No. HB 829
Filed under Healthcare.
Music Therapy; Creates Music Therapy Advisory Committee within DOH for specified purpose; authorizes committee to facilitate development of certain materials & act as facilitator of statewide dissemination of information between certain entities; requires committee to provide annual analysis of certain licensure data; requires department to seek advice of committee on issues relating to music therapy; requires department to issue license to practice as professional music therapist to applicants meeting specified criteria; specifies collaboration requirements for licensees engaging in practice of music therapy; beginning on specified date, prohibiting unlicensed individuals from using specified titles related to practice of music therapy; provides exceptions; authorizes unlicensed individuals meeting specified criteria to practice without license under supervision of licensed professional music therapist for specified timeframe; provides grounds for disciplinary action; authorizes department to conduct investigations of alleged misconduct.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDFlorida creates a new professional license for music therapists, requiring a bachelor's degree in music therapy and board certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists before the state health department may issue a license.
Starting January 1, 2027, only licensed music therapists may use that title or similar titles, though other licensed professionals such as physicians, nurses, counselors, and social workers may keep using music in their own work without a music therapy license.
Before treating a client, a licensed music therapist must review the client's diagnosis and treatment plan with other providers already involved, and therapists may never claim they are authorized to treat a communication disorder.
The department can suspend, revoke, or deny a license, or fine a therapist up to $1,000 per violation, for reasons including a felony conviction, practicing while intoxicated, or sexual contact with a client.
AITo be licensed, an applicant must be at least 18, hold a bachelor's degree in music therapy (or an equivalent with clinical training hours) from an accredited college, and prove board certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists.
AIStarting January 1, 2027, anyone without this new license may not use the title "music therapist," "licensed professional music therapist," or a similar title to practice, though named exemptions protect other licensed professionals and music therapy students who do not claim to be licensed therapists.
AIA licensed music therapist working with a client who has a communication disorder must collaborate with an audiologist or speech-language pathologist, may not evaluate or counsel on the disorder itself, and may not tell the public they are authorized to treat it.
AIThe department may suspend, revoke, or deny a license, refuse renewal, impose probation, reprimand, or fine a licensee for causes including a felony conviction, negligent practice, intoxication, incapacitation, client abuse, or sexual contact with a client.
AIThe State Surgeon General appoints five members to staggered four-year terms -- three licensed music therapists, one other licensed health practitioner, and one consumer -- to advise the department, help develop public education materials, and review disciplinary data annually.
AISomeone without a license may still provide music therapy, but only under a licensed therapist's supervision, only for up to 180 days, and only while a board certification application is pending and other licensure requirements are met.