Clinical art therapist licensure established, Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy membership modified, fees and civil penalties imposed, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Esther Agbaje and 6 co-sponsors

Establishes licensure for clinical art therapists, creating a credentialing pathway and title protection, while restructuring the board, adding fees/penalties, and funding rollout.

Author added Moller

#healthandhealthdepartment #licenses #occupationsandprofessions #stateboards

Overview

HF 2590 proposes to establish licensure for clinical art therapists, modify the membership of the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, impose certain fees and civil penalties, and provide appropriations to implement these changes. The bill was introduced on March 20, 2025 and referred to the Health Finance and Policy committee. A companion bill exists in the Senate as SF 1675.

What the bill would do

Establish licensure for clinical art therapists. This would create a formal credentialing pathway for individuals practicing clinical art therapy under Minnesota law, replacing or supplementing any current regulatory status to govern the practice and protect the title.

Modify the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy. The bill would change the composition or membership of the board that oversees behavioral health and therapy licensing and regulation, potentially altering number of seats, appointment processes, or qualifications.

Impose fees and civil penalties. The bill would authorize licensing-related fees (e.g., application, renewal, and possibly late or late penalties) and establish civil penalties for violations of board rules or licensing requirements.

Provide money appropriations. The bill would include appropriations to support administration, regulation, and implementation of the new licensure framework and board changes.

Who would be affected

Prospective and current clinical art therapists: they would be subject to licensure requirements, renewals, and associated fees once the program is implemented.

Other licensed behavioral health professionals: they may experience changes in the board’s structure or processes; inter-professional regulation could be affected.

The Minnesota licensing board (Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy) and state agencies: responsible for administering licensure, fees, enforcement, and funding.

Consumers/public: potential benefits from formal licensure, including enhanced consumer protection and consistent practice standards.

Procedural and timeline considerations

Status: Introduction and first reading; referred to Health Finance and Policy (as of March 20, 2025).

Next steps: Committee hearings, possible amendments, floor votes in the House; passage would send the bill to the Senate (and the companion SF 1675 may influence bipartisan support or negotiation).

If enacted, the bill would specify effective dates for licensure requirements, fee schedules, and board reorganizations in the enacted version or subsequent implementing rules.

Additional notes

The specific statutory language, exact fee amounts, licensure prerequisites, ongoing education requirements, and effective dates are not provided in the information available here. For precise details, review HF 2590’s full text and any fiscal or analysis documents, along with SF 1675 as the companion bill.

Bill