March 18, 2024
The Honorable Marc Berman
Chair, Assembly Committee on Business and Professions
1020 N Street, Room 379
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Support for AB 2051(Bonta)
Dear Assemblymember Barman,
The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to support AB 2051 (Bonta), legislation that would establish California as a member of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT). This compact would allow a psychologist licensed in a state that has joined PSYPACT, to practice telepsychology in other PSYPACT states even if they may not be licensed in that specific state.
The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is a youth-led statewide network comprised of TAY Action Teams and CAYEN Board members which engages, empowers and represents Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 15-26, in mental health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. Since CAYEN’s inception in 2006, CAYEN has taken many forms of action to empower TAY in their personal lives and spark progressive change in public policy. One area of focus is increasing mental health services and reducing the barriers that make them inaccessible.
Accessing mental health services can be highly challenging for Transitional Age Youth (TAY) pursuing higher education. Each year, tens of thousands of students relocate to and from California for college, disrupting their access to mental health providers. Varied licensure standards across states hinder telepsychology and temporary in-person services across state borders, leaving students and other populations unable to receive care from their preferred providers. AB 2051 aims to dismantle this obstacle by permitting psychologists, authorized through an “E.Passport” from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) to practice telepsychology across state lines.
Given that over 40 states are already part of PYSPACT, mental health providers in California could broaden their telepsychology practice. Additionally, individuals residing in member states would maintain access to services from their preferred and trusted providers. For these reasons we support AB 2051 (Ramos) and ask for your “Aye” vote. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org.
Sincerely
Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator