Committee advances bill to allow experienced psychiatric nurse practitioners to practice autonomously

HB 301, a bill to authorize autonomous practice for experienced psychiatric mental health advanced practice registered nurses (PMH‑APRNs), was reported favorably by the House Health & Human Services Committee after testimony from nursing advocates and opposition from physician groups.

Representative Shoaf, the sponsor, said the measure would remove barriers to accessing mental‑health care but would not expand treatment or prescribing authority. “This bill does not authorize any new treatment or prescribing authority,” the sponsor said, and added the bill applies only to practitioners meeting experience thresholds.

Elizabeth Winings, a dual‑certified nurse practitioner and professor, testified in support and described workforce shortages and access gaps: she cited rankings showing Florida low on access metrics and said there are 219 federally designated mental‑health professional shortage areas in the state. She said autonomous practice would be limited to those with substantial clinical experience (she mentioned a 3,000‑hour benchmark) and would not apply to new graduates.

Opponents including Dr. John Bailey (Florida Psychiatric Society) and Rebecca Bernard (family physician) argued patient safety requires physician training and oversight for complex psychiatric patients, offering examples of medication risks and ICU hospitalizations under specialist management. Dr. Bailey noted efforts that have increased psychiatry residency slots and argued telepsychiatry and loan‑forgiveness efforts are improving access.

Sabrina called the roll and the transcript records the committee tally as "18 yeas and 5 nays." Chair Tomko announced the bill reported favorably.

The committee record shows a contested but favorable committee outcome; written testimony and committee debate emphasized both access needs and patient‑safety questions.