State legislation: Iowa - Committee substitute SF 2349 replaces autism insurance bill SF 1; retains certified "behavior specialists"

In a previous post it was reported that Senate File (SF)1: A bill for an act requiring certain group health insurance policies, contracts, or plans to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders for certain persons, requiring certification of behavior specialists, and providing an applicability date.
was passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee with amendment but at that time the nature of those amendments were not known.

At the Iowa Legislature on February 15, 2010 it is reported that SF1 has been replaced by

Committee substitute Senate File 2349

Senate File 2349 - Introduced
SENATE FILE BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE
(SUCCESSOR TO SF 1)

A BILL FOR An Act requiring certain group health insurance established for employees of the state to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders for certain persons, requiring certification of behavior specialists, and providing an applicability date.

The most recent actions are
FEB. 15 10 Introduced, placed on calendar. S.J. 405.
FEB. 15 10 Committee report, approving bill. S.J. 407.

Bill Title: *SENATE FILE 2349 (formerly SF 1), a bill for an act requiring certain group health insurance established for employees of the state to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders for certain persons, requiring certification of behavior specialists, and providing an applicability date.
Recommendation: APPROVED COMMITTEE BILL.
Final Vote: Ayes, 11 Nays, 3 Absent, 1

Fiscal Note: NOT REQUIRED UNDER JOINT RULE 17.
*Pursuant to Senate Rule 40, the Legislative Services Agency reported nonsubstantive changes to the members of the Commerce Committee on Senate File 2349, and they were attached to the committee report.

Brief review seems to indicate that the clauses in SF 1 related to the creation of a "behavior specialist" certification still apply, to wit:

a "'Behavior specialist' means an individual, certified by the commissioner, who designs, implements, or evaluates a behavior modification intervention component of a treatment plan, including those based on applied behavioral analysis, to produce socially significant improvements in human behavior or to prevent loss of attained skill or function, through skill acquisition and the reduction of problematic behavior,

and that,

"The commissioner, in consultation with the board of medicine, shall adopt rules providing for the certification of behavior specialists..."

See the full text of SF 2349 for specific language.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To create an Iowa Legislature Bill and Code Watch

Iowa Legislature

Autism Votes Iowa

Past post
Friday, February 12, 2010
State legislation: Iowa - SF1 autism insurance bill survives legislative "funnel week"

© 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.

State legislation: Colorado - Bill to block implementation of Colorado autism insurance law postponed indefinitely

On February 4, 2010, a bill in the Colorado General Assembly (HB10-1154)  that would have blocked the July 1, 2010 implementation of of the law mandating health insurance coverage of autism spectrum by passage of 2009 Senate Bill 09-244  was postponed indefinitely in the Colorado House Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs  by a 6-5 vote.

This postponement allows SB 09-244/C.R.S. 10-16-104 to proceed to implementation to cover autism treatment, including applied behavior analysis, on July 1 as originally specified.

Among those reporting as having submitted testimony against HB10-1154 was David Hatfield, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Current Director of the Colorado Coalition of Autism Professionals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Colorado Coalition of Autism Professionals (COCAP)

Autism Votes - Colorado - FAQs

Report on events in Colorado from the Four Corners ABA newsletter,volume 1, No.1
Travis Blevins, MS, BCBA and David Hatfield, PH.D., BCBA‐D, Licensed Clinical
Psychologist

Autism Society of Colorado legislation page with information on
2009 SB 09-244: Concerning Health Insurance Benefits for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Votes - Colorado

"Timeout" proposal dies; what next?
Friday, February 5, 2010, 4:47pm MST

© 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.

State legislation: Maine SP 446/LD 1198 autism insurance bill scheduled for committee worksession on February 17, 2010

A bill currently under consideration in the Maine Legislature is,

SP 446/LD 1198: An Act To Reform Insurance Coverage To Include Diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorders, 

which has been carried over from 2009 to the 2010 legislative season. SP 446/LD 1198 defines applied behavior analysis, and includes applied behavior analysis under "habilitative and rehabilitative services"; it does not explicitly state provider of these services, nor does it specify the BACB certification or competencies for delivery of applied behavior analysis service.

The hearing calendar for the Committee on Insurance and Financial Services shows SP 446/LD 1198 as scheduled for another work session on February 17, 2010 at 2PM in Room 427, State House [audio link].

The bill has been in committee for some months and since the commencement of the 2010 legislative session but not yet voted out, although work sessions were scheduled on January 12, 19, and February 9, 2010.
The public hearing for the bill was on March 30, 2009.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Maine Legislature Tracking SP 446/LD 1198

Autism Votes - Maine

Maine Legislature

© 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.