Cerrato Bill Gets Ceremonial Signing From Governor

EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA —Gov. Josh Shapiro held a ceremonial signing for State Rep. Melissa Cerrato, her family and friends, and her staff recently.

Cerrato's first bill —House Bill 1564 —was signed into law by the governor in Harrisburg.

"It was a pretty amazing moment to have my first (of many) bills get signed into law," said Cerrato, who represents the 151st Legislative District. "I was so fortunate to have two of my girls, my daddy, my incredible team, my friend John, my Senator/friend/roommate/mentor Maria, and so many amazing colleagues be there to help me celebrate."

The bill —amending the act of July 9, 1987 —is known as the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act.

"It provides definitions for license required, for State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, for powers and functions of board, for qualifications for license, for procedures for licensing, for reciprocity, for endorsement of out-of-State licenses and for reinstatement of license; providing for restrictions on use of title "Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist" and for restrictions on the use of title "Licensed Associate Professional Counselor"; further providing for license renewal and records and fees and for unlawful practice; and providing for effect of associate licensure."

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The first bill focused on the importance of helping families financially with home care services. A constituent had come to her office seeking to notarize divorce documents because the system didn't allow spouses to be reimbursed as caretakers for loved ones.

Her second bill focused on creating an associate license for marriage and family therapists and counselors. It passed the committee unanimously.

The credential enhances access to mental health services by increasing employment opportunities for new marriage and family therapists with a master’s and/or doctorate training who have yet to meet the 3,000 hours of clinical supervision required for full licensure as a licensed marriage and family therapist.

Cerrato serves 64,000 constituents in the 151st Legislative District, which includes Horsham Township, Ambler, Upper Dublin Township, and Montgomery Township.