Bill > A4174

Introduced Session

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a national mental health crisis. In order to help address this situation, this bill provides that for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 academic years, institutions of higher education, at their discretion, may permit final-year students in graduate degree programs leading to a degree as a mental health care professional to graduate early or to be matched with a residency or clinical program early. The bill defines a "mental health care professional" as a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, professional counselor, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or any other individual licensed or certified to provide or administer mental health care in the ordinary course of business or practice of a profession. This bill will help to more rapidly expand the number of mental health care providers ready to address the critical mental health needs that have developed as a result of the pandemic.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Daniel Benson (D)*,  Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D)*,  Anthony Verrelli (D)*,  JoAnn Downey (D),  Lou Greenwald (D),  Eric Houghtaling (D),  Mila Jasey (D),  Gabriela Mosquera (D),  Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D),  Lisa Swain (D),  Britnee Timberlake (D),  Chris Tully (D), 

Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee (on 03/04/2021)