CHAPTER 114
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1
CHAPTER 114
( HJR 5 )
A JOINT RESOLUTION directing mental health professional licensure boards to strongly consider entering
into an interstate compact with other states, easing reciprocity procedures with other states, or establishing reciprocity
procedures with other states to increase the mental health workforce in Kentucky, and declaring an emergency.
WHEREAS, approximately 746,000 adults in Kentucky have a mental health condition and about 113,069
individuals have a severe mental illness; and
WHEREAS, there is a mental health workforce shortage in Kentucky; and
WHEREAS, mental health providers are more likely to practice in urban centers and this causes chronic
shortages of mental health professionals in rural areas of Kentucky; and
WHEREAS, there are only 350 actively practicing psychiatrists in Kentucky, about eight per 100,000
residents, and to adequately serve individuals with mental health issues there should be at least 50 actively practicing
psychiatrists per 100,000 residents; and
WHEREAS, due to a chronic shortage of psychiatrists, primary care providers are providing up to 74 percent
of all psychiatric care in the United States and primary care providers may not have the training or experience to
accurately diagnose or treat individuals with severe mental illness or other mental health conditions; and
WHEREAS, Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) and Certified Community Behavioral Health
Clinics (CCBHCs) provide comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder services to vulnerable
individuals and, to provide these services, the CMHCs and CCBHCs must have enough qualified mental health
providers to meet the needs of communities;
NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
Section 1. The General Assembly hereby directs the following boards to strongly consider entering into an
interstate compact with other states, easing reciprocity procedures with other states, or establishing reciprocity
procedures with other states to increase the mental health workforce in Kentucky:
(1) Kentucky Board of Social Work;
(2) Kentucky Board of Licensure for Marriage and Family Therapists;
(3) Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors;
(4) Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure;
(5) Kentucky Board of Pharmacy;
(6) Kentucky Board of Nursing;
(7) Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology;
(8) Kentucky Board of Licensure for Pastoral Counselors;
(9) Kentucky Board of Licensure for Professional Art Therapists; and
(10) Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors.
Section 2. Each board shall report to the General Assembly by June 1, 2022, and by June 1, 2023, of any
actions taken and any necessary legislative action that may be needed to accomplish the goal of increasing the mental
health workforce.
Section 3. Whereas, the General Assembly desires to increase the mental health workforce in Kentucky, an
emergency is declared to exist, and this Resolution takes effect upon its passage and approval by the Governor or
upon its otherwise becoming law.
Signed by Governor April 8, 2022.
ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2