Bill Summary: HB 1311

• Establishes licensing requirements for behavior analysts (LBA) and assistant behavior analysts (LaBA) under the state committee of psychologists, requiring certification by a nationally accredited certifying entity like the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

• Creates a behavior analyst advisory board with seven members (three licensed behavior analysts, one with doctoral degree, one assistant behavior analyst, one psychologist, and one public member) to review applications, complaints, and recommend rules.

• Requires health insurance plans to provide coverage for diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders effective January 1, 2011, including psychiatric care, psychological care, habilitative/rehabilitative care, therapeutic services, and pharmacy care.

• Limits applied behavior analysis coverage to a maximum benefit of $40,000 per calendar year for individuals through age 18, adjustable for inflation triennially, with possible waiver for small employers demonstrating 2.5% or greater increase in premium costs.

• Prohibits insurance carriers from denying coverage or refusing to issue policies to individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and allows treatment plans to be reviewed no more than once every six months.