H.B. No. 4557 establishes the Texas Art Therapy Board and regulates the practice of art therapy in Texas, requiring occupational licenses for art therapists. The bill amends the Occupations Code to increase the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council from nine to eleven members by adding a professional art therapist and a public member from the art therapy board. It introduces Chapter 508, the "Art Therapy Licensing and Practice Act," which defines key terms, outlines the practice of art therapy, and sets membership requirements for the board, which will consist of five members appointed by the governor, including three licensed professional art therapists, one healthcare professional, and one public representative.

The bill also sets forth new eligibility requirements for professional and associate art therapist licenses, including age, education, and supervised practice hours. It mandates continuing education for license renewal and establishes confidentiality for art therapy communications. Additionally, the bill outlines the supervision requirements for associate art therapists and includes provisions for disciplinary actions against violations. It amends existing laws to include licensed art therapists as mental health service providers and provides a grace period until September 1, 2026, for current practitioners to continue their work without a license.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 507.001, Occupations Code 507.051, Occupations Code 507.052, Occupations Code 507.053, Occupations Code 507.151, Occupations Code 507.153, Occupations Code 507.154, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 81.001, Occupations Code 503.310, Occupations Code 503.452, Occupations Code 503.303 (Civil Practice and Remedies Code 81, Occupations Code 507, Occupations Code 503)