HB 361-LICENSING OF BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS  1:52:04 PM CHAIR STEVENS announced the consideration of HB 361. He said it was the first hearing on the bill. The intent is to have the sponsor introduce the bill, take public testimony, and look to the will of the committee. 1:52:41 PM REPRESTENTATIVE DAN SADDLER, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of HB 361. He read from the following sponsor statement: Autism is a significant and growing problem in Alaska. Statistics show that about 2 percent of Alaska children are born with this developmental disability, characterized by a diminished ability to communicate, social isolation, and other symptoms. While not curable, autism is treatable. Scientific, peer-reviewed studies have shown that early intensive treatment in the form of Applied Behavioral Analysis offers the best opportunity to help people with autism improve their ability to function productively in society. Applied Behavior Analysis is recognized as the basis for the most effective form of treatment for autism by the U.S. Surgeon General, The National Institute of Child Health, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. You can best understand ABA as behavior modification therapy: It seeks to encourage appropriate behavior by assessing and managing the relationship between the environment and the desired behavior. Forty years of research shows that nearly half of people with autism who receive intensive early intervention and treatment do not require lifelong services and support - and half can achieve normal functioning after two to three years. This can mean lifetime savings of $200,000 to $1.1 million for a person through the age of 55. One of the most important elements in successful autism treatment is having it provided by well-trained behavioral therapists - those who hold the nationally recognized credential of Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst, or BCBA. To qualify as a BCBA, applicants must have a minimum of a master's degree, plus extensive training and experience requirements of up to 1,500 hours of supervised practice in the field, 225 hours of graduate-level classroom work, or a year's experience teaching ABA at the university level. They must also pass the challenging BCBA certification examination. The Board-Certified Assistant Behavioral Analyst, or BCaBA credential, requires slightly lower standards. The state already supports the training of BCBAs through a grant to the Center for Human Development, at the University of Alaska Anchorage. There are about 20 to 30 BCBAs and BCaBAs in Alaska today, although not all of them are currently working in the field. Under current state law, Alaskans with BCBAs cannot bill health insurance companies or Medicaid for their services at a rate that reflects their high degree of training and professional skill because they are not formally licensed. HB 361 addresses this situation by providing for those holding the BCBA or BCaBA credentials in Alaska to be licensed by the Division of Professional Licensing, in the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. Fourteen other states currently provide licensing and regulate behavior analysts. This approach has the strong support of Alaska BCBAs and of national autism advocacy groups. By ensuring licensing and higher standards of practice for BCBAs and BCaBAs, HB 361 will: · encourage more people to provide autism services in Alaska · offer higher reimbursement rates for professional providers · provide better outcomes for Alaska children with autism · save the state money by avoiding the need for costly institutional care, and · improve the quality of life for hundreds of Alaskans and their families 1:56:15 PM CHAIR STEDMAN noted two fiscal notes; one indeterminate note from Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), and one fiscal note for $46,600 receipt-supported services from Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED). SENATOR MICCICHE asked about the fiscal note from DCCED. REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER explained that it covers the initial cost of setting up the database and arranging for professional licensing. The subsequent $1,700 is a minimal cost that covers the cost of fingerprinting for new applicants, potential hearing mediation costs, legal support, and paperwork. He noted the advantage of professional licensing by a department, rather than by a professional licensing board; lower need for meetings, travel, and administrative staff support. CHAIR STEDMAN opened public testimony. 1:57:54 PM ANNETTE BLANAS, Director, Capacity Building and Autism Interventions Project, Center for Human Development, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of HB 361. She said she is also a licensed board certified Behavioral Analyst and the mother of an autistic child. She described how desperate people are to receive services for autism. She related that some services provide inadequate and unsafe programs and there is very little parents can do to address problems. Rural communities have little access to professionals and are at risk of receiving services from practitioners who are not providing quality or safe services. She spoke of the importance of licensure and the advantage of allowing practitioners to bill insurance companies. SUZANNE LETSO, CEO, Alaska Center for Autism, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of HB 361. She said she is also on the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board. She stated that in addition to helping families in rural areas, there is also a need to protect large schools like Anchorage who are spending well over $1 million a year on ABA services. She opined that the state would save money if even one person is able to come home from an out-of-state placement or prevented from needing such a placement. She referred to documents in members' packets that depict cost savings in this area. She maintained that this legislation will save money, protect consumers, and enhance the quality of life for people with autism and their families. She noted that this legislation also has applicability for other populations like fetal alcohol syndrome and traumatic brain injury sufferers. . 2:02:37 PM At ease CHAIR STEDMAN closed public testimony. 2:03:03 PM SARA CHAMBERS, Director, Division of Corporation, Business, and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (DCCED), Juneau, Alaska, answered questions related to HB 361. She said bill would create a new licensing program governed by the division instead of by a board. The division would deliver administrative services to make sure that the statutes and ensuing regulations are complied with. She said the department does not take a position on the bill, but has been working with the sponsor to analyze the impact to the division. The department is prepared to implement the bill, should it become law. 2:04:28 PM SENATOR ELLIS noted he served on the Autism Task Force along with the sponsor. He stated that HB 361 is important legislation and gets more professionals into the field to help families that face major challenges. SENATOR ELLIS moved to report HB 361 from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes. CHAIR STEDMAN announced that without objection, HB 361 is reported from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.