Pennsylvania SB 1292: An Act amending the act of July 9, 1987 (P.L.220, No.39), known as the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act, "licensed associate art therapist" and related titles; and further providing for penalties, for license renewal, records and fees and for unlawful practice.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1591
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1292
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY PICOZZI, BROWN, VOGEL, CAPPELLETTI, CULVER, SAVAL,
MALONE, TARTAGLIONE, COMITTA AND PISCIOTTANO, APRIL 16, 2026
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
APRIL 16, 2026
AN ACT
Amending the act of July 9, 1987 (P.L.220, No.39), entitled "An
act licensing and regulating the practice of social work;
providing penalties; and making an appropriation," further
providing for legislative intent, 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 exemption from licensure
examination, for reciprocity, for endorsement of out-of-State
licenses and for reinstatement of license; providing for
restriction on use of title "licensed professional art
therapist," "licensed associate art therapist" and related
titles; and further providing for penalties, for license
renewal, records and fees and for unlawful practice.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 2 of the act of July 9, 1987 (P.L.220,
No.39), known as the Social Workers, Marriage and Family
Therapists and Professional Counselors Act, is amended to read:
Section 2. Legislative intent.
The practice of social work, marriage and family therapy
[and], professional counseling and professional art therapy
within this Commonwealth is hereby declared to affect the public
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safety and welfare and to be subject to regulation and control
in the public interest to protect the public from
unprofessional, improper, unauthorized and unqualified practice
of licensed social work, licensed marriage and family therapy
[and], licensed professional counseling and licensed
professional art therapy. This act regulates only those who hold
themselves out as licensed social workers, licensed clinical
social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists [or as],
licensed professional counselors or as licensed professional art
therapists. Acquisition of a license under this act shall not be
made a condition of the employment of a person by the
Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions or by
nonprofit agencies.
Section 2. The definitions of "board" and "diagnosis" in
section 3 of the act are amended and the section is amended by
adding definitions to read:
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Accredited educational institution." A university or
college approved by the American Art Therapy Association or
accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health
Education Programs.
* * *
"Art therapy." The use of a specialized form of
psychotherapy:
(1) Conducted by a professionally trained art therapist
who has met the standards outlined in section 7(h) or (i) and
is currently practicing under a qualified art therapy
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supervisor.
(2) That is an evidence-based clinical practice,
including the integration of psychological theories, art
therapy theory, art-based assessment models, traditional
verbal counseling techniques and the creative process to
address and alleviate mental and emotional disorders and
psychopathologies, improve cognitive and sensory-motor
functions and support wellness through diagnosis, assessment,
testing, treatment, evaluation and rehabilitation in a
professional relationship.
"Art therapy services." The use of expressive arts media,
creative techniques, nonverbal communication, psychotherapy,
art-based assessment models and the creative process in a
therapeutic relationship between a client and licensed
professional art therapist and includes the following services:
(1) Evaluation, assessment and diagnosis to define and
implement individualized treatment plans to address
developmental, rehabilitative, habilitative, medical, mental
health, preventive, wellness care or educational needs of the
client.
(2) Therapeutic interventions to facilitate alternative
modes of receptive and expressive communication that can
circumvent the limitations of verbal articulation.
(3) Use of treatment interventions that include
psychotherapy or counseling integrated with art therapy
theory, the creative process or art media to facilitate human
development and to identify and remediate mental, emotional
or behavioral disorders and associated distresses that
interfere with daily functioning.
(4) Utilizing appropriate knowledge and specialized
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training in art therapy theory, art media, the creative
process, the ne