HOUSE BILL NO. 361 "An Act relating to licensing of behavior analysts." 10:09:28 AM REPRESENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, SPONSOR, introduced himself, and was willing to respond to questions. Co-Chair Meyer stated that there were also some testifiers available for to respond to questions. Vice-Chair Fairclough would like a revised fiscal note on the indeterminate costs regarding the next phase of the legislation. She felt that the ramifications to the state's budget should be evaluated in pursuing additional care for the people of Alaska. MARGARET BRODY, DIRECTOR, HEALTH CARE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), announced that the service was not currently covered under Medicaid rules, which was why the fiscal note was indeterminate. There would be 1838 children who had a diagnosis of Autism that were currently enrolled in Medicaid. There would need to be individual assessments, at $175 per evaluation. That cost would be covered, if the service became covered under Medicaid. Vice-Chair Fairclough stressed that the next step would be legislation that would allow Medicaid to cover the cost. She stressed that there should be an acknowledgement of a cost of approximately $26 million with 50 percent covered by the federal government. She felt that the cost was high, but necessary to meet the needs of the diagnosed children. She felt that the numbers delivered by the department were too low. Co-Chair Meyer queried the cost of obtaining a license. Representative Saddler responded that the cost would be approximately $1300 per person for the initial biennium, and would decrease to $450 for subsequent bienniums. 10:15:19 AM Senator Bishop surmised that it would be a $1300 initial license, and a $400 for a renewal. Representative Saddler agreed, and stated that the initial cost would be a portion to the BCBA. Representative Saddler noted a there was information that indicated that with three years of an early intensive behavioral intervention, there were upfront costs. After three years, approximately half of the children accomplish near normal functioning. He stated that approximately one- third of the children had substantial gains, and 15 percent saw no benefits. The implications indicated some upfront higher costs, but the early intervention avoided the need for additional special education services. Vice-Chair Fairclough MOVED to REPORT HB 361 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. HB 361 was REPORTED out of committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with previously published indeterminate fiscal note: FN1(DHS); and previously published fiscal impact note: FN2(CED). 10:17:20 AM AT EASE 10:23:40 AM RECONVENED