Legislative News
Connecticut Art Therapy Licensure Bill Recommended to the General Assembly
March 7, 2019
On March 1st the Joint Committee on Public Health voted unanimously, “Joint Favorable” on HB 5444, An Act Requiring Licensure of Art Therapists – meaning they recommend the bill to both chambers of the General Assembly.
Creative Forces Veteran Testifies on behalf of the AATA before U.S. House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee
February 28, 2019 | Advocacy
On Tuesday February 26, 2019 Christopher Stowe Master Gunnery Sergeant, USMC (ret.) testified on behalf of the AATA alongside Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch before the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. They urged the subcommittee to fund the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) at $167.5 for FY 2020, a $12.5 million increase from FY 2019.
Watch Art Therapists Testify in Connecticut! Plus New Licensure Bill Introduced in Iowa
February 14, 2019
On February 11, 2019 five art therapists testified in favor of Connecticut HB 5444 before the Joint Committee on Public Health. They eloquently described the benefits of the profession and the obstacles art therapists and potential clients face due to lack of licensure.
Legislative News: Connecticut, Nebraska, Tennessee, and New Hampshire
February 7, 2019
The momentum of the 2019 legislative sessions continues to increase as legislation is introduced, public hearings are scheduled, and sunrise reviews are completed. The latest:
Follow Art Therapy Licensure Bills Introduced in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Tennessee!
January 24, 2019
Now that most of the 2019 state legislative sessions have convened, the AATA is excited to announce that art therapy licensure bills have already been introduced in four states! These include: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Tennessee.
Save the Date! Arts Advocacy Day 2019, March 4-5 in Washington, D.C.
January 10, 2019
Mark your calendar — Arts Advocacy Day: The National Arts Action Summit will take place March 4-5, 2019 in Washington, DC! Hosted by Americans for the Arts in partnership with over 85 national arts organizations, Arts Advocacy Day is the largest gathering of its kind, bringing together a broad cross section of America’s cultural and civic organizations.
Sunrise Reviews Commence in Connecticut and Nebraska
October 25, 2018 | Advocacy
The AATA is pleased to share that state agencies in Connecticut and Nebraska have approved applications to conduct studies on into the need to regulate art therapy. These comprehensive studies to determine the need and the appropriate level of regulation of a profession, commonly referred to as “sunrise reviews,” are prerequisites for the legislature to consider licensing a new profession and are now required at varying degrees in 14 states .
Virginia Board of Health Professions Votes to Recommend Licensure for Art Therapists to the Governor and Legislature
By Clara Keane | August 30, 2018 | Advocacy
On August 23, 2018 the Virginia Board of Health Professions (BHP) voted to recommend licensure for art therapists in the state of Virginia. Following years of advocacy work and a full year in the formal sunrise review process, a group of art therapists gathered to witness history unfold in the field of art therapy. After the BHP’s Regulatory Research Committee made their final recommendations and “concluded that all criteria [for state regulation] were met,” the Committee voted unanimously to “adopt a separate license for Art Therapists to practice in Virginia.”
New Hampshire Governor Sununu Signs Art Therapy Title Protection Bill into Law
July 5, 2018
Today, Governor Chris Sununu’s office announced that Senate Bill 535 is among 70 bills the Governor has signed into law. SB 535 provides title and practice protection, authorizing persons holding a master’s or doctoral degree in art therapy to practice professional art therapy in New Hampshire. Effective July 1, 2018, persons who do not hold master’s or doctoral degrees in art therapy are prohibited from using the titles “professional art therapist” and “art therapist,” in addition to any other words, letters, or abbreviations that may indicate or imply that they are professional art therapists.
Ohio House Committee Supports House Bill 557 Art Therapy Licensure and Regulation
July 5, 2018 | By Molly Kometiani
On June 6th, HB 557 passed with overwhelming support from the Ohio House Health Committee! The legislature is now in summer recess, but we are looking forward to the House vote in the Fall Session. This process continues to be a group effort, and we want to take the time to thank all who are involved.