Bill > SB210

This bill establishes regulations for "positive behavior support facilitators," who will now be governed by the Board of Counseling, adding them to the list of professions overseen by this board. These facilitators will be qualified to provide collaborative behavioral health services under supervision, including tasks like screening, intake, care coordination, client education, crisis de-escalation, gathering health histories, teaching psychosocial skills, and implementing interventions as part of individual care plans. Supervision must come from either a positively behavior support facilitator endorsed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) who has completed supervisor training, or a licensed professional approved by the Board of Counseling, Board of Psychology, or Board of Social Work who has also completed supervisor training and is operating within their scope of practice. To become registered, applicants must meet specific educational requirements, including a bachelor's degree, a set number of didactic education hours in Board-recognized programs, and a specified amount of supervised experience. The bill also directs the DBHDS and the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to create their own regulations that align with those of the Board of Counseling, with initial regulatory adoptions by all three bodies exempt from standard administrative procedures but still requiring public comment.

Education, Health and Social Services

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB210