A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to allow adaptive behavior treatment covered by a health benefit plan to be provided or supervised by a board certified behavior analyst.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 58‑3‑192(a)(1) reads as rewritten:
"§ 58‑3‑192.  Coverage for autism spectrum disorder.
(a)	As used in this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)	Adaptive behavior treatment. – Behavioral and developmental interventions that systematically manage instructional and environmental factors or the consequences of behavior that have been shown to be clinically effective through research published in peer reviewed scientific journals and based upon randomized, quasi‑experimental, or single subject designs. Both of the following requirements must be met:
a.	The intervention must be necessary to (i) increase appropriate or adaptive behaviors, (ii) decrease maladaptive behaviors, or (iii) develop, maintain, or restore, to the maximum extent practicable, the functioning of an individual.
b.	The treatment must be ordered by a licensed physician or licensed psychologist and the treatment must be provided or supervised by one of the following professionals, so long as the services or supervision provided is commensurate with the professional's training, experience, and scope of practice:
1.	A licensed psychologist or psychological associate.
2.	A licensed psychiatrist or developmental pediatrician.
3.	A licensed speech and language pathologist.
4.	A licensed occupational therapist.
5.	A licensed clinical social worker.
6.	A licensed professional counselor.
7.	A licensed marriage and family therapist.
8.	A board certified behavior analyst."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2017, and applies to insurance contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.