SECTION 1. Section 1 of chapter 123 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking the definition of “Qualified psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist” and inserting the following definition:-

“Qualified advanced practice registered nurse”, an advanced practice registered nurse authorized to practice as a psychiatric certified nurse practitioner or a psychiatric clinical nurse specialist under regulations promulgated pursuant to the provisions of sections 80B or 80E of chapter 112, who is designated by and meets qualifications required by the regulations of the department, provided that different qualifications may be established for different purposes of this chapter. A qualified advanced practice registered nurse need not be an employee of the department or of any facility of the department.

SECTION 2. Section 12 of said chapter 123, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the words “qualified psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist”, in lines 2 and 3, 16 and 17, 20 and 21, and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following words:- "qualified advanced practice registered nurse".

SECTION 3. Said section 12 of said chapter 123, as so appearing, is hereby further amended by adding, in line 4 after the figure “80B”, the following:- or 80E.

SECTION 4. Section 18 of said chapter 123, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 6 and 7, the words:- “, designated by the department as qualified to perform such examination”.