AN ACT TO INCREASE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

SECTION 1. Subsection (g) of said section 7 of chapter 94C of the general laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended  in the second paragraph by striking out, in lines 129 and 130,  and in lines 138 and 139, the words “and psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists”.

SECTION 2. Subsection (g) of said section 7 of chapter 94C of the general laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof the following paragraph;-

The commissioner shall promulgate regulations which provide for the registration of psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists  as defined in section 80 B of chapter 112, to issue written prescriptions in accordance with regulations pursuant to section 80I of chapter 112. Prior to promulgating such regulations, the commissioner shall consult with the board of registration in nursing with regard to those schedules of controlled substances for which psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialists may be registered.

SECTION 3. Section 80E of Chapter 112 is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1 and 2 and in lines 7 and 8, the words “or psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist”.

SECTION 4. Chapter 112 is hereby amended by adding section 80I: –

Section 80I. A nurse authorized to practice as a psychiatric nurse mental health clinical  specialist  pursuant to section 80B, may order and interpret tests, therapeutics and prescribe medications in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board and subject to the provisions of subsection (g) of section 7 of chapter 94C.