Subcommittee narrows bill allowing private ABA providers into schools, adopts amendment and adjourns debate

The K‑12 subcommittee of the Education and Public Works Committee on Wednesday adopted a compromise amendment to House Bill 3974 that narrows which private clinicians may come into public schools to provide medically necessary services and directed further work at the full‑committee level.

HB 3974, as amended, limits the statutory definition of “private provider” to those who render applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy and asks the State Board of Education to develop a model policy and written‑agreement template that districts must use when reviewing parent requests for in‑school services.

Supporters said the change reflects implementation realities and insurer rules. Shealy Rybould, who staffs the Joint Committee on Children and guided stakeholder negotiations, said stakeholders asked to narrow the bill because several listed provider types reported they cannot bill when services are delivered in a school setting. “There are difficulties with billing in a school setting,” Rybould said. She described the amendment as the result of a consensus process that included school boards, administrators, providers, insurers and families.

The amendment requires district review of parent requests under an Americans…