Americans for Autism Advocacy Commends the Wisconsin Senate on Bipartisan Passage of Expanding Mental Health Access Through Telehealth

The Wisconsin State Senate approved Assembly Bill 541 on January 16th on a bi-partisan 25-7 vote.  AB 541 now permanently codifies in Wisconsin law the authority for therapists that are licensed in other states to provide services via telehealth which gained popularity during the COVD-19 pandemic.

Americans for Autism Advocacy (AFAA)  supports increasing mental health access for the neuroperse community.  Telehealth is a proven method to improve access to mental health services especially in areas that cannot easily access services.  Once AB 541 is signed into law, licensed therapists from Wisconsin’s neighboring states will now be able to help ease the demand for mental health services. Wisconsin residents in the state’s most rural and urban neighborhoods will benefit from this legislation.

Members of the Wisconsin Assembly (lower house) approved AB 541 On November 14, 2023 on unanimous consent.   With the Wisconsin Senate’s passage, AB 541 will now head over to the desk of Governor Evers.  It is expected Governor Evers will sign the bill into law.

AFAA applauds Representative Nate Gustafson (R-Fox Crossing, 55th District) and Senator Rachel Cabral-Guevara (R-Appleton, 19th District) for introducing the legislation.  Wisconsin has made considerable strides in improving mental health access since the end of the COVID pandemic.  Wisconsin became the 31st state in the country last December to enter into an interstate compact for licensed professional counselors (LPC).  Secretary of Safety and Professional Services Dan Hereth was awarded by the Council of State Governments (CSG) last year for his work in improving the professional license process in Wisconsin.   Americans for Autism Advocacy urges other state legislatures to follow Wisconsin’s lead in improving mental health access for their citizens.