JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Jay Nixon signed 12 bills into law on Thursday (July 12), including House Bill 1563, which will expand the number of trained professionals providing autism therapy in Missouri.

House Bill 1563 establishes a procedure for provisional licensure of professionals - known as behavior analysts or assistant behavior analysts - who perform Applied Behavioral Analysis, which has been shown to be one of the most effective therapies for children with autism. Under the new law, provisionally licensed behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts will have completed their professional training but not yet received their scores on their licensure exams. These provisionally licensed professionals will work only under the supervision of licensed behavior analysts.

Gov. Nixon called for the passage of this legislation in his 2012 State of the State Address.

"This bill will increase the number of trained professionals practicing Applied Behavioral Analysis in Missouri and expand the number of children we can reach with this life-changing therapy," Gov. Nixon said. "I thank the legislators on both sides of the aisle who worked to get this important bill to my desk."

Gov. Nixon also signed the following bills into law today:

• SB 470, concerning transportation;
• SB 568, concerning transportation;
• SB 636, concerning the judiciary;
• SB 719, concerning public safety;
• HB 1036, concerning ballot emblems;
• HB 1103, concerning real estate;
• HB 1105, concerning the state militia;
• HB 1308, concerning pledged securities;
• HB 1460, concerning the Court Automation Fund;
• HB 1495, concerning the reporting of insurance fraud; and
• HB 1909, concerning aviation

Gov. Nixon also vetoed 10 bills today, including Senate Bill 749 and House Bill 1329:

• SB 566, concerning vaccination of pets;
• SB 569, concerning elections;
• SB 607, concerning outdoor advertising;
• SB 635, concerning banking;
• SB 715, concerning the state militia;
• SB 749, concerning health care;
• SB 837, concerning franchise alcohol suppliers;
• HB 1250, concerning elections;
• HB 1329, concerning motor vehicles; and
• HB 1758, concerning parental relationships