Colorado § 25.5-4-437 - Registered behavior technicians - reimbursement - definitions.

§ 25.5-4-437. Registered behavior technicians - reimbursement - definitions.

(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Applied behavior analysis" has the meaning set forth in section 12-247-103 (1).

(b) "Autism spectrum disorder":

(I) Has the same meaning as set forth in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in effect at the time of the diagnosis; and

(II) Includes the following disorders, as the disorders are defined in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in effect at the time of the diagnosis:

(A) Autism spectrum disorder;

(B) Autistic disorder;

(C) Asperger's disorder; and

(D) Atypical autism as a diagnosis within pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.

(c) "Board certified assistant behavior analyst" means an individual who is designated as a board certified assistant behavior analyst by a certifying entity and who is licensed pursuant to section 12-247-108 when required by section 12-247-106.

(d) "Board certified behavior analyst" means an individual who is certified as a board certified behavior analyst by a certifying entity and who is licensed pursuant to section 12-247-107 when required by section 12-247-106.

(e) "Board certified behavior analyst-doctoral" means an individual who is certified as a board certified behavior analyst by a certifying entity, has received a board certified behavior analyst-doctoral designation from a certifying entity, and is licensed pursuant to section 12-247-107 when required by section 12-247-106.

(f) "Certifying entity" has the meaning set forth in section 12-247-103 (4).

(g) "Registered behavior technician" means a behavior technician, as defined in section 12-247-103 (2), who is certified by a certifying entity and who delivers applied behavior analysis services in compliance with article 247 of title 12 under the supervision of:

(I) A licensed psychologist;

(II) A board certified behavior analyst;

(III) A board certified behavior analyst-doctoral; or

(IV) A board certified assistant behavior analyst.

(2) The state department shall reimburse the applicable applied behavior analysis provider for applied behavior analysis services provided by a registered behavior technician to a member with autism spectrum disorder or other conditions for which coverage may be available under state department policies.

(3) (a) Subject to federal approval, the state department shall reimburse the applicable applied behavior analysis provider for applied behavior analysis services provided by a behavior technician, which behavior technician is required by the state department to be certified by a certifying entity but who is not certified at the time of services, during one temporary period of not less than forty-five days while the behavior technician is pursuing the certification if the entity requesting reimbursement provides the state department with quarterly rosters of the entity's employed behavior technicians, including whether or not each individual has completed minimum training requirements and received their certification from a certifying entity.

(b) A behavior technician who obtains certification after provision of services pursuant to subsection (3)(a) of this section shall maintain the certification to be eligible for reimbursement by the state department for providing applied behavior analysis services.

(c) If a behavior technician does not become certified at the end of the forty-five-day period described in subsection (3)(a) of this section, the entity requesting reimbursement shall stop the reimbursement request until the behavior technician becomes certified.

(d) Before providing applied behavior analysis services to an individual and seeking reimbursement pursuant to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a behavior technician shall satisfy the following conditions:

(I) Obtain a name-based judicial record check, as defined in section 22-2-119.3 (6)(d);

(II) Complete all training required for certification by a certifying entity; and

(III) Complete abuse and neglect reporting training.

(e) The forty-five-day period described in subsection (3)(a) of this section begins upon a behavior technician's completion of the requirements described in subsection (3)(d) of this section.

(f) Beginning in January 2027, and in January every year thereafter, the state department shall include, as part of its presentation during its "SMART Act" hearing required by section 2-7-203, a determination of the efficacy of this subsection (3) and recommendations on the best way to move forward while ensuring patient safety and provider sustainability, including data on the number of behavior technicians obtaining certification in the preceding six months.

Source: L. 2026: Entire section added, (HB 26-1425), ch. 299, p. 1672, § 5, effective June 2.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 26-1425, see section 1 of chapter 299, Session Laws of Colorado 2026.

PART 5

STATE PLAN AMENDMENTS - WAIVER AUTHORITY