MN SF4173

Modifies qualifications for positive support analysts to require one of three education/certification pathways: baccalaureate degree or higher in social services or nursing, mental health practitioner credentials, or board-certified behavior analyst certification.

Requires positive support analysts to have four years of supervised experience conducting functional behavior assessments and designing positive support strategies for individuals with challenging behaviors and co-occurring mental health or neurocognitive disorders.

Establishes mandatory training requirements for both analysts and specialists including 10-20 hours instruction on functional assessment, behavior function, positive support strategy design, and 8 hours on person-centered thinking principles, to be completed prior to hire or within 90 calendar days.

Modifies positive support specialist qualifications to require either an associate's degree in social services or nursing, or two years of supervised experience working with individuals with challenging behaviors and co-occurring disorders.

Effective date is July 1, 2024, or upon federal approval, whichever occurs first, with the commissioner of human services required to notify the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained.