Panel delays and asks agencies to study licensing for positive behavioral support facilitators

Senate Bill 210 would amend the code to request that the Board of Counseling adopt positive behavioral support as a licensed service and direct DHP and DMAS to develop any necessary regulations. The sponsor said the change would expand recognition and oversight for facilitators who conduct screening, care coordination and crisis de‑escalation activities and are currently paid through IDD waivers.

Stakeholders including the Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis and the Association of Virginia Positive Behavior Support Facilitators testified in support and offered to participate in further drafting and study. Department of Health Professions staff said the agency normally follows statutorily prescribed processes when creating a new regulated profession and is willing to provide information and stakeholder outreach.

Committee members urged careful scoping to avoid regulatory overlap with applied behavior analysts and to ensure appropriate guardrails. The subcommittee approved a motion to carry SB210 over to 2027 with a letter asking DHP and DMAS to study and return recommended regulatory language.