House Bill 287 - Health Care Omnibus

• Requires health care practitioners and pharmacists to educate patients receiving Schedule II opioid prescriptions about opioid dangers, overdose prevention, and FDA-approved opioid antagonists, effective December 1, 2025.

• Clarifies Medicaid benefits for inmates and individuals in carceral settings by allowing exceptions to continue for up to 365 days following release, effective January 1, 2025.

• Allows reciprocal licensing for marriage and family therapists from other states with reduced requirements, including alternative pathways based on years of licensure and passage of the National Marriage and Family Therapy examination.

• Reduces regulatory burden on master's-level psychological associates by allowing independent practice after 4,000 hours of supervised experience and establishing a path to health services provider certification without ongoing supervision, effective October 1, 2024.

• Increases massage therapist licensure requirements from 500 to 650 in-class hours of supervised instruction, effective July 1, 2024, and eliminates Certificate of Need review for inpatient rehabilitation services and facilities.

• Encourages intergovernmental agreements between the state and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to facilitate tribal health facility use for state residents seeking mental health treatment.