Update: Senate Budget Committee Approves Behavior Analyst Licensing Act

On Thursday, December 5^th, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approved the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act (S3099/A4608). This bipartisan legislation is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-37), Senate Minority Leader Thomas Kean, Jr. (R-21), Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-16), and Assemblywoman Joann Downey (D-11). Autism New Jersey and NJABA attended the committee hearing to show support and answer any questions from the committee.

After months of working with the legislative sponsors and other advocacy and trade organizations on a few amendments to the bill, we are pleased to see the bill advance towards becoming law. We thank the Budget Chairman Senator Paul Sarlo (D-36), Vice-Chairwoman Senator Sandra Cunningham (D-31), and the entire Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for their support. We are also grateful for Senator Weinberg, Senator Kean, Assemblyman Zwicker, and Assemblywoman Downey’s continued commitment to establish state-level regulation and oversight of behavior analysts on behalf of New Jersey consumers.

The Senate version of the bill now heads to the full Senate for a floor vote and, although the bill already received full support from the General Assembly (76-1), it must return there for a concurrence vote due to the recent amendments.  If the bill passes, the Legislature sends it to the Governor’s desk.

We will continue to update you.  If you have any questions, please contact publicpolicy@autismnj.org.

Path to Law: Behavior Analyst Licensing Act

INTRODUCED	IN COMMITTEE		VOTE	SIGNED INTO LAW