SB1595eng 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB1595 Engrossed LRB099 05976 HAF 26027 b

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Music Therapy Advisory Board Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Board" means the Music Therapy Advisory Board.

"Music therapist" means a person who is certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

"Music therapy" means the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals for people of all ages and ability levels within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. The music therapy interventions may include music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, singing, music performance, learning through music, music combined with other arts, music-assisted relaxation, music-based patient education, electronic music technology, adapted music intervention, and movement to music. The term "music therapy" does not include the diagnosis or assessment of any physical, mental, or communication disorder.

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Secretary" means the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation or his or her designee.

Section 10. Advisory board.

(a) There is created the Music Therapy Advisory Board within the Department. The Board shall consist of 10 members appointed by the Secretary. The Secretary shall make the appointments to the Board within 90 days after the effective date of this Act. The members of the Board shall represent different racial and ethnic backgrounds and have the qualifications as follows:

(1) three members who currently serve as music therapists in Cook County;

(2) one member who currently serves as a music therapist in DuPage, Kane, Lake, or Will County;

(3) one member who currently serves as a music therapist in Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Randolph, St. Clair, or Washington County;

(4) one member who currently serves as a music therapist in any other county in the State;

(5) one member who is a licensed psychologist in Illinois;

(6) one member who is a licensed social worker or counselor;

(7) one member who currently employs music therapists; and

(8) one representative of a community college, university, or educational institution that provides training to music therapists.

(b) In addition, the following persons may each appoint an ex officio, non-voting member of the Board: the Executive Director of the Illinois Community College Board, the Director of Children and Family Services, the Director of Aging, the Director of Public Health, the Director of Employment Security, the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Secretary of Human Services.

(c) The voting members of the Board shall select a chairperson from the voting members of the Board. The Board shall consult with additional experts as needed. Five members constitute a quorum. The Board shall hold its first meeting within 30 days after the appointment of members by the Secretary. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation. The Department shall provide administrative and staff support to the Board. The meetings of the Board are subject to the provisions of the Open Meetings Act.

(d) The Board shall consider the core competencies of a music therapist, including skills and areas of knowledge that are essential to bringing about music therapy services to communities by qualified individuals. As relating to music therapy services, the core competencies for effective music therapists may include, but are not limited to:

(1) materials to educate the public concerning music therapist licensure;

(2) the benefits of music therapy;

(3) the utilization of music therapy by individuals and in facilities or institutional settings;

(4) culturally competent communication and care;

(5) music therapy for behavior change;

(6) support from the American Music Therapy Association or any successor organization and the Certification Board for Music Therapists;

(7) clinical training; and

(8) education and continuing education requirements.

Section 15. Report.

(a) The Board shall develop a report with its recommendations regarding the certification process for music therapists. The report shall be completed no later than 12 months after the first meeting of the Board. The report shall be submitted to all members and ex officio members of the Board, the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives. The Department shall publish the report on its Internet website.

(b) The report shall at a minimum include the following:

(1) a summary of research regarding the best practices, curriculum, and training programs for designing a certification program in this State for music therapists, including a consideration of a multi-tiered education or training system, statewide certification, non-certification degree-based levels of certification, support from the American Music Therapy Association and Certification Board for Music Therapists, and the requirements for experience-based certification;

(2) recommendations regarding certification and renewal process for music therapists and a system of approval and accreditation for curriculum and training;

(3) recommendations for a proposed curriculum for music therapists that ensures the content, methodology, development, and delivery of any proposed program is appropriately based on cultural, geographic, and other specialty needs and also reflects relevant responsibilities for music therapists; and

(4) recommendations for best practices for reimbursement options and pathways through which secure funding for music therapists may be obtained.

(c) The Board shall advise the Department, the Governor, and the General Assembly on all matters that impact the effective work of music therapists.