Pennsylvania SB 981: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Prison Industry Enhancement Authority; and, in safe community reentry, further providing for Safe Community Reentry Program.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1124
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 981
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY CULVER, TARTAGLIONE, SAVAL, FONTANA, COMITTA,
COSTA, VOGEL, ARGALL, CAPPELLETTI, STREET, PENNYCUICK,
PICOZZI, SCHWANK AND MALONE, AUGUST 25, 2025
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
AUGUST 25, 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, 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 lifestyl