Bill Description: House Bill 760 would allow and regulate interstate mental and behavioral telehealth services.

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Does it give government any new, additional, or expanded power to prohibit, restrict, or regulate activities in the free market? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce government intervention in the market?

House Bill 760 would create Section 54-5714, Idaho Code, to allow and regulate interstate mental and behavioral telehealth services.

House Bill 760 imposes a significant number of regulations on providers of interstate mental and behavioral telehealth services, but under current law, there is no legal way for these services to be provided. 

The bill provides a sunset date of July 1, 2025, which means that providing interstate mental and behavioral telehealth services would be illegal after that date. 

If we compare the provisions of this bill to a free market ideal, it falls short for two major reasons. First, Idaho should extend "full faith and credit" to all occupational licenses issued by any U.S. state or territory in the same way it recognizes driver's licenses issued by any U.S. State or territory. Second, consumers should have the liberty to seek telehealth services from providers no matter where they are located, even if they are outside the U.S. 

If we examine this bill simply within the context of current Idaho law, however, it does represent a small step (albeit a temporary one) toward greater freedom for consumers and providers of telehealth services. 

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