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SD 2659

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program 2024 Report

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Massachusetts establishes a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program to train specialized mental health providers and address workforce shortages in psychiatric care services.

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Bill Summary · SD 2659

Legislative bill overview

SD 2659 establishes a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program in Massachusetts designed to train and develop psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs). The bill appears to create a structured fellowship pathway to address workforce shortages in psychiatric care and improve mental health services delivery across the state.

Why is this important

Massachusetts faces significant shortages in psychiatric mental health providers, contributing to delayed care access and overburdened mental health systems. Developing a dedicated fellowship program can create a pipeline of qualified PMHNPs who can provide direct patient care, reduce physician burden, and expand mental health services availability in underserved communities. This addresses both workforce development and public health access concerns.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding and costs: The bill's fiscal impact is unclear—establishing and sustaining a fellowship program requires ongoing funding for stipends, faculty, clinical placements, and administrative support that must come from state or institutional budgets
  • Program requirements and standards: Questions remain about fellowship length, curriculum standards, clinical hour requirements, and whether graduates will meet national certification standards, affecting program credibility and interstate mobility
  • Scope of practice and supervision: Implementation details regarding independent practice authority, required physician supervision, and how PMHNPs from this program will be utilized in existing healthcare systems need clarification

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

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