Tennessee House Bill HB2727

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24
• Refer: 2/5/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, Chapter 7, relative to psychiatric mental health nurses.

Impact

The legislation allows nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists with the appropriate qualifications and experience—namely, three years or at least 6,240 hours of full-time practice—to diagnose, create treatment plans, and prescribe medication without the need for a collaborating physician. This change is aimed at improving access to mental health services by enabling highly qualified professionals to operate independently, which is crucial given the existing challenges in the mental health workforce.

Summary

House Bill 2727 aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Title 63, Chapter 7, to establish formal designations for psychiatric mental health nurses. The bill creates definitions for 'Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner' (APRN-PMHNP-BC) and 'Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist' (APRN-PMHCNS-BC), ensuring that qualified professionals can be recognized based on their national specialty certifications. This formal recognition is intended to clarify the scope of practice for these healthcare providers in the field of mental health.

Contention

Supporters of HB2727 argue that granting nurse practitioners and clinical specialist nurses greater autonomy in psychiatric care will enhance the delivery of mental health services, particularly in underserved areas. However, there may be concerns from opposing factions regarding the potential risks involved in allowing these nurses to practice without direct physician oversight. Critics might argue that despite their qualifications, the absence of collaborative agreements could lead to challenges in accountability and patient safety.

Effective_date

The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2024, highlighting the state's commitment to addressing mental health care delivery through legislative support for necessary healthcare personnel.