SB0712Introduced in the Senate
REGULATION-TECH
Introduced by Meg Loughran Cappel, District 49
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.
Official description
Amends the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act. Adds an occupational therapist to the individuals that the Act does not prohibit from performing or advertising activities that are considered to be the practice of applied behavior analysis under the Act. Provides that any member, partner, shareholder, director, officer, holder of any other ownership interest, or agent of a business organization that provides behavior analysis services who makes clinical decisions regarding patient care without being licensed or exempt under the Act shall be deemed to have violated the provisions concerning unlicensed practice, violation, and civil penalty. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Act and any rules adopted under the Act, a public school, school district, charter school, or nonprofit organization that is exempt or qualified for exemption from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may employ or contract with a licensed behavioral analyst regardless of whether each individual who owns, operates, or manages the public school, school district, charter school, or nonprofit organization holds a currently valid license issued under the Act. Provides that a public school, school district, charter school, or nonprofit organization that is exempt or qualified for exemption from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may employ, contract with, or otherwise engage a licensed behavioral analyst to perform services within his or her scope of practice if the licensed behavioral analyst holds a currently valid license under the Act. Amends the Professional Service Corporation Act. Adds the practice of applied behavior analysis by persons licensed under the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act to the list of personal services that, when combined, constitute "related professions" and "related professional services". Amends the Professional Limited Liability Company Act. Adds the practice of applied behavior analysis by persons licensed under the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act to the list of professional services that may be combined under a single professional limited liability company. Effective immediately.
Where it stands
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0618
July 24, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
HouseStage: House Third Reading · May 21, 2026
107
Yes
2
No
3
Absent or Not Voting
112 representatives recorded in this House vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each representative voted
| Representative | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Ortiz | 1 | Yes |
| Elizabeth Hernandez | 2 | Not Voting |
| Lilian Jimenez | 4 | Yes |
| Kimberly Du Buclet | 5 | Yes |
| Sonya Harper | 6 | Yes |
| Emanuel Welch | 7 | Yes |
| LaShawn Ford | 8 | Yes |
| Yolanda Morris | 9 | Yes |
| Jawaharial Williams | 10 | Yes |
| Ann Williams | 11 | Not Voting |
Bill history
Filed with Secretary by Sen. Don Harmon
First Reading
Referred to Assignments
Assigned to Executive
Do Pass Executive; 011-000-000
Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 20, 2025
Second Reading
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 1, 2025
Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 9, 2025
Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 9, 2025
Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 23, 2025
Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As June 1, 2025
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
Approved for Consideration Assignments
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading March 25, 2026
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
Chief Sponsor Changed to Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Licensed Activities
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Paul Faraci
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommend Do Adopt Licensed Activities; 009-000-000
Recalled to Second Reading
Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted; Loughran-Cappel
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading
Third Reading - Passed; 057-000-000
Arrived in House
Chief House Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch
First Reading
Referred to Rules Committee
Assigned to Health Care Licenses Committee
Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Natalie A. Manley
Do Pass / Short Debate Health Care Licenses Committee; 014-000-000
Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
Second Reading - Short Debate
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 107-002-002
Passed Both Houses
Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason
Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Cochran
Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar
Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Dave Vella
Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Kelly
Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary Gill
Sent to the Governor
Governor Approved
Effective Date July 24, 2026
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0618
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