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
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.
Relating to the licensing and regulation of lactation consultants and the creation of the Lactation Consultant Advisory Board; requiring an occupational license; imposing fees; providing penalties; creating a criminal offense.
Relating to the licensing of marriage and family therapists, marriage and family therapist associates, professional counselors, professional counselor associates, and social workers, including certain out-of-state applicants.
Relating to the licensing of marriage and family therapists, marriage and family therapist associates, professional counselors, professional counselor associates, and social workers, including certain out-of-state applicants.
Relating to the regulation of massage therapists and massage establishments by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and political subdivisions.
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.
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.
Clinical art therapists licensure establishment provision, Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy membership modifications provision, and appropriation
Clinical art therapist licensure established, Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy membership modified, fees and civil penalties imposed, and money appropriated.
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.