SB 489

Current law provides for the registration of music therapists by the Department of Safety and Professional Services, as well as dance and art therapists. This bill does all of the following with respect to the practice of music therapy and music therapists:

1. The bill eliminates the music therapist registration credential in favor of a music therapist license. The bill specifically requires proof of current board certification as a music therapist by the Certification Board for Music Therapists as a license qualification and requires a bachelor’s degree or higher in music therapy, or its equivalent.

2. The bill creates the Music Therapy Examining Board and transfers licensure of music therapists from DSPS to the board.

3. The bill defines the practice of music therapy and prohibits the practice of music therapy, or the use of music therapist titles, without a music therapy license.

4. The bill establishes a number of practice requirements and prohibitions for music therapists, including ones that address the involvement of health care professionals.

5. Current law allows DSPS to grant an additional license to practice psychotherapy to an individual registered as a music, dance, or art therapist. The bill, which does not include the practice of psychotherapy within the defined scope of practice for music therapy, eliminates the ability for music therapists to obtain this separate psychotherapy license.

The bill also raises the criminal penalty provision for music therapists from a fine of $200 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both, to a fine of $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than nine months, or both.

The bill does not affect the current law provisions regarding registration as a dance or art therapist.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report.