§ 71-8509 — Telehealth services for children's behavioral health; rules and regulations; terms, defined

(1) The Department of Health and Human Services shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations providing for telehealth services for children's behavioral health. Such rules and regulations relate specifically to children's behavioral health and are in addition to the Nebraska Telehealth Act.
For purposes of sections 71-8509 to 71-8512 , child means a person under nineteen years of age.
(2) The rules and regulations required pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) An appropriately trained staff member or employee familiar with the child's treatment plan or familiar with the child shall be immediately available in person to the child receiving a telehealth behavioral health service in order to attend to any urgent situation or emergency that may occur during provision of such service. This requirement may be waived by the child's parent or legal guardian; and
(b) In cases in which there is a threat that the child may harm himself or herself or others, before an initial telehealth service the health care practitioner shall work with the child and his or her parent or guardian to develop a safety plan. Such plan shall document actions the child, the health care practitioner, and the parent or guardian will take in the event of an emergency or urgent situation occurring during or after the telehealth session. Such plan may include having a staff member or employee familiar with the child's treatment plan immediately available in person to the child, if such measures are deemed necessary by the team developing the safety plan.

Legislative History

Source: Laws 2013, LB556, § 1; Laws 2017, LB92, § 2. Cross References: Nebraska Telehealth Act, see section 71-8501.