CSSB 166(JUD): "An Act establishing a legislative task force on mental health and psychedelic medicine; and providing for an effective date."
00 CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 166(JUD) 01 "An Act establishing a legislative task force on mental health and psychedelic medicine; 02 and providing for an effective date." 03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 04 * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section 05 to read: 06 ALASKA MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHEDELIC MEDICINE TASK FORCE. 07 (a) The Alaska mental health and psychedelic medicine task force is established as a task 08 force of the Alaska State Legislature. The purpose of the task force is to prepare for the 09 potential medicalization of psychedelic medicines by the United States Food and Drug 10 Administration; to make policy recommendations to the Alaska State Legislature concerning 11 insurance and licensure, given the unique nature of the administration of psychedelic 12 medicines; and to ensure the state is prepared if psychedelic medicines become available for 13 prescription. The task force shall 14 (1) assess the potential use of psychedelic medicine in addressing the state's
01 ongoing mental health crisis, as well as in treating chronic and terminal illnesses and in end- 02 of-life care; 03 (2) consider barriers to implementation and equitable access; 04 (3) consider and recommend licensing and insurance requirements for 05 practitioners in the state in the event that psychedelic medicines are federally reclassified and 06 approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and 07 (4) consider legal and regulatory changes that could be necessary in the state 08 after federal medical approval of psychedelic medicines. 09 (b) The task force consists of the following members: 10 (1) the commissioner of health, or the commissioner's designee; 11 (2) the commissioner of military and veterans' affairs, or the commissioner's 12 designee; 13 (3) the commissioner of commerce, community, and economic development, 14 or the commissioner's designee; 15 (4) one member representing mental health issues in the state, selected by the 16 state chapter of a national alliance focused on mental health and mental illness; 17 (5) two members representing the health care needs of Alaska Native 18 communities, selected by the board of directors of the Alaska Native Health Board; 19 (6) one member representing the health care needs of survivors of domestic 20 violence and sexual assault, selected by the Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and 21 Sexual Assault; 22 (7) one member representing the psychiatric profession, selected by the 23 governing body of the Alaska Psychiatric Association; 24 (8) one member representing psychiatric nurse practitioners, selected by the 25 board of directors of the Alaska Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Alliance; 26 (9) one member representing licensed therapists or counselors, selected by the 27 board of directors of the Alaska Addiction Professionals Association; 28 (10) one member of the faculty of the division of population health sciences at 29 the University of Alaska, selected by the president of the University of Alaska; 30 (11) one member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate; 31 (12) one member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of
01 the house of representatives; 02 (13) up to three members selected by the task force, once assembled, that the 03 task force determines would serve the purpose of the task force; the task force is not required 04 to make an appointment under this paragraph. 05 (c) The task force shall elect a chair from among its members. 06 (d) A vacancy on the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the original 07 selection or appointment. 08 (e) Members of the task force serve without compensation. 09 (f) The task force shall 10 (1) meet at least four times to fulfill the purpose of the task force; and 11 (2) on or before December 31, 2024, submit to the senate secretary, the chief 12 clerk of the house of representatives, and the governor a report consisting of its 13 recommendations, and notify the legislature that the report is available. 14 (g) The task force terminates when the First Regular Session of the Thirty-Fourth 15 Alaska State Legislature convenes. 16 (h) In this section, "task force" means the Alaska mental health and psychedelic 17 medicine task force. 18 * Sec. 2. This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).