California Psychiatric Association

AB 1427 which proposed a scheme of psychologist prescribing of psychotropic medications not voted in committee

GOOD NEWS! THANK YOU! PSYCHOLOGY BILL NOT VOTED!

On April 9, AB 1427, which proposed a scheme of psychologist prescribing of psychotropic medications, was not voted in committee essentially stopping this bill for now.

Senator Calderon, the author of SB 1427, didn't call for a vote on the bill. At the close of the hearing the Chair of the Senate Health Committee, Senator Sheila Kuehl, said that she didn't think this bill was a good one, that in her 12 years in the legislature she didn't think even one of the many psychologist proposals was a good one, and further she didn't think she even thought the concept was a good one. The author read a canned closing statement, said he wouldn't call for a vote and then stormed out. The author indicated that he didn't have the votes, by which we're fairly certain he meant that he didn't have a single vote on the committee of 11. The author indicated that he will be back next year.

While the bill sits in committee, for all intents and purposes having been stopped, vigilance is necessary because proponents have demonstrated that they are very adroit at parliamentary maneuvers. If SB 1427 stays on the Senate side of the legislature, the proponents would have to turn 6 NO votes to AYE votes. At this time that is not likely, even if we are wrong about the absence of AYE votes on the committee. However, deadlines and parliamentary rules can be waived and we can also never discount the possibility that the bill could be gutted and amended and appear as an Assembly bill at some point this year. All bills must be acted and sent to the Governor by August 31.

We must stay alert to every possibility.

FYI: The Health committee registered 77 letters from individual psychiatrists.

Our thanks to everyone for your help.