Bill > HB717

This bill, amending Georgia's Medical Practice Act, establishes regulations for the administration of psychedelic-assisted treatment and therapy, which involves substances that can alter perceptions of reality. By December 31, 2026, the Georgia Composite Medical Board (the "board") must create rules and regulations to ensure patient safety and competency, covering aspects like clinic equipment, practitioner training, proper prescribing and administration, emergency protocols, record-keeping, adverse event reporting, continuing education, advertising, and inspections. Starting July 1, 2027, all clinics offering this treatment must be licensed by the board, with each location requiring a separate, non-transferable license, and the board will conduct background checks on applicants. Clinics must have hospital affiliation agreements or similar arrangements for medical complications and the capability for immediate patient transfer to a hospital with emergency services, and hospitals cannot unreasonably deny these agreements. The administration of psychedelic-assisted treatment and therapy is restricted to licensed physicians with advanced airway management training, certified registered nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologist assistants, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who meet specific training and experience requirements and receive board approval. Before administering treatment, a review of the prescription drug monitoring program database is required, and all administrations must be reported to it. The bill clarifies that it does not permit the use of drugs not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nor does it apply to treatments in hospital-affiliated clinics or FDA-approved clinical trials, or to drugs used for their FDA-approved on-label indications. Operating a clinic without a license is a felony, punishable by imprisonment and/or fines.