119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 6994
The Mental Health TALK SAFE Act modernizes federal rules for prescribing controlled substances through telehealth, primarily to expand mental health treatment access. The bill allows qualified psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners to prescribe certain mental health medications (non-narcotic Schedule II drugs and Schedule III-V drugs) after conducting just one telehealth evaluation with a patient, rather than requiring an in-person visit. It establishes detailed standards for telehealth entities—including requirements for full-time compliance officers, chief medical officers, and prohibitions on certain financial arrangements—to ensure quality and prevent abuse. The legislation also allows psychiatrists licensed in one state to practice telehealth in other states without obtaining additional state licenses, provided their primary state license and malpractice insurance apply. Additionally, pharmacists are prohibited from refusing to fill valid telehealth-prescribed controlled substance prescriptions without first attempting to validate the prescription, with violations subject to civil penalties up to $25,000. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment and overrides conflicting state laws.