FL S1212

Establishes the Board of Applied Behavior Analysis within the Department of Health's Division of Medical Quality Assurance, consisting of seven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

Creates licensure requirements for behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts, including mandatory board certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), criminal background checks with fingerprinting, and application fees not to exceed $100 for applications, $300 for initial licenses, and $300 for renewals.

Requires biennial license renewal with continuing education not to exceed 32 hours for behavior analysts or 20 hours for assistant behavior analysts, contingent on maintaining BACB certification.

Establishes disciplinary grounds including fraudulent licensure, criminal convictions, sexual misconduct, false advertising, and violations of professional standards, with penalties ranging from license denial to revocation.

Makes unlicensed practice of applied behavior analysis a third-degree felony and misappropriate use of licensed titles a second-degree misdemeanor, while exempting physicians, psychologists, clinical social workers, certified teachers, students in approved programs, and clergy performing ministerial duties.

Takes effect January 1, 2015, with $113,541 in recurring and $37,911 in nonrecurring appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2014-2015.