HB3437 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 29658 AMQ 56060 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3437

Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. William E Hauter

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Task Force on Prescribing Psychologist Licensing and Oversight Act. Provides that the Task Force is created within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides for membership, appointment, vacancy, and meeting support of the Task Force. Provides that the subject matter of the Task Force shall include, but not be limited to, the following inquiries: (1) will allowing prescribing psychologists to expand the prescribing psychologists' scope to include children and seniors help increase access to treatment for underserved areas and populations, including rural patients and patients on Medicaid; and (2) do prescribing psychologists receive sufficient regulatory oversight, medical supervision, and disciplinary enforcement to fully protect patient safety. Provides that the Task Force shall prepare an annual report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its deliberations. Provides that the Task Force shall submit the report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly. Provides that the Task Force shall submit the first report one year after the first meeting of the Task Force.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Task Force on Prescribing Psychologist Licensing and Oversight Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The Task Force on Prescribing Psychologist Licensing and Oversight is created within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Task Force shall aim to answer the following questions:

(1) How much can prescribing psychologists increase overall access to care in this State?

(2) Do prescribing psychologists receive the appropriate training and oversight to protect patient safety?

Section 10. Membership; appointment; vacancy; meeting support.

(a) The Task Force shall have the following members:

(1) the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation, or the Secretary's designee;

(2) the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation, or the Director's designee;

(3) the Chief Medical Coordinator of the Division of Professional Regulation;

(4) the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or the Speaker's designee;

(5) the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, or the Leader's designee;

(6) the President of the Senate, or the President's designee;

(7) the Minority Leader of the Senate, or the Leader's designee;

(8) a representative of a statewide membership organization for psychiatrists in this State that serves to provide education, professional collaboration, and advocacy for its members, appointed by the Secretary;

(9) a psychiatrist licensed and practicing in this State who has received specific training to specialize in treating child and adolescents patients, appointed by the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation;

(10) a psychiatrist licensed and practicing in this State who has received specific training to specialize in treating geriatric patients, appointed by the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation;

(11) a representative of a statewide membership organization for this State prescribing psychologists that serves to provide education, professional collaboration, and advocacy for its members, appointed by the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation;

(12) a psychologist licensed and practicing in this State who has received specific training to specialize in treating child and adolescents patients, appointed by the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation; and

(13) a psychologist licensed and practicing in this State who has received specific training to specialize in treating geriatric patients, appointed by the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.

(b) If a vacancy occurs in the Task Force, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(c) The Task Force shall meet once every 2 months, indefinitely, until the Task Force votes to dissolve itself. Nothing in this Section prohibits the Task Force from meeting more often if it deems it necessary to do so.

(d) The Department shall provide administrative support to the Task Force.

(e) The Task Force shall only meet once a majority of members are appointed.

(f) The Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation, or the Secretary's designee, shall be the chair of the Task Force.

Section 15. Subject matter of the Task Force. The subject matter of the Task Force shall include, but not be limited to, the following inquiries:

(a) Will allowing prescribing psychologists to expand the prescribing psychologists' scope to include children and seniors help increase access to treatment for underserved areas and populations, including rural patients and patients on Medicaid?

(b) Do prescribing psychologists receive sufficient regulatory oversight, medical supervision, and disciplinary enforcement to fully protect patient safety?

Section 20. Report.

(a) The Task Force shall prepare an annual report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its deliberations.

(b) The Task Force shall submit the report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly.

(c) The Task Force shall submit the first report no later than one year after the first meeting of the Task Force.