AB 2233 to protect authorized ABA hours for children with autism advances after clinicians urge change
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Summary
AB 2233 would prevent authorized applied behavior analysis (ABA) hours from being lost because of scheduling, cancellations or provider availability; clinicians testified that lost hours cause regression for children, while health-plan groups warned of fraud risks and premium impacts.
Assembly member Ta presented AB 2233 to the Appropriations Committee on April 8, 2026, saying the bill is a narrow fix to ensure authorized applied behavior analysis (ABA) hours remain available to children with autism once care is prescribed and authorized by a plan.
A certified behavior analyst, Emily Mojita, testified she is a clinical director and parent and described the concrete harms when approved hours are irretrievably lost: “When a child misses a week due to illness…those hours are simply lost under a weekly cap, and there's no opportunity to recover them,” Mojita said, adding that lost hours can mean “the difference between progress and regression.”
Supporters said AB 2233 does not expand benefits or override utilization review; it clarifies that authorized care should remain accessible throughout the authorization period. Opponents—represented by Cassie Heckman for the California Association of Health Plans and Stephanie Watkins for the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies—expressed concerns about increased spending, possible improper billing and potential premium impacts; Heckman referenced recent federal audit coverage and press reporting about billing errors.
Ta asked for an aye vote; the committee moved AB 2233 out on an A roll call.
The bill will now move forward for further legislative action; opponents asked for additional conversation in follow-up hearings.