Legislative News
Join Us for Hill Day 2019 with the National Council for Behavioral Health
September 5, 2019
The American Art Therapy Association is partnering with the National Council for Behavioral Health for their Hill Day in Washington, D.C. to advocate for improved federal behavioral health policy. Hone your advocacy skills during the training day Tuesday, September 17th and then let’s head to the Capitol on Wednesday, September 18th!
NY Insurance Bills Passed Senate and Assembly – on to the Governor
June 27, 2019
Thank you to everyone who responded to our call to action. It worked! Bills to expand services of Licensed Mental Health Practitioners, including Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCATs), passed both the Senate and the Assembly in the final days of the Legislative Session.
Victory in Connecticut: Art Therapy License Enacted
June 27, 2019
We are proud to announce that a distinct art therapy license has been enacted in Connecticut! On June 26, 2019, Governor Ned Lamont signed the state budget, which included licensure for art therapists.
Call to Action: Support NY Reimbursement Bills for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists
June 13, 2019
With only one week remaining of New York’s 2019 legislative session, we are calling on our members in the state to support legislation — one for Medicaid and one for private insurance — that would expand access for New Yorkers to vital services of Licensed Mental Health Practitioners, including Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCATs)! Art therapists in New York State are licensed as LCATs, so this not only affects our profession but also the many diverse clients we serve.
Connecticut Licensure Bill Passed the Legislature and Awaits Governor’s Signature
June 6, 2019
We are so thrilled to share that the Connecticut art therapy licensure bill passed the Senate on June 4, 2019 – the night before the legislature adjourned – included as part of a broad state budget bill (HB 7424)! The legislation had passed the House 138 to 1 last week and now awaits Governor Ned Lamont’s signature, which would make the license effective October 1, 2019.
Connecticut Art Therapy Licensure Bill Passes the House, Now on to the Senate
May 30, 2019
On May 29, 2019 the Connecticut House of Representatives voted in favor 138 to 1 for House Bill 5444, An Act Requiring Licensure of Art Therapists. With just one week remaining before the legislature adjourns on June 5th, art therapists in Connecticut are rallying their senators to schedule a vote. If you or someone you know resides in Connecticut, please take a moment to show your support!
DC Council Chairman Mendelson Introduces Art Therapy Licensure Bill (B23-250)
April 25, 2019
The AATA is proud to announce that Washington D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and three co-sponsors introduced B23-0250 – Professional Art Therapist Licensure Amendment Act of 2019 on April 2nd. B23-250 would define a scope of practice, provide title protection, and create a Professional Art Therapist License (LPAT) under the Board of Professional Counseling.
House Resolution 298 Recognizes April 8-12 as National SISP Appreciation Week
April 11, 2019
Representative David Loebsack (D-IA-2) and six bipartisan cosponsors introduced H.Res.298 on April 9th to recognize April 8-12 as National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP) Appreciation Week.
Call to Action: Ask Your Legislators to Cosponsor Resolutions to Designate April 8-12 as SISP Appreciation Week
April 4, 2019
Representatives Dave Loebsack (IA-02) & Bradley Byrne (AL-01) and Senators John Cornyn (TX) & Maggie Hassan (NH) recently introduced resolutions declaring the week of April 8th through April 12th, 2019 as National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week. We urge you to write to your legislators to ask them to cosponsor this important resolution.
Art Therapy Licensure Bill (HB 932) Introduced in Pennsylvania
March 27, 2019
A bipartisan sponsored bill was introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on March 25th to create a Professional Art Therapist license under the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors.