Amendment #728 to H3900

Definition of Licensed Mental Health Professional

Ms. Decker of Cambridge moves to amend the bill by adding the following sections:

SECTION XX. Section 51 ½ of Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the definition of “licensed mental health professional” and inserting in place thereof the following:-

“Licensed mental health professional”, a: (i) licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry or addiction medicine; (ii) licensed psychologist; (iii) licensed independent clinical social worker; (iv) licensed certified social worker; (v) licensed mental health counselor; (vi) licensed mental health counselor; (vii) licensed physician assistant who practices in the field of psychiatry or addiction medicine; (viii) licensed psychiatric clinical nurse specialist; (ix) licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner; (x) certified addictions registered nurse; (xi) licensed alcohol and drug counselor I as defined in section 1 of chapter 111J;(xii) healthcare provider, as defined in section 1, qualified within the scope of the individual's license to perform substance use disorder evaluations, including an intern, resident or fellow pursuant to the policies and practices of the hospital and medical staff; (xiv) other licensed master’s level mental health clinician, including but not limited to licensed alcohol and drug counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist; or (xv) individuals with a master’s degree in a clinical behavioral health practice pursuing licensure post master’s under the supervision of an appropriately licensed and credentialed clinician.

SECTION XX. Section 51 ¾ of Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as inserted by Chapter 177 of the Acts of 2022, is hereby amended by striking out the second sentence and replacing it with the following sentence:

The regulations shall define “licensed mental health professional”, which shall include, but not be limited to, a: (i) licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry or addiction medicine; (ii) licensed psychologist; (iii) licensed independent clinical social worker; (iv) licensed certified social worker; (v) licensed mental health counselor; (vi) licensed supervised mental health counselor; (vii) licensed physician assistant who practices in the field of psychiatry; (viii) licensed psychiatric clinical nurse specialist; (ix) licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner; (x) healthcare provider, as defined in section 1, qualified within the scope of the individual's license to conduct an evaluation of a mental health condition, including an intern, resident or fellow pursuant to the policies and practices of the hospital and medical staff; (xi) other licensed master’s level mental health clinician, including but not limited to licensed alcohol and drug counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist; or (x) individuals with a master’s degree in a clinical behavioral health practice pursuing licensure post master’s under the supervision of an appropriately licensed and credentialed clinician.

SECTION XX. Section 47B of chapter 175 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph of subsection (i) and replacing it with the following paragraph:-

For the purposes of this section, ''licensed mental health professional'' shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry or addiction medicine; a licensed psychologist; a licensed independent clinical social worker; a licensed mental health counselor; a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist; a licensed physician assistant who practices in the field of psychiatry or addiction medicine; a licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, other licensed master’s level mental health clinician including but not limited to a licensed alcohol and drug counselor I, as defined in section 1 of chapter 111J, or a licensed marriage and family therapist within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist; or a clinician practicing under the supervision of a licensed professional, and working towards licensure, in a clinic or hospital licensed under chapter 111.

SECTION XX. Section 8A of chapter 176A of the General Laws, as amended by chapter 177 of the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph of subsection (i) and replacing it with the following paragraph:-

For the purposes of this section, ''licensed mental health professional'' shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry or addiction medicine; a licensed psychologist; a licensed independent clinical social worker; a licensed mental health counselor; a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist; a licensed physician assistant who practices in the field of psychiatry or addiction medicine; a licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, other licensed master’s level mental health clinician including but not limited to a licensed alcohol and drug counselor I, as defined in section 1 of chapter 111J, or a licensed marriage and family therapist within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist; or a clinician practicing under the supervision of a licensed professional, and working towards licensure, in a clinic or hospital licensed under chapter 111.

SECTION XX. Section 4A of chapter 176B of the General Laws, as amended by chapter 177 of the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph of subsection (i) and replacing it with the following paragraph:-

For the purposes of this section, ''licensed mental health professional'' shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry or addiction medicine; a licensed psychologist; a licensed independent clinical social worker; a licensed mental health counselor; a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist; a licensed physician assistant who practices in the field of psychiatry or addiction medicine; a licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, other licensed master’s level mental health clinician including but not limited to a licensed alcohol and drug counselor I, as defined in section 1 of chapter 111J, or a licensed marriage and family therapist within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist; or a clinician practicing under the supervision of a licensed professional, and working towards licensure, in a clinic or hospital licensed under chapter 111.

SECTION XX. Section 4M of chapter 176G of the General Laws, as amended by chapter 177 of the acts of 2022, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph of subsection (i) and replacing it with the following paragraph:-

For the purposes of this section, ''licensed mental health professional'' shall mean a licensed physician who specializes in the practice of psychiatry or addiction medicine; a licensed psychologist; a licensed independent clinical social worker; a licensed mental health counselor; a licensed nurse mental health clinical specialist; a licensed physician assistant who practices in the field of psychiatry or addiction medicine; a licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, other licensed master’s level mental health clinician including but not limited to a licensed alcohol and drug counselor I, as defined in section 1 of chapter 111J, or a licensed marriage and family therapist within the lawful scope of practice for such therapist; or a clinician practicing under the supervision of a licensed professional, and working towards licensure, in a clinic or hospital licensed under chapter 111.

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #728 to H3900

Definition of Licensed Mental Health Professional