Pennsylvania HB 1853: 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, 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 reciprocity, for endorsement of out-of-State licenses and for reinstatement of license; providing for restrictions on use of title "Licensed Recreational Therapist"; and further providing for penalties, for license renewal and records and fees and for unlawful practice.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2288
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1853
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SHUSTERMAN, GUENST, HILL-EVANS, RIVERA, SANCHEZ,
D. WILLIAMS, KENYATTA, PIELLI, BOROWSKI, BOYD, DALEY AND
DONAHUE, SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
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 reciprocity, for endorsement of
out-of-State licenses and for reinstatement of license;
providing for restrictions on use of title "Licensed
Recreational Therapist"; and further providing for penalties,
for license renewal and 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,
recreational therapy and professional counseling within this
Commonwealth is hereby declared to affect the public safety and
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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, licensed
recreational therapy and licensed professional counseling. This
act regulates only those who hold themselves out as licensed
social workers, licensed clinical social workers, licensed
marriage and family therapists, licensed recreational therapists
or as licensed professional counselors. [Acquisition] Except for
a licensed recreational therapist, 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. Section 3 of the act 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:
* * *
"Licensed recreational therapist." An individual who engages
or offers to engage in the practice of recreational therapy and
who holds a current license under this act.
* * *
"Methods and techniques of recreational therapy." Methods
and techniques used by licensed recreational therapists, which
may include any of the following:
(1) Conducting an individualized assessment for the
purpose of collecting systematic, comprehensive and accurate
data necessary to determine the course of action and
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subsequent individualized treatment plan.
(2) Planning and developing an individualized
recreational therapy treatment plan that identifies an
individual's goals, objectives and potential treatment
intervention strategies for play, recreation, leisure and
community activities.
(3) Implementing an individualized recreational therapy
treatment plan that is consistent with the overall treatment
plan.
(4) Systematically evaluating and comparing the
individual's response to the individualized recreational
therapy treatment plan and making modifications as
appropriate.
(5) Developing a discharge plan in collaboration with
the individual and the individual's family, treatment team
and other identified support networks where appropriate.
(6) Identifying and training individuals in the use of
adaptive play, recreation and leisure equipment.
(7) Identifying, providing and educating individuals to
use play, recreation, leisure and community resources that
support a healthy, active and engaged life.
(8) Providing leisure education and counseling to
address issues that hinder health and engagement in play,
recreation, leisure and community activities.
(9) Providing community integration, reintegration,
inclusion and transitioning services to maximize health and
participation in play, recreation, leisure and community
activities.
(10) Addressing functional skill recovery, development
or maintenance related to health and participation in play,
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recreation, leisure and community activities and utilizing
play, recreation, leisure and community activities as
modalities to advance health and functioning.
(11) Assisting individuals in constructing a healthy
leisure lifestyle that suppor