Autism Speaks celebrates new California law protecting access to behavioral health services

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 951 into law, eliminating the burdensome requirement for individuals with autism to undergo repeated re-diagnoses to continue receiving behavioral health treatment. This change will improve access to behavioral health services, including ABA therapy, which help autistic individuals develop skills, increase independence, and improve their quality of life.

What AB 951 does

AB 951 will prohibit state-regulated health care plans from requiring repeated autism re-diagnoses for individuals to maintain access to behavioral health services, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. The law applies to health care service plan contracts issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

Why this matters for autism insurance coverage

Autism is a lifelong condition. Yet many autistic individuals have faced the frustrating barrier of having to prove their diagnosis year after year just to maintain access to essential behavioral health services. These arbitrary insurance requirements created unnecessary stress for families, resulted in interrupted care, and placed administrative burdens on healthcare providers.

AB 951, authored by Assemblymember Tri Ta and supported by Autism Speaks, puts the decision about whether a re-diagnosis is needed back where it belongs: with the treating physician, not the insurance company.

Real impact for California families

This legislation ensures that:

• Individuals can maintain continuous access to critical behavioral health treatment without unnecessary reevaluations.
• Families avoid the stress and cost of repeated diagnostic testing.
• Physicians retain appropriate clinical authority over patient care decisions.
• Insurance companies can still conduct proper utilization reviews to ensure care is effective and adequate.

AB 951 represents a significant step forward in removing barriers to autism care and ensuring that autistic individuals in California can access the services they need throughout their lifespan.

Learn more about Autism Speaks’ state advocacy impact at autismspeaks.org/state-advocacy.