SB 805
History and Impact
History and Impact
SB 805, authored by Senator Anthony Portantino and sponsored by the DIR/Floortime Coalition of California, was signed by Governor Newsom on October 7, 2023. SB 805 updates landmark legislation, SB946, 2011, which directed insurance in CA to cover “Behavioral Health Treatment” for autism.
The original 2011 legislation intended that all ‘evidence-based’ forms of treatment would be covered. However, because of subsequent regulation, insurance coverage has been limited to only one form of treatment program, namely Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Now SB 805 will cause new regulations to be developed to allow other evidence-based forms of intervention to be covered by insurance.
Senator Anthony Portantino has been a champion for choice in autism services. He authored three previous bills seeking to change the system which only allowed for one type of treatment. Three previous bills passed the legislature but were ultimately vetoed: SB 399 in 2017; SB 163 in 2019; and SB 562 in 2021.
Over the years, more research has supported developmental approaches to treatment, and organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association have written policies that support a range of interventions.
This year, the DIR/Floortime Coalition of CA worked closely with CA Dept of HHS, CA Dept of Developmental Services, Department of Consumer Affairs, and the governor’s office to craft a bill together. SB 805 takes a different approach than previous bills in that it directs DDS to form regulations to address the qualifications of providers, rather than defining those qualifications within the legislation. New regulations will be formed through a rule making process that involves public input, with a deadline of July 2026. The DIR/Floortime Coalition of California looks forward to working with the Department of Developmental Services and different stakeholder groups to form these standards.
The DIR/Floortime Coalition of California is comprised of clinicians and parents of autistic individuals across the state who support education and advocacy about DIRFloortime, a developmental relationship-based approach to care for autistic individuals as well as other developmental challenges and supports choice in autism services. (https://www.dirfloortimecoalition.com/)
For too long, families have not had any choice in the form of services for their child. Many families do not even know that there are evidence-based options for care. Specifically, developmental relationship-based models, which are not based on ABA, offer a distinctly different approach to treatment.
Currently some Regional Centers do provide options in treatment approaches. However, in other parts of California, only families able to pay out of pocket have been able to obtain forms of treatment not covered by their insurance. Doctors and psychologists have been frustrated that they could not prescribe the intervention they felt would be most effective for their patients. Finally, as new regulations are developed, there will be equitable access to autism service program options.
California will now join Minnesota, New Jersey, and Illinois as states that offer a choice in autism programs.
SB 805 garnered wide support including:
The original 2011 legislation intended that all ‘evidence-based’ forms of treatment would be covered. However, because of subsequent regulation, insurance coverage has been limited to only one form of treatment program, namely Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Now SB 805 will cause new regulations to be developed to allow other evidence-based forms of intervention to be covered by insurance.
Senator Anthony Portantino has been a champion for choice in autism services. He authored three previous bills seeking to change the system which only allowed for one type of treatment. Three previous bills passed the legislature but were ultimately vetoed: SB 399 in 2017; SB 163 in 2019; and SB 562 in 2021.
Over the years, more research has supported developmental approaches to treatment, and organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association have written policies that support a range of interventions.
This year, the DIR/Floortime Coalition of CA worked closely with CA Dept of HHS, CA Dept of Developmental Services, Department of Consumer Affairs, and the governor’s office to craft a bill together. SB 805 takes a different approach than previous bills in that it directs DDS to form regulations to address the qualifications of providers, rather than defining those qualifications within the legislation. New regulations will be formed through a rule making process that involves public input, with a deadline of July 2026. The DIR/Floortime Coalition of California looks forward to working with the Department of Developmental Services and different stakeholder groups to form these standards.
The DIR/Floortime Coalition of California is comprised of clinicians and parents of autistic individuals across the state who support education and advocacy about DIRFloortime, a developmental relationship-based approach to care for autistic individuals as well as other developmental challenges and supports choice in autism services. (https://www.dirfloortimecoalition.com/)
For too long, families have not had any choice in the form of services for their child. Many families do not even know that there are evidence-based options for care. Specifically, developmental relationship-based models, which are not based on ABA, offer a distinctly different approach to treatment.
Currently some Regional Centers do provide options in treatment approaches. However, in other parts of California, only families able to pay out of pocket have been able to obtain forms of treatment not covered by their insurance. Doctors and psychologists have been frustrated that they could not prescribe the intervention they felt would be most effective for their patients. Finally, as new regulations are developed, there will be equitable access to autism service program options.
California will now join Minnesota, New Jersey, and Illinois as states that offer a choice in autism programs.
SB 805 garnered wide support including:
- American Academy of Pediatrics of California
- Amigo Baby
- Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN)
- Board of Psychology, California Department of Consumer Affairs
- CA Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara
- California Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CalACAP)
- California Disability Communication Action Network (CD-CAN)
- California Psychological Association
- Center for Connection
- Center for Developmental Play & Learning
- Cherry Crisp Productions
- Child Development Institute
- DIR/Floortime Coalition of California (Sponsor)
- Disability Rights California
- Disability Voices United
- Easter Seals - Northern California
- Exceptional Minds
- Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
- Fresno City College
- Greenhouse Therapy Center
- Institute for Girls’ Development
- International Council on Development and Learning
- ITS Integrated Therapy Solutions
- Mental Health and Autism Insurance Project
- National Association of Social Workers - California Chapter
- Ourtism
- Positive Development
- Professional Child Development Associates
- Quicksilver Software
- San Diego Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Spirited Play Labs
- Therapeeps Occupational Therapy
- Total Spectrum Counseling
- Touchstone Family Development Center
