As health practitioners licensed by the Board of Medicine in Virginia, Licensed Behavior Analysts and Assistant Behavior Analysts are Mandated Reporters. VABA is seeking to make this clearer in 2022 with HB751 (Bell). Note that the bill lists “practitioners of behavior analysis” and not specifically those licensed. Therefore it includes those practicing behavior analysis under an exception per this 2014 bill that was passed. Behavior Technicians (including RBTs) are not included in this mandate and should alert a supervisor if they see something concerning. This is because behavior technicians do not practice behavior analysis per the regulations.
Mandated Reporting is an important responsibility to the children and the families that we serve and should not be treated callously as reporting incorrectly could be just as disruptive for the child as not reporting. For training and resources, see https://www.dss.virginia.gov/abuse/mr.cgi.