HB 2586

                                                PRINTER'S NO.     3477
                THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
                    HOUSE BILL
                    No. 2586
                                          Session of
                                            2026
INTRODUCED BY PASHINSKI, VENKAT, RIVERA, McNEILL, HOHENSTEIN,
   HOWARD, BOROWSKI AND GUENST, JUNE 1, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, JUNE 1, 2026
                               AN ACT
1 Prohibiting individuals from holding themselves out as music
2    therapists without holding a valid certification; and
3    imposing a penalty.
4    The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1.   Short title.
7    This act shall be known and may be cited as the Music Therapy
8 Practice Act.
9 Section 2.   Definitions.
10    The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
11 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
12 context clearly indicates otherwise:
13    "Music therapist."    An individual who is certified through
14 and holds a valid credential from the Certification Board for
15 Music Therapists, or a successor organization, to practice music
16 therapy.
17    "Music therapy."    The clinical and evidence-based use of
18 music interventions through a therapeutic relationship designed
1 to achieve personalized goals for individuals of all ages and
2 ability levels, to aid in developmental, rehabilitative,
3 habilitative, medical, mental health, preventive or educational
4 areas.
5 Section 3.      Prohibitions.
6    (a)    General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), an
7 individual who is not a music therapist may not:
8(1)   Hold oneself out as a music therapist or as being
9    certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, or
10    a successor organization, to practice music therapy.
11(2)   Use the initials "MT-BC" or any other words,
12    letters, abbreviations or insignia indicating or implying
13    that the individual is a music therapist.
14    (b)    Exception.--Subsection (a) does not prohibit an
15 individual from using music in the performance of the
16 individual's profession or occupation if the individual does not
17 engage in the prohibited conduct enumerated in subsection (a).
18 Section 4.      Penalty.
19    An individual who recklessly, knowingly or intentionally
20 violates section 3 is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third
21 degree.
22 Section 5.      Unfair trade practice.
23    A violation of this act shall be deemed to be an unfair or
24 deceptive act or practice in violation of the act of December
25 17, 1968 (P.L.1224, No.387), known as the Unfair Trade Practices
26 and Consumer Protection Law.
27 Section 6.      Effective date.
28    This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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