Chapter 20

Disaster Relief

Section 1.Authority.These rules are promulgated under the authority of the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Act, Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-38-105(a), and the Wyoming Homeland Security Act, Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 19-13-115.

Section 2.Continuity of care.During the duration of a state of emergency declared by the Governor of the State of Wyoming, any mental health professional licensed or certified by another state who has an existing provider-client relationship with a Wyoming citizen may continue to provide services to the Wyoming citizen through telehealth technology until 30 days after the day the Governor of the State of Wyoming lifts the state of emergency.

Section 3.Extension of exempt period.

(a)When the Governor of the State of Wyoming declares a state of emergency, any mental health professional licensed or certified by another state who would be governed by this Board's rules may practice within their scope of practice in Wyoming for the duration of the emergency.

(b)The exempt period provided in Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 33-38-103(a)(iv) shall be extended to 30 days after the day the Governor of the State of Wyoming lifts the state of emergency.

(c)Mental health professionals licensed or certified by another state, before practicing in Wyoming, shall notify the Board that they intend to practice in Wyoming and provide their name, home address, a description of the license or certificate they hold, and the state or states in which they currently hold licenses or certificates.

Section 4.End of state of emergency.At the end of the state of emergency, any mental health professional licensed or certified by another state who practiced in Wyoming during the state of emergency shall ensure that their clients transition to a Wyoming-licensed mental health professional. This section shall not apply to mental health professionals who had an existing provider-client relationship before the emergency and provided continuity of care to clients during the emergency.

Section 5.Discipline.

(a)Any person may file a complaint with the Board office related to the conduct of a mental health professional practicing under the exempt period or providing continuity of care to a Wyoming citizen.

(b)Any mental health professional licensed or certified by another state practicing in Wyoming under this chapter or providing continuity of care to a Wyoming citizen under this chapter subjects themselves to the Board's jurisdiction. The Board may discipline mental health professionals as provided in Chapter 17 of these Rules.

(c)The Board may refer complaints related to a mental health professional's conduct to any state in which the professional is licensed or certified.

(d)If a state in which a mental health professional is licensed or certified suspends the professional's license or certificate, the mental health professional shall immediately cease practicing in Wyoming and ensure their Wyoming clients transition to another mental health professional.