American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) are excited to announce that on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law SHB 1247. This bill creates a music therapy license within the Department of Health and establishes a Music Therapy Advisory Committee to assist the Department in matters concerning the license.
Please help us congratulate the current co-chairs of the Washington State Task Force, Megumi Azekawa and Evelyn Stagnaro, for their leadership over the years in promoting state recognition efforts and advocating for this legislation; current and former task force members Cecelia Bartosiewicz, Carlene Brown, Patti Catalano, John Heckel, Marissa Renella, and Wendy Woolsey; legislative consultants Peter Diedrick and Michael Moran for their support and counsel; all the professional and student music therapists in the state who attended Hill Day events, sent letters of support, and participated in advocacy efforts; and all the music therapists whose previous advocacy laid the foundation for this success.