Authorizes holders of certain operating certificates to employ or contract with applied behavior analysts and mental health counselors

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Harry Bronson and 2 co-sponsors

Authorizes holders of designated certs to hire or contract with ABAs and MHCs, expanding staffing for behavioral health services.

REFERRED TO FINANCE

Bill Summary: A 8751

What this bill would do

The bill would authorize holders of certain operating certificates to employ or contract with applied behavior analysts (ABAs) and mental health counselors (MHCs).

Purpose and intent

The language indicates a focus on expanding the ability of entities with specific operating certificates to hire or contract with ABAs and MHCs, potentially to provide or enhance behavioral health services.

Key provisions (as described)

Authorization for holders of designated operating certificates to employ or contract with:

Applied Behavior Analysts (ABAs)
Mental Health Counselors (MHCs)

Note: The publicly available description provides the primary provision above. Specific definitions, qualifications, scope of practice, supervision requirements, billing, credentialing standards, or other regulatory details are not included in the provided summary.

Who would be affected

Entities that hold the specified operating certificates (the bill’s target holders).

ABAs and licensed or credentialed mental health counselors seeking employment or contract opportunities with these certificate holders.

Sponsor and legislative status

Primary sponsor: Harry B. Bronson

Status: Referred to the Mental Health committee

Introduction date: June 2, 2025

Legislative actions: On June 2, 2025, the bill was referred to Mental Health (listed twice in the record)

Related/companion bills: Senate companion S 8429 (noted as a companion in the record)

Procedural and timeline notes

Referred to committee: Mental Health (as of June 2, 2025)

Companion bill exists in the Senate (S 8429); no further actions are detailed in the provided materials.

No explicit fiscal impact, effective date, or implementation timeline is provided in the available summary.

Potential impacts and considerations

Service delivery: Could increase the capacity of certificate-holding entities to provide or expand behavioral health services by expanding staffing options.

Workforce implications: May affect hiring, contracting practices, and workforce planning for providers with operating certificates.

Regulatory details: Absent from the summary; if enacted, stakeholders may want to review any accompanying regulations, scope of practice definitions, supervision requirements, and reimbursement considerations.

Next steps

Monitor committee activity in Mental Health for amendments, hearings, or passage.

Check for the Senate companion’s status (S 8429) and any cross-checks or differences between the House and Senate versions.

Await a full text release to assess definitions, exemptions, and potential fiscal impact.