Health Occupations - Licensed Psychologists - Prescriptive Authority

HB 1021 would allow licensed psychologists in Maryland to prescribe certain medications under specific conditions, provided they complete state certification. The bill requires psychologists to be certified by the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and establishes a new Prescriptive Authority Advisory Committee to oversee implementation. It directly affects licensed psychologists seeking to prescribe, adding new requirements for certification, qualifications, and prescribing practices under new sections (18-3B-01 to 18-3B-09) in Maryland’s Health Occupations code. The law amends existing statutes to define "authorized prescriber" to include certified psychologists and clarifies that prescribing must occur within the scope of psychological practice, not as a substitute for medical care.