Chapter 558 Oregon Laws 2009

AN ACT

HB 2702

Relating to prescriptive authority for licensed psychologists; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Work Group on Prescriptive Authority for Licensed Psychologists, consisting of seven members appointed jointly by the Oregon Medical Board, the State Board of Psychologist Examiners and the State Board of Pharmacy, as follows:

          (a) Two psychiatrists, one of whom must be a member of the faculty at the Oregon Health and Science University;

          (b) Two psychologists licensed under ORS 675.010 to 675.150 who each:

          (A) Have a postdoctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology; or

          (B) Have completed the United States Department of Defense Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project;

          (c) One psychologist licensed under ORS 675.010 to 675.150 who does not have authority to prescribe or dispense drugs and who works in a health care setting;

          (d) One primary care physician licensed under ORS chapter 677; and

          (e) One pharmacist licensed under ORS chapter 689.

          (2) The work group shall:

          (a) Develop recommendations for an accredited training program to allow psychologists to safely prescribe medications for the treatment of mental illness;

          (b) Evaluate the training necessary to allow a prescribing psychologist to work with special populations, including but not limited to children, persons with addictions, persons with comorbid medical illness and persons who are elderly;

          (c) Develop recommendations for legislation to change current statutes to accommodate prescribing psychologists;

          (d) Develop recommendations for oversight of prescribing psychologists; and

          (e) Evaluate the costs of implementing the training program.

          (3) The work group shall contract with a mediator to facilitate the work group.

          (4) A majority of the members of the work group constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

          (5) Official action by the work group requires the approval of a majority of the members of the work group.

          (6) If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authorities shall make an appointment to become immediately effective.

          (7) The work group shall meet at times and places specified by the mediator or a majority of the members of the work group.

          (8) The work group may adopt rules necessary for the operation of the work group.

          (9) The work group may accept gifts, grants or contributions from any public or private source for the purpose of carrying out this section.

          (10) The work group shall submit a report, including recommendations for legislation, to the Legislative Assembly as provided in ORS 192.245 or to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly related to the practice of medicine, as appropriate, no later than January 31, 2010.

          (11) Members of the work group are not entitled to compensation or reimbursement for expenses and serve as volunteers.

          (12) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, are directed to assist the work group in the performance of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the members of the work group consider necessary to perform their duties.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of this 2009 Act is repealed on June 30, 2010.

SECTION 3. This 2009 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2009 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor June 25, 2009

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 25, 2009

Effective date June 25, 2009

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