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PRINTER'S NO. 2246
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
418
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY MURT, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, ROEBUCK, SCHLOSSBERG,
READSHAW, HENNESSEY, MEHAFFIE, HILL-EVANS, BIZZARRO, THOMAS,
KORTZ, HICKERNELL, FREEMAN, WILLIAMS, MERSKI, KINSEY,
MILLARD, LONGIETTI, RYAN, BURNS, JOHNSON-HARRELL, KIRKLAND,
SCHLEGEL CULVER, SCHWEYER AND MADDEN, JUNE 25, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 25, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating June 12, 2019, as "Behavior Analyst Appreciation
Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Behavior analysis is a natural science, distinct
from psychology, in which the interaction between environmental
variables and behavior is studied, with that knowledge utilized
to produce effective and efficient methods to teach and increase
socially significant behaviors while reducing harmful behaviors;
and
WHEREAS, B.F. Skinner, a native of Pennsylvania, established
behavior analysis as the experimental study of how learning
occurs through the interaction between environmental variables
and behavior over time; and
WHEREAS, The field of behavior analysis contains more than 80
years of experimental research and more than 60 years of applied
research demonstrating the relationships between environment and
behavior as well as interventions that create socially
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significant improvements in an individual's life; and
WHEREAS, The field of behavior analysis has research evidence
that shows effective and efficient behavior-change procedures
that can dramatically affect any area of human behavior,
including mental health, education, health and wellness, weight
loss programs, medication and medical treatment adherence,
gerontology, business management, business leadership, training
and supervision; and
WHEREAS, The field of behavior analysis has research evidence
that shows effective and efficient behavior-change procedures
for a wide range of mental health disorders; and
WHEREAS, Applied behavior analysis is widely recognized as
the most effective treatment for children and adults with autism
spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental
disabilities, with more than 50 years of scientific research
establishing its effectiveness in producing socially significant
behavior change; and
WHEREAS, The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Surgeon
General of the United States have endorsed the use of applied
behavior analysis in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder;
and
WHEREAS, Behavior analysts and behavior analytic
professionals engage in experimental and applied research,
service delivery of interventions based on research and serve as
trainers, supervisors and leaders within organizations engaging
in research and application of behavior-change procedures; and
WHEREAS, On a daily basis, behavior analysts oversee
treatment programming for individuals and conduct assessment of
skills and skill deficits, assessment of unsafe or unhealthy
behavior, development of behavior-change procedures, training of
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staff in implementation of behavior-change procedures,
collection of behavior data to monitor the effectiveness of
treatment programming, ongoing supervision of staff providing
behavior-change programming and collaboration with other
providers and individuals and their families to ensure treatment
success; and
WHEREAS, As of 2017, there were numerous board-certified
behavior analysts and behavior analytic professionals in this
Commonwealth, including 82 doctoral-level board-certified
behavior analysts, 1,017 board-certified behavior analysts, 28
board-certified assistant behavior analysts and 229 registered
behavior technicians; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate June
12, 2019, as "Behavior Analyst Appreciation Day" in
Pennsylvania.
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