Senate panel sends bill easing rules for prescribing psychologists to the floor

Senate Health and Welfare Committee members voted to send Senate Bill 1088 to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation after committee testimony from the bill sponsor, psychologists who treat patients in Idaho and the Idaho Psychological Association.

The bill, presented by Senator Mark Harris, would change how Idaho regulates prescribing psychologists by phasing out a physician-only supervision model and replacing it with a collaborative agreement that can include experienced prescribers such as nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other prescribing psychologists; it would also remove a permanent advisory panel the sponsor calls obsolete and add a background-check requirement for new licenses to conform with the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT).

Supporters told the committee the existing supervision rule has limited Idaho’s ability to expand the number of prescribing psychologists. “Idaho has eight prescribing psychologists since the law took effect eight years ago,” Senator Mark Harris said, and witnesses said the supervision requirement has been a practical barrier to newly qualified clinicians starting to prescribe.

Lance Giles, a contract lobbyist speaking for the Idaho Psychological Association, said the division of occupational and professional licenses reviewed the bill and raised no objections. Several licensed psychologists testified in favor of the measure. Dr. Kendra Westerhouse and Dr. Lynn MacArthur described service extenders and continuity-of-care issues, saying the bill would allow doctoral students who do not receive an intermediate master’s degree to serve as supervised service extenders. Dr. Patrick Bartos described personal difficulty securing a supervising physician under current law and told the committee he had not been able to prescribe in Idaho despite completing the required training.

Supporters emphasized the bill would maintain patient safety while broadening who may participate in collaborative agreements. Committee questions focused on the scope of the new collaborative model and how it balances patient safety and supervision. Senator Cindy Wintrow asked whether the collaborative model simply expands the set of qualified supervisors; Giles answered that it does.

The bill would also remove a permanent advisory panel for prescribing psychologists that supporters said has fulfilled its initial purpose and is no longer needed. The proposal adds a background-check requirement for new psychologist licenses; that requirement would not be retroactive for currently licensed psychologists.

After discussion, Senator Keiser moved and Senator Buerke seconded sending the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript.

If adopted by the full Senate, the bill would change statutory supervision language for prescribing psychologists and the state’s implementation of PSYPACT-related licensing requirements. The committee record shows no formal opposition presented during the hearing; proponents said they had worked with multiple stakeholders while drafting the bill.

-- Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 1088 — Motion: “Send Senate Bill 1088 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.” Mover: Senator Keiser; Second: Senator Buerke. Outcome: approved by committee (voice vote). Specific recorded tallies not provided in committee transcript.