Public Act No. 22-47 Summary

• Commissioner of Public Health shall develop and implement a plan to waive licensure requirements for out-of-state mental and behavioral health care providers with substantially similar or higher qualifications and no disciplinary actions, with priority given to providers serving children.

• Plan must be implemented by January 1, 2023, and should consider eliminating barriers to expedient licensure and whether waivers should be limited to telehealth services.

• Expands occupational and professional licensure eligibility to include active duty military members and military spouses, in addition to state residents, effective October 1, 2022.

• Establishes a need-based fee waiver program for mental and behavioral health provider licensure applicants serving children, with priority given to racial/ethnic minorities, English language learners, LGBTQ individuals, and people with disabilities.

• Enhances health insurance appeal and grievance notice requirements to include more detailed information about clinical peer reviewers, reasoning for denials, and Healthcare Advocate contact information to assist covered persons.