During the 2018 Session, LCAAS and LaBAA advocated for passage of Act 696, which was intended to ensure that school children have access to high-quality behavioral health services in the school setting. The bill requires that, upon request by a parent, school districts must allow behavioral health providers who meet certain requirements to provide services during the school day.  Unfortunately, may school districts have continued to put up road blocks to children receiving critical autism services by refusing to allow ABA therapists to provide services to children with autism. 

HB 320 by Rep. Scott Simon and SB 78 by Sen. Danny Martiny clarifies that Act 696 includes ABA therapy providers and therefore ensures that children with autism receive medically necessary autism services.  The bill simply seeks to clarify the original intent of Act 696. The bill also will not impose any costs upon school districts, as existing law already mandates that private insurers and Medicaid cover medically necessary ABA therapy services.

Students with autism deserve access to appropriate and medically necessary therapy services to ensure they are able to realize the full educational potential.  Take Action Now by signing up to contact your legislator to advocate for passage of HB 320 & SB 78!