Opinion No. (2002)

BILL LOCKYER Attorney General THOMAS S. LAZAR Deputy Attorney General THE HONORABLE RUDY BERMUDEZ, MEMBER OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY, has requested an opinion on the following questions: 1. May the Legislature prohibit the prescribing of drugs by clinical psychologists who have received training with respect to the use of prescription drugs under guidelines adopted pursuant to the Legislature's directive, when at the same time the Legislature has granted prescription authorization to certain other health care professionals? 2. May the Board of Psychology authorize by regulation the prescribing of psychotropic medications by clinical psychologists who have received training with respect to the use of prescription drugs under guidelines adopted pursuant to the Legislature's directive? CONCLUSIONS 1. The Legislature may prohibit the prescribing of drugs by clinical psychologists even though they have received training with respect to the use of prescription drugs under guidelines adopted pursuant to the Legislature's directive, when at the same time the Legislature has granted prescription authorization to certain other health care professionals. 2. The Board of Psychology may not…