SB 1590
Initials AG/AB Page 1 Health & Human Services
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
Senate: FIN DP 6-1-0-0 | 3rd Read 24-3-3-0
SB 1590: mental health; autism; insurance coverage
Sponsor: Senator Shamp, LD 29
Committee on Health & Human Services
Overview
Repeals the maximum benefit limitations for behavioral therapy coverage for eligible persons
who are 16 years old and younger and revises the definition of autism spectrum disorder.
History
Coverage for behavioral therapy is subject to a: 1) $50,000 maximum benefit per year for an
eligible person up to the age of 9; and 2) $25,000 maximum benefit per year for an eligible
person who is between the ages of 9 and 16.
Autism spectrum disorder means one of the three following disorders as defined in the most
recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American
Psychiatric Association: 1) autistic disorder; 2) Asperger's syndrome; and 3) pervasive
developmental disorder – not otherwise specified.
Behavioral therapy means interactive therapies derived from evidence-based research,
including applied behavior analysis, which includes discrete trial training, pivotal response
training, intensive intervention programs and early intensive behavioral intervention (A.R.S.
§§ 20-826.04, 20-1057.11, 20-1402.03 and 20-1404.03).
Provisions
1. Repeals the maximum benefit limitation on behavioral therapy for eligible persons who
are 16 years old and younger. (Sec. 1-4)
2. Modifies the definition of autism spectrum disorder to mean a pervasive, developmental
disorder that meets the criteria for autism spectrum disorder as defined in the most
recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the
American Psychiatric Association. (Sec. 1-4)
3. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1-4)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note