February 24, 2022 MPA's First Annual Psych Week on the Hill Recap The Legislative Committee would like to thank all those who helped to make MPA's first annual Psych Week on the Hill a resounding success! Between February 21st to February 23rd, 12 MPA members and several leaders from MPA's Executive Committee, Governing Council, and Legislative Committee met with several legislators from four committees relevant to the practice of psychology in Minnesota. Those four committees include the House Behavioral Health Policy Committee; the House Health Finance & Policy Committee; the Senate Health and Human Services Finance Committee; and the Senate Health & Human Services Reform Committee. Within these meetings, MPA members built relationships with, educated, and advocated to key policymakers about important issues like the Provider Tax bill (which would transfer the provider tax burden away from psychologists and onto payers), the Behavioral Analyst Licensure bill (which would allow Behavioral Analysts to become licensed under the Board of Psychology's jurisdiction and allow psychologists to provide supervision in behavioral analysis), and an effort to adjust Medical Assistance reimbursement rates. Again, thank you to all the participants and organizers, your efforts help our profession and our communities! For more information about Psych Week on the Hill or how to get involved in future advocacy efforts, please email the Legislative Committee's co-chairs Dennis Hannon, PsyD, LP ([email protected]) or Steve Girardeau, PsyD, LP ([email protected]).
December 14, 2021 Minnesota Psychological Association Awards Sen. Michelle Benson with 2021 Legislator of the Year Award Benson authored "PSYPACT" and led the bill through the Senate Minneapolis -- This month the Minnesota Psychological Association awarded Minnesota state Senate Michelle Benson with its Legislator of the Year award. At a small gathering with her, MPA leadership and MPA Legislative Committee members presented the plaque honoring her with the award. MPA honored Sen. Benson for her outstanding work as chief author of the interjurisdictional state-to-state psychology practice compact (PSYPACT). On final passage, PSYPACT passed the Senate unanimously, and was one of only 12 bills signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz during the 2021 Regular Session of the Legislature. But to achieve that final result it took incredible work on her part, overcoming many challenges on the way to passage. This new law will allow thousands of Minnesotans being treated by out-of-state psychologists under Gov. Walz' emergency orders to continue to receive care. December 14, 2021
Minnesota Psychological Association Awards Rep. Kelly Morrison with 2021 Legislator of the Year Award Morrison authored "PSYPACT" and Telehealth Act bills through the House of Representatives ![]() ![]() Minneapolis -- This month the Minnesota Psychological Association awarded Minnesota state Representative Kelly Morrison, MD with its Legislator of the Year award. At a small December 2nd gathering with her, MPA leadership and MPA Legislative Committee members presented the plaque honoring her with the award. MPA honored Rep. Morrison for her outstanding work as chief author of the interjurisdictional state-to-state psychology practice compact (PSYPACT) and as chief author of the bill that upgraded and greatly expanded the Minnesota Telehealth Act. "Representative Kelly Morrison worked tirelessly to pass PSYPACT, despite many obstacles. This vital new law will allow thousands of Minnesotans to access mental health care that otherwise they would not have had access to care, or would have had long waits for care," said MPA President Jordan Robinson, Ph.D., L.P. "Simply put, without her tremendous effort on the PSYPACT and Telehealth bills they would not have passed in the 2021 session of the Legislature." On final passage of the House floor PSYPACT passed unanimously, and was one of only 12 bills signed into law during the Regular Session of the Legislature in 2021. But to achieve that final result it took incredible work on her part, overcoming many challenges on the way to passage. Equally challenging was the legislation that dramatically expanded the scope of the Telehealth Act. August 9, 2021 Minnesota Admitted to PSYPACT On August 6, 2021, Minnesota was voted into PSYPACT. PSYPACT is administered by the PSYPACT Commission and going to their website is the best way to get accurate information. You can find that website here. June 30, 2021 2021 Minnesota Health and Human Services Bill Highlights This is a brief summary of some the sections of the 2021 Minnesota Health and Human Services budget bill. For a more in-depth summary, please contact [email protected].
Just a reminder that PSYPACT passed the legislature and was signed into law in May. We now await the vote of the PSYPACT commission to include Minnesota. June 22, 2021 MPA Board Member Joined White House Conversation
June 8, 2021 PSYPACT Signed Into Law by Governor Walz May 20, 2021 PSYPACT Passes. Thank you! We are pleased to announce that on Monday, May 17, 2021, PSYPACT passed the Minnesota Senate and House with unanimous votes thanks to the tireless efforts of our government relations staff, Bill Amberg. Words alone are insufficient thanks for our authors, Senator Michelle Benson and Representative Kelly Morrison, MD. Last minute changes that are unlikely to affect Minnesota’s acceptance into the PSYPACT Commission were made late in the night and a conference committee report agreed upon by all so that the votes could take place. Governor Walz is expected to sign PSYPACT into law in the next few days. Thanks to all who contributed to this important effort. If it were not for all of the grassroots advocacy by our members, this never would have happened. That you took the time to write to your legislators made all the difference in the world. Thanks also to MPA’s legislative committee who have put untold hours into this project. The Mental Health Legislative Network was an important source of support and advocacy in getting PSYPACT passed. A special thank you to Bruce Bobbitt, PhD LP for his steadfast support and meetings with key legislators. Thanks are due to the Board of Psychology who supported this endeavor and actively testified in support of the bill. We are also thankful for the support of the APA government relations and other staff who provided key advice. For funding to assist in this effort, many thanks to the APA Committee of State Leaders and to ASPPB. The staff of the PSYPACT commission, Janet Orwig and Doug Wolfberg, provided much needed technical assistance to get this accomplished. We look forward to getting you more information about how to access PSYCPACT in the coming days. May 10, 2021 MPA Speaks Out About Sexual Assault Laws The Women’s Division spearheaded the effort to thank authors, Representative Moller and Senator Senjum, (HF707/SF1683), for their work in developing a comprehensive change to the sexual assault laws in Minnesota. Current law had kept individuals from reporting or seeking justice for an assault that followed their voluntary ingestion of alcohol or other drugs that led to impairment. Current law maintained that an individual could not be considered mentally incapacitated for purposes of establishing consent to sexual activity if they had voluntarily had alcohol or other drugs that caused the impairment. As a result, individuals who were not conscious when sexually assaulted could not maintain that they were unable to consent if they voluntarily used chemicals prior to the incident. This new bill remedies this situation such that individuals who are assaulted are better able to establish that they were incapacitated and thus unable to consent. Hopefully this change will make it possible for individuals who allege sexual assault to have their voices heard. Psychologists have long sat with victims who were denied justice and often re-traumatized as they were blamed or held responsible for an assault. While efforts had been underway to reform the sexual assault laws for several years by Representative Marion O’Neil, the issue was brought to public attention following a decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court in a sexual assault case which led to the perpetrator being freed from prison awaiting a new trial. The victim had been unconscious at the time of the assault but unable to maintain that she was incapacitated and unable to consent because of the problems with how the language was structured in statute. The much needed changes may make it easier for victims to seek justice following an assault and avoid the added psychological damage from having their experiences invalidated. April 26, 2021 Trisha Stark, Ph.D., LP, M.P.A., M.J. Stepping Down from MPA FAC and Legislative Committee Chair It is with a great sadness that we announce that our beloved Trisha Stark has decided to resign her positions as MPA Federal Advocacy Coordinator (FAC) and Legislative Committee Chair. Dr. Stark will be stepping down from these roles at the end of 2021. Trisha has graciously given her time and expertise in serving MPA and the people of Minnesota over the years in a variety of additional roles including MPA President, Director of Professional Affairs, and Executive Director. Click here to continue reading. March 2, 2021 MPA Bill Summary Click here to look at the legislative bills that MPA has advocated for. Click here to view archived 2020 MPA Legislative Updates Click here to view archived 2019 MPA Legislative Updates |