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Wisconsin currently has an amended substitute bill that was reported on April 14, 2010 from the Assembly Committee on Insurance with a do pass recommendation sent to the Committee on Rules, and is currently listed as "made a special order of business at 11:13 A.M. on (Tuesday) April 20, 2010 persuant to Assembly Resolution 23".
ASSEMBLY BILL 789: An Act to amend 632.895 (12m) (b) 4.; and to create 632.895 (12m) (b) 3m. of the statutes; relating to: insurance coverage of the services of behavior analysts for autism treatment. Analysis by the legislative reference bureau of the introduced bill,
"Under current law, health insurance policies and self-insured governmental and school district health plans are required to cover a specified amount of intensive-level services and nonintensive-level services provided to an insured for the treatment of autism, Asperger's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified as long as the treatment is prescribed by a physician and provided by any of the following providers who are qualified to provide intensive-level services or nonintensive-level services: a psychiatrist; a psychologist; a social worker who is certified or licensed to practice psychotherapy; a paraprofessional working under the supervision of any of those three types of providers; a professional working under the supervision of an outpatient mental health clinic; a speech-language pathologist; or an occupational therapist. This bill provides that the coverage must also apply to services provided by a behavior analyst, excluding an assistant behavior analyst, who is certified to practice behavior analysis by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc., or by a paraprofessional working under the supervision of such a behavior analyst, if the behavior analyst or paraprofessional is qualified to provide intensive-level services or nonintensive-level services." The bill history shows that AB 789 was introduced on March 3, 2010, with the public hearing held March 11, 2010. An offered substitute and amendments to the substitute extends insurance coverage to Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors who meet specifications, and upgrades the certification requirement for Behavior Analysts to a licensing requirement. This license would be granted by the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing and specifies the certification of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) (excluding Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs)). Among the stipulations would be: prohibition of rules requiring additional coursework conditions beyond those required for BACB certification, prohibition of requiring a licensed behavior analyst to practice behavior analysis under the supervision of, or in collaboration with, another health care provider. An advisory group could be appointed to advise the Department of Regulation and Licensing on matters relating to the regulation of behavior analysts. Other prohibitions, conditions and regulation of practice are described in the full bill text and amendments.
For more information
History and text page of AB 789
Wisconsin Legislative Council Amendment Memo
Summary of AB 789 with substitute and amendments
Current as of 4/14/10
Wisconsin State Legislature
Wisconsin legislative notification system (bill tracking)
Past post
Thursday, March 11, 2010
State news: Wisconsin - Office of the Commissioner of Insurance Autism Treatment Working Group hammers out details of insurance implementation
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
The Institute of Education Sciences National Center for Education Statistics has recently released the Digest of Education Statistics, 2009, NCES 2010013
This 732 page document lists numbers and trends related to those enrolled and employed in education - preschool through graduate school.
"The 45th in a series of publications initiated in 1962, the Digest's primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from prekindergarten through graduate school. The Digest contains data on a variety of topics, including the number of schools and colleges, teachers, enrollments, and graduates, in addition to educational attainment, finances, and federal funds for education, libraries, and international comparisons." A mini-digest is also available
Mini-Digest of Education Statistics, 2009
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
In related events, on Wednesday April 14, 2010 Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal urged the Connecticut General Assembly to adopt legislation requiring that local school boards verify professional certification before hiring applied behavior analysts for special education of children with autism, while in the Stamford, Connecticut Superior Court, Stacy Lore pleaded not guilty at her arraignment for multiple counts of forgery, larceny and criminal impersonation related to charges of false representation of credentials, including that of being a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, to the Norwalk, Connecticut School District.
While not named, the legislation referenced by Attorney General Blumenthal is likely the joint favorable substitute for,
CT HB 5425: An Act Concerning Special Education. Other states noted in the news article as relying on Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) certification are Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota and Montana.
For further reading
Schools Need To Require Certification Of Behavior Analysts
Apr 14, 2010
ctwatchdog.com
Woman pleads not guilty to bilking Norwalk schools
John Nickerson, Staff Writer
Stamford Advocate.com
Published: 11:07 p.m., Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Past posts
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Former consultant to Norwalk, CT school district under multiple criminal charges; one outcome is legislation to establish formal competency to deliver behavior analysis
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
State legislation Quicktake:Connecticut H.B. 5425 passes from Education Committee with joint favorable substitute
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
News reports and the press release from Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear's Office has announced that on April 14, 2010 Governor Beshear signed into law HB 159 which will increase the amount of coverage health insurers must provide for autism spectrum disorders to insured individuals in large and small group plans, as well as the state employee health benefit plan. The bill passed unanimously by the Kentucky Senate on its 3rd reading April 1, 2010.
The new law, which goes into effect January 1, 2011, will also creates the Kentucky Applied Behavior Analysis Licensure Board for practitioners of applied behavior analysis.
For further reading
Gov. Beshear signs expanded autism health insurance coverage legislation
Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
Press Release Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Gov. Signs Autism Coverage Bill
kypost.com
Web Produced: Jessica Noll
Email: Jessica.Noll@kypost.com
Last Update: 4/14 7:25 pm
Text and history of HB 159
Past posts
Saturday, April 3, 2010
State legislation: Kentucky - HB 159/HCS licensing behavior analysts and creating autism insurance coverage passes legislature on April 1, 2010, headed for Governor's signature
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
A report from the Providence Journal describes the hearing held Wednesday in the Rhode Island legislature's Committee on Health Education and Welfare regarding
H.7260 ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS The legislative history for 4/14/2010 for the meeting shows that the Committee has recommended that the measure be held for further study
For further reading
Parents push for autism coverage
01:00 AM EDT on Thursday, April 15, 2010
By Gina Macris
Journal Staff Writer. The Providence Journal
Past blog post
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
State legislation: Rhode Island - autism insurance bill HB 7260 scheduled for Committee hearing on Wed. April 14, 2010
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
The two bills that would establish Federal regulation of the use of restraint and seclusion in U.S. Schools and their prohibition in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), are currently in the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions (HELP). The House Committee on Education and Labor is examining the use of corporal punishment in schools and the effect on academic achievement.
Both H.R. 4742 4247and S. 2860 are assigned to the HELP Committee. H.R. 4247: "Keeping All Students Safe Act " was passed in the U.S. House March 3, 2010; the similar S. 2860 "A bill to protect students from inappropriate seclusion and physical restraint, and for other purposes" was also introduced by Senator Chris Dodd (CT) in December 2009 and assigned to HELP at that time, but has not yet been heard by the Committee.
With the Senate returning from its 2-week break, advocacy groups have begun "phone-in" days for S. 2860, urging Committee action for passage in the current Congress.
On a related note, the House Committee on Education and Labor will be holding a Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee meeting on Thursday, April 15, 2010, 10:00 AM, 2175 Rayburn H.O.B Washington, DC. Witness to be announced.
The topic of the hearing is " Corporal Punishment in Schools and its Effect on Academic Success".
Both Committees are also actively taking testimony in the overhaul and re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as "No Child Left Behind".
Past blog post
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
U.S. House approves H.R. 4247: The Keeping All Students Safe Act - bill to restrict use of restraint and seclusion in U.S. schools
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
A news article reports that Alaska autism bills HB 425 and HB 187 may be on hold pending a task force review. HB 187 is one of the two autism insurance reform bills in the legislature (the other being SB 250), and HB 425 is a bill which would create set up an early intervention system to deliver evidence based treatments, including applied behavior analysis, coordinated by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. HB 425 would also include a system for supervised experience for those seeking certification in applied behavior analysis.
According to the article, Representative Wes Keller, who Co-chairs the Health and Social Service Committee and from whose office HB 425 was issued, stated that there were concerns that HB 187 would cover only a relative minority of Alaskans and would not address those who have public sector insurance, are not insured or fall under ERISA. A "task force" was said to be currently studying the issue, however it was not clarified if the task force is the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education, which produced a policy analysis in 2007. However, the Governor's Council has been considering HB 187 as part of its meeting agenda as recently as February 2010.
Last week, Representative Pete Peterson, the sponsor of HB 187, authored an article expressing his disappointment in lack of progress of his bill which has been in Committee for over a year and has received two hearings since its introduction and original Committee referral in March 2009.
The Alaska state legislature website states that the regular session for 2010 will conclude on April 18.
For further reading
Alaska autism bill put on hold
Christopher Eshleman / ceshleman@newsminer.com
Fairbanks Daily-News Miner
April 11, 2010
Bill to provide coverage for autism treatment bottled up
Editorial Anchorage Daily News
Published: April 13th, 2010 06:26 PM
Last Modified: April 13th, 2010 06:27 PM
Treating autism early will save us special ed funds later
By REP. PETE PETERSEN
Anchorage Daily News
Published: April 9th, 2010 10:28 PM
Last Modified: April 9th, 2010 10:28 PM
Report - Early Intensive Intervention Services for Alaska Children with Autism: A Policy Analysis
The Governor’s Council on Disabilities & Special Education
August 2007
Past blog posts
Sunday, April 11, 2010
State legislation : Alaska - HB 425 would establish ASD services including applied behavior analysis and provide supervised experience for those seeking certification
Monday, January 25, 2010
State legislation: Alaska - HB 187 Autism insurance bill; committee session scheduled for Thursday, January 28, 2010
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) - the Federal advisory committee mandated by The Combating Autism Act (CAA) of 2006 ( P.L. 109-416 – ) to coordinate research activities within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - and the Office of Autism Research Coordination (OARC), will be holding a
Conference Call and Webinar of the Subcommittee for Planning the Annual Strategic Plan Updating Process Monday, April 19, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET. The agenda is to discuss plans for updating the 2010 IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research. The public is welcome to participate and no registration is required.
Conference Call Access
USA/Canada Phone Number: 888-577-8995
Access code: 1991506
Webinar Access
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/455522202
Please visit the IACC Events page for the latest information about the conference call, including access information, as well as all other IACC events.
For more information about the IACC.
To follow the IACC on Twitter
The Contact Person for this conference call is:
Ms. Lina Perez
Office of Autism Research Coordination
National Institute of Mental Health, NIH
6001 Executive Boulevard, NSC
Room 8185a
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-443-6040
IACCpublicinquiries@mail.nih.gov
Past blog posts
Saturday, February 6, 2010
U.S. Research Policy: Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee releases the 2010 IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
Sunday, April 4, 2010
U.S. Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee issues, "2009 Summary of Advances in Autism Spectrum Disorder Research"
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
A bill newly introduced in the Alaska State Legislature would charge the state Department of Health and Social Services to create a coordinated early intervention system which would deliver evidence based interventions, including applied behavior analysis, for Alaska's children with autism.A clause of interest is the specification of providing supervised experience to students completing requirements towards "certification in applied behavior analysis".
The bill introduced on April 7, 2010 and referred to the House Health & Social Services Committee is,
HB 425, TITLE: "An Act establishing a program for the provision of autism services within the Department of Health and Social Services." The stated purpose of HB 425 is "to create and implement a statewide program to provide and coordinate home-based services for children who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and to prevent, reduce, and ameliorate the effects of autism spectrum disorders in the state."
This statewide program designed by the Department of Health and Social Services would be a data-base demonstration of evidence-based early interventions including home-based services: screening, caregiver training in applied behavior analysis, assessment and planning of direct services by a "board certified autism specialist" (unclear if this is synonymous with " board certified behavior analyst", although no "certified autism specialist" is locatable in Alaska government listings), other services, care coordination and an centralized database. The Department of Health and Social Services would coordinate with public and private entities to implement the program and provide direct services.
On a related note, Alaska also currently has two autism insurance bills in the legislature; HB 187 and SB 250.
For more information
The Alaska State Legislature
House Bill 425
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
Disclaimer: This blog publishes news and announcements only as a service to interested persons, the posts are the responsibility of the individual author, and unless otherwise noted do not constitute nor claim to represent the official position of ABA International, its officers or associated entities. This blog makes no representation as to the accuracy of the report and readers are strongly encouraged to consult and reference the primary sources noted.
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