HB 717: Medical Practice Act; regulation of the administration of psychedelic-assisted treatment and therapy; provide

Currently Georgia law does not specifically regulate clinics that administer psychedelic-assisted treatments such as ketamine infusions. This bill adds a new section to the Medical Practice Act (O.C.G.A. Title 43, Chapter 34) directing the state medical board to write rules by December 31, 2026 covering clinic safety standards, provider competency, prescribing, emergency protocols, recordkeeping, and advertising. Starting July 1, 2027, all such clinics must be licensed and renew that license every two years. Clinics generally must be owned by a licensed physician or certified registered nurse anesthetist, though clinics already operating on the bill's effective date are exempt from that ownership rule. Only certain licensed professionals with airway management training, such as physicians, nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologist assistants, and specially approved nurse practitioners or physician assistants, may administer the treatment. Clinics must check the state's prescription drug monitoring database before treatment and report use to it. Hospital-affiliated clinics and FDA-approved clinical trials or on-label drug uses are exempt. Operating an unlicensed clinic becomes a felony punishable by one to five years in prison and a $1,000 to $5,000 fine.

• Adds a new Code section requiring the state medical board to set rules by December 31, 2026 for clinics offering psychedelic-assisted treatment, including ketamine infusions.
• Requires all such clinics to be licensed by the board starting July 1, 2027 and to renew that license every two years.
• Limits who may administer the treatment to physicians, certified registered nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologist assistants, and specially qualified nurse practitioners or physician assistants with board approval.
• Requires clinics to check and report to Georgia's prescription drug monitoring program before and after administering treatment.
• Requires clinics to have hospital transfer or admitting arrangements to handle medical emergencies.
• Makes operating an unlicensed clinic a felony punishable by one to five years in prison and a fine of $1,000 to $5,000.

Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and anesthesiologist assistants who work in or own clinics offering psychedelic-assisted treatments; clinic owners; hospitals asked to provide transfer agreements; and patients receiving these treatments in Georgia.

Patients seeking treatments like ketamine infusions would gain new safety protections, including required emergency backup plans, competency standards for providers, and drug monitoring checks. Clinic owners and providers would face new licensing requirements, education standards, and a felony penalty for operating without a license.

• Section 1 adds new Code Section 43-34-49 defining 'clinic' and 'psychedelic-assisted treatment and therapy' broadly to include substances that cause hallucinations or altered perception.
• Subsection (b) requires the board to establish rules by December 31, 2026 covering clinic equipment, provider competency, prescribing, emergency protocols, recordkeeping, adverse event reporting, continuing education, advertising, and inspections.
• Subsection (d) requires clinics to be licensed and biennially renewed starting July 1, 2027, with each separate location requiring its own nontransferable license.
• Subsection (d)(5) requires clinics to be owned by a qualified physician or certified registered nurse anesthetist, except clinics already operating when the Act takes effect.
• Subsection (e) requires clinics to have hospital affiliation or admitting arrangements and immediate patient transfer capability for emergencies.
• Subsection (f) restricts who may administer the treatment to specific licensed professionals with airway management training.
• Subsection (g) requires review and reporting through the prescription drug monitoring program for every patient before treatment.
• Subsection (l) makes operating an unlicensed clinic a felony with one to five years imprisonment and a $1,000 to $5,000 fine.

1. 2026-05-12Effective Date 2026-07-01
2. 2026-05-12Act 634
3. 2026-05-12House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2026-03-27House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub (House)
6. 2026-03-23Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute (Senate)
7. 2026-03-23Senate Third Read (Senate)
8. 2026-03-20Senate Read Second Time (Senate)

• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)Primary sponsor
• Mark Newton (R, HD-127)
• Deborah Silcox (R, HD-053)
• Karla Drenner (D, HD-085)
• Michelle Au (D, HD-050)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)

1. FailedHouse voteMarch 3, 2026

   73 yea, 88 nay (4 not voting, 12 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #586

2. PassedHouse voteMarch 4, 2026

   159 yea, 8 nay (9 not voting, 1 absent)

   Reconsider: House Vote #601

3. PassedHouse voteMarch 6, 2026

   155 yea, 8 nay (8 not voting, 6 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #650

4. PassedSenate voteMarch 23, 2026

   50 yea, 1 nay (1 not voting, 2 absent)

   Passage By Substitute: Senate Vote #790

5. PassedHouse voteMarch 27, 2026

   153 yea, 3 nay (7 not voting, 13 absent)

   Agree To Senate Substitute: House Vote #776

• psychedelic therapy regulation
• ketamine clinics
• medical licensing
• health care safety rules
• Medical Practice Act