SF 3416

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to occupations and professions; changing psychologists' scope of
practice; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.89, subdivision 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 148.89, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Practice of psychology.

"Practice of psychology" means the observation,
description, evaluation, interpretation, or modification of human behavior by the
application of psychological principles, methods, or procedures for any reason, including
to prevent, eliminate, or manage symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior and to
enhance interpersonal relationships, work, life and developmental adjustment, personal
and organizational effectiveness, behavioral health, and mental health. The practice of
psychology includes, but is not limited to, the following services, regardless of whether
the provider receives payment for the services:

(1) psychological research and teaching of psychology;

(2) assessment, including psychological testing and other means of evaluating
personal characteristics such as intelligence, personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and
neuropsychological functioning;

(3) a psychological report, whether written or oral, including testimony of a provider
as an expert witness, concerning the characteristics of an individual or entity;

(4) psychotherapy, including but not limited to, categories such as behavioral,
cognitive, emotive, systems, psychophysiological, or insight-oriented therapies;
counseling; hypnosis; and diagnosis and treatment of:

(i) mental and emotional disorder or disability;

(ii) alcohol and substance dependence or abuse;

(iii) disorders of habit or conduct;

(iv) the psychological aspects of physical illness or condition, accident, injury, or
disability;

(v) life adjustment issues, including work-related and bereavement issues; and

(vi) child, family, or relationship issues;

(5) psychoeducational services and treatment; deleted text begin and
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(6) consultation and supervision deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; and
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new text begin (7) if competent to do so, licensed psychologists may discuss prescription or
nonprescription medications and their effects with a client, the client's physician or other
prescribing health care providers, or in a report. A licensed psychologist may discuss with
a client, or in a report, specific medications by trade or generic name or dosage, and
discuss the discontinuation of medications.
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