut passes autism insurance reform Substitute Bill 301

---------
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors 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,

NEWS Maine: Board Certified Behavior Analysts Qualify for Reimbursement under MaineCare

'Recently found on the Maine Legislative website, that SP 226, LD 611 (Sponsor: Sen. Joe Perry), to provide allowance for reimbursement for Board Certified Behavior Analysts under MaineCare, was passed on 5/3/09, and signed into statute by Governor John Baldacci on 5/8/09.

Chapter 33, Reimbursement in the MaineCare Program for Board-certified Behavior Analysts 5/8/09

Added 6/4/09 from legislative website: html, pdf

124th Maine Legislature, First Regular Session Legislature

Paper, SP 226, LD # 611

Resolve, To Provide Reimbursement in the MaineCare Program for Board-certified Behavior Analysts

Final Disposition: FINALLY PASSED, May 5, 2009

Governor's Action: Signed, May 8, 2009

---------
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and 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,

States with passed autism insurance reform laws and bills in progress

States with insurance coverage for autism treatment, including ABA

2001: Indiana, Minnesota
2007: South Carolina
2008: Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Arizona
2009: New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Connecticut.


View States with insurance coverage of ABA in a larger map

Key:
Status of insurance coverage of behavior analysis for children with autism.
Green = passed bill/law
Red = bill in progress or previously introduced
Purple = bill waiting for endorsement by autism votes or introduction
Yellow = bill in progress
Blue = little activity at this time.

For more information, see Autismvotes

-----------
Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and 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,

NEWS: Nevada passes autism bill May 23, 2009

Nevada just passed an autism insurance reform bill, AB 162. Besides allowing families to access reimbursible treatment of autism, the amended bill (amendment 699) also specified competencies and licensing of those providing behavioral treatment. The bill has been sent to the Nevada Governor to await his signature.

Bill text and status is accessible after the newsblurb.

"Nevada passes autism bill
By CATHY BUSSEWITZ Associated Press Writer
Posted: 05/23/2009 03:13:14 PM PDT
Updated: 05/23/2009 04:38:11 PM PDT

CARSON CITY, Nev.—Nevada lawmakers gave final approval Saturday to help children with autism by requiring health insurers to cover screening and treatment of the disorder..."

FULL POST San Jose [CA] Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12437455

The text of the bill passed,

AB162	Requires certain policies of health insurance and health care plans to provide coverage for screening for and treatment of autism. (BDR 57-44)
	Introduced On: Feb 12, 2009
	By: Ohrenschall Buckley Leslie Woodbury Conklin Aizley Anderson Arberry Atkinson Bobzien Carpenter Christensen Claborn Denis Dondero Loop Goicoechea Grady Hambrick Hardy Hogan Horne Kihuen Kirkpatrick Koivisto Manendo Mastroluca McClain Mortenson Munford Oceguera Parnell Pierce Segerblom Smith Stewart Horsford Schneider Lee Wiener Townsend Amodei Breeden Care Carlton Coffin Copening Nolan Parks Rhoads Woodhouse
	Most Recent History Action: May 23, 2009 - Enrolled and delivered to Governor. ----------- Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG ----------- Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and 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

NEWS: Colorado passes autism insurance mandate including ABA

Colorado passes autism insurance mandate including applied behavior analysis. If signed, CO becomes the 11th state with such coverage. See press release.
------------------

<Autism Society.doc>>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Betty Lehman
Autism Society of Colorado
Cell: 303.898.7656
Betty@autismcolorado.org
www.autismcolorado.org

Colorado Legislature Passes Insurance Coverage for Treatment of Autism
Denver, Colorado, 5/5/09 – A landmark, bi-partisan bill expanding the treatment of autism was given final approval by the Senate and is on its way to the Governor. Senate Bill 244, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer (D-Longmont) and State Representative Dianne Primavera (D-Broomfield) will require health insurance providers to cover assessment, diagnosis and treatment of autism, including Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), a substantially researched and favored behavioral treatment for autism spectrum disorders. This bill will require health insurance plans to include autism as a covered benefit.

Autism is extremely expensive to treat; the estimated lifetime cost of caring for a person with autism ranges from $3.5 to $5 million. However, if the appropriate early intervention treatments are applied, up to two-thirds of the cost for treatment can be avoided.

“The passage of this bill is a triumph for the most vulnerable among us; those who we, as a society, have a responsibility to protect,” said Sen. Shaffer. “Autism is treatable, but these families should not face this alone. This bill will finally make healthcare manageable for those with autism disorders and their families.”

After the bill passed the Senate, Betty Lehman, Executive Director of the Autism Society of Colorado and a key architect of the bill, thanked individuals with autism in Colorado , their families and their providers, indicating their continued support ensured the bill’s passage. The Autism Society asked those affected by autism in Colorado to contact their legislators to encourage a yes vote on the bill, to great effect. Lehman also thanked the lawmakers that recognized the impact of the bill on Colorado families affected by autism.

“This bill will have a tremendous impact on the lives of people with autism and their families. It will also alleviate some of the financial burden on the public education, public health care programs, and social services systems in our state,” said Lehman.

Michael Zeitlin, Board President of the Autism Society of Colorado acknowledged the landmark bill would not have been possible without the hard work of the bill sponsors and Betty Lehman. “Except for Senate Majority Leader Brandon Shaffer and State Representative Dianne Primavera, Betty Lehman was the single most important person involved in shepherding this bill through the entire legislative process, winning approval in both houses of the legislature and vetting about 50 amendments negotiated by various interest groups,” said Zeitlin.

The bill now awaits action by the Governor. If SB 244 is signed, Colorado will become only the 11^th state requiring insurance providers to cover treatments for autism. The Autism Society of Colorado is excited to have worked diligently for legislation that improves the quality of life for people with autism and their families.

###

Bridget Cessar
Communications Director
Autism Society of Colorado
Office: 720.214.0794, ext. 10
Fax: 720.274.2744
www.AutismColorado.org

-----------
Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and 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

2009 Bills Proposing Licensure of Behavior Analysts

CORRECTION: 5/28/09: The bill passed and signed in Oklahoma was SB 135, which was a mirror bill of HB 2027.
UPDATE: 5/4/09--Oklahoma HB 2027 is reported as signed into law by Governor Henry. Creates training program and licensing for BACB certificants.

----------

View Licensure of behavior analysts in a larger map

For further reading,

ABAI's Commitment to Licensing of Applied Behavior Analysts
By Dr. Michael Weinberg, Ph.D.
ABA International Newsletter, 31(3), Fall 2008

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
Licensing of Applied Behavior Analysts
at the ABA International website

and Licensing page (resources & info) at the PIBA-SIG website

-----------

Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
-----------
Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG and 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