New York S 4120: Relates to the licensing of professional and clinical music therapists

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S04120 Summary:

BILL NOS04120 

&nbsp

SAME ASSAME AS A05145

&nbsp

SPONSORSCARCELLA-SPANTON

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Add Art 163-A §§8450 - 8459, amd §§6503-a, 7605, 7706 & 8410, Ed L; amd §700, County L; amd §§1203, 1207 &
1301, Lim Lil L; amd §§121-1500 & 121-1502, Partn L

&nbsp

Provides for the licensing of professional and clinical music therapists encompassing the assessment, evaluation, and the therapeutic intervention and treatment of mental, emotional, developmental and behavioral disorders through the use of music.

Go to top S04120 Actions:

BILL NOS04120 

&nbsp

02/03/2025REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

01/07/2026REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Go to topS04120 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS04120 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS04120 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 4120

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 February 3, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. SCARCELLA-SPANTON -- read twice and ordered printed,
 and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Higher Education

 AN ACT to amend the education law, the county law, the limited liability
 company law and the partnership law, in relation to the licensing of
 professional and clinical music therapists

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new article 163-A
 2 to read as follows:
 3 ARTICLE 163-A
 4 MUSIC THERAPY
 5 Section 8450. Introduction.
 6 8451. Definitions.
 7 8452. Authorized practice and the use of the titles "licensed
 8 professional music therapist" and "licensed clinical
 9 music therapist".
 10 8453. State board for music therapy.
 11 8454. Requirements for a license.
 12 8455. Limited permits.
 13 8456. Exemptions.
 14 8457. Special provisions.
 15 8458. Boundaries of professional competency.
 16 8459. Mandatory continuing competency.
 17 § 8450. Introduction. This article applies to the profession and prac-
 18 tice of music therapy, and to the use of the titles "licensed profes-
 19 sional music therapist" and "licensed clinical music therapist". The
 20 general provisions for all professions contained in article one hundred
 21 thirty of this title apply to this article.
 22 § 8451. Definitions. 1. (a) The practice of licensed professional
 23 music therapy shall mean the clinical and evidence-based use of music
 24 interventions to accomplish individualized goals for people of all ages

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD08322-01-5

 S. 4120 2

 1 and ability levels within a therapeutic relationship, through the devel-
 2 opment of music therapy treatment plans specific to the needs and
 3 strengths of the client who may be seen individually and/or in groups.
 4 (b) A licensed professional music therapist uses interventions that
 5 may include music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writ-
 6 ing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, singing, music performance,
 7 learning through music, music combined with other arts, music-assisted
 8 relaxation, music-based education, electronic music technology, adapted
 9 music interventions and movement to music.
 10 (c) The practice of licensed professional music therapy does not
 11 include the screening, diagnosis or assessment of any physical, mental,
 12 or communication disorder.
 13 2. (a) The practice of licensed clinical music therapy encompasses the
 14 scope of practice of licensed professional music therapy and, in addi-
 15 tion, includes the assessment, evaluation, and the therapeutic inter-
 16 vention and treatment, which may be either primary, parallel or adjunc-
 17 tive, of mental, emotional, developmental and behavioral disorders
 18 through the use of music as approved by the department.
 19 (b) Licensed clinical music therapists use assessment instruments and
 20 mental health counseling and psychotherapy to identify, evaluate and
 21 treat dysfunctions and disorders for purposes of providing appropriate
 22 clinical music therapy services.
 23 3. Psychotherapy means the treatment of mental, nervous, emotional,
 24 b