The bill SB1457 amends current law to allow licensed psychologists with a prescription certificate or a conditional prescription certificate to prescribe psychotropic and other FDA-approved medications for mental disorders. This introduces a structured framework for psychologists to gain prescriptive authority, which includes additional training, certification, and the requirement to maintain malpractice insurance. The bill also mandates collaboration with healthcare practitioners, requiring psychologists to notify them in writing within 24 hours of issuing a prescription, thereby enhancing coordinated patient care.

In contrast to existing law, which prohibits psychologists from prescribing medications, the new bill establishes specific conditions and responsibilities for prescribing psychologists and their supervising physicians. It introduces the concept of a "conditional prescription certificate" and outlines the necessary qualifications for obtaining it, including educational requirements and pharmacological training. The bill also exempts the Board from statutory rulemaking for one year to facilitate the adoption of relevant rules, aiming to streamline the prescribing process while ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-1459, 32-1862, 32-2061, 36-2602, 36-2604, 36-2606, 32-2091.15, 36-401, 32-2076, 36-3602, 13-1401, 32-2085, 32-2095.02, 32-2095.01, 32-2095.03, 32-2095.04, 36-2610, 32-1904, 12-2293, 23-1026, 11-593, 36-198, 36-2901, 11-594, 20-3151
Senate Engrossed Version: 32-1459, 32-1862, 32-2061, 36-2602, 36-2604, 36-2606, 32-2091.15, 36-401, 32-2076, 36-3602, 13-1401, 32-2085, 32-2095.02, 32-2095.01, 32-2095.03, 32-2095.04, 36-2610, 32-1904, 12-2293, 23-1026, 11-593, 36-198, 36-2901, 11-594, 20-3151