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VermontH.2372025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to prescribing by doctoral-level psychologists

Sponsored By: Rep. Francis McFaun

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Psychologists gain limited mental health prescribing

Beginning July 1, 2029, Vermont doctoral-level psychologists can earn a specialty to prescribe or stop certain mental health drugs. Treatment must address conditions recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Applicants need a current Vermont doctoral psychology license, designated postdoctoral training in mental health medicines, and a national certifying exam. They also need at least 14 months of clinical rotations across at least five settings: psychiatry, geriatrics, family or internal medicine, emergency medicine, and neurology. Applicants must apply, pay required fees, and meet other Board requirements. Those with active prescribing authority in another U.S. or Canadian jurisdiction can qualify without examination if its requirements are substantially equivalent. Prescribing requires a written agreement with a psychiatrist and is limited to mental health conditions that psychiatrist generally treats. The agreement must be filed with the Board, and its termination must be reported. Psychologists cannot prescribe or stop drugs for patients under 18, over 80, or pregnant. They cannot dispense, administer, or distribute drugs. Authority for Schedule II–V controlled drugs must name each drug by brand or generic name; prescribing these drugs by injection is prohibited. Beginning July 1, 2026, the Board has rulemaking authority over training, prescribing limits, and collaboration agreements. By November 15, 2032, the Office of Professional Regulation must report to legislative health committees on specialty holders, available collaborating physicians, and qualification changes needed to expand access while protecting patients.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rep. Francis McFaun

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Allen "Penny" R Demar

    Republican • House

  • Brian J Cina

    Democrat/Progressive • House

  • Gina M Galfetti

    Republican • House

  • Leslie Goldman

    Democratic • House

  • Rep. Mari Cordes

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Woodman H Page

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on April 27, 2026

    4/29/2026House

  2. Signed by Governor on April 27, 2026

    4/28/2026House

  3. Delivered to Governor on April 21, 2026

    4/21/2026House

  4. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment

    4/17/2026House

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    4/16/2026House

  6. Action Calendar: Action postponed until April 16, 2026

    4/16/2026House

  7. Rep. Black of Essex moved to postpone action until April 16, 2026, which was agreed to

    4/15/2026House

  8. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    4/15/2026House

  9. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    4/14/2026House

  10. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    4/10/2026Senate

  11. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    4/9/2026Senate

  12. Division Yeas-11, Nays-15, as requested by Senator Brock

    4/9/2026Senate

  13. Pending third reading, Senator Brock, and Chittenden proposal of amendment, disagreed to

    4/9/2026Senate

  14. New Business/Third Reading

    4/9/2026Senate

  15. 3rd reading ordered

    4/8/2026Senate

  16. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to

    4/8/2026Senate

  17. Motion by Senator(s) Brock to substitute report of Committee on Finance agreed to

    4/8/2026Senate

  18. Reported favorably by Senator Brock for Committee on Finance with proposal of amendment

    4/8/2026Senate

  19. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Gulick for Committee on Health and Welfare

    4/8/2026Senate

  20. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Finance

    4/8/2026Senate

  21. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare

    4/8/2026Senate

  22. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

    4/8/2026Senate

  23. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Finance

    4/7/2026Senate

  24. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare

    4/7/2026Senate

  25. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

    4/7/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 84)Opens in a new window

    5/7/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    4/20/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    4/20/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    4/10/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    4/10/2026

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    4/1/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    4/1/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    2/14/2025

    PDF

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