Amendment ID: S3111-8

Amendment 8

Psychosocial Services for Children Prescribed Psychotropic Medication

Mr. Tarr moves that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section _ the following section:-

"SECTION_. Chapter 18B as so appearing is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof the following new section:- 26. (a) The department shall annually certify to the senate and house committees on ways and means, the joint committee on children, families and persons with disabilities, and the office of the child advocate that each child in the care or custody of the department who is prescribed one or more psychotropic medications has a documented psychosocial treatment plan, consistent with clinical best practices.

(b) The annual certification shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) the number of children prescribed psychotropic medications who have a documented psychosocial treatment plan;

(2) the number of children prescribed psychotropic medications without a documented psychosocial treatment plan;

(3) the number of children prescribed psychotropic medications who did not receive recommended psychosocial services, including the type of services recommended and whether such services were unavailable, declined, or delayed;

(4) the number of children prescribed psychotropic medications who received recommended psychosocial services, delineated by service type; and

(5) any corrective actions taken by the department to address deficiencies identified in paragraphs (1) through (4).

(c) For purposes of this section, “psychosocial services” shall include, but not be limited to: individual therapy, family therapy, behavioral health services, trauma‑informed interventions, and any other non‑pharmacological treatment recommended by a licensed clinician.

(d) All data shall be delineated by the child’s age, race, ethnicity, primary language, disability status, placement type, and region.

(e) The department shall publish the annual certification on its website in accordance with section 19 of chapter 66; provided, however, that any personally identifiable information shall be de‑identified or removed prior to publication."