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Bill

SF 36

Music therapy-use of title.

2025 Regular Session

Establishes title protection for music therapists by defining MT-BC as the credential and prohibiting non-certified individuals from using the protected title or initials.

H:Died in Committee Returned Bill Pursuant to HR 5-4
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Bill Summary · SF 36

Summary — SF 36: "Music therapy — use of title"

Status: Introduced January 14, 2025; Passed Senate (3/23 reading, 17–13–1); Referred to House Labor (H10); Died in House committee (H: Died in Committee Returned Bill pursuant to HR 5-4 on 2025-03-03). Fiscal note: no fiscal or personnel impact.

Purpose / Intent

To provide statutory title protection for “music therapist” by defining the term to mean a person who holds the nationally recognized board-certified credential for music therapists and making it unlawful for persons who do not hold that credential to use the protected title or related initials.

Key provisions

  • Creates a new Chapter 50 (33-50-101 and 33-50-102) under Title 33 governing music therapists.
  • Definitions (33-50-101):
    • "Music therapist" is defined as a person who holds a board-certified credential granted by the national certification board for music therapists (commonly referenced as MT‑BC).
    • Adds a specific definition for "certification board" as the national certification board for music therapists.
    • Defines “music therapy” in clinical terms (individualized, goal-directed interventions using music delivered within a therapeutic relationship) (text as drafted).
  • Title protection and prohibited conduct (33-50-102):
    • It is unlawful for a person who is not board certified to represent themselves, advertise, or hold themselves out as a “music therapist,” “board certified music therapist,” or to use initials such as “MT‑BC” or other words, letters, abbreviations or insignia implying board-certified music therapist status.
  • Exception:
    • The bill does not prohibit individuals from using music in the performance of their profession so long as they do not represent themselves as a music therapist. (Standing committee amendment removed the word “occupation,” narrowing the exception language as drafted.)
  • Effective date if enacted: July 1, 2025.

Who would be affected

  • Board‑certified music therapists: gain statutory protection of their professional title (recognition of MT‑BC credential).
  • Non‑certified practitioners who use music therapeutically (e.g., musicians, educators, recreational therapists, other health workers): prohibited from calling themselves “music therapist” or using MT‑BC unless they hold the board certification; they may continue to use music in their professional roles provided they do not claim the protected title.
  • Employers, healthcare facilities, billing entities and consumers: may need to ensure correct use of the title in hiring, credentialing, advertising, and consumer information.
  • State agencies: no identified fiscal or personnel impact per the fiscal note.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced in the Senate (S) Jan 14, 2025. Passed out of the Senate Labor committee with amendment and recommendation (committee vote 3–1–1).
  • Senate passage: passed 2nd and 3rd readings; final Senate roll call 17 ayes, 13 nays, 1 excused.
  • Renumbered as SF 151 in a Jan 29 committee report.
  • Transmitted to the House, referred to House Labor (H10); received for introduction Jan 24 / introduced Feb 12 in the House.
  • Died in House committee (no report prior to Committee of the Whole cutoff)—bill did not become law.

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal note attached to the bill: No fiscal or personnel impact.

Notes: The bill creates title protection only; it does not establish a state licensing scheme, fee structure, or new regulatory board in the text provided.

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

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