Healing arts: behavior analysis: licensing.

Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of various healing arts licensees by various boards, as defined, within the Department of Consumer Affairs, including the Board of Psychology. Under existing law, until January 1, 2017, the board is vested with the power to enforce the Psychology Licensing Law, and consists of 9 members, 4 of whom are public members and 5 of whom are licensed psychologists. Existing law requires the board to post information on its licensees, as specified, including, among others, psychological assistants. Existing law specifies that a quorum of the board requires 5 members. This bill would, on and after July 1, 2017, increase the number of members on the board to 11, and would increase the number of members for a quorum to 6 members. The bill would require the 2 new members to meet certain requirements, including, but not limited to, that one of the new members is licensed as a psychologist and qualified to practice behavior analysis, as defined. This bill would establish the Behavior Analyst Act. The bill would require a person to apply for and obtain a license from the board prior to engaging in the practice of behavior analysis, as defined, either as a behavior analyst or an assistant behavior analyst. The bill would require these applicants to, among other things, meet certain educational and training requirements, and submit fingerprints for both a state and federal criminal background check. The bill would require an assistant behavior analyst applicant to provide proof to the board of ongoing supervision by a licensed behavior analyst or a licensed psychologist who is qualified to practice behavior analysis, as specified. The bill would provide that those licenses expire 2 years after the date of issuance and would authorize the renewal of unexpired licenses if certain requirements are met, including the completion of specified continuing education. The bill would also require an applicant to certify, under penalty of perjury, that he or she is in compliance with that continuing education requirement. By expanding the crime of perjury, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would also require a behavior analysis technician, as defined, who practices under the direction and supervision of a licensed behavior analyst, a licensed assistant behavior analyst, or a licensed psychologist who is qualified to practice behavior analysis, to submit, among other things, an application subject to board approval, fingerprints for a state and federal criminal background check, and payment of an annual application fee. This bill would, until January 1, 2021, vest the board with the power to enforce the Behavior Analyst Act, and would require the board to, among other things, post information regarding licensed behavior analysts and licensed assistant behavior analysts, as specified. The bill would, until January 1, 2021, create the Behavior Analyst Committee within the jurisdiction of the board, and would require the committee to be comprised of 5 members who shall be appointed as specified. The bill would authorize the committee to make recommendations to the board regarding the regulation of the practice of behavior analysis in the state. This bill would define certain terms for these purposes. The bill would require the board to conduct disciplinary hearings, as specified. The bill, on and after July 1, 2018, would make it unlawful to, among other things, practice behavior analysis without being licensed by the board, except as specified. This bill would make a licensee or health care facility, as defined, that fails or refuses to comply with an authorized client request or court order for the medical records of a client subject to a specified civil penalty, except as specified. The bill would also make a licensee or health care facility with multiple violations of those court orders subject to a crime. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would make a violation of any of these provisions a misdemeanor punishable by 6 months in the county jail or a fine not to exceed $2,500, or by both imprisonment and a fine. By creating a new crime, this bill would result in a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.