STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE, No. 2283

with Assembly Floor Amendments

(Proposed by Assemblyman CALABRESE)

ADOPTED: JANUARY 12, 2026

      The Assembly amendments revise the bill to establish a Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Therapy Pilot Program, instead of establishing a framework for the regulated production and use of psilocybin in connection with behavioral health care and preventative behavioral health treatment.  The pilot program is to be established and overseen by the Department of Health (department).

      The amendments revise the bill’s legislative findings and declarations section, statutory definitions, and the composition and purpose of the advisory board established by the bill and remove various provisions of the bill to reflect these changes.

      The amendments provide that the department is not to establish, implement, or enforce a requirement, specification, or guideline under the pilot program that conflicts with protocols and guidelines from the United States Food and Drug Administration related to clinical trials for psychedelic substances. 

      The amendments require the department is to establish and implement a process and issue a request for proposals by which hospitals may submit applications for participation in the pilot program.  The amendments require the department to develop a set of criteria by which applying hospitals are to be evaluated for participation in the pilot program and perform selections no later than 60 days after the release of the request for proposals.  The department is to select one qualified hospital from each of the northern, central, and southern regions of the State, provided that an applicant from each of these regions meets the department’s criteria.  The department is to require each participating hospital to collect and report data and information related to the pilot program and patient outcomes. 

      The amendments require the department and advisory board to prepare and submit reports to the Governor and Legislature with findings and recommendations.

      The amendments establish the Psychedelic Therapy and Research Fund and appropriate $6,000,000 from the General Fund to the fund, which shall be administered by the department to implement the provisions of the bill.