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H 4623

An Act increasing access to ABA services by recognizing assistant level providers

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Michelle DuBois and 9 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill authorizes ABA assistant-level providers to expand behavioral health treatment access for autism and developmental disabilities under supervision.

Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026
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Bill Summary · H 4623

Legislative bill overview

H.4623 expands access to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services in Massachusetts by authorizing and recognizing assistant-level providers to deliver these behavioral health treatments. Currently, ABA services are primarily limited to board-certified analysts and supervisors, creating bottlenecks in service availability. This bill creates a new tier of credentialed assistants who can provide direct ABA care under appropriate supervision.

Why is this important

ABA is the evidence-based standard treatment for autism spectrum disorder and other behavioral health conditions, but Massachusetts faces significant shortages of certified providers, resulting in long waitlists for families seeking services. Recognizing assistant-level providers could increase service capacity substantially while maintaining quality through supervision requirements. This directly affects thousands of families currently unable to access timely treatment due to provider scarcity.

Potential points of contention

  • Quality and supervision standards: Questions about what level of supervision is sufficient for assistant providers and whether minimum credentials and training hours are adequately defined in the bill
  • Insurance coverage and reimbursement: Uncertainty about whether health insurers will cover services from assistant-level providers at comparable rates, potentially limiting practical access despite legal authorization
  • Labor market and wage impacts: Concerns that creating lower-tier positions could depress wages for certified behavior analysts and affect the pipeline of individuals pursuing full certification

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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