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CS/HB 33 — Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact
by Health and Human Services Committee and Reps. Hunschofsky, Koster, and others (CS/SB 56 by Health Policy Committee and Senators Harrell and Davis)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)
The bill establishes Florida as a member state in the Psychology Interjurisdicational Compact (PSYPACT or compact) through enactment of the PSYPACT. Pursuant to the compact, and with appropriate authorizations, a licensed psychologist may engage in the practice of interjurisdictional telepsychology and also obtain a temporary authorization to practice psychology in-person, face-to-face, for up to 30 days per calendar year with clients and patients in member states other than the one in which he or she is licensed. Upon the bill becoming law, Florida joins 36 other states in the compact.
The bill also:
- Requires the Florida Department of Health to participate in the coordinated licensure information system (coordinated system) and to report any significant investigatory information relating to a psychologist practicing under the PSYPACT to the coordinated system.
- Requires the monitoring contract of a psychologist practicing under the PSYPACT who is in the impaired practitioner program to require withdrawal from all practice under the compact.
- Requires the Florida Board of Psychology to appoint an individual to be the state’s commissioner on the PSYPACT commission.
- Exempts from licensure in this state a psychologist licensed in another state who is practicing only pursuant to the PSYPACT.
- Authorizes the Board of Psychology to take adverse action against a psychologist’s credentials to practice pursuant to the PSYPACT and to impose any other applicable penalties for violation of the compact.
- Designates the state’s commissioner on the PSYPACT commission and others, when acting in this state within the scope of his or her compact responsibilities, to be an agent of the state for purposes of the limited waiver of sovereign immunity and provides that the commission shall pay any claims or judgments pursuant to the waiver of sovereign immunity.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2023.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 115-0