AB1054: Bill Text

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Current law provides for the registration of music therapists by the Department of Safety and Professional Services, as well as dance and art therapists. This bill does all of the following with respect to the practice of music therapy and music therapists:

1. The bill eliminates the music therapist registration credential in favor of a music therapist license. The bill specifically requires proof of current board certification as a music therapist by the Certification Board for Music Therapists as a license qualification and also requires a bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy, or its equivalent.

2. The bill defines the practice of music therapy and prohibits the practice of music therapy, or the use of music therapist titles, without a music therapy license.

3. The bill establishes a number of practice requirements and prohibitions for music therapists, including ones that address the involvement of health care professionals.

4. The bill creates a Music Therapy Examining Council to advise DSPS on the regulation of music therapists.

5. Current law allows DSPS to grant an additional license to practice psychotherapy to an individual registered as a music, dance, or art therapist. The bill, which does not include the practice of psychotherapy within the defined scope practice for music therapy, eliminates the ability for music therapists to obtain this separate psychotherapy license.

The bill also raises the criminal penalty provision for music, art, or dance therapists from $200 or imprisonment for not more than six months to $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than nine months. The bill otherwise does not affect the current law provisions regarding registration as a dance or art therapist.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB1054,1 Section 1. 15.407 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:

AB1054,2,10 15.407 (3m) Music therapy examining council. There is created a music therapy examining council in the department of safety and professional services and serving the department in an advisory capacity in the formulating of rules to be promulgated by the department for the regulation of music therapists. The music therapy examining council shall consist of 2 licensed music therapists and one public member appointed by the governor. The members of the examining council shall serve 3-year terms. Section 15.08 (1) to (4) (a) and (6) to (10) shall apply to the music therapy examining council, except that members of the examining council may serve more than 2 consecutive terms.

AB1054,2 Section 2. 440.01 (2) (cv) of the statutes is renumbered 440.960 (8).

AB1054,3 Section 3. 440.03 (14) (a) 1. (intro.), a. and c. of the statutes are renumbered 440.962 (1) (intro.), (a) and (c) and amended to read:

AB1054,3,4 440.962 (1) (intro.) The department shall grant a certificate of registration as a music therapist license to a person if all of the following apply:

AB1054,3,11 (a) The person is certified, registered, or accredited provides proof of passing the examination for board certification offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists or any successor organization, or of having been transitioned into board certification, and holds current board certification as a music therapist by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, National Music Therapy Registry, American Music Therapy Association or by another national or a successor organization that certifies, registers, or accredits music therapists.

AB1054,3,15 (c) The person pays the initial credential fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a) and files with the department evidence satisfactory to the department that he or she is certified, registered, or accredited as required under subd. 1. a. par. (a).

AB1054,4 Section 4. 440.03 (14) (a) 1. b. of the statutes is repealed.

AB1054,5 Section 5. 440.03 (14) (a) 2. of the statutes is renumbered 440.963 (1), and 440.963 (1) (a) to (c), as renumbered, are amended to read:

AB1054,3,21 440.963 (1) (a) The person is certified, registered , or accredited as an art therapist by the Art Therapy Credentials Board or by another national organization that certifies, registers, or accredits art therapists.

AB1054,3,23 (b) The organization that certified, registered, or accredited the person under subd. 2. a. par. (a) is approved by the department.

AB1054,4,2 (c) The person pays the initial credential fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a) and files with the department evidence satisfactory to the department that he or she is certified, registered, or accredited as required under subd. 2. a. par. (a).

AB1054,6 Section 6. 440.03 (14) (a) 3. of the statutes is renumbered 440.964 (1), and 440.964 (1) (a) to (c), as renumbered, are amended to read:

AB1054,4,7 440.964 (1) (a) The person is certified, registered , or accredited as a dance therapist by the American Dance Therapy Association or by another national organization that certifies, registers, or accredits dance therapists.

AB1054,4,9 (b) The organization that certified, registered, or accredited the person under subd. 3. a. par. (a) is approved by the department.

AB1054,4,13 (c) The person pays the initial credential fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a) and files with the department evidence satisfactory to the department that he or she is certified, registered, or accredited as required under subd. 3. a. par. (a).

AB1054,7 Section 7. 440.03 (14) (am) of the statutes, as affected by 2023 Wisconsin Act 55, is renumbered 440.966 and amended to read:

AB1054,5,2 440.966 Psychotherapy license. The department may promulgate rules that establish requirements for granting a license to practice psychotherapy to a person who is registered under par. (a) as an art therapist or dance therapist under this chapter. Rules promulgated under this paragraph section shall establish requirements for obtaining such a license that are comparable to the requirements for obtaining a clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor license under subch. I of ch. 457. If the department promulgates rules under this paragraph section, the department shall grant a license under this paragraph section to a person registered under par. (a) s. 440.963 or 440.964 who pays the initial credential fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a) and provides evidence satisfactory to the department that he or she satisfies the requirements established in the rules.

AB1054,8 Section 8. 440.03 (14) (b) of the statutes is repealed.

AB1054,9 Section 9. 440.03 (14) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 440.965 (1) and amended to read:

AB1054,5,8 440.965 (1) The renewal dates for certificates credentials granted under par. (a) and licenses granted under par. (am) this subchapter are specified in s. 440.08 (2) (a).

AB1054,5,11 (2) (a) Renewal applications shall be submitted to the department on a form provided by the department and shall include the renewal fee determined by the department under s. 440.03 (9) (a) and.

AB1054,5,16 (b) For renewal of a license granted under s. 440.962 or a certificate granted under s. 440.963 or 440.964, the renewal application shall include evidence satisfactory to the department that the person's certification, registration, or accreditation specified in par. (a) 1. a., 2. a., or 3. a. s. 440.962 (1) (a), 440.963 (1) (a), or 440.964 (1) (a) is current and has not been revoked.

AB1054,10 Section 10. 440.03 (14) (d) of the statutes is renumbered 440.968 (1) and amended to read:

AB1054,5,24 440.968 (1) The department shall promulgate rules that specify the services within the scope of practice of music, art, or dance therapy that a person who is registered under par. (a) s. 440.963 or 440.964 is qualified to perform. The rules may not allow a person registered under par. (a) s. 440.963 or 440.964 to perform psychotherapy unless the person is granted a license under the rules promulgated under par. (am) s. 440.966.

AB1054,11 Section 11. 440.03 (14) (e) of the statutes is renumbered 440.967 (1) and amended to read:

AB1054,6,12 440.967 (1) Subject to the rules promulgated under sub. (1) s. 440.03 (1), the department may make investigations and conduct hearings to determine whether a violation of this subsection subchapter or any rule promulgated under par. (d) this subchapter has occurred and may reprimand a person who is licensed or registered under par. (a) or holds a license granted under the rules promulgated under par. (am) this subchapter or may deny, limit, suspend, or revoke a license or certificate of registration granted under par. (a) or a license granted under the rules promulgated under par. (am) this subchapter if the department finds that the applicant or certificate or license holder has violated this subsection subchapter or any rule promulgated under par. (d) this subchapter.

AB1054,12 Section 12. 440.03 (14) (f) of the statutes is renumbered 440.969 and amended to read:

AB1054,6,18 440.969 Penalty. A person who is registered under par. (a) or holds a license granted under the rules promulgated under par. (am) who violates this subsection subchapter or any rule promulgated under par. (d) this subchapter may be fined not more than $200 $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 9 months or both.

AB1054,13 Section 13. Subchapter X of chapter 440 [precedes 440.960] of the statutes is created to read:

AB1054,6,21 CHAPTER 440

AB1054,6,23 SUBCHAPTER X MUSIC, ART, AND DANCE THERAPY

AB1054,6,24 440.960 Definitions. In this subchapter:

AB1054,7,2 (4) “Music therapist” means a person licensed as a music therapist under this subchapter.

AB1054,7,6 (5) (a) 1. “Music therapy” means, subject to par. (b), the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals for persons of all ages and ability levels within a therapeutic relationship by a board-certified music therapist.

AB1054,7,7 2. “Music therapy” includes, subject to par. (b), all of the following:

AB1054,7,10 a. Accepting referrals for music therapy services from medical, developmental, mental health, or education professionals; family members; clients; caregivers; or others involved and authorized with provision of client services.

AB1054,7,14 b. Conducting a music therapy assessment of a client to determine if treatment is indicated. If treatment is indicated, “music therapy” includes collecting systematic, comprehensive, and accurate information to determine the appropriateness and type of music therapy services to provide for the client.

AB1054,7,18 c. Developing an individualized music therapy treatment plan for the client that is based on the results of the music therapy assessment and that is consistent with any other developmental, rehabilitative, habilitative, medical, mental health, preventive, wellness care, or educational services being provided to the client.

AB1054,7,21 d. Evaluating the client's response to music therapy and the individualized music therapy treatment plan, documenting change and progress, and suggesting modifications, as appropriate.

AB1054,7,25 e. Developing a plan for determining when the provision of music therapy services is no longer needed in collaboration with the client, physician, or other provider of health care or education for the client, family members of the client, and any other appropriate person upon whom the client relies for support.

AB1054,8,3 (b) “Music therapy” does not include the screening, diagnosis, or assessment of any physical, mental, or communication disorder, except to the extent permitted by a license to practice psychotherapy granted under s. 440.966.

AB1054,8,7 440.961 License required. (1) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), no person may engage in the practice of music therapy, or attempt to do so or make a representation as authorized to do so, without a license issued by the department under this subchapter.

AB1054,8,9 (b) No license is required under this subchapter for any of the following, provided that the person does not violate sub. (2):

AB1054,8,12 1. A person lawfully practicing within the scope of a license, permit, registration, certificate, or certification granted by this state, including the use of music incidental to the person's practice.

AB1054,8,14 2. A person whose training and national certification attests to the person's preparation and ability to practice his or her certified profession or occupation.

AB1054,8,17 3. A person practicing music therapy as an integral part of a program of study for students enrolled in a music therapy program within an accredited college or university.

AB1054,8,19 4. A person who practices music therapy under the supervision of a music therapist.

AB1054,8,23 (2) No person may use the title “music therapist," “ licensed professional music therapist,” or any similar title, append to the person's name the letters “LPMT,” or state or imply that he or she is licensed to practice music therapy without a license issued by the department under this subchapter.

AB1054,8,25 440.962 Licensure of music therapists. (1) (d) The person does not have an arrest or conviction record, subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322, and 111.335.

AB1054,9,3 (e) The person holds a bachelor's degree or higher in music therapy, or its equivalent, including clinical training hours, from a music therapy program within an accredited college or university.

AB1054,9,9 (1m) Notwithstanding sub. (1), a person who, on the effective date of this subsection .... [LRB inserts date], was registered by the department as a music therapist under s. 440.03 (14) (a) 1., 2021 stats., and provides proof of current board certification as a music therapist by the Certification Board for Music Therapists shall be considered to have been licensed under sub. (1) for purposes of this subchapter.

AB1054,9,12 (2) A person who is licensed under sub. (1) shall notify the department in writing within 30 days if an organization specified in sub. (1) (a) revokes the person's board certification specified in sub. (1) (a).

AB1054,9,16 440.963 Registration of art therapists. (2) A person who is registered under sub. (1) shall notify the department in writing within 30 days if an organization specified in sub. (1) (a) revokes the person's certification, registration, or accreditation specified in sub. (1) (a).

AB1054,9,20 440.964 Registration of dance therapists. (2) A person who is registered under sub. (1) shall notify the department in writing within 30 days if an organization specified in sub. (1) (a) revokes the person's certification, registration, or accreditation specified in sub. (1) (a).

AB1054,9,21 440.965 (title) Renewal.

AB1054,9,22 440.966 Practice. (1) In this section:

AB1054,9,23 (a) “Audiologist” has the meaning given in s. 459.20 (1).

AB1054,9,24 (b) “Clinical social worker" has the meaning given in s. 457.01 (1r).

AB1054,9,25 (d) “Speech-language pathologist" has the meaning given in s. 459.20 (4).

AB1054,10,4 (2) Before a music therapist provides music therapy services to a client for an identified clinical or developmental need, the music therapist shall review the client's diagnosis, treatment needs, and treatment plan with the health care providers involved in the client's care.

AB1054,10,9 (3) Before a music therapist provides music therapy services to a student for an identified educational need in a special education setting, the music therapist shall review with the student's individualized education program team the student's individualized family service plan or individualized education plan, including the student's diagnosis, treatment needs, and treatment plan.

AB1054,10,17 (4) During the provision of music therapy services to a client, a music therapist shall collaborate, as applicable, with the client's treatment team, including the client's physician, psychologist, clinical social worker, or other mental health professional. During the provision of music therapy services to a client with a communication disorder, a music therapist shall collaborate and discuss the client's music therapy treatment plan with the client's audiologist or speech-language pathologist so that a music therapist may work with the client and address communication skills.

AB1054,10,22 (5) (a) When providing educational or health care services, a music therapist may not replace the services provided by an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist. Unless authorized to practice speech-language pathology under ch. 459, a music therapist may not evaluate, examine, instruct, or counsel on speech, language, communication, or swallowing disorders or conditions.

AB1054,10,24 (b) 1. A music therapist may not represent to the public that the individual is authorized to treat a communication disorder.

AB1054,11,3 2. Subdivision 1. does not prohibit a music therapist from representing to the public that he or she may work with clients who have a communication disorder and address communication skills.

AB1054,11,6 440.967 Disciplinary actions. (2) (a) The department shall revoke a license granted under s. 440.962 if an organization specified in s. 440.962 (1) (a) revokes the licensee's certification specified in s. 440.962 (1) (a).

AB1054,11,10 (b) The department shall revoke a certificate of registration granted under s. 440.963 or 440.964 if an organization specified in s. 440.963 (1) (a) or 440.964 (1) (a) revokes the registration holder's certification, registration, or accreditation specified in s. 440.963 (1) (a) or 440.964 (1) (a).

AB1054,11,14 (3) If the department revokes a person's license granted under s. 440.962 or certificate of registration granted under s. 440.963 (1) (a) or 440.964 (1) (a) and the person also holds a license granted under s. 440.966, the department shall also revoke that license.

AB1054,14 Section 14. 440.968 (title) and (2) of the statutes are created to read:

AB1054,11,16 440.968 (title) Rules.

AB1054,11,19 (2) The department may, with the advice of the music therapy examining council, promulgate any rules governing music therapists and the practice of music therapy that are necessary to implement this chapter.

AB1054,15 Section 15. 440.9685 of the statutes is created to read:

AB1054,11,24 440.9685 Music therapy examining council. The music therapy examining council shall guide, advise, and make recommendations to the department regarding the licensure of music therapists, the practice of music therapy, and the promulgation of rules under s. 440.968 (2).

AB1054,16 Section 16. 457.02 (6) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB1054,12,3 457.02 (6) (b) 1. The person is registered as a music, an art, or dance therapist under s. 440.03 (14) (a) 440.963 or 440.964 and the person holds a valid license granted by the department under s. 440.03 (14) (am) 440.966.