behavioral health Archives - OF DIGITAL INTEREST

behavioral health

Trending in Telehealth: October 29 – November 11, 2024

by Stacey Callaghan, Marshall E. Jackson, Jr. and Nathan Gray | Nov 19, 2024 | Telehealth

Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists, and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

Interstate compacts
Behavioral health
Veterinary services
Disciplinary guidelines

A CLOSER LOOK

Proposed Legislation & Rulemaking:

In Washington, the Veterinary Board of Governors proposed amendments to board regulations to address the provision of veterinary services via telehealth. The proposed rule would permit licensed veterinarians to use telehealth to provide general health advice and emergency animal care advice, prescribe non-controlled substance sedation medication to facilitate transportation to an in-person visit, and, in certain circumstances, to dispense non-controlled substance medications prescribed by another veterinarian. Once a veterinarian-client-patient relationship had been established, the proposed rule would permit ongoing care to be provided via telemedicine.
In California, the Board of Behavioral Sciences proposed amendments to its telehealth rule to require licensed providers rendering services via telehealth to employ technologies, methods, and equipment that comply with all applicable federal and state privacy, confidentiality, and security laws, including HIPAA and the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act.
South Carolina’s Department of Public Health released a proposal to permit licensed opioid treatment programs to perform the required initial screening examination via telehealth for patients admitted for treatment with buprenorphine or methadone. The proposed rule would require the use of audio-visual communications when evaluating patients for treatment using Schedule II medications but would permit use of audio-only platforms when treating patients with Schedule III medications.

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking Activity:

The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling finalized a set of guidelines that the board must follow when imposing disciplinary penalties upon telehealth registrants. The penalties include fines, reprimands, suspension with a corrective action plan, and revocation of the individual’s license.
In the District of Columbia, the mayor signed a bill (B 25-287) in which DC joins the Interstate Counseling Compact.

Why it matters:

Adoption of interstate licensure compacts continues to grow. Over the past year, there has been a notable trend of adoption of interstate licensure compacts for a wide range of providers. Even during slow periods for legislative and regulatory activity, DC’s adoption of the Interstate Counseling Compact reflects continued interest in these compacts.
States continue to adapt to the ongoing relevance of telehealth as a method of care delivery. The rule amendments proposed in Washington to permit the delivery of veterinary services via telehealth reflects ongoing recognition that telehealth can be used to provide a wide range of health services. The recently adopted disciplinary guidelines in Florida demonstrate how states have begun to adopt regulations specifically with telehealth in mind.

Trending in Telehealth: July 2 – 8, 2024

by Amanda Enyeart and Jae Hyun Lee | Jul 12, 2024 | Telehealth

Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

Insurance and Medicaid reimbursement
Behavioral and mental health

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking:

In Pennsylvania, the governor signed SB 739, which amends Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to require health insurers and Medicaid and CHIP managed care programs to provide coverage for healthcare services delivered through telemedicine using a HIPAA compliant technology. This bill establishes definitions related to telemedicine, as well as requirements for health insurance and Medicaid coverage of telemedicine services.

Legislation & Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase:

Highlights:

Delaware issued a proposed rule to amend the Delaware Administrative code concerning professional counselors of mental health and chemical dependency professionals to clarify that face-to-face supervision or counseling includes live video conferencing.
Arizona issued a notice of rulemaking to notify of its intent to amend the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners rules to make them consistent with statutory changes including: (1) amending the definition of direct client contact to include therapeutic or clinical care via telehealth; (2) registration of out-of-state providers of telehealth services; (3) removing the requirements for evidence of indirect client hours obtained during training for social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and addiction counselors; and (4) implementing the interstate compact for licensed professional counselors.

Why it matters:

States are increasing access to and coverage for telemedicine services. Pennsylvania expanded access to and coverage of telehealth services across insurance providers and across the state. Additionally, Delaware and Arizona are considering rules to include live video conferencing under the definition of direct patient care.

Telehealth is an important development in care delivery, but the regulatory patchwork is complicated. The McDermott Digital Health team works alongside the industry’s leading providers, payors and technology innovators to help them enter new markets, break down barriers to delivering accessible care and mitigate enforcement risk through proactive compliance.

Trending in Telehealth: June 25 – July 1, 2024

by Lisa Mazur and Jae Hyun Lee | Jul 2, 2024 | Telehealth

Trending in the past week:

Interstate compacts
Medicaid reimbursement
Teledentistry
Professional standards
Behavioral and mental health

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking:

Rhode Island entered into the following compacts:
- Social Work Licensure Compact (SB 2184)
- Counseling Compact (SB 2183)
- Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (SB 2173)
- Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (SB 2623)

Louisiana enacted HB 888 which enters the state into the Social Work Licensure Compact.
In New Hampshire, the governor signed SB 411 which requires coverage of behavioral health or mental health crisis assessments, including both in-person and telehealth services for children and youth 21 years of age and younger.
In Illinois, the governor signed SB 1 which creates the Department of Early Childhood and transfers to it certain rights, powers, duties and functions currently exercised by various state agencies. The bill makes for provision of certain programs that have the ability to utilize telehealth as an option.
Ohio adopted a final rule that provides guidance from the Chemical Dependency Professional Board regarding the ethics and professional conduct of practice for certificate holders and licensees when using telehealth.

Legislation & Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase: 17

Highlights:

The Ohio Senate passed SB 211 that would enroll the state in the Dietitian Licensure Compact.
The Pennsylvania Senate passed SB 739 which would amend Title 40 (Insurance) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to provide for telemedicine. This bill updates definitions related to telemedicine and requirements for health insurance and Medicaid coverage of telemedicine services.
The lower chamber in Pennsylvania passed HB 2268 which defines telehealth for speech language pathology and requires coverage by payors.
The upper chamber in Pennsylvania passed SB 913 which would require parental consent for virtual mental health services provided by a school entity.
The Delaware House passed SB 301 which would require public universities to provide access to medication to terminate pregnancy and emergency contraception, including requirements for accommodating a student’s request for a telehealth appointment if the student health center is not equipped or staffed to provide the medication.
In Puerto Rico, the Senate passed PS 1136 which would establish the Dental Examining Board of Dentists, Hygienists, Dental Assistants, Dental Technicians or Technologists and, among other things, develop a framework for teledentistry. The bill includes items on consent, patient information protection, definitions and other items related to teledentistry.
Mississippi published a proposed rule that amends the Department of Mental Health’s rules concerning assessments for persons receiving mental health services and/or substance use services to allow initial and subsequent visits to be provided [...]

Continue Reading

Trending in Telehealth: March 19 – March 25, 2024

by Stacey Callaghan and Nathan Gray | Mar 26, 2024 | Telehealth

Trending in the past week:

Behavioral Health
Licensure Compacts
Telehealth Practice Requirements

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation and Rulemaking:

Florida enacted SB 7016, which, among other things, enters Florida into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Physical Therapy Compact, and the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Compact.
In Utah, HB 365 was enacted. This act allows physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to conduct initial consults for certain cosmetic procedures via telemedicine, including cryolipolysis (i.e. the removal of fat deposits using cold temperatures) and certain cosmetic laser treatments. Telemedicine consults would not be permitted for hair removal or tattoo removal treatments.
Washington enacted HB 1939 to enter the Social Work Licensure Compact.
In Washington, SB 5481 was also enacted. This act establishes professional practice standards for healthcare practitioners that provide telehealth services and establishes requirements for out-of-state health care practitioners.
Washington also passed SB 5821, which amends existing standards for establishing a provider-patient relationship related to audio-only coverage requirements. The act defines an established relationship to include a provider of audio-only telemedicine who has, among other things, seen the patient in-person or through real-time interactive audio and video technology at least once in the last three years or an audio-only provider to whom the patient was referred by a physician who had seen the patient, in-person or through real-time interactive audio and video technology, at least once in the past three years.
Wisconsin enacted SB 476, which prohibits the Wisconsin Medicaid program from requiring that telehealth providers have a physical address in the state.

Legislation & Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase:

Highlights:

In Alaska, SB 91 passed the first chamber. The bill would permit an out-of-state member of a physician’s multidisciplinary care team to provide services in Alaska via telehealth if the service provided by the out-of-state member is not reasonably available in the state or it involves ongoing treatment or follow-up care regarding a suspected or diagnosed life-threatening condition. The bill would also establish grounds for disciplinary action against an out-of-state member of a physician’s multidisciplinary care team.
In Georgia, HB 441 passed both chambers. If enacted, the bill would, among other things, require a dentist intending to provide care via teledentristry to notify the Georgia Board of Dentistry and to provide documentation that the dentist has established a referral relationship with a dentist capable of providing in-person dental care at a location within the state meeting certain geographic requirements. A dentist providing teledentistry would be permitted to authorize dental hygienists to perform certain dental hygiene functions, prescribe noncontrolled prescriptions and authorize the performance of digital scans and the transmission of patient records to the dentist. The proposed bill would require dentists to perform an initial in-person examination and an in-person exam at least once [...]

Continue Reading

Trending in Telehealth: January 16 – 22, 2024

by Stacey Callaghan and Ashley Ogedegbe | Jan 24, 2024 | Telehealth

Trending in the past week:

Interstate compacts
Behavioral health
Expanding telehealth

A CLOSER LOOK

Legislation & Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase

Highlights:

Florida progressed SB 7016, which expands the telehealth minority maternity care pilot program to a statewide program; enacts the interstate medical licensure compact; and enacts the audiology and speech-language pathology interstate compact.
Oklahoma proposed a rule to include the use of telemedicine within the optometrist’s scope of practice under certain circumstances and clarify medication dispensation and storage requirements.
South Dakota progressed HB 1015 to adopt the social work licensure compact.
Texas proposed rule to expand the existing Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Care rules by providing telemedicine options in non-rural counties and expanding the use of telemedicine in rural counties, by integrating the use of telemedicine by Advanced Practice Provider (APP) in Rural Level IV trauma facilities under certain circumstances.
Utah progressed HB 44 to adopt the social work licensure compact.
Wisconsin proposed a rule to amend current standards of practice for supervising physical therapist assistants to incorporate new telehealth practices. Specifically, the current supervision rules require supervision physical therapists to provide on-site assessment and reevaluation of each patient at least once each calendar month or every 10th treatment day, whichever is sooner, while new telehealth practices permit patients to receive treatments using telehealth. The new rule will resolve the conflict between the on-site assessment and reevaluation requirements for supervision and patients’ ability to schedule telehealth visits.
Wisconsin progressed AB 573 and AB 541to the second chamber. AB 573 directs the Department of Health Services to establish a pilot program to implement virtual behavioral health crisis care services for use by county or municipal law enforcement agencies in the field to connect law enforcement officers who encounter persons in crisis to behavioral healthcare services. AB 541 provides that no mental health care provider may be required to be licensed, registered, certified, or otherwise approved to practice in the state to provide mental health services by telehealth to patients located in the state unless mental health care provider satisfies certain conditions.

Why it matters:

There continues to be elevated activity surrounding licensure compacts. This week, Florida, South Dakota and Utah progressed laws to adopt interstate licensure compacts.
States continue to progress laws to incorporate the use of telehealth in practitioners’ scope of practice. This week, several states progressed legislation expanding practitioners’ scope of practice to include telehealth services under certain circumstances.

Telehealth is an important development in care delivery, but the regulatory patchwork is complicated. The McDermott digital health team works alongside the industry’s leading providers, payors and technology innovators to help them enter new markets, break [...]

Continue Reading

Trending in Telehealth: December 21, 2023 – January 3, 2024

by Amanda Enyeart, Taylor Hood and Adetoro Olugbemi | Jan 5, 2024 | Telehealth

Trending in the past week:

Behavioral health
Interstate compacts

A CLOSER LOOK
Finalized Legislation & Rulemaking

Arkansas issued a final rule whereby certain assessments under the Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) system may be performed via telemedicine. The ARIA system is used to perform a functional-needs assessment for eligible Medicaid beneficiaries served through one of the state’s waiver programs or state plan personal care services.
Mississippi issued a final rule, which adds Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Mississippi State Department of Health clinics to the list of Medicaid-covered providers for telehealth services. The final rule also clarifies that Medicaid would not cover physician or other practitioner visits through telehealth for Evaluation and Management Level IV or V visits.
New Jersey signed AB 5757 into law on December 31, 2023. This substitute bill amends Section 11 of P.L.2021, c.310 to extend the end date from December 31, 2023, to December 31, 2024, during which time a health benefits plan in New Jersey must extend coverage and payment parity for telehealth services. Healthcare services delivered to a covered person through telemedicine or telehealth must be covered at a rate equal to the in-person provider reimbursement rate, provided the services are otherwise covered by the health benefits plan when delivered in-person.
Washington, DC, issued a final rule updating Medicaid’s Assertive Community Treatment reimbursement methodology from a fee-for-service model to a monthly rate model. The new model requires eight (8) contacts with a consumer per calendar month. Three (3) of the required eight (8) contacts can be performed via . The Assertive Community Treatment program provides intensive, integrated, rehabilitative treatment and community-based to adults with serious and persistent mental illness.
Virginia joins the Counseling Licensure Compact, effective January 1, 2024. The authorizing bill was signed into law on March 27, 2023, with a delayed effective date.

Legislation & Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase
Highlights:

In New Jersey, AB 5311 passed the General Assembly with a vote of 73-0-0. If enacted, the bill would enter New Jersey into the Counseling Compact.
New Jersey’s General Assembly also passed SB 3604 with a vote of 74-0-0. The bill authorizes the use of healthcare platforms that provide discounted prices for payment of prescription and nonprescription drugs or devices and for telehealth and telemedicine services.

Why it matters:

There continues to be an increase in activity surrounding licensure compacts. States closed the year by adopting interstate compacts for a variety of professionals. In general, these state efforts ease the burdens of the licensing process and demonstrate a desire to facilitate multijurisdictional practice without giving up authority over professional licensure.
States continue to pass rules to increase access to behavioral [...]

Continue Reading

read more

Trending in Telehealth: October 24 – 31, 2023

by Marshall E. Jackson, Jr. and Ashley Ogedegbe | Nov 3, 2023 | Telehealth
Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

Interstate Licensure Compacts

Telehealth Practice Standards

Fiscal Policies and Incentives

Behavioral Health

Regulatory Licensing

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation and Rulemaking

In Wisconsin, the governor signed AB 364 into law. The bill amends the Wisconsin tax code by adopting certain Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to telehealth services and other remote care services and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) under the Consolidated Appropriations Acts of 2022 and 2023. Specifically, AB 364 authorizes individuals covered by an HDHP to claim a state income tax deduction for contributions to a health savings account, even if the plan has a $0 deductible for telehealth or remote services. The tax deduction will be available for taxable years beginning after 2021.

Legislation and Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase

Highlights:

In Wisconsin, SB 1 passed through the first chamber. The proposed bill aims to ratify and enter Wisconsin into the following interstate compacts: the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, the PA Licensure Compact, the Social Work Licensure Compact and the Counseling Compact.

In Illinois, SB 767 passed through the first chamber. The proposed bill would amend the HMO Act and permit audiologists and physicians to prescribe hearing aids via in-person or telehealth evaluations.

Nevada proposed a rule that defines the remote practice standards for social workers. Among other things, the rule would 1) permit the remote supervision of trainees, removing the in-person supervision requirements; 2) clarify that telehealth must be provided through Nevada-licensed providers; 3) authorize social workers to elect “inactive status” for periods during which the licensee is not actively providing services in the state; and 4) create a new licensure-by-endorsement process for social workers licensed in different countries.

Vermont proposed a rule to implement two new professional credentials created by statute: the telehealth license and telehealth registration. Under the proposed rule, out-of-state healthcare professionals may obtain 1) a telehealth license to provide telehealth services to a total of no more than 20 patients in Vermont during a two-year license term or 2) a telehealth registration to provide telehealth services for a period of no more than 120 consecutive days from the date the registration was issued and to a total of no more than 10 patients over the 120-day period. The license and registration offer a discount for out-of-state providers, as the fee for a telehealth license is 75% of a full license fee, and the telehealth registration is one-half of the full license fee.

Why it matters:

Professional mobility and flexibility. Vermont’s initiative to introduce telehealth licenses and registrations for out-of-state healthcare professionals represents a significant step in facilitating telehealth practice within the state. This proposal aims to streamline the licensure process by offering [...]

Continue Reading

read more

Trending in Telehealth: October 17 – 23, 2023

by Dale C. Van Demark and Ashley Ogedegbe | Oct 27, 2023 | Data breach, Telehealth
Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

Interstate Licensure Compacts

Telehealth Practice Standards

Disciplinary Guidelines

Behavioral Health

Regulatory Licensing

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation and Rulemaking

Alaska adopted a final rule creating new standards for optometrists providing telehealth services. To provide telehealth services, optometrists must: establish an optometrist-patient relationship verbally, in writing or in-person; verify the patient’s identity; maintain patient confidentiality; provide telehealth services at the same quality as in-person services; diagnose patients at the time of the patient visit; maintain complete and timely records; and perform additional examinations, in addition to telehealth, when dispensing prescription eyewear.

Legislation and Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase

Highlights:

In Wisconsin,

Three Interstate Compact bills advanced through the first chamber:

SB 196 would enact the Counseling Compact;

SB 391 would enact the Social Work Licensure Compact; and

SB 197 would enact the Audiology and Speech Pathology Compact.

The legislature is also considering AB 364, which advanced through the second chamber.

AB 364 would amend the Wisconsin tax code by adopting certain Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) under the Consolidated Appropriations Acts of 2022 and 2023. Specifically, AB 364 authorizes individuals, covered by an HDHP, to claim a state income tax deduction for contributions to a health savings account, even if the plan has a $0 deductible for telehealth or remote services. The tax deduction would be available for taxable years beginning after 2021.

In Ohio, SB 90, a bill to enact the Social Work Licensure Compact (the Compact), passed through the first chamber. While Missouri is currently the only state to officially enact the Compact, Ohio is one of six states with pending legislation to join the Compact.

Oregon proposed a rule to implement and clarify SB 232. The Oregon Legislature passed SB 232 to enact certain exemptions for telemedicine licensure, clarify that the “temporarily” definition includes patients in Oregon for business, vacation or education, and authorize out-of-state physicians or physician assistants to provide telemedicine intermittently to Oregon patients when the healthcare professional has an established patient relationship. The proposed rule amendments align with these updates.

Why it matters:

Hybridization of Healthcare. Alaska’s final rule is an example of the further acceptance of hybrid healthcare models. While the new initiative authorizes optometrists to provide telehealth services to established patients, optometrists in the state must combine telehealth with other forms of examination, likely in-person, to dispense eyewear prescriptions to patients.

Modernizing Licensure Infrastructures. The legislative activity in Wisconsin, Ohio and Oregon facilitates the provision of services across state lines by standardizing licensing requirements for healthcare professionals. The streamlined licensure process also enables a [...]

Continue Reading

read more

Trending in Telehealth: October 11 – 16, 2023

by Stacey Callaghan and Ashley Ogedegbe | Oct 20, 2023 | Telehealth
Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

Reproductive Health

Telehealth Practice Standards

Disciplinary Guidelines

Behavioral Health

Regulatory Licensing

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation and Rulemaking

In California, the governor signed the Nursing Facility Resident Informed Consent Protection Act of 2023. The new legislation amends the bill of rights for patients in skilled nursing facilities and establishes that healthcare professionals must disclose all material information regarding the administration of psychotherapeutic drugs to the patient to obtain the patient’s informed consent. Under the law, healthcare professionals may use remote technology, including telehealth, to obtain consent. The willful or repeated violation of these provisions will be punishable as a misdemeanor. However, the State Department of Public Health, in consultation with interested stakeholders, will not penalize facilities until December 31, 2025, when the Department plans to publish its standardized informed consent form.

Legislation and Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase

Highlights:

Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection proposed a rule to expand the prescribing authority of pharmacists. The rule would authorize licensed pharmacists who undergo the necessary training to prescribe emergency and hormonal contraceptives to patients. The rule would require pharmacists to assist patients with a Department-issued and interactive “screening document,” which includes questions to determine whether a hormonal or emergency contraceptive is clinically appropriate for a patient, age-appropriate health screening information, and a treatment algorithm for hormonal or emergency contraceptives. The screening document’s “treatment algorithm” is generated based on the clinical history entered by the patient, and it sets forth the steps of a treatment pathway and outlines when a referral to a practitioner is recommended. Licensed pharmacy technicians who undergo the necessary training can assist with the screening process, but ultimately the prescribing pharmacist must decide whether to issue the prescription or refer to a practitioner.

In Pennsylvania, HB 1300 passed the second chamber. If signed by the governor, the bill would allocate additional funds to the state’s Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health. It would also increase access to behavioral health via telemedicine services by providing funds for providers to purchase equipment such as computers, tablets, webcams, mobile devices, and telemedicine carts and kiosks; securing funds to assist with training and technical assistance for telemedicine services; providing grants to primary-care practitioners and organizations using telemedicine to deliver behavioral health integration services; and allocating additional funds for providers to purchase or maintain Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant software, platforms, secure Wi-Fi hotspots and increased broadband speed and training beyond what is offered by the Department of Human Services.

Why it matters:

Continued Demand for Mental Health Initiatives. Pennsylvania’s proposed rule highlights ongoing demand for behavioral and mental health services. Increasing resources and funding for telemedicine services will give more patients convenient access to behavioral health [...]

Continue Reading

read more

Trending in Telehealth: September 5 – 18, 2023

by Amanda Enyeart and Jayda Greco | Sep 22, 2023 | Telehealth
Trending in Telehealth highlights state legislative and regulatory developments that impact the healthcare providers, telehealth and digital health companies, pharmacists and technology companies that deliver and facilitate the delivery of virtual care.

Trending in the past week:

Medicaid Coverage

Broadband Access

Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Practice Standards Across Licensee Types

A CLOSER LOOK

Finalized Legislation and Rulemaking

California enacted AB 1241, which was presented for signature last week. As noted in our prior updates, the bill will loosen certain requirements related to the virtual delivery of care within the Medi-Cal program.

Maryland made effective a host of non-substantive rulemaking updates related to professional standards for telehealth across a variety of licensee types, including optometrists, massage therapists, social workers, dietitians, chiropractors, audiologists, speech language pathologists, hearing aid dispensers, music therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and professional counselors. The final rules provide clarity by removing language regarding the physical location of a practitioner or patient when providing telehealth and by removing ambiguous and other language to be consistent with telehealth regulations adopted by other health occupations boards.

Legislation and Rulemaking Activity in Proposal Phase

Highlights:

California progressed several bills to the engrossing and enrolling stage and to the governor for signature.

AB 965 moved from the second committee to the governor for signature. The bill is an amendment to the Permit Streamlining Act that would require local agencies that process applications for the construction of broadband projects to simultaneously process multiple broadband permit applications for substantially similar projects under a single permit (so-called batch broadband permit processing), with the goal of ensuring a more efficient broadband approval process.

AB 1369 also progressed from the second committee to the governor for signature. This legislation provides that a person licensed as a physician and surgeon in another state would be authorized to deliver healthcare via telehealth to a patient who, among other requirements, has a disease or condition in which there is a reasonable likelihood of death within a matter of months.

AB 1478 was enrolled on September 14, 2023. The bill would require the State Department of Public Health to maintain, on its website, a database of referral networks of community-based mental health providers and support services addressing postpartum depression and prenatal care, information on mental health providers and support groups that allow patient-driven care access, including telehealth and virtual care.

AB 912 was enrolled on September 16, 2023. The bill would authorize school-based health centers to provide primary medical care, behavioral health services or dental care services on site or through mobile health or telehealth.

AB 48 was sent to engrossing and enrolling on September 13, 2023. The bill would add nursing [...]

Continue Reading

read more

Older Posts »

Search for:

BLOG EDITORS

Amanda Enyeart

Marshall E. Jackson, Jr.

Lisa Schmitz Mazur

Michael G. Morgan

Romain Perray

Amy C. Pimentel

STAY CONNECTED

Subscribe

TOPICS
TOPICS

ARCHIVES
ARCHIVES

RECENT POSTS

Trending in Telehealth: October 29 – November 11, 2024

Trending in Telehealth: October 21 – 28, 2024

Trending in Telehealth: October 14 – 21, 2024

Trending in Telehealth: October 7 – 14, 2024

360 Diligence for Digital Health Investments: What to Watch in Today’s Market Trends