SB507

Senate Bill 507 mandates that the Arkansas Medicaid Program provide coverage for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for specific adult beneficiaries. To qualify, individuals must be over twenty-one years of age, diagnosed with autism, participants in the Community and Employment Services Waiver, and have a medical necessity determination from a qualified healthcare professional. The bill stipulates that these services must be available on a one-to-one basis in both home and community settings, rather than being restricted to group or clinical environments. Services must be provided by board-certified behavior analysts or registered behavior technicians operating under supervision. Furthermore, the legislation directs the Arkansas Department of Human Services to seek any necessary federal waivers or state plan amendments to implement these coverage requirements.