Article archive / July 1, 2013
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 11. Source pages: 6, 7.
Senate Bill 134 to establish an independent board for behavior analysts was signed by the governor on June 17 making it Act 351. The law goes into affect August 1, and the first official board meeting is set for Tuesday, August 6, 2013.
The law directs the Behavior Analyst Board to share resources with the Psychology Board, including office space, professional staff, including technical and professional assistance from the psychology board’s Executive Director, Kelly Parker.
Parker explained to the Times that she will fulfill the role as the Executive Director of the BA board along with her duties for the psychology board, and has been assisting the behavior analysts from LaBAA (Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association) with the early development of the board’s activities and with several organizational meetings.
The Governor’s Office has the list of names to appoint the BA board members, Parker explained to the Times. “The Governor will select five members from the list, and all will sit on the Board but will still need Senate confirmation next year,” she said. “My goal has been advanced preparation, and the preliminary meetings have helped us get a good start on a busy first year. There is a lot of work that needs to be done,” she said.
“Four of the members out of the six nominees have been contacted,” Parker explained.
“I called a meeting of all the nominees to go over the preliminary information that we had been working on with the Executive Council of LaBAA, including the finances and Memorandum of Understanding. I am confident that the group will work hard to accomplish the tasks ahead."
SB134 also provided for one individual from the psychology board to be a member of the BA board. “I believe that the psychology board is going to appoint a designee on an annual basis,” said Parker. “That person may be appointed this Friday [July 5].”
Regarding finances and concerns that the psychology board and those who support the board with their fees will ultimately be carrying expenses for the BA board, she said, “I believe that the BA board has a small start up fund, which should help them promulgate a couple necessary rules to accept applications and collect fees in the beginning.”
“Hopefully there won’t be any issues with the MOU [Memorandum of Understanding]. We cannot officially execute the document until the BA Board is official, which is after August 1st. LaBAA representatives have had input on the document, and we are hoping everyone is still okay with it,” she said. “The execution of the MOU is a priority.”
“We hope this document will protect both Boards,” Parker noted. “The document is also helpful because it outlines each party’s responsibilities and expectations regarding sharing of resources, finances and the regulation of dually licensed individuals."
The first official BA board meeting is set for Tuesday, August 6, 2013, to be held at the psychology board’s physical office in Baton Rouge.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.