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Bill Summary · SB 974

Summary of SB 974 (North Carolina) – Session 2025

Title

Behavior Analysis Reforms

Purpose and Intent

SB 974 proposes reforms related to the practice, regulation, and oversight of behavior analysis within North Carolina. The bill aims to update standards, licensure/credentialing requirements, and enforcement related to professionals who deliver applied behavior analysis (ABA) services and related behavioral interventions. The intent appears to be streamlining regulation, enhancing quality and accountability, and aligning state rules with current best practices in the field.

Key Provisions and Changes (Proposed)

  • Licensing and Credentialing

    • Establishes or strengthens state requirements for individuals who provide ABA services, including credentialing, certification, or licensure standards.
    • Sets qualifications for behavior analysts, assistant behavior analysts, and possibly registered paraprofessional staff, including education, supervised practice hours, and ongoing continuing education.

  • Practice Standards

    • Establishes or clarifies professional standards for assessment, treatment planning, data collection, and progress measurement.
    • Requires adherence to evidence-based ABA practices and ethical guidelines for behavior analysts.
    • May address the scope of practice, including who can supervise ABA interventions and under what conditions.

  • Supervision and Training

    • Details supervision ratios and supervision requirements for trainees, assistants, and entry-level practitioners.
    • Specifies required supervision time, documentation, and competencies to be demonstrated before independent practice.

  • Compliance and Enforcement

    • Creates or updates enforcement mechanisms, including audits, licensing discipline, penalties for noncompliance, and procedures for complaints.
    • Establishes grounds for disciplinary actions such as unlicensed practice, professional misconduct, or unsafe/client-endangering practices.

  • Public Protection and Consumer Safeguards

    • Aims to protect clients (including individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities who commonly receive ABA services) by ensuring qualified practitioners and reliable service delivery.
    • May require informed consent, treatment documentation, and transparent billing practices.

  • Administrative and Administrative Penalties

    • Outlines administrative processes for licensure renewal, fee schedules, and potential penalties for late renewals or noncompliance.

  • Professional Collaboration

    • Encourages or requires collaboration with other health care and educational professionals, advocacy groups, or relevant state agencies in service delivery and case management.

  • Implementation Timeline

    • Sets effective dates for any new licensure/credentialing requirements, transition periods for current practitioners, and potential phased implementation.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Behavior Analysts and Assistant Behavior Analysts
    • Individuals delivering ABA services or supervising ABA providers in North Carolina.
  • Education and Healthcare Providers
    • Schools, clinics, and hospitals employing or contracting with behavior analysts.
  • Behavior Analysis Employers
    • Organizations offering ABA services, including ABA therapy providers, developmental disability programs, and private practices.
  • Clients and Families
    • Individuals receiving ABA services, particularly children with autism or developmental disabilities, along with their families and guardians, who would benefit from clarified standards and protections.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Effective Date and Transitions
    • The bill would specify when new licensure or certification requirements take effect and any phase-in periods for current practitioners.
  • Rulemaking
    • Possible directive for the relevant licensing board or commission to adopt rules to implement the statute, including fee structures, application processes, and disciplinary guidelines.
  • Reporting and Oversight
    • May require periodic reports on licensure statistics, compliance activities, and outcomes related to consumer protection.

Notes

  • The action history shows the bill being filed on 2026-04-30 with Jim Burgin listed as a co-sponsor. No additional amendments, fiscal notes, or committee referrals are provided in the available information.
  • Specific numerical details (e.g., exact licensure requirements, fee amounts, supervision ratios, or transition timelines) are not included in the provided summary and would be clarified in the bill’s text and any accompanying fiscal notes or committee analyses.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on stakeholders (parents/guardians, schools, clinics) or extract the exact sections as the bill text becomes available.

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

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