Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 831 - MENTAL HEALTH REGULATORY AGENCY
Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 831 pertains to the Mental Health Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The MHRA was established in 2018 to provide administrative and regulatory oversight to two key professional licensing boards in Oregon that deal with mental health professions:
The Oregon Board of Psychology
The Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists
While these boards maintain their separate authority for specific functions (like complaint investigations, regulatory enforcement, setting fees, and licensing criteria), the MHRA provides a unified administrative structure and accountability.
The primary purpose of OAR Chapter 831 and the MHRA is to protect the public from harm by ensuring the competence and ethical conduct of mental health professionals.
This chapter outlines the rules that govern the MHRA's operations and, by extension, the overarching framework for the mental health professions it oversees. Key functions and areas covered generally include:
Administrative Oversight: Providing a standardized forum and procedures for the regulated boards in areas like operation, fiscal services, staffing, contracting, and performance setting.
Coordination: Facilitating more effective coordination of administrative and regulatory functions between the boards.
Policy Development: Promoting effective behavioral and mental health policy that protects the public and allows consumers to choose from a range of safe providers.
Outreach and Training: Providing resources and training to stakeholders to improve compliance with public health and safety standards.
Dispute Resolution: Helping to resolve disputes between regulated boards regarding the scope of practice of authorized professionals.
In essence, OAR Chapter 831 lays out the groundwork for how the MHRA functions to support the licensing and regulation efforts of Oregon's mental health boards, ultimately contributing to the quality and safety of mental health services provided in the state.
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