Bill > SB113

This bill continues the Alabama Behavior Analyst Licensing Board under the state's Sunset Law, renaming it the Alabama Behavior Analyst Advisory Council and placing it within the Department of Mental Health, with the purpose of advising the department on matters concerning licensed behavior analysts and the practice of behavior analysis. The bill amends existing laws to redefine terms like "Advisory Council" and "Department," clarifies that the practice of behavior analysis involves designing, implementing, and evaluating modifications to improve behavior, and explicitly excludes certain practices like psychotherapy or medical diagnosis. It also maintains the prohibition against unlicensed practice of behavior analysis, outlines exemptions for various professionals and students, and establishes that the advisory council will consist of seven members, including licensed behavior analysts, a psychologist, a parent of an individual receiving behavior analysis services, and a public member, all appointed by the Mental Health Commissioner. Furthermore, the bill transfers all existing rights and responsibilities from the former board to the department, ensures continuity for currently licensed individuals, and details the administrative and operational support the department will provide to the advisory council, including office space, personnel, and technology services. The bill also allows for temporary licenses for out-of-state practitioners, establishes reciprocity for those licensed in other states with comparable requirements, and outlines the renewal process for licenses, which will be granted for two-year periods. Finally, it repeals the section of law that subjected the board to the Sunset Law, effectively ensuring its continued existence under the new structure.

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