Va. House approves autism licensing bill

RICHMOND

A bill to fix a flaw in an childhood autism insurance coverage law approved last year breezed through the House of Delegates today, attracting just one dissenting vote.

The measure authorizes the state Board of Medicine to develop regulations for the licensure of behavior analysts involved in the treatment of autistic children, a necessary step for the care of those youngsters to be covered by Virginia insurers.

After years of debate, lawmakers in 2011 passed a law requiring insurance companies to cover the diagnosis and treatment of young children with autism spectrum disorder. Its provisions generally apply to autistic children ages 2-6 and caps annual expenses at $35,000.

Instead of taking effect in January, however, it was delayed by an amendment from Gov. Bob McDonnell requiring behavior analysts to be licensed by the state for their treatment to be covered by insurance. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has opined the state presently lacks that licensing ability.

Loudoun County Del. Thomas "Tag" Greason's HB 1106 directs the state to develop licensing regulations within 280 of its enactment. It also contains an emergency clause, meaning it will take effect immediately if four-fifths of the members in both General Assembly chambers approve it.

The House approved his bill 96-1. It now heads to the state Senate for consideration.