Dr. Paul Girardi, president of the Massachusetts Association for Behavior Analysis (MASABA), and Dr. Charlie Newfield of Beacon ABA Services testified in support of House Bill 348 and Senate Bill 220, legislation to create licensure for applied behavior analysts (LABAs) and to establish an independent board.

Girardi said MASABA represents more than 1,100 providers and that demand for ABA services is outpacing supply; he cited delays in licensing (a one- to three-month wait) and additional credentialing delays with some MassHealth managed-care plans. “These bills will…establish a dedicated self‑sustained board to oversee licensure and process applications more efficiently,” Girardi said, adding that improved oversight would help ensure public funds are used as intended.

Newfield, chief operating officer at Beacon ABA Services, said Massachusetts already has the nation’s highest rate of BCBAs per capita but still needs expedited licensure to reduce waitlists for families. He described operational bottlenecks—application errors and credentialing delays—that can keep qualified LABAs from practicing for months and said the proposed board would help move professionals into clinical roles faster.

Both witnesses urged the committee to advance H.348 and S.220 to support timely access to evidence-based care for children with autism and to strengthen consumer protections tied to public funding.