WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

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.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rosemary Brown and 10 co-sponsors

Creates a licensed associate art therapist credential with supervision, updated penalties, renewals, and title protections to regulate art therapy under the act.

Referred to Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1292

Summary of Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1292 (2025-2026)

Purpose and intent

  • SB 1292 proposes amendments to the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act (the 1987 act, P.L. 220, No. 39).
  • The primary focus is to address licensure and regulation related to art therapy, specifically introducing and regulating “licensed associate art therapist” and related titles, along with updating penalties, license renewal provisions, recordkeeping, fees, and unlawful practice provisions.

Key provisions and changes

  • Licensed associate art therapist: Establishes a specific licensure title and framework for licensing individuals who practice art therapy at an associate level. This would create a recognized professional track within the act for art therapists who may be in training or under supervision toward full licensure.
  • Titles and related protections: Amends existing title provisions to cover the new associate designation and ensure appropriate use of licensed titles. Aims to prevent the misleading use of titles and protect the public by clarifying who can identify themselves as an associate art therapist.
  • Penalties: Updates or adds penalties for unlawful practice or violations of the act’s provisions related to the new licensure pathway and related ethics, supervision, and practice standards.
  • License renewal: Introduces, adjusts, or clarifies renewal requirements for licenses tied to art therapy, including associate designations. This may involve continuing education, supervision requirements, and renewal timelines.
  • Records and fees: Adjusts statutory recordkeeping and fee structures associated with licensure and renewal for art therapists, potentially creating new fees for associate licenses or adjusting existing fee schedules to accommodate the expanded regulatory framework.
  • Unlawful practice provisions: Strengthens enforcement around unauthorized or misrepresented practice in the field of art therapy, particularly in the context of the new licensed associate category and related titles.

Who would be affected

  • Art therapists and students: Individuals practicing or training in art therapy who seek licensure under the act, including those pursuing an associate art therapist designation.
  • Licensed professionals under the act: Other licensed professionals (social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors) regulated by the same act may see updated cross-references or enforcement provisions regarding scope of practice and supervision.
  • Licensees and applicants: Individuals currently holding or seeking licensure who must comply with revised renewal, recordkeeping, and fee requirements for the art therapy licensure pathway.
  • Public and consumers: Recipients of art therapy services benefit from clearer credentialing, title protections, and stronger penalties for unlawful practice, potentially increasing accountability and consistency of care.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Referred to the Senate committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure on April 16, 2026.
  • Next steps: The bill would move through the committee process for hearings and potential amendments, then to the full Senate for votes, and onward to the House and Governor if it progresses.
  • Effective date: The bill’s text does not specify an immediate effective date in the information provided; typically, if enacted, provisions would become effective on a defined date after final enactment or be phased in by rules or regulations.

Notable context

  • The bill is part of ongoing consideration of professional licensure for art therapists within Pennsylvania’s regulatory framework. It aligns with broader efforts to formalize licensure for allied mental health professions and to ensure clear standards, supervision, and consumer protection.

If you’d like, I can compare SB 1292 to the current law or provide a plain-language summary of how the associate art therapist designation would work in practice (training requirements, supervision levels, and pathway to full licensure).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.