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Panel approves bill to allow private-pay ABA providers access to students during school day
Summary
HB 2327 will permit licensed, private-pay applied behavior analysis providers to deliver services to students with autism on school grounds when coordinated by the IEP team and governed by a memorandum of understanding; committee approved the amended bill 18–0–1.
The Education Committee voted to advance House Bill 2327 after debates about logistics and safeguards for private-pay Applied Behavior Analysis providers working with students with autism during the school day.
Representative Hurt, carrying the bill, explained HB 2327 requires local education agencies and public charter schools to allow licensed private-pay ABA providers on campus for direct services when coordinated through the student’s IEP team and formalized by a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the provider and the LEA or charter school. The bill explicitly states these private-pay services are additional and “in no way satisfy requirements of the child's IEP” under federal law (IDEA).
Members asked whether providers would be subject to background checks and how schools would allocate space; legal counsel and the sponsor confirmed background checks are required and the MOU and coordination with the IEP team should address supervision, space, and non-disruption of the classroom. Representative Johnson voiced concerns about providers interacting with other students and about needed training; the sponsor said the MOU and coordination with school teams address those issues.
Following discussion, the clerk reported the committee vote as 18 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 present not voting. The committee sent the bill out to the next step on the calendar.
What this means: If enacted, HB 2327 would formalize a pathway for families to bring licensed, private-pay ABA services into schools under safeguards the committee said would protect IEP integrity and school operations.
