The first is SB 554 for Safe Harbor for Child Victims of Trafficking, which was introduced by retiring Senator Stewart Greenleaf. Importantly, this bill provides safe harbor for sexually exploited children less than 18 years of age, and sets up a fund to provide victim services, to increase public awareness, and to suppress demand for human trafficking. In this bill the PA Department of Human Services and county agencies are mandated to work together to develop programs that provide an array of services to sexually exploited children to address such needs as safe and stable housing; access to education, employment and life skills training; comprehensive case management; physical and behavioral health care, including trauma therapy; and treatment for drug/alcohol dependency. Under current PA law, minors who can’t legally consent to sex can be charged with prostitution. This bill recognizes that children are victims rather than criminals and states that if a child is found to be a victim of human trafficking, they are to be immune from prosecution and they may not be jailed, fined, prosecuted, charged, or otherwise penalized.
The second is SB 780 for Telemedicine Services, which allows psychologists to provide and be reimbursed through insurance for secure telepsychology services. This bill will allow many Pennsylvanians, particularly those in rural areas that are underserved by health care professionals, to receive quality mental health services. The legislation provides for insurance coverage and provider reimbursement for the mental health diagnosis, treatment, and/or consulting delivered through telemedicine services on the same basis as the coverage for providing in-person consultation. Additionally, it says that the same standards of practice applicable to traditional, in-person health care services shall apply to treatment and consultation via telemedicine. The bill requires licensing boards to create and disseminate regulations for telemedicine within 24 months of the effective date of this legislation. The bill allows the provider to negotiate the reimbursement rate directly with the insurer. As an aside, the Pennsylvania Psychological Association has advocated that providers be reimbursed the same rate as in-person treatment.
You can support these bills by contacting your state Senator at http://www.legis.state.pa.us/
Gail R. Karafin, Ed.D.
