SF2596 Summary

• Requires mental health and substance abuse service reviews to be conducted by a peer provider, doctoral-level psychologist, or physician, with final determinations made by a psychiatrist or doctoral-level psychologist if the treating provider is a psychologist.

• Prohibits doctoral-level psychologists from reviewing requests or making final determinations when the treating provider is a psychiatrist.

• Creates a new licensed psychologist-volunteer (LP-V) credential for retired psychology providers to practice on a pro bono basis, requiring good moral character, no pending disciplinary actions, and a nonrefundable licensure fee set at 50 percent of the standard licensed psychologist fee.

• Modifies reciprocity requirements for out-of-state licensed psychologists to require a doctoral degree in psychology, five consecutive years of licensure in another jurisdiction, good moral character, and passage of the Professional Responsibility Examination.

• Establishes guest licensure for applicants seeking Minnesota licensure to begin practicing while their application is processed, valid for one year or until licensure is approved or denied, with annual renewal available until final licensure decision.