[DATE]
[Honorable NAME]
[SENATOR, NYS SENATE or ASSEMBLY MEMBER, NYS ASSEMBLY]
[Legislative office building, Rm. NUMBER]
[Albany, NY ZIP]
Dear [SENATOR or ASSEMBLY MEMBER NAME]:
On behalf of [NAME OF ORGANIZATION/UNIVERSITY ETC], I am writing in support of
A.10142 by Assembly member DenDekker and S7061 by Senator Robach, to mandate
continuing education for mental health practitioners and adding language to clarify our authority
to diagnose.
Or
I am a [Allied profession], and I am writing in support of S7061 introduced by Senator Robach,
to mandate continuing education for mental health practitioners and adding language to clarify
our authority to diagnose.
[PLEASE ADD A SECTION EXPLAINING YOUR WORK AND AFFILIATION. EXAMPLE:
As the DEAN of the Department of Behavioral Health, I work with professional faculty and staff
in developing comprehensive academically rigorous programs leading to licensure of mental
health counseling. At [NAME OF UNIVERSITY} we are committed to training the next
generation of mental health practitioners able to serve the diverse needs to individuals facing
mental health illnesses.
This bill is of great importance. The ambiguousness of the scope of practice has led to
significant confusion as to what services students will be allowed to do after graduation. These
professional may provide to individuals challenged by mental illnesses. As a program leading to
licensure, I am required to prepare our students to diagnose. The law is explicit in this
requirement. Indeed, as professionals they will be authorized to use classifications of signs and
symptoms such as the Diagnostic Statistical Manual. However, because of the absence of the
term diagnosis from the scope of practice these professions are unable to diagnose. Hence, the
need for clarification.
I hope that you are able to support Senator Robach in clarifying our scope of practice and ensure
quality care through continuing education. Do not hesitate to reach out to me for additional
information. I truly appreciate your commitment to increased access to mental health services.
Sincerely,
[NAME, CREDENTIALS]
[ADDRESS]