SF 2303 (LSB 2699SV (1) 88)

SENATE FILE 2303

BY  COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES

(SUCCESSOR TO SF 443)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the inclusion of occupational therapists as mental health professionals for the purposes of disclosure of mental health and psychological information.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 228.1, subsection 7, Code 2019, is amended to read as follows:
   7.  “Mental health professional” means an individual who has either any of the following qualifications:
   a.  The individual meets all of the following requirements:
   (1)  The individual holds at least a master’s degree in a mental health field, including but not limited to psychology, counseling and guidance, nursing, and social work, or is an advanced registered nurse practitioner, a physician assistant, or a physician and surgeon or an osteopathic physician and surgeon.
   (2)  The individual holds a current Iowa license if practicing in a field covered by an Iowa licensure law.
   (3)  The individual has at least two years of post-degree clinical experience, supervised by another mental health professional, in assessing mental health needs and problems and in providing appropriate mental health services.
   b.  The individual holds a current Iowa license if practicing in a field covered by an Iowa licensure law and is a psychiatrist, an advanced registered nurse practitioner who holds a national certification in psychiatric mental health care and is licensed by the board of nursing, a physician assistant practicing under the supervision of a psychiatrist, or an individual who holds a doctorate degree in psychology and is licensed by the board of psychology.
   c.  The individual is certified by the national board for certification in occupational therapy, is licensed by the board of occupational therapy, and has completed a practicum in a psychiatric setting or has had one year of experience in a psychiatric setting.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill defines “mental health professional” under Code chapter 228 (disclosure of mental health and psychological information) to include an individual who is nationally certified, licensed by the board of occupational therapy, and has completed a practicum in a psychiatric setting or has had one year of experience in a psychiatric setting.