Bill > S1157

This bill aims to improve access to care by removing barriers to practice for psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Adding psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists to the definition of "practitioner" in the state's controlled substances act, allowing them to distribute, dispense, conduct research, and use controlled substances in their professional practice. 2. Authorizing psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists to issue written prescriptions, medication orders, and order tests and therapeutics, either under the supervision of a nurse practitioner or physician, or independently if they have at least 2 years of supervised practice. 3. Allowing nurse practitioners and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists to fulfill requirements that normally require a physician's signature, certification, or endorsement related to physical or mental health. 4. Directing the state's nursing board to promulgate regulations to ensure psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists are subject to similar requirements as physicians regarding professional conduct, discipline, and public disclosure of information.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S1157