Assembly committee advances autism provider code cleanup, online marketplace liability bill and contractor fine increases

The Assembly Business and Professions Committee advanced three measures Wednesday: SB402, which relocates qualified autism service provider (QASP) qualifications into the Business and Professions Code; SB378, which would create civil liability for online platforms that facilitate sales of illicit cannabis and intoxicating hemp products; and SB779, which raises minimum enforcement fines for contractor violations and increases the Contractors State License Board’s reserve cap.

SB402, by Senator Valadares, will move existing provider-qualification language for qualified autism service providers, qualified autism service professionals and paraprofessionals from the Health and Safety Code and Insurance Code into the Business and Professions Code without changing the current qualifications. “This bill simply brings parity for all providers,” Senator Valadares said in opening remarks. Supporters, including Penny Schenken of the California Association for Behavior Analysis and Melissa Cortez of the Council of Autism Service Providers, said the move is a technical alignment that places QASP qualifications alongside other healing-arts professions and “will not create new regulatory burdens.” Claire Kerrigan, testifying for the Autism Business Association, opposed the bill’s practical…