SSB 1008 (LSB 1160XC (1) 90)

SENATE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BILL BY CHAIRPERSON EDLER)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the requirements for a prescribing psychologist or a psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 154B.1, subsections 3 and 5, Code 2023, are amended to read as follows:
   3.  “Collaborative relationship” means a cooperative working relationship between a prescribing psychologist or a psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate and a licensed physician in the provision of patient primary care provider who oversees the patient’s general medical care, including diagnosis and cooperation in the management and delivery of physical and mental health care.
   5.  “Physician” means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in this state who is board-certified in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, or another specialty who prescribes medications for the treatment of a mental disorder to patients in the normal course of the person’s clinical medical practice pursuant to joint rules adopted by the board of psychology and the board of medicine.
    Sec. 2.  Section 154B.10, subsection 1, paragraphs d and e, Code 2023, are amended to read as follows:
   d.  Within five years immediately preceding the date of application, successfully Successfully completed a postdoctoral master of science degree in clinical psychopharmacology approved by the board of psychology and the board of medicine pursuant to joint rules adopted by both boards. The program shall at a minimum include coursework in neuroscience, pharmacology, psychopharmacology, physiology, and appropriate and relevant physical and laboratory assessments.
   e.  Within five years immediately preceding the date of application, has Has been certified by the applicant’s supervising physician as having successfully completed a supervised and relevant clinical experience in clinical assessment and pathophysiology and an additional supervised practicum treating patients with mental disorders. The practica shall have been supervised by a trained physician. The board of psychology and the board of medicine, pursuant to joint rules adopted by the boards, shall determine sufficient practica to competently train the applicant in the treatment of a diverse patient population.
    Sec. 3.  Section 154B.12, subsection 2, Code 2023, is amended to read as follows:
   2.  When prescribing psychotropic medication for a patient, the prescribing psychologist or the psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate shall maintain an ongoing collaborative relationship with the licensed physician primary care provider who oversees the patient’s general medical care to ensure that necessary medical examinations are conducted, the psychotropic medication is appropriate for the patient’s medical condition, and significant changes in the patient’s medical or psychological condition are discussed. 
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Under current law, to be granted a conditional prescription certificate, an applicant who holds a current license to practice psychology in the state, among other requirements, must within five years immediately preceding the date of application, have both successfully completed a postdoctoral master of science degree in clinical psychopharmacology approved by the board of psychology and the board of medicine, and have been certified by the applicant’s supervising physician as having successfully completed a supervised and relevant clinical experience in clinical assessment and pathophysiology and an additional supervised practicum treating patients with mental disorders. This bill retains both of these requirements but eliminates the condition that these requirements must have been completed within the five years immediately preceding the date of application for a conditional prescription certificate.
   Current law requires that when prescribing psychotropic medication for a patient, the prescribing psychologist or the psychologist with a conditional prescription certificate shall maintain an ongoing collaborative relationship with the licensed physician in the provision of patient care. The bill instead provides that the ongoing collaborative relationship be with the patient’s primary care provider who oversees the patient’s general medical care, rather than the patient’s licensed physician.
   The bill also redefines “physician” for the purposes of Code chapter 154B (psychology). Current law defines “physician” to mean a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery in this state who is board-certified in a speciality who prescribes medications for the treatment of a mental disorder. The bill removes the condition that the licensed person also be board-certified in the speciality.