Current state regulations require outpatient psychiatric clinics to provide two hours of on-site psychiatric coverage each week for every full-time employee. A psychiatrist must be physically present for at least half of that time, with the remaining hours provided by either a psychiatrist or an advanced practice professional.

While these requirements were intended to ensure quality care, they can create unnecessary barriers to accessing behavioral health services, particularly in communities facing persistent psychiatrist shortages. Telehealth has proven to be a safe, effective, and convenient way to connect patients with care, expanding access while reducing wait times and travel burdens.

Recognizing these benefits, Act 76 of 2022 (HB 2419) authorized the Department of Human Services (DHS) to grant waivers from the on-site requirement. Although this provided important temporary flexibility, a permanent statutory solution is needed to ensure patients continue to benefit from modern models of care.

In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation that modernizes these requirements by allowing the required on-site coverage to be provided by either a psychiatrist or an advanced practice professional. By aligning state law with today's behavioral health workforce and telehealth capabilities, this change will help expand access to timely mental health services, while maintaining high standards of treatment.

Please join us in cosponsoring this important legislation.