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PC 413

Para enmendar los Artículos 3.06 y 6.03 de la Ley 408-2000, según enmendada, conocida como “Ley de Salud Mental de Puerto Rico” a los fines de incluir terapias integrativas y complementarias de la salud basadas en evidencia, como una opción adicional de tratamiento, siempre y cuando, sea determinado por el profesional de la salud mental conforme al enfoque terapéutico y a las necesidades de cada paciente; y para otros fines relacionados.

2025-2028 Session

PC 413 adds evidence-based integrative and complementary therapies to Puerto Rico’s Mental Health Law, allowing clinicians to choose options within each patient’s treatment plan.

Referido a Comisión(es)
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Bill Summary · PC 413

Summary of Bill PC 413

Title and Purpose

  • Official name: PC 413
  • Purpose: To amend Articles 3.06 and 6.03 of Law 408-2000, as amended (the Puerto Rico Mental Health Law, “Ley de Salud Mental de Puerto Rico”), in order to include integrative and complementary health therapies that are evidence-based as an additional treatment option. The selection and use of such therapies would be determined by the mental health professional according to the therapeutic approach and the specific needs of each patient.

What the bill would change

  • Adds a new treatment option to the Mental Health Law: evidence-based integrative and complementary therapies.
  • The decision to use these therapies would be made by the health professional (clinician), aligned with the patient’s treatment plan and needs.
  • The amendments would modify two particular provisions within Law 408-2000, Articles 3.06 and 6.03, to incorporate this option into the statutory framework.

Who would be affected

  • Mental health professionals and facilities in Puerto Rico (clinicians, therapists, clinics, hospitals) who provide treatment to individuals with mental health needs.
  • Patients receiving mental health treatment who may have access to additional therapy options.
  • Potentially training, credentialing, and practice standards bodies that oversee the use of integrative and complementary therapies, depending on how the actual language interfaces with professional standards.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: March 17, 2025.
  • First Reading: March 20, 2025.
  • Referred to Committees: March 20, 2025.
  • Current status: Referred to commission(s) (bills in committee gatekeeping stage; no final legislative action yet).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Positive: Expands treatment options to include evidence-based integrative and complementary therapies, potentially enhancing patient-centered care and individualized treatment plans.
  • Implementation considerations:
    • Clarification of which therapies qualify as “evidence-based.”
    • Guidance on standards, training, and credentialing for providers offering these therapies.
    • Impact on cost, reimbursement, and access for patients.
    • Ensuring documentation and clinical oversight align with existing mental health care regulations.
  • Note: Specific definitions, eligibility criteria, and implementation timelines would be clarified in the bill’s full text.

Bottom line

PC 413 proposes a targeted update to Puerto Rico’s Mental Health Law to allow evidence-based integrative and complementary therapies as an additional treatment option, subject to professional clinical judgment and patient needs. It is currently in the committee stage and has not yet become law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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