TX
Texas Senate Bill SB1081

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1081

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the regulation of art therapy, including the establishment of the Texas Art Therapy Board and the duties of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council; requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense; imposing a fee.

Impact

If enacted, SB1081 would significantly impact the standards and regulation of art therapy as a mental health service in Texas. The law is designed to protect consumers by ensuring that only qualified individuals may practice this specialized form of psychotherapy. It will require art therapists to meet educational standards, accrue supervised practice hours, and pass a licensing examination. These provisions help to professionalize the field and align art therapy with other established mental health disciplines.

Summary

SB1081, known as the Art Therapy Licensing and Practice Act, aims to regulate the practice of art therapy in Texas by establishing the Texas Art Therapy Board and requiring practitioners to obtain an occupational license. The bill outlines the qualifications needed to practice as a licensed professional art therapist or as an associate art therapist. It also mandates the creation of rules and procedures by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council to administer the licensing process effectively.

Contention

Notably, some contention may arise regarding the transition period for existing art therapists who may not hold the new license upon enactment. The bill allows for provisional licenses and waivers for those already practicing under certain criteria, which has been met with mixed reactions from the current practitioners community. While some support the introduction of formal standards, others express concern over the potential financial and operational burdens the new regulatory framework may impose on them.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Occupations Code

  • Chapter 507. Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
    • Section: 001
    • Section: 051
    • Section: 052
    • Section: 053
    • Section: 151
  • Chapter 503. Licensed Professional Counselors
    • Section: 310
    • Section: 452
    • Section: 303

Civil Practice And Remedies Code

  • Chapter 81. Sexual Exploitation By Mental Health Services Provider
    • Section: New Section

Latest SB1081 Activity

Companion Bills

TX HB4557

Identical Relating to the regulation of art therapy, including the establishment of the Texas Art Therapy Board and the duties of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council; requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense; imposing a fee.

Similar Bills

TX HB4557

Relating to the regulation of art therapy, including the establishment of the Texas Art Therapy Board and the duties of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council; requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense; imposing a fee.

PA HB1564

Further providing for definitions, for license required, for State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, for powers and functions of board, for qualifications for license, for procedures for licensing, for reciprocity, for endorsement of out-of-State licenses and for reinstatement of license; providing for restrictions on use of title "Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist" and for restrictions on the use of title "Licensed Associate Professional Counselor"; further providing for license renewal and records and fees and for unlawful practice; and providing for effect of associate licensure.

MN HF2590

Clinical art therapist licensure established, Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy membership modified, fees and civil penalties imposed, and money appropriated.

MN SF1675

Clinical art therapists licensure establishment provision, Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy membership modifications provision, and appropriation

MI HB4514

Health occupations: other; licensing of art therapists; provide for. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding sec. 16324b & pt. 168b.

CA AB1651

Licensed educational psychologists: supervision of associates and trainees.

PA SB1019

Further providing for definitions, for license required, for State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, for powers and functions of board, for qualifications for license, for procedures for licensing, for reciprocity, for endorsement of out-of-State licenses and for reinstatement of license; providing for restrictions on use of title "Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist" and for restrictions on the use of title "Licensed Associate Professional Counselor"; further providing for license renewal and records and fees and for unlawful practice; and providing for effect of associate licensure.

MN HF2743

Licensure for clinical art therapists established, and fees and civil penalties imposed.