Senate Health & Welfare advances framework for psychologist prescribing specialty, asks OPR to draft rules

The Senate Health & Welfare committee on Feb. 11 reviewed H.237, a bill that would create a prescribing specialty for doctoral‑level psychologists and set training, supervision and prescribing limits for those clinicians.

The committee heard that eligibility would require completion of a designated postdoctoral psychopharmacology program and structured clinical rotations, that prescribing must occur under a written collaborative agreement, and that some controlled substances and injectable administration would be restricted.

Why it matters: The bill would expand the circumstances in which psychologists can prescribe psychotropic medications in Vermont, shifting the scope of practice for a professional group and creating new board‑regulated training and oversight obligations. Committee members pressed for clarity on what minimum education and supervisory safeguards would protect patients if prescribing authority is granted.

The bill and draft strike‑all presented by Katie of the Office of Legislative Council add definitions for "prescribing psychologists," "collaborating practitioners," and a postdoctoral curriculum. Dr. Rick Barnett of the Vermont Psychological Association told the committee the…