Legislative News

Support of Bill Giving Psych NPs and CNS's Section 35 Authority

10/15/2009

Psychiatric nurse practitioner, Peter Amari, has teamed up with Representative Miceli and Nurses United for Responsible Services (NURS) to introduce a bill allowing NPs and psychiatric CNS's (Clinical Nurse Specialists) to have section 35 authority - the right to petition the court for civil commitment of an alcoholic or substance abuser.

The bill was heard by the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse on June 10, 2009. The bill remains in committee and has not yet been released to the House floor for a vote.

Of note, currently, psychiatric CNS's have section 12 authority for involuntary commitment to a psychiatric facility, while NPs do not. Please let MCNP know if this issue is important to you and whether or not MCNP should join with NURS to change the section 12 language to include NPs.

You may use the provided sample letter or create your own to show your support for the bill. Since it is still in committee, please target your letters to the two co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

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Sample Letter to Senate Chair:

(Your "letterhead information")

Honorable Jennifer L. Flanagan, Senate Chair
and Honorable Senate Committee Members
Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse
State House, Room 520
Boston, Massachusetts 02133



Dear Chairwoman Flanagan and Members of the Committee:


I am an advanced practice registered nurse who would like to see the language of H. 3906, An Act relative to alcoholics and substance abusers, changed so that psychiatric clinical nurse specialists are also included on the list of those who may petition the court for the commitment of an alcoholic or substance abuser.

I am in full support of the bill's original intent which is to add nurse practitioners to this list. Both psychiatric clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners treat patients and family members who are impacted by chemical addiction. While we are already in a position to offer an array of services (including medical and/or psychiatric and medication management) to this population, Section 35 authority would be an important additional resource for those infrequent situations where civil commitment is the appropriate course of action.

Without the inclusion of psychiatric clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners to the list of those with Section 35 authority, opportunities for treatment may be lost. Untreated alcoholism and substance abuse which, more often than not, share co-morbidity with other mental health disorders, cause a great burden to the Commonwealth in terms of time lost from work, medical problems, crime, disrupted home lives and the perpetuation of dysfunctional behavior from generation to generation.

Please report out favorably on H. 3906 after including "psychiatric clinical nurse specialist" to the bill so that psychiatric clinical nurse specialists - as well as nurse practitioners - may be added to the list of those who currently have Section 35 authority.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Your Name
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

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Letter #2 to House Chair

(Your "letterhead information")

Honorable Elizabeth A. Malia, House Chair
and Honorable House Committee Members
Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse
State House, Room 33
Boston, Massachusetts 02133



Dear Chairwoman Malia and Members of the Committee:


I am an advanced practice registered nurse who would like to see the language of H. 3906, An Act relative to alcoholics and substance abusers, changed so that psychiatric clinical nurse specialists are also included on the list of those who may petition the court for the commitment of an alcoholic or substance abuser.

I am in full support of the bill's original intent which is to add nurse practitioners to this list. Both psychiatric clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners treat patients and family members who are impacted by chemical addiction. While we are already in a position to offer an array of services (including medical and/or psychiatric and medication management) to this population, Section 35 authority would be an important additional resource for those infrequent situations where civil commitment is the appropriate course of action.

Without the inclusion of psychiatric clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners to the list of those with Section 35 authority, opportunities for treatment may be lost. Untreated alcoholism and substance abuse which, more often than not, share co-morbidity with other mental health disorders, cause a great burden to the Commonwealth in terms of time lost from work, medical problems, crime, disrupted home lives and the perpetuation of dysfunctional behavior from generation to generation.

Please report out favorably on H. 3906 after including "psychiatric clinical nurse specialist" to the bill so that psychiatric clinical nurse specialists - as well as nurse practitioners - may be added to the list of those who currently have Section 35 authority.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Your Name
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse