37-17-401. Purpose. The legislature finds and declares that the practice of applied behavior analysis in Montana affects public health, safety, and welfare, particularly of some of the state's most vulnerable citizens, including individuals with disabilities. Therefore, licensure and regulation of applied behavior analysts is in the public interest to protect the public from unauthorized, unethical, unprofessional, or harmful conduct by individuals, other than those otherwise licensed or those exempt under 37-17-404.