HB5019 - Art Therapy Licensing and Practice Act Summary

• Creates a new licensing system for art therapists under the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, establishing two license types: Licensed Clinical Professional Art Therapist (LCPAT) and Licensed Associate Art Therapist (LAAT).

• Establishes an Art Therapy Advisory Board of 5 members to advise the Department on licensure, education, continuing education requirements, and disciplinary matters related to art therapy practice.

• Sets educational and experience requirements including master's or doctoral degrees in art therapy, 700+ hours of supervised internship, and 3,360 hours of postgraduate supervised experience (minimum 2 years) for LCPAT licensure.

• Prohibits unlicensed practice of art therapy and establishes civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, with criminal penalties for violations as Class A misdemeanors.

• Designates licensed clinical professional art therapists and licensed associate art therapists as mandatory reporters under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act; sunsets the Act on January 1, 2030.