| 1 | 1 | | BILL AS INTRODUCED H.58 |
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| 2 | 2 | | 2025 Page 1 of 2 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | VT LEG #379079 v.1 |
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| 6 | 6 | | H.58 1 |
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| 7 | 7 | | Introduced by Representatives Dobrovich of Williamstown, Arsenault of 2 |
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| 8 | 8 | | Williston, Boutin of Barre City, Burkhardt of South Burlington, 3 |
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| 9 | 9 | | Burtt of Cabot, Cooper of Pownal, Demar of Enosburgh, 4 |
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| 10 | 10 | | Dickinson of St. Albans Town, Galfetti of Barre Town, Higley 5 |
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| 11 | 11 | | of Lowell, Hunter of Manchester, Malay of Pittsford, McCann 6 |
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| 12 | 12 | | of Montpelier, McFaun of Barre Town, Micklus of Milton, 7 |
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| 13 | 13 | | Parsons of Newbury, Pinsonault of Dorset, Taylor of Milton, 8 |
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| 14 | 14 | | Torre of Moretown, and Waszazak of Barre City 9 |
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| 15 | 15 | | Referred to Committee on 10 |
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| 16 | 16 | | Date: 11 |
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| 17 | 17 | | Subject: Health; mental health; Medicaid; play therapy 12 |
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| 18 | 18 | | Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require 13 |
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| 19 | 19 | | Medicaid coverage for medically necessary play therapy. 14 |
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| 20 | 20 | | An act relating to Medicaid coverage for play therapy 15 |
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| 21 | 21 | | It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 16 |
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| 22 | 22 | | Sec. 1. 33 V.S.A. § 1901n is added to read: 17 |
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| 23 | 23 | | § 1901n. MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR PLAY THERAPY 18 |
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| 24 | 24 | | (a) The Agency of Human Services shall provide Medicaid coverage for 19 |
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| 25 | 25 | | medically necessary play therapy services provided by an individual who holds 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.58 |
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| 26 | 26 | | 2025 Page 2 of 2 |
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| 28 | 28 | | |
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| 29 | 29 | | VT LEG #379079 v.1 |
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| 30 | 30 | | an eligible play therapy credential as determined by the Agency in rule and 1 |
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| 31 | 31 | | who is licensed to practice medicine pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 23 or 33 2 |
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| 32 | 32 | | specializing in the practice of psychiatry, a psychologist licensed pursuant to 3 |
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| 33 | 33 | | 26 V.S.A. chapter 55, a master’s social worker licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. 4 |
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| 34 | 34 | | chapter 61, a clinical mental health counselor licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. 5 |
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| 35 | 35 | | chapter 65, a marriage and family therapist licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. 6 |
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| 36 | 36 | | chapter 76, or a psychoanalyst licensed pursuant to 26 V.S.A. chapter 77. 7 |
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| 37 | 37 | | (b) As used in this section, “play therapy” means a therapeutic modality 8 |
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| 38 | 38 | | that utilizes playing with toys and games and role-playing as a means of 9 |
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| 39 | 39 | | addressing cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and mental health challenges. 10 |
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| 40 | 40 | | Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 11 |
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| 41 | 41 | | This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 12 |
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