New Mexico
The New Mexico Board of Psychologist Examiners (BoPE) has significantly reduced its licensure fees following an inquiry by the New Mexico Psychological Association (NMPA).
Thomas Sims, PhD, a member of the NMPA board, said the BoPE was accumulating a large surplus of funds at an average rate of $50,000 each year — a quarter of its annual income. During times of financial crisis, the state would periodically absorb or “sweep” these excess funds to balance its budget. In 2016, the state swept $300,000 from the BoPE’s reserve.
“We at NMPA asked why BoPE was charging so much for application and renewal fees if they only use 75 percent of their income for the administration of the board,” said Sims, who noted that New Mexico’s psychology licensure fees were high compared to surrounding states.
At a formal hearing in May, the BoPE adopted a restructured fee systemopens in new window proposed by NMPA. Most significantly, the BoPE reduced the initial application fee from $300 to $125, among other reductions.
The BoPE had been largely unaware it was overcharging licensees, according to Sims.
“The lesson here is that boards should spend some time looking at their finances and how their income is being spent,” he said. “Once we brought the problem to their attention, the board was very interested in correcting it.”
Ohio
Psychologists and other health care providers in Ohio are under threat from House Bill 658opens in new window, which, if enacted, would require them to notify the parents of minor clients if their child identifies as transgender or expresses questions about their gender identity. Those who fail to disclose this information to parents could face felony chargesopens in new window.
In response, the Ohio Psychological Association’s subcommittee on LGBTQ issues is preparing a letter to the bill’s cosponsors explaining why this legislation would harm children rather than protect them, said Jim Brush, PhD, ABPP, who chairs the subcommittee.
“Legislation is a blunt instrument than can lead to unintended consequences,” said Brush. “And HB 658 does not consider…the clinical literature that strongly promotes acceptance and support of transgender youths rather than isolation and degradation.”
The Ohio General Assembly will resume consideration of this legislation when it returns from summer recess in September.
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