HB 425 – Improve Utilization of MH Professionals
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Josh Dobson (R – Avery), Rep. Nelson Dollar (R – Wake), Rep. Greg Murphy (R – Pitt), Rep. Beverly Earle (D – Mecklenburg)
This bill would allow licensed clinical addiction specialists to form a professional corporation with a physician and would authorize the Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services to allow licensed professional counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists to conduct initial (first-level) examinations for the involuntary commitment of individuals with a mental illness or substance abuse disorder.
This bill was referred to the House Health Committee on March 22, 2017. On March 30, 2017, the bill received a favorable report in committee and was heard on the House floor on April 5, 2017. The billed passed second reading, but Rep. Verla Insko (D – Orange) objected to third reading.
This bill was heard for third reading on April 6, 2017.
Rep. Verla Insko (D – Orange) sent an amendment forward which stated the Secretary would make a determination that the scope of practice of the practitioner to be substituted allows for the completion of the first-level examination.
The amendment failed 25-85.
Rep. Carla Cunningham (D – Mecklenburg) sent an amendment forward which would reference that individuals performing the examination could not be related by blood or marriage to the individuals meeting the criteria for examination.
The amendment passed 109-0.
The bill passed 110-0, and will now move to the Senate.
