Board of Psychology approves sunset report after review of enforcement, licensing and telepractice issues

The California Board of Psychology voted Dec. 20, 2024, to approve its sunset report and submit it to the Legislature, finalizing edits and updates that staff will file ahead of the Jan. 6, 2025 deadline.

The vote followed a section-by-section review of the draft report led by Dr. Stephen Phillips, chair of the sunset committee, and John Burke, the board’s interim executive officer. The motion to approve the report was made by Dr. Tate and seconded by Seyran Fu; a roll call recorded affirmative votes from Kosuga, Stephen Phillips, Briscate, Shikonda Rogers and Dr. Tate. The board marked the report final so staff could incorporate discussed clarifications, convert the document to PDF and submit it to the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Legislature on the required timetable.

Why it matters: the sunset report is the board’s formal submission to legislative oversight committees and sets out the Board of Psychology’s recent activities, proposed statutory and regulatory priorities, and items it may ask the Legislature to consider. Board staff described the report as the vehicle for both factual updates and a request list of possible legislative changes; inclusion in the report does not guarantee enactment.

Key discussion points and edits

- Research psychoanalysts: The board documented and discussed the recent…