Legislative News
Standing up for Mental Health during COVID-19
July 30, 2020
From the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, AATA has joined our coalitions in mental health, specialized instructional support personnel (SISPs) in schools, and the arts in congressional COVID-19 relief package negotiations and working with federal agencies.
Bicameral Resolution to Designate July as BIPOC Month
July 30, 2020
The AATA strongly supports the goals of this bicameral resolution to bring awareness to the disparities in the incidence of mental health-related challenges faced by black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) and to encourage Congress to act to address the systemic drivers of those disparities through culturally-informed mental health services.
Art Therapy Licensure is Official Law in Washington, DC
July 2, 2020
The AATA is thrilled to announce that licensure of art therapists in the District of Columbia is now official law! The art therapy licensure legislation passed congressional review, the final step of the legislative process, and was assigned Law Number L23-0115 on June 24, 2020. With the Virginia license recently enacted in May of 2020, art therapy licensure is now the law throughout the entire DMV (District – Maryland – Virginia) area.
First Licensure Applications Approved in New Jersey as Authority Transfers Boards
June 18, 2020
During the final meeting of the Art Therapy Advisory Committee on June 16th the first set of licensure applications (approx. 15-20) were approved! However, after a four-year journey of implementing the art therapy license enacted in 2016, the way forward in the application process is once again uncertain as authority to process applications transitions from the current Advisory Committee of the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners to a new State Board of Creative Arts Therapies, effective June 19, 2020.
Join us for Hill Day at Home: Advocate for Mental Health
May 21, 2020
Join the National Council for Behavioral Health and the American Art Therapy Association for Hill Day at Home, June 23-24, 2020! The event includes a full day of sessions and workshops on behavioral health policy followed by a series of advocacy events you can participate in from home.
As State Legislative Calendars Adjust to Prioritize Coronavirus Response, Here’s the Status of the 12 Art Therapy Bills
April 9, 2020 | Clara Keane
While the priority across the country is to protect the public and make sure other crucial legislation like state funding gets passed, most every other issue, like art therapy licensure, will have to wait for an unknown amount of time. This reality does not take away from the incredible progress we have made in our legislative efforts this year, thanks to the hundreds of art therapy advocates across the country that are paving the way for the future of the profession! Let’s take a moment to recap and celebrate the victories and the progress made this year.
New Art Therapy License Enacted in Virginia and DC Bill Approaches the Finish Line
April 9, 2020
Even as legislatures pivot to focus most of their energy on legislation responding to the pandemic and other critical issues like state budgets, we’ve had some victories for art therapists. Licensure throughout the DMV (DC-MD-VA) region is within reach, with a new license enacted in Virginia and a licensure bill in Washington, DC passing the Council!
Legislation Progresses Amidst Coronavirus Crisis
March 12, 2020
While exciting developments in art therapy licensing legislation have continued to occur, uncertainties around COVID-19 have begun to impact legislative schedules as the public health crisis continues to unfold. Here is a quick update:
– The sunrise review proposal was approved in Nebraska
– A new licensure bill was introduced in Louisiana
– The Virginia licensure bill was presented to the Governor
Art Therapy Licensure Campaign Updates in Virginia, Tennessee & Nebraska
February 27, 2020
Art therapy legislation is moving across the country! There are currently 11 active art therapy bills — here are updates on campaigns in Virginia, Tennessee, and Nebraska. CALL TO ACTION – If you live or work in Virginia, please urge the Governor to sign SB 713 into law!
Art Therapy Legislation on the Move in Washington, DC and Virginia
January 30, 2020
This week committees in the Council of the District of Columbia and Virginia General Assembly passed art therapy licensure legislation. On January 29th the DC Committee on Health voted B23-0250 – Professional Art Therapist Licensure Amendment Act of 2019 out of committee. The legislation now moves on to the full Council.