Panel backs timeline for behavior‑analyst licenses but debate centers on 10‑day goal

Delegate Michelle Guyton, sponsor of House Bill 745, told the Health and Government Operations Committee she brought the measure to shorten licensing turnarounds for applied behavior analysis (ABA) practitioners so children with autism can begin treatment earlier. ‘‘The sooner licenses can be approved, the sooner that children with autism can begin treatment,’’ Guyton said.

Supporters from providers emphasized that Maryland’s delays keep clinicians off the job and lengthen patient wait lists. Carrie Victorio, a board‑certified behavior analyst and clinical director at Acorn Health, said she waited nearly six weeks for Maryland licensure after relocating from California while Virginia issued hers “within 10 days.” ‘‘Virginia processed my application within 10 days; Maryland took nearly six weeks to do the same,’’ Victorio said, adding that one Acorn clinician waited 75 days for a license and that the provider group had ‘‘nearly a thousand children on our wait list in Maryland.’’

Nut graf: The bill would require the State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists to issue a license within 10 days after it receives a completed application and to provide email status notifications. Backers say the change is administrative and cost‑free but several witnesses and committee members questioned whether 10 days is realistic for a board that licenses several professions and still uses paper checks to trigger reviews.

The testimony focused on two main fixes: setting a clear timeline and giving applicants transparency about status. Dan Shattuck of Acorn Health said the current paper‑based process and opaque fee‑clearing steps create delays and called for the board to accept designated third‑party inquiries from credentialing offices. Witness April Bailey said delays directly block early intervention for medically necessary ABA services. Andrea Mansfield, representing licensed professional counselors, supported the bill’s intent but asked the committee to change the 10‑day requirement to 30 days, citing board workload across multiple license types.

Committee members pressed for data comparing Maryland to neighboring states and flagged a Department of Health letter of information that recommended a 30‑day window. Delegate Delia Kaiser asked whether advocates had discussed an incremental plan with the Department of Health; witnesses said conversations were ongoing and that some stakeholders would accept a phased improvement plan. Guyton noted a recent related measure on the House floor (House Bill 256) that extended the board’s sunset review for two years because members had identified operational problems.

Ending: The committee closed the hearing without a vote; sponsors and stakeholders were invited to continue outreach and to return with amended language. No final committee action was recorded during the hearing.