STATEHOUSE — State Representative Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville) authored House Bill (HB) 1051, which passed out of the House today. HB 1051 deals with music therapy credentials and passed with an 81 to 14 vote. “This bill provides that anyone who professes to be a certified music therapist must hold and maintain credentialing administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists,” said Rep. Crouch. “CBMT is the only organization that certifies music therapists to practice nationally.”Music therapy entered the national spotlight following the attack on Congresswoman Gabby Gifford. Congresswoman Gifford, who was shot in the head injuring her brain, learned to speak again through song. According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy supports the effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings. “My goal is to protect the practice of music therapy and the CBMT credential. HB 1051 ensures that music therapy service providers in Indiana will be conducted by professionals who are qualified and credentialed,” said Rep. Crouch. “The bill seeks to prevent a potentially harmful situation where an employer could hire an unqualified or untrained staff member that simply claimed to be a music therapist.” It will now be sent to the Senate for further discussion. Senator Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) is the Senate co-sponsor. -30-
Rep. Crouch (R-Evansville) represents portions of Vanderburgh and Warrick counties |
