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ArkansasHB12452025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BEHAVIOR ANALYST REGISTRATION ACT.

Sponsored By: Nicole Clowney (Democratic), Missy Irvin (Republican)

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

New registration and fees for behavior analysts

The law creates Arkansas Psychology Board registration for behavior analysts who practice independently. Applicants must apply, pay up to $200, and complete a criminal background check. They must hold current Behavior Analyst Certification Board certification as a board certified behavior analyst or behavior analyst-doctoral. Registration lasts two years; renewal requires an application, current certification, and a fee of up to $150. The law requires no additional training or continuing education through a state or national association.

Registration paths for out-of-state behavior analysts

Out-of-state behavior analysts can apply for temporary registration to practice independently in Arkansas for a short time. They must hold an out-of-state license or current BCBA, BCBA-Doctoral, BCABA, or Board-approved equivalent certification. Applicants pay a Board-set fee, show their work is temporary under Board rules, and have their credentials verified. The Board can also grant regular registration to analysts licensed in good standing elsewhere under comparable requirements. Those applicants need current BCBA, BCBA-Doctoral, or equivalent certification, Board verification, and Arkansas's regular application, fee, and background-check requirements.

Behavior analyst title protections and penalties

Unregistered people cannot claim to be registered behavior analysts or use titles or abbreviations implying registration. Violations carry fines of $500 to $1,000. Registered analysts who violate the law can face sanctions, fines up to $5,000, and loss of registration. The Arkansas Psychology Board runs the system and can adopt reasonable, necessary rules. It may adopt the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's ethics code as it existed on January 1, 2025. At least one appointed Board member must be a licensed psychologist with behavior analyst board certification or experience providing behavior analysis services.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Nicole Clowney

    Democratic • House

  • Missy Irvin

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • John Maddox

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 324 • No: 57

House vote • 3/31/2025

House Vote - Monday, March 31, 2025 1:55:21 PM

Yes: 73 • No: 15 • Other: 5

House vote • 3/31/2025

House Vote - Monday, March 31, 2025 1:54:06 PM

Yes: 75 • No: 13 • Other: 5

House vote • 3/31/2025

House Vote - Monday, March 31, 2025 1:53:12 PM

Yes: 77 • No: 12 • Other: 6

Senate vote • 3/17/2025

Senate Vote - Monday, March 17, 2025 3:25:23 PM

Yes: 24 • No: 2 • Other: 6

House vote • 2/5/2025

House Vote - Wednesday, February 5, 2025 1:46:32 PM

Yes: 75 • No: 15 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Notification that HB1245 is now Act 432

    4/3/2025House

  2. Correctly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.

    3/31/2025House

  3. TO BE ENROLLED

    3/31/2025House

  4. Senate amendment # 3 read and concurred in.

    3/31/2025House

  5. Senate amendment # 2 read and concurred in.

    3/31/2025House

  6. Senate amendment # 1 read and concurred in.

    3/31/2025House

  7. Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass, concur in Senate Amendment No. 1, 2 & 3

    3/20/2025House

  8. Re-referred to the Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE- HOUSE

    3/17/2025House

  9. Returned from Senate as passed, as amended # 1, 2, & 3

    3/17/2025House

  10. Returned to the House as passed as amended # 1, 2, & 3 .

    3/17/2025Senate

  11. Read the third time and passed.

    3/17/2025Senate

  12. REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED

    3/13/2025Senate

  13. Amendment # 3 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.

    3/13/2025Senate

  14. Placed on second reading for purpose of amendment.

    3/13/2025Senate

  15. Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 3

    3/12/2025Senate

  16. Re-referred to PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE

    3/11/2025Senate

  17. REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED

    3/6/2025Senate

  18. Amendment # 2 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.

    3/6/2025Senate

  19. Placed on second reading for purpose of amendment.

    3/6/2025Senate

  20. Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 2

    3/5/2025Senate

  21. Re-referred to PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE

    2/27/2025Senate

  22. Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass

    2/26/2025Senate

  23. Re-referred to PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE

    2/13/2025Senate

  24. REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED

    2/13/2025Senate

  25. Amendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.

    2/13/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • HB1245 - Introduced

    1/27/2025

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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