Bill Text: VA SB633 | 2020 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Music therapy; definition of music therapist, licensure.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2020-03-10 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0233) [SB633 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2020-SB633-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 37 of Title 54.1 an article numbered 2, consisting of sections numbered 54.1-3709.1, 54.1-3709.2, and 54.1-3709.3, as follows:
§54.1-3709.1. Definitions.
As used in this article, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Music therapist" means a person who has (i) completed a bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy, or its equivalent; (ii) satisfied the requirements for licensure set forth in regulations adopted by the Board pursuant to §54.1-3709.2; and (iii) been issued a license for the independent practice of music therapy by the Board.
"Music therapy" means the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship through an individualized music therapy treatment plan for the client that identifies the goals, objectives, and potential strategies of the music therapy services appropriate for the client using music therapy interventions, which may include music improvisation, receptive music listening, songwriting, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, learning through music, and movement to music. "Music therapy" does not include the screening, diagnosis, or assessment of any physical, mental, or communication disorder.
§54.1-3709.2. Music therapy; licensure.
A. The Board shall adopt regulations governing the practice of music therapy, upon consultation with the Advisory Board on Music Therapy established in §54.1-3709.3. The regulations shall (i) set forth the educational, clinical training, and examination requirements for licensure to practice music therapy; (ii) provide for appropriate application and renewal fees; and (iii) include requirements for licensure renewal and continuing education. In developing such regulations, the Board shall consider requirements for board certification offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists or any successor organization.
B. No person shall engage in the practice of music therapy or hold himself out or otherwise represent himself as a music therapist unless he is licensed by the Board.
C. Nothing in this section shall prohibit (i) the practice of music therapy by a student pursuing a course of study in music therapy if such practice constitutes part of the student's course of study and is adequately supervised or (ii) a licensed health care provider, other professional registered, certified, or licensed in the Commonwealth, or any person whose training and national certification attests to his preparation and ability to practice his certified profession or occupation from engaging in the full scope of his practice, including the use of music incidental to his practice, provided that he does not represent himself as a music therapist.
§54.1-3709.3. Advisory Board on Music Therapy; membership; terms.
A. The Advisory Board on Music Therapy (Advisory Board) is hereby established to assist the Board in formulating regulations related to the practice of music therapy. The Advisory Board shall also assist in such other matters relating to the practice of music therapy as the Board may require.
B. The Advisory Board shall have a total membership of five nonlegislative citizen members to be appointed by the Governor as follows: three members shall be licensed music therapists, one member shall be a licensed health care provider other than a music therapist, and one member shall be a citizen at large.
C. After the initial staggering of terms, members shall be appointed for a term of four years. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. All members may be reappointed. However, no member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
2. That the initial appointments of nonlegislative citizen members of the Advisory Board on Music Therapy, created by this act, to be appointed by the Governor shall be staggered as follows: one member, who shall be a music therapist who holds a certification issued by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, shall be appointed for a term of one year; one member, who shall be a music therapist who holds a certification issued by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, shall be appointed for a term of two years; one member, who shall be a licensed health care provider other than a music therapist, shall be appointed for a term of three years; and two members, one of whom shall be a music therapist who holds a certification issued by the Certification Board for Music Therapists and one of whom shall be a citizen at large representing the Commonwealth, shall be appointed for a term of four years.
