Bill > SB21

This bill establishes a licensing system for professional music therapists in Kentucky, defining "music therapy" as the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to achieve individualized goals for people of all ages and abilities. It creates the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Professional Music Therapists, composed of three music therapists, one healthcare provider, and one public member, to oversee the licensing process. The bill prohibits individuals from practicing music therapy or using the title "licensed professional music therapist" (LPMT) without a license issued by the board, which requires a bachelor's degree in music therapy, clinical training, and board certification. The board is authorized to create regulations, issue and renew licenses, set fees, and take disciplinary actions, including suspension or revocation, for violations such as fraud, negligence, or unprofessional conduct. Licensed music therapists must collaborate with a client's physician or other relevant healthcare professionals, including mental health or substance use disorder professionals, and are explicitly prohibited from replacing the services of audiologists or speech-language pathologists. A dedicated fund, the Kentucky Board of Licensure for Professional Music Therapists fund, will be established to cover the board's administrative expenses, and violations of the act will result in fines. The bill also outlines procedures for license renewal, suspension, revocation, and reinstatement, and specifies that initial board appointments will have staggered terms.

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/sb21.html