requires licensure through a state agency for any person wanting to practice

OKLAHOMA Health Insurance : After the defeat of an autism coverage mandate, Governor Brad Henry signed legislation last week that requires licensure through a state agency for any person wanting to practice as a licensed behavioral analyst. It also directs the state to allow the use of funds for specialized training for providers in the Sooner Start program to help providers acquire the skills necessary to treat children with autism spectrum disorders. The bill further requires that primary care provider evaluation training funds be available to providers to acquire the skills necessary to evaluate children with autism spectrum disorders. The legislation also creates an applied behavioral analysis research pilot project and an early intensive behavioral intervention outreach program. The state must provide the legislature and the Governor a report by Jan. 1, 2014, about the project. The bill was drafted in response to a pilot program developed in 2008 that made available a specific amount of money per family that applied for treatment for their autistic children. Much of the designated money went unspent due to a lack of credentialed providers.