NY A06934

Adds definitions for "nurse practitioner" and "psychiatric nurse practitioner" to the Mental Hygiene Law, establishing that psychiatric nurse practitioners must be certified by the Department of Education.

Expands the scope of practice for psychiatric nurse practitioners to perform functions previously limited to physicians, including examining patients for involuntary mental health admissions, certifying need for care and treatment, and directing emergency removals to hospitals.

Allows psychiatric nurse practitioners to supervise or treat individuals with mental illness in facilities operated by the Office of Mental Health and to develop written treatment plans for assisted outpatient treatment.

Makes conforming changes throughout the Mental Hygiene Law to permit psychiatric nurse practitioners to serve alongside or in place of physicians in mental health evaluations, emergency admissions, restraint orders, and other clinical determinations.

Applies immediately upon enactment with certain provisions subject to expiration dates tied to prior legislation.