Virginia 2024 Regular Session

Virginia Senate Bill SB96

Introduced

1/2/24

Refer

1/2/24

Caption

Parental Behavior Technician Registration and Participation Pilot Program; established.

Impact

The introduction of SB96 is designed to enhance the resources available to children with ASD in public schools and to promote parental involvement in their education. By allowing parents to train as registered behavior technicians, the bill seeks to create more personalized educational support tailored to the needs of each child. This initiative could potentially reduce the reliance on external service providers, fostering a closer relationship between parents and schools while improving educational outcomes for students with special needs.

Summary

SB96 establishes the Parental Behavior Technician Registration and Participation Pilot Program in Virginia, aimed at assisting parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in becoming registered behavior technicians. Under this program, eligible parents can undergo training and certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), enabling them to provide direct support to their child in both classroom and home settings as volunteers. The program aims to empower parents by equipping them with the necessary skills to support their child's educational needs effectively.

Contention

While the program is generally seen as a beneficial initiative, some potential points of contention could arise regarding the requisite training process and oversight measures for parents acting as behavior technicians. Critics may raise concerns about the qualifications of parents participating in such a technical role and whether adequate supervision is provided within the school environment. Furthermore, discussions may emerge about ensuring that the safety and educational integrity for students with special needs are maintained throughout the implementation of this pilot program.