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SALT LAKE CITY — Lawmakers on Wednesday favored an idea to create a new license for an applied behavior analyst and assistant behavior specialist to provide care for children who have an autism spectrum disorder.
"It's a real challenge out there for those in this category," said Jim Clegg, whose grandson is autistic. He said parents and grandparents have a hard time accessing safe resources "to help our children."
SB246, sponsored by Sen. Brian Shiozawa, R-Cottonwood Heights, amends the existing Utah Psychologist Licensing Act to include the new licensees, who will serve a growing group of consumers, according to Nan Klein, director of professional affairs for the Utah Psychological Association.
"There is an important need for qualified persons to serve a very needy community," she said.
The bill unanimously passed through the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday and will head to the senate for a vote from the body.
— Wendy Leonard
