Summary — HB 7109 (File No. 937)
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING IMPLEMENTING CERTAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TRANSFORMING CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH POLICY AND PLANNING COMMITTEE AND ABUSE INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING BEHAVIORAL ANALYSTS
Main purpose and intent
HB 7109 directs implementation of selected recommendations from the Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee and establishes or modifies procedures for abuse investigations that involve behavioral analysts. The bill seeks to improve the state’s system for delivering, supervising, coordinating and investigating children's behavioral health services (including autism/ABA services) by clarifying agency responsibilities, reporting requirements, and investigative processes.
Key provisions (high-level)
The bill, as described by its title and subject list, is organized around two principal themes:
Implementing Committee Recommendations
- Directs state agencies to adopt or operationalize specified recommendations from the Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee. These likely address interagency coordination, service capacity, workforce development, family engagement, and programmatic changes affecting children's behavioral health and autism services.
- May authorize or require grants, program development, or changes to service delivery under Medicaid/state medical assistance programs.
Abuse investigations involving behavioral analysts
- Establishes or clarifies protocols, reporting and investigative responsibilities when alleged abuse or neglect involves licensed or certified behavioral analysts (e.g., Board Certified Behavior Analysts or similar practitioners).
- May modify complaint, reporting, and oversight procedures for behavioral analysts across relevant agencies (Department of Children and Families, Department of Social Services, Office of Early Childhood, licensing boards).
Note: The bill’s subjects also reference the Office of Health Strategy, Medicaid, public health, and grants, indicating possible funding, coverage, or administrative changes. The substitute bill was reported favorably by committee; full statutory text should be consulted for precise statutory amendments.
Who would be affected
- Children and families receiving behavioral health or autism-related services (including ABA).
- Behavioral health workforce, particularly behavioral analysts and supervising clinicians.
- State agencies: Department of Children and Families, Department of Social Services (Medicaid), Office of Early Childhood, Office of Health Strategy, and licensing/oversight entities.
- Providers and programs that receive state grants or Medicaid reimbursement.
Procedural / timeline actions (key dates)
- Introduced: February 27, 2025; referred to Joint Committee on Human Services.
- Public hearing: March 6, 2025.
- Joint Favorable Substitute reported: March 19, 2025; again recorded April 2 and May 5 with LCO filings.
- Referred to Appropriations: April 29, 2025.
- Reported out of LCO and new file to Appropriations: May 19, 2025; TABLED FOR HOUSE CALENDAR — FILE NO. 937.
- Referred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis for review (multiple dates).
Fiscal and implementation notes
- The bill was referred to the Office of Fiscal Analysis; specific cost estimates or funding mechanisms are not included in this summary. Implementation could involve administrative costs, grant funding, or Medicaid program changes. Review the OFA fiscal note and the full bill text (LCO file No. 937) for details.
For exact statutory language, amendment details, and fiscal impact, consult the bill text on the legislative website and the OFA/OLR analyses.
