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Senate committee approves amendment to H 237, removes 'over 80' prescribing bar for doctoral psychologists
Summary
A Senate committee voted to approve H 237 as amended, striking an 'over 80 years of age' restriction so the bill would prohibit prescribing only for patients under 18 or who are pregnant; members debated age-based cutoffs and heard medical testimony about geriatrics before the 7-0 committee vote.
A Senate committee voted to approve H 237, a bill that would allow doctoral‑level psychologists to prescribe certain medications, after adopting an amendment that removes a prohibition on prescribing to people described in the bill as "over 80 years of age." The amendment will leave the provision to read "less than 18 years of age or pregnant."
Supporters said the change addresses concerns about an arbitrary age cutoff while keeping protections for children and pregnant patients. Stephanie Winters, deputy director of the Vermont Medical Society and executive director of the Vermont Psychiatric Association, told the committee that age‑related physiological changes — reduced liver and kidney function, increased body fat and altered receptor sensitivity — make geriatrics training important for prescribers. "These are based in science," Winters said, arguing that geriatrics is not an arbitrary category and that even with an 80‑year cap prescribers should receive geriatrics education.
Opponents and some members questioned whether a fixed date is the right tool for patient safety. "Why do you select an arbitrary date that applies to some people that it shouldn't apply to?" one senator asked, advocating for medical determination rather than a blanket age threshold. Proponents of removing the age language said supervision by a collaborating psychiatrist and access to full medical records would provide clinical safeguards.
Senator Brock offered the amendment to strike the "over 80 years of age" phrase so the clause would read "less than 18 years of age or pregnant." Senator War Golic moved the committee to approve H 237 draft 2.1; after discussion the clerk called the roll. Senators Hildenbrand, Beck, Hardy, Brock, Earlick, Maddox and Cummings recorded "yes" and the clerk reported the action passed with a 7‑0‑0 tally. Committee members also noted that the bill as written contains no registration fee; staff were asked to prepare an amended draft (draft numbering was discussed as 2.1/2.2/2.3).
Committee members flagged that detailed technical language and age definitions could be revisited in the committee of jurisdiction if needed. Members also discussed related jurisdictional matters — including sections of other bills that touch on health, education and tax topics — and noted a substantial tax bill and other workload coming to the committee.
The committee concluded by asking staff to prepare the amended draft for further processing and then adjourned. No effective date or fee was specified in the committee record.
