The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7081, aims to enhance licensure portability for marriage and family therapists by allowing the Department of Public Health to grant licensure without examination to applicants who are already licensed or certified in other states, territories, or commonwealths, provided that those jurisdictions maintain equivalent or higher standards. The bill repeals and replaces Section 20-195c of the general statutes, which outlines the requirements for licensure as a marital and family therapist and a marital and family therapist associate. Key requirements for licensure include completion of a relevant graduate degree, supervised practicum or internship, a specified amount of postgraduate experience, and passing an examination. The bill also establishes fees for initial applications and renewals.

Additionally, the bill introduces a provision allowing individuals who have recently completed a graduate degree or postgraduate clinical training program to practice marital and family therapy for up to 120 days under supervision. It modifies the renewal process for licenses, specifying different expiration timelines and renewal limits based on the date of issuance. The bill also emphasizes the importance of continuing education, including training on cultural competency and mental health conditions common to veterans. Overall, the legislation seeks to streamline the licensure process for marriage and family therapists while ensuring that they meet necessary professional standards.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 20-195c