HB1394 (2024) Detail

(New Title) relative to licensure and regulation of music therapists.


HB 1394-FN-A - AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE

 

22Feb2024... 0399h

11Apr2024... 1141h

2024 SESSION

24-2656

09/05

 

HOUSE BILL 1394-FN-A

 

AN ACT relative to licensure and regulation of music therapists.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. McGhee, Hills. 35; Rep. Grote, Rock. 24; Rep. Roy, Rock. 31; Sen. Perkins Kwoka, Dist 21

 

COMMITTEE: Executive Departments and Administration

 

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AMENDED ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes the licensure and regulation of music therapists under the office of professional licensure and certification.  This bill further directs the office of professional licensure and certification, for the biennium ending June 30, 2027, to increase their annual budget by $3,000 for the purpose of hiring temporary or part-time staff, or overtime costs, to help with licensing and administration of the music therapists governing board.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

22Feb2024... 0399h

11Apr2024... 1141h 24-2656

09/05

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

 

AN ACT relative to licensure and regulation of music therapists.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  New Chapter; Music Therapists.  Amend RSA by inserting after chapter 326-M the following new chapter:

CHAPTER 326-N

MUSIC THERAPISTS

326-N:1  Definitions.  In this chapter:

I.  "Board" means the music therapists governing board established in RSA 328-F.

II.  "Board certified music therapist" means an individual who holds current board certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

III.  "Executive director" means the executive director of the office of professional licensure and certification.

IV.  “Individualized music therapy treatment plan” means a music therapy treatment plan for a client that identifies the goals, objectives, and potential strategies for the music therapy services appropriate for the client using music therapy interventions, including:

(a)  Music improvisation;

(b)  Receptive music listening;

(c)  Songwriting;

(d)  Lyric discussion;

(e)  Music and imagery;

(f)  Music performance;

(g)  Learning through music; and

(h)  Movement to music.

V.  "Music therapist" or "licensed professional music therapist" means a person licensed to practice music therapy pursuant to this chapter.

VI.(a)  “Practice of music therapy” means the clinical and evidence-based use of music therapy interventions to accomplish individualized goals for individuals of all ages and ability levels within a therapeutic relationship.

(b)  “Practice of music therapy” includes:

(1)  Accepting referrals for music therapy services from:

(A)  Medical, developmental, mental health, or education professionals;

(B)  Family members;

(C)  Clients;

(D)  Caregivers; or

(E)  Others involved with the provision of and authorized to provide client services;

(2)  Collaborating with a client’s treatment team to review the client’s diagnosis, treatment needs, and treatment plan before providing music therapy services to a client for an identified clinical or developmental need;

(3)  Collaborating with the individualized family service plan team or individualized education program team to review the student's diagnosis, treatment needs, and treatment plan before providing music therapy services to a student for an identified educational need in a special education setting;

(4)  Collaborating with a client’s treatment team, including the client's physician, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or other mental health professional, during the provision of music therapy services to the client;

(5)  Collaborating with and discussing the music therapy treatment plan with the audiologist or speech-language pathologist of a client with a communication disorder during the provision of music therapy services so that a music therapist may work with the client and address communication skills;

(6)  Conducting a music therapy assessment of a client to collect systematic, comprehensive, and accurate information necessary to determine the appropriate type of music therapy services to provide for the client;

(7)  Developing an individualized music therapy treatment plan for a client that is based on the music therapy assessment;

(8)  Implementing an individualized music therapy treatment plan that:

(A)  Is consistent with any other developmental, rehabilitative, habilitative, medical, mental health, preventive, or wellness care or educational services being provided to a client; and

(B)  Does not replace the services provided by an audiologist or a speech–language pathologist;

(9)  Evaluating a client’s response to music therapy and the individualized music therapy treatment plan, documenting change and progress, and suggesting modifications, as appropriate;

(10)  Developing a plan for determining when the provision of music therapy services is no longer needed in collaboration with a client, the client’s physician or another provider of health care or education for the client, an appropriate member of the client’s family, and any other appropriate individual on whom the client relies for support;

(11)  Minimizing any barriers to ensure that a client receives music therapy services in the least restrictive environment;

(12)  Collaborating with and educating a client, the family or caregiver of the client, or any other appropriate individual about the needs of the client that are being addressed in music therapy and the manner in which the music therapy addresses those needs; and

(13)  Using appropriate knowledge and skills, including research, reasoning, and problem-solving skills, to inform practice and determine appropriate actions in the context of each specific clinical setting.

326-N:2  Prohibition on Unlicensed Practice; Professional Identification.

I.  No person without a license as a music therapist shall use the title "music therapist" or similar title or practice music therapy.

II.  Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or restrict the practice, services, or activities of the following:

(a)  Any person licensed, certified, or regulated under the laws of this state in another profession or occupation or personnel supervised by a licensed professional in this state performing work, including the use of music, incidental to the practice of his or her licensed, certified, or regulated profession or occupation, if that person does not represent himself or herself as a music therapist; or

(b)  Any person whose training and national certification attests to the individual's preparation and ability to practice his or her certified profession or occupation, if that person does not represent himself or herself as a music therapist; or

(c)  Any practice of music therapy as an integral part of a program of study for students enrolled in an accredited music therapy program, if the student does not represent himself or herself as a music therapist; or

(d)  Any person who practices music therapy under the supervision of a licensed music therapist, if the person does not represent himself or herself as a music therapist.

III.  An individual licensed under this chapter may not represent to the public that the individual is authorized to treat a communication disorder.  Unless authorized to practice speech-language pathology, music therapists may not evaluate, examine, instruct, or counsel on speech language, communication, and swallowing disorders and conditions.  Nothing in the section may be construed to prohibit an individual licensed under this chapter as a music therapist from representing to the public that the individual may work with a client who has a communication disorder and address communication skills.

326-N:3  Music Therapists Governing Board; Duties.  In addition to the duties of a governing board under RSA 328-F:

I.  The board may facilitate the development of materials to educate the public concerning music therapist licensure, the benefits of music therapy, and utilization of music therapy by individuals and in facilities or institutional settings.

II.  The board may act as a facilitator of statewide dissemination of information between music therapists, the American Music Therapy Association or any successor organization, the Certification Board for Music Therapists or any successor organization, and the executive director.

2  Governing Board; Establishment.  Amend RSA 328-F:3 to read as follows:

328-F:3 Governing Boards Established. – There shall be established governing boards of athletic trainers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists and hearing care providers, [and] genetic counselors, and music therapists. In order to eliminate a redundant regulatory framework and promote efficiency and economy, and as set forth in RSA 310, the responsibility for administration of the governing boards shall be with the office of professional licensure and certification, and the authority of the board of directors of allied health professionals is repealed.

3  New Paragraph; Music Therapists Governing Board; Appointment.  Amend RSA 328-F:4 by inserting after paragraph X the following new paragraph:

XI.  The music therapists governing board shall consist of 3 licensed music therapists, who have actively engaged in the practice of music therapy in this state for at least 2 years, one member who is a licensed health care provider who is not a music therapist, and one public member.  Initial appointment of professional members by the governor and council shall be qualified persons practicing music therapy in this state.  All subsequent appointments or reappointments shall require licensure.

4  New Subparagraph; Office of Professional Licensure and Certification; Definitions; Establishment.  Amend RSA 310:2, II by inserting after subparagraph (bbb) the following new subparagraph:

(ccc)  Governing board of music therapists established under RSA 328-F and 326-N.

5  Office of Professional Licensure and Certification; Directive.  For the biennium ending June 30, 2027, the office of professional licensure and certification shall increase their annual budget by $3,000 for the purpose of hiring temporary or part-time staff or for overtime to help with licensing and administration of the music therapists governing board.

6  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

 

LBA

24-2656

Amended 3/5/24

 

HB 1394-FN-A- FISCAL NOTE

AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2024-0399h)

 

AN ACT relative to licensure and regulation of music therapists and making an appropriation therefor.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [    ] County               [    ] Local              [    ] None

 

 

Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease)

 

FY 2024

FY 2025

FY 2026

FY 2027

Revenue

$0

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Indeterminable Increase

Revenue Fund(s)

Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Fund

Expenditures

$0

In excess of $70,000

In excess of $71,000

In excess of $73,000

Funding Source(s)

 

Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Fund

Appropriations

$0

In excess of $70,000

In excess of $71,000

In excess of $73,000

Funding Source(s)

Office of Professional Licensure and Certification Fund

Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] Yes

Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] Yes

 

METHODOLOGY:

The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) states this bill would establish the licensure and regulation of music therapists as well as creates a Music Therapists Governing Board under the OPLC.  This bill also establishes a Program Assistant II position, labor grade 15, classified position with estimated expenditures for salary and benefits of $70,000 in FY 2025, $71,000 in FY 2026  and $73,000 in FY 2027.  In addition to personnel costs, OPLC would potentially have other administrative expenditures and costs related to Board member's per diem and travel as well as costs for promulgation of rules and legal support.  All expenditures would be a charge against the OPLC Fund established under RSA 310:5.  In addition, any license revenue generated would also be deposited into this fund.  The Office is unable to estimate the amount of license revenue that will be generated, however, any revenue received for license fees will be attributable to the rules.

 

It is assumed the fiscal impact will not occur until FY 2025.

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Office of Professional Licensure and Certification

 

Amendments

Date Amendment
Feb. 9, 2024 2024-0399h
March 26, 2024 2024-1141h

Links


Date Body Type
Jan. 17, 2024 House Hearing
Feb. 7, 2024 House Exec Session
Feb. 7, 2024 House Exec Session
Feb. 7, 2024 House Floor Vote
March 19, 2024 House Exec Session
March 26, 2024 House Floor Vote
May 8, 2024 Senate Hearing

Bill Text Revisions

HB1394 Revision: 41629 Date: April 11, 2024, 2:32 p.m.
HB1394 Revision: 41402 Date: March 26, 2024, 10:51 a.m.
HB1394 Revision: 41019 Date: March 5, 2024, 11:58 a.m.
HB1394 Revision: 40832 Date: Feb. 9, 2024, 3:59 p.m.
HB1394 Revision: 39947 Date: Dec. 6, 2023, 1:45 p.m.

Docket


April 23, 2024: Hearing: 05/08/2024, Room 103, SH, 09:15 am; SC 17


April 16, 2024: Introduced 04/11/2024 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 10


April 11, 2024: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-1141h: MA RC 195-187 04/11/2024 HJ 11


April 11, 2024: Amendment # 2024-1141h (NT): AA VV 04/11/2024 HJ 11


March 26, 2024: Minority Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate


March 26, 2024: Majority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2024-1141h (NT) 03/26/2024 (Vote 15-10; RC) HC 14 P. 11


March 13, 2024: Executive Session: 03/19/2024 10:00 am LOB 210-211


Feb. 28, 2024: Division Work Session: 03/13/2024 10:00 am LOB 212


Feb. 22, 2024: Referred to Finance 02/22/2024 HJ 6


Feb. 22, 2024: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2024-0399h: MA RC 194-186 02/22/2024 HJ 6


Feb. 22, 2024: Amendment # 2024-0399h: AA VV 02/22/2024 HJ 6


Feb. 9, 2024: Committee Report: Without Recommendation 02/07/2024 (Vote 10-10; RC)


Feb. 2, 2024: ==CONTINUED== Executive Session: 02/07/2024 01:00 pm LOB 306-308


Jan. 31, 2024: ==RECESSED== Executive Session: 02/07/2024 10:30 am LOB 306-308


Jan. 5, 2024: Public Hearing: 01/17/2024 02:00 pm LOB 306-308


Dec. 6, 2023: Introduced 01/03/2024 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 1