everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Bi-partisan Sponsorship
Healthcare

HB1245

To Create The Arkansas Behavior Analyst Registration Act.

Passed

Last Action (April 3, 2025): Notification that HB1245 is now Act 432

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1245 creates the Arkansas Behavior Analyst Registration Act to establish a formal registration process for behavior analysts under the Arkansas Psychology Board. The bill prohibits individuals from holding themselves out as 'registered behavior analysts' without completing the required registration process, which includes a criminal background check and proof of certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. It outlines the requirements for registration, renewal, temporary practice, and reciprocity for out-of-state professionals. The act establishes specific fines and administrative sanctions for violations, including unlicensed practice or non-compliance by registered individuals. Additionally, the bill amends existing law to require that at least one member of the Arkansas Psychology Board be a licensed psychologist with a background in behavior analysis. The bill explicitly states that it does not mandate additional training or continuing education beyond the requirements of the national certifying body.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are consumers of behavior analysis services, such as individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities and their families, who may gain greater assurance of the professional credentials of their practitioners. Additionally, professional behavior analysts benefit from having a clear, state-sanctioned registration framework that standardizes the profession and protects the title of 'registered behavior analyst' from unauthorized use.

Who Might Suffer?

Individuals who are currently practicing as behavior analysts without the specified national board certifications may be negatively impacted if they are unable to meet the new registration requirements, potentially limiting their ability to practice in the state. Furthermore, practitioners who perform unauthorized behavior analysis or falsely hold themselves out as registered professionals will face new regulatory penalties, including fines and the potential loss of their ability to use the professional title.

Vote Records

Senate amendment # 1 read and concurred in.

March 31, 2025
Yea: 77 Nay: 12 NV: 11 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (100)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Tracy Steele Democrat House Yea
Fred Allen Democrat House Yea
Lane Jean Republican House Yea
Stephen Meeks Republican House Yea
Mark Perry Democrat House Yea
Jon Eubanks Republican House Yea
Matthew Shepherd Republican House Yea
Jeff Wardlaw Republican House Yea
Bruce Cozart Republican House Yea
David Whitaker Democrat House Yea
Mike Holcomb Republican House Yea
Stephen Magie Democrat House NV
Mark McElroy Republican House Yea
Richard Womack Republican House Nay
Jack Ladyman Republican House Yea
Robin Lundstrum Republican House Nay
Dwight Tosh Republican House Yea
Rick Beck Republican House Yea
Mary Bentley Republican House Yea
Les Eaves Republican House Yea
Justin Gonzales Republican House Yea
Julie Mayberry Republican House Yea
Ken Ferguson Democrat House Yea
Ron Mcnair Republican House NV
Marcus Richmond Republican House Yea
Deann Vaught Republican House Yea
Karilyn Brown Republican House Yea
Sonia Eubanks Barker Republican House Yea
Frances Cavenaugh Republican House Yea
Jimmie Gazaway Republican House Yea
Roger Lynch Republican House Yea
John Maddox Republican House Yea
Aaron Pilkington Republican House NV
Johnny Rye Republican House Yea
Les Warren Republican House Yea
Carlton Wing Republican House Yea
Austin Mccollum Republican House Yea
Carol Dalby Republican House Yea
Steve Hollowell Republican House Yea
Brian Evans Republican House Yea
Lee Johnson Republican House Yea
Andrew Collins Democrat House Yea
Stan Berry Republican House Yea
Harlan Breaux Republican House Yea
Cameron Cooper Republican House Nay
Nicole Clowney Democrat House Yea
Cindy Crawford Republican House Yea
Denise Garner Democrat House Yea
Tippi McCullough Democrat House Yea
Jay Richardson Democrat House Yea
Jim Wooten Republican House Yea
Denise Ennett Democrat House Yea
Richard McGrew Republican House NV
Joy Springer Democrat House Yea
Howard Beaty Republican House NV
Tony Furman Republican House NV
Kendon Underwood Republican House Nay
David Ray Republican House Nay
John Carr Republican House Yea
Rick McClure Republican House Yea
Keith Brooks Republican House Yea
Ashley Hudson Democrat House Yea
Jon Milligan Republican House Yea
RJ Hawk Republican House Yea
Wade Andrews Republican House Yea
Rebecca Burkes Republican House Nay
Hope Duke Republican House Nay
Zack Gramlich Republican House NV
Mindy McAlindon Republican House NV
Matt Duffield Republican House Yea
Stetson Painter Republican House Yea
Steve Unger Republican House Yea
Wayne Long Republican House Nay
Scott Richardson Republican House Nay
Brandon Achor Republican House Yea
Jeremiah Moore Republican House Yea
Joey Carr Republican House Yea
Matt Brown Republican House Yea
Shad Pearce Republican House Yea
Chad Puryear Republican House Nay
Ryan Rose Republican House NV
Bart Schulz Republican House Yea
Trey Steimel Republican House Yea
Tara Shephard Democrat House Yea
Jeremy Wooldridge Republican House Yea
Kendra Moore Republican House Yea
Brit McKenzie Republican House NV
Steven Walker Republican House Yea
Glenn Barnes Democrat House Yea
Lincoln Barnett Democrat House Yea
Alyssa Brown Republican House Nay
Nick Burkes Republican House Nay
Paul Childress Republican House Yea
James Eaton Republican House Yea
Brad Hall Republican House Yea
Dolly Henley Republican House Yea
Jessie McGruder Democrat House Yea
Jason Nazarenko Republican House Yea
Randy Torres Republican House NV
Diana Gonzales Worthen Democrat House Yea

Senate amendment # 2 read and concurred in.

March 31, 2025
Yea: 75 Nay: 13 NV: 12 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (100)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Tracy Steele Democrat House Yea
Fred Allen Democrat House Yea
Lane Jean Republican House Yea
Stephen Meeks Republican House Yea
Mark Perry Democrat House Yea
Jon Eubanks Republican House Yea
Matthew Shepherd Republican House Yea
Jeff Wardlaw Republican House Yea
Bruce Cozart Republican House Yea
David Whitaker Democrat House Yea
Mike Holcomb Republican House Yea
Stephen Magie Democrat House NV
Mark McElroy Republican House Yea
Richard Womack Republican House Nay
Jack Ladyman Republican House Yea
Robin Lundstrum Republican House Nay
Dwight Tosh Republican House Yea
Rick Beck Republican House Yea
Mary Bentley Republican House NV
Les Eaves Republican House Yea
Justin Gonzales Republican House Nay
Julie Mayberry Republican House Yea
Ken Ferguson Democrat House Yea
Ron Mcnair Republican House NV
Marcus Richmond Republican House Yea
Deann Vaught Republican House Yea
Karilyn Brown Republican House Yea
Sonia Eubanks Barker Republican House Yea
Frances Cavenaugh Republican House Yea
Jimmie Gazaway Republican House Yea
Roger Lynch Republican House Yea
John Maddox Republican House Yea
Aaron Pilkington Republican House NV
Johnny Rye Republican House Yea
Les Warren Republican House Yea
Carlton Wing Republican House Yea
Austin Mccollum Republican House NV
Carol Dalby Republican House Yea
Steve Hollowell Republican House Yea
Brian Evans Republican House Yea
Lee Johnson Republican House Yea
Andrew Collins Democrat House Yea
Stan Berry Republican House Yea
Harlan Breaux Republican House Yea
Cameron Cooper Republican House NV
Nicole Clowney Democrat House Yea
Cindy Crawford Republican House Yea
Denise Garner Democrat House Yea
Tippi McCullough Democrat House Yea
Jay Richardson Democrat House Yea
Jim Wooten Republican House Yea
Denise Ennett Democrat House Yea
Richard McGrew Republican House NV
Joy Springer Democrat House Yea
Howard Beaty Republican House NV
Tony Furman Republican House Yea
Kendon Underwood Republican House Nay
David Ray Republican House Nay
John Carr Republican House Yea
Rick McClure Republican House Yea
Keith Brooks Republican House Yea
Ashley Hudson Democrat House Yea
Jon Milligan Republican House Yea
RJ Hawk Republican House Yea
Wade Andrews Republican House NV
Rebecca Burkes Republican House Nay
Hope Duke Republican House Nay
Zack Gramlich Republican House Yea
Mindy McAlindon Republican House NV
Matt Duffield Republican House Yea
Stetson Painter Republican House Yea
Steve Unger Republican House Yea
Wayne Long Republican House Nay
Scott Richardson Republican House Nay
Brandon Achor Republican House Yea
Jeremiah Moore Republican House Yea
Joey Carr Republican House Yea
Matt Brown Republican House Yea
Shad Pearce Republican House Yea
Chad Puryear Republican House Nay
Ryan Rose Republican House NV
Bart Schulz Republican House Yea
Trey Steimel Republican House Yea
Tara Shephard Democrat House Yea
Jeremy Wooldridge Republican House Yea
Kendra Moore Republican House Yea
Brit McKenzie Republican House NV
Steven Walker Republican House Yea
Glenn Barnes Democrat House Yea
Lincoln Barnett Democrat House Yea
Alyssa Brown Republican House Nay
Nick Burkes Republican House Nay
Paul Childress Republican House Yea
James Eaton Republican House Yea
Brad Hall Republican House Yea
Dolly Henley Republican House Yea
Jessie McGruder Democrat House Yea
Jason Nazarenko Republican House Yea
Randy Torres Republican House Nay
Diana Gonzales Worthen Democrat House Yea

Senate amendment # 3 read and concurred in.

March 31, 2025
Yea: 73 Nay: 15 NV: 12 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (100)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Tracy Steele Democrat House Yea
Fred Allen Democrat House Yea
Lane Jean Republican House Yea
Stephen Meeks Republican House Yea
Mark Perry Democrat House Yea
Jon Eubanks Republican House Yea
Matthew Shepherd Republican House Yea
Jeff Wardlaw Republican House Yea
Bruce Cozart Republican House Yea
David Whitaker Democrat House Yea
Mike Holcomb Republican House Yea
Stephen Magie Democrat House NV
Mark McElroy Republican House Yea
Richard Womack Republican House Nay
Jack Ladyman Republican House Yea
Robin Lundstrum Republican House Nay
Dwight Tosh Republican House NV
Rick Beck Republican House Yea
Mary Bentley Republican House Yea
Les Eaves Republican House Yea
Justin Gonzales Republican House Nay
Julie Mayberry Republican House Yea
Ken Ferguson Democrat House Yea
Ron Mcnair Republican House NV
Marcus Richmond Republican House Yea
Deann Vaught Republican House Yea
Karilyn Brown Republican House Yea
Sonia Eubanks Barker Republican House Yea
Frances Cavenaugh Republican House Yea
Jimmie Gazaway Republican House Yea
Roger Lynch Republican House Yea
John Maddox Republican House Yea
Aaron Pilkington Republican House NV
Johnny Rye Republican House Yea
Les Warren Republican House Yea
Carlton Wing Republican House Yea
Austin Mccollum Republican House NV
Carol Dalby Republican House Yea
Steve Hollowell Republican House Yea
Brian Evans Republican House Yea
Lee Johnson Republican House Yea
Andrew Collins Democrat House Yea
Stan Berry Republican House Yea
Harlan Breaux Republican House Yea
Cameron Cooper Republican House Nay
Nicole Clowney Democrat House Yea
Cindy Crawford Republican House Yea
Denise Garner Democrat House Yea
Tippi McCullough Democrat House Yea
Jay Richardson Democrat House Yea
Jim Wooten Republican House Yea
Denise Ennett Democrat House Yea
Richard McGrew Republican House NV
Joy Springer Democrat House Yea
Howard Beaty Republican House NV
Tony Furman Republican House Yea
Kendon Underwood Republican House Nay
David Ray Republican House Nay
John Carr Republican House Yea
Rick McClure Republican House Yea
Keith Brooks Republican House Yea
Ashley Hudson Democrat House Yea
Jon Milligan Republican House Yea
RJ Hawk Republican House Yea
Wade Andrews Republican House NV
Rebecca Burkes Republican House Nay
Hope Duke Republican House Nay
Zack Gramlich Republican House NV
Mindy McAlindon Republican House NV
Matt Duffield Republican House Yea
Stetson Painter Republican House Yea
Steve Unger Republican House Yea
Wayne Long Republican House Nay
Scott Richardson Republican House Nay
Brandon Achor Republican House Yea
Jeremiah Moore Republican House Yea
Joey Carr Republican House Yea
Matt Brown Republican House Yea
Shad Pearce Republican House Yea
Chad Puryear Republican House Nay
Ryan Rose Republican House NV
Bart Schulz Republican House Yea
Trey Steimel Republican House Yea
Tara Shephard Democrat House Yea
Jeremy Wooldridge Republican House Yea
Kendra Moore Republican House Yea
Brit McKenzie Republican House NV
Steven Walker Republican House Yea
Glenn Barnes Democrat House Yea
Lincoln Barnett Democrat House Yea
Alyssa Brown Republican House Nay
Nick Burkes Republican House Nay
Paul Childress Republican House Yea
James Eaton Republican House Yea
Brad Hall Republican House Nay
Dolly Henley Republican House Yea
Jessie McGruder Democrat House Yea
Jason Nazarenko Republican House Yea
Randy Torres Republican House Nay
Diana Gonzales Worthen Democrat House Yea

Third Reading

March 17, 2025
Yea: 24 Nay: 2 NV: 8 Absent: 1 Passed
View individual votes (35)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Jane English Republican Senate NV
Jonathan Dismang Republican Senate Yea
Greg Leding Democrat Senate Yea
Missy Irvin Republican Senate Yea
Bryan King Republican Senate Yea
Kim Hammer Republican Senate Yea
Stephanie Flowers Democrat Senate Yea
Frederick Love Democrat Senate Yea
Terry Rice Republican Senate NV
Reginald Murdock Democrat Senate Yea
Gary Stubblefield Republican Senate Nay
Jim Dotson Republican Senate NV
John Payton Republican Senate Yea
Alan Clark Republican Senate NV
Ronald Caldwell Republican Senate NV
Bart Hester Republican Senate Yea
Jimmy Hickey Republican Senate Yea
Dan Sullivan Republican Senate Yea
David Wallace Republican Senate Yea
Blake Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Justin Boyd Republican Senate Yea
Clarke Tucker Democrat Senate Yea
Scott Flippo Republican Senate Yea
Clint Penzo Republican Senate NV
Mark Johnson Republican Senate Nay
Ricky Hill Republican Senate Yea
Jamie Scott Democrat Senate Yea
Breanne Davis Republican Senate Yea
Ben Gilmore Republican Senate Yea
Joshua Bryant Republican Senate NV
Matt McKee Republican Senate NV
Jim Petty Republican Senate Yea
Steve Crowell Republican Senate Yea
Tyler Dees Republican Senate Absent
Matt Stone Republican Senate Yea

Third Reading

Feb. 5, 2025
Yea: 75 Nay: 15 NV: 10 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (100)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Tracy Steele Democrat House NV
Fred Allen Democrat House Yea
Lane Jean Republican House Yea
Stephen Meeks Republican House NV
Mark Perry Democrat House Yea
Jon Eubanks Republican House Yea
Matthew Shepherd Republican House Yea
Jeff Wardlaw Republican House Nay
Bruce Cozart Republican House Yea
David Whitaker Democrat House Yea
Mike Holcomb Republican House Yea
Stephen Magie Democrat House Yea
Mark McElroy Republican House Yea
Richard Womack Republican House Yea
Jack Ladyman Republican House Yea
Robin Lundstrum Republican House NV
Dwight Tosh Republican House Yea
Rick Beck Republican House Yea
Mary Bentley Republican House Yea
Les Eaves Republican House Yea
Justin Gonzales Republican House NV
Julie Mayberry Republican House Yea
Ken Ferguson Democrat House Yea
Ron Mcnair Republican House NV
Marcus Richmond Republican House Yea
Deann Vaught Republican House Yea
Karilyn Brown Republican House Yea
Sonia Eubanks Barker Republican House Yea
Frances Cavenaugh Republican House Yea
Jimmie Gazaway Republican House Yea
Roger Lynch Republican House Yea
John Maddox Republican House Yea
Aaron Pilkington Republican House Yea
Johnny Rye Republican House Yea
Les Warren Republican House Yea
Carlton Wing Republican House Yea
Austin Mccollum Republican House NV
Carol Dalby Republican House NV
Steve Hollowell Republican House Yea
Brian Evans Republican House Yea
Lee Johnson Republican House Yea
Andrew Collins Democrat House Yea
Stan Berry Republican House Yea
Harlan Breaux Republican House NV
Cameron Cooper Republican House Nay
Nicole Clowney Democrat House Yea
Cindy Crawford Republican House Yea
Denise Garner Democrat House Yea
Tippi McCullough Democrat House Yea
Jay Richardson Democrat House Yea
Jim Wooten Republican House Yea
Denise Ennett Democrat House Yea
Richard McGrew Republican House Yea
Joy Springer Democrat House Yea
Howard Beaty Republican House Nay
Tony Furman Republican House NV
Kendon Underwood Republican House Nay
David Ray Republican House Nay
John Carr Republican House Yea
Rick McClure Republican House Nay
Keith Brooks Republican House Yea
Ashley Hudson Democrat House Yea
Jon Milligan Republican House Yea
RJ Hawk Republican House Yea
Wade Andrews Republican House Nay
Rebecca Burkes Republican House Nay
Hope Duke Republican House Nay
Zack Gramlich Republican House Yea
Mindy McAlindon Republican House NV
Matt Duffield Republican House Yea
Stetson Painter Republican House Yea
Steve Unger Republican House Yea
Wayne Long Republican House Nay
Scott Richardson Republican House Nay
Brandon Achor Republican House Yea
Jeremiah Moore Republican House Yea
Joey Carr Republican House Yea
Matt Brown Republican House Yea
Shad Pearce Republican House Yea
Chad Puryear Republican House Nay
Ryan Rose Republican House Yea
Bart Schulz Republican House Yea
Trey Steimel Republican House Yea
Tara Shephard Democrat House Yea
Jeremy Wooldridge Republican House Yea
Kendra Moore Republican House Yea
Brit McKenzie Republican House Nay
Steven Walker Republican House Yea
Glenn Barnes Democrat House Yea
Lincoln Barnett Democrat House Yea
Alyssa Brown Republican House Nay
Nick Burkes Republican House Nay
Paul Childress Republican House Yea
James Eaton Republican House Yea
Brad Hall Republican House Yea
Dolly Henley Republican House Yea
Jessie McGruder Democrat House Yea
Jason Nazarenko Republican House Yea
Randy Torres Republican House Yea
Diana Gonzales Worthen Democrat House Yea
Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us