Gov Meyer Signs Pettyjohn Bill Expanding Access to Mental Health Care in Delaware
Image courtesy Delaware.gov
Legislation that expands access to mental health care in the First State has been signed by Governor Matt Meyer. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 208, sponsored by Senate Republican Whip Brian Pettyjohn, modernizes Delaware’s psychology licensure laws by creating a new licensure pathway for master’s level psychology associates and aligns Delaware’s licensing framework with current national standards. Support in the General Assembly for the measure was strong in both chambers – and was backed by mental health professionals and academic leaders statewide.
Additional information from Delaware State Senate – Republican Caucus:
The measure also updates professional standards for psychologists, establishes clear education, training, and supervision requirements, and aligns Delaware’s licensing framework with current national standards.
The legislation is intended to help address Delaware’s shortage of mental health providers by expanding the behavioral health workforce while maintaining rigorous educational and clinical standards for patient care.
“Too many Delawareans are forced to wait weeks or even months to receive mental health services simply because there are not enough qualified providers available,” said Senator Pettyjohn. “This legislation is a practical solution that expands access to care while preserving the high standards patients deserve. It creates additional pathways for well trained professionals to enter the workforce and helps ensure more people can receive the mental health treatment they need when they need it.”
“Behind every long wait list is a person or family looking for help, often during one of the hardest moments of their lives,” said Dr. Ryan Beveridge, Executive Director of the Institute for Community Mental Health at the University of Delaware. “SB 208 will help Delaware train and license more clinicians who can deliver effective, science-based mental health care in the community. At the Institute for Community Mental Health, we look forward to training therapists in the best treatments psychological science has produced so they can reduce suffering and improve lives across our state. I’m grateful to Senator Pettyjohn, the General Assembly, and the Delaware Psychological Association for championing this practical solution to a pressing public need.”
“The doctoral level psychologists of the Delaware Psychological Association view this important legislation as a practical step to improve access to care from well-educated psychology associates who will meet a high standard of clinical training and provide effective psychological treatment to Delawareans while working collaboratively with us,” said Dr. W. Douglas Tynan, Director of Professional Affairs for the Delaware Psychological Association.
The new law creates a licensed psychology associate credential for qualified master’s level professionals, establishes registration requirements for master’s and doctoral level psychological assistants, and updates Delaware’s psychology practice laws to better reflect modern standards of care. By expanding the number of qualified providers able to deliver psychological services, the legislation is expected to improve access to timely mental health care for Delaware residents.