Bill > S78

This bill establishes "Level IV treatment interventions," a new and highly restrictive category of behavioral interventions for individuals with disorders posing a serious danger to themselves or others, who are receiving public funding. These interventions involve the systematic use of painful or unpleasant stimuli and are only to be considered when less intrusive methods, including those developed by specialists in positive behavior supports, have failed. The bill mandates that Level IV interventions must be evidence-based, scientifically validated, and designed by qualified professionals, such as Licensed Applied Behavior Analysts or Board Certified Behavior Analysts, with extensive experience. A statewide peer review committee, composed of experts and a public member, will oversee all Level IV interventions, reviewing individual treatment plans and recommending guidelines. Facilities seeking to use these interventions must also establish their own peer review committees. The bill outlines strict approval processes, including review by the statewide committee and, in some cases, the Probate and Family Court, with initial approvals limited to 30 days and a maximum of six months, requiring ongoing data collection and justification. Failure to comply with these provisions can lead to license suspension or revocation and may be considered mistreatment.