(a) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation to the contrary, any vendor who provides applied behavioral analysis (ABA) services or intensive behavioral intervention services, or both, as defined in subdivision (c), shall:

(1) Conduct a behavioral assessment of each infant or toddler to whom the vendor provides these services.

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(2) Design an intervention plan that shall include the service type, number of hours needed, and recommended parent participation to achieve the goals and objectives of the infant or toddler, as set forth in their individualized family service plan (IFSP). The intervention plan shall also set forth the frequency at which the progress of the infant or toddler shall be evaluated and reported.

(3) Provide a copy of the intervention plan to the regional center for review and consideration by the planning team members.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation to the contrary, regional centers shall:

(A) Only purchase ABA services or intensive behavioral intervention services that reflect evidence-based practices, promote positive social behaviors, and ameliorate behaviors that interfere with learning and social interactions.

(B) Not purchase either ABA or intensive behavioral intervention services for purposes of providing respite, day care, or school services.

(C) Discontinue purchasing ABA or intensive behavioral intervention services for an infant or toddler when their treatment goals and objectives, as described under subdivision (a), are achieved. ABA or intensive behavioral intervention services shall not be discontinued until the goals and objectives are reviewed and updated as required in paragraph (5) and shall be discontinued only if those updated treatment goals and objectives do not require ABA or intensive behavioral intervention services.

(D) For each infant or toddler, evaluate the vendor’s intervention plan and number of service hours for ABA or intensive behavioral intervention no less than every six months, consistent with evidence-based practices. If necessary, the intervention plan’s treatment goals and objectives shall be updated and revised.

(E) Not reimburse a parent for participating in a behavioral services treatment program.

(F) Not deny or delay the provision of ABA or intensive behavioral intervention services for an infant or toddler due to the lack of parent participation. A regional center shall not adopt, implement, or have in effect any policy or practice that prohibits or substantially prohibits the purchase of ABA or intensive behavioral intervention services due to the lack of parent participation. For purposes of this section, “substantially prohibits” means any policy or practice that generally prohibits a purchase of service, but includes a process for the regional center to allow exceptions.

(2) This subdivision shall not be construed to prohibit a regional center from highlighting the benefit of parental participation as recommended by the intervention plan.

(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) “Applied behavioral analysis” means the design, implementation, and evaluation of systematic instructional and environmental modifications to promote positive social behaviors and reduce or ameliorate behaviors that interfere with learning and social interaction.

(2) “Intensive behavioral intervention” means any form of applied behavioral analysis that is comprehensive, designed to address all domains of functioning, and provided in multiple settings for no more than 40 hours per week, across all settings, depending on the individual’s needs and progress. Interventions can be delivered in a one-to-one ratio or small group format, as appropriate.

(3) “Evidence-based practice” means a decisionmaking process that integrates the best available scientifically rigorous research, clinical expertise, and individual’s characteristics. Evidence-based practice is an approach to treatment rather than a specific treatment. Evidence-based practice promotes the collection, interpretation, integration, and continuous evaluation of valid, important, and applicable individual- or family-reported, clinically observed, and research-supported evidence. The best available evidence, matched to infant or toddler circumstances and preferences, is applied to ensure the quality of clinical judgments and facilitates the most cost-effective care.

(4) “Parent” has the same meaning as defined in paragraph (44) of subdivision (b) of Section 52000 of Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations.

(5) “Parent participation” may include, but shall not be limited to, the following meanings:

(A) Completion of group instruction on the basics of behavior intervention.

(B) Implementation of intervention strategies according to the intervention plan.

(C) If needed, collection of data on behavioral strategies and submission of that data to the provider for incorporation into progress reports.

(D) Participation in any needed clinical meetings.

(E) Purchase of suggested behavior modification materials or community involvement if a reward system is used.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 44, Sec. 12. (AB 121) Effective July 10, 2023. Repealed conditionally as prescribed in Section 95003.)