Cerrato Therapist Licensing Bill Passes PA House

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —State Rep. Melissa Cerrato's bill expanding the licensing of marriage and family therapists has received approval from the PA Senate.

Cerrato told Patch Friday that the bill passed the House in December, and passed the Senate on Wednesday. But since it had a minor amendment, the bill bounces back to the House for concurrence when state representatives reconvene in March.

If it passes there, it'll go to Gov. Josh Shapiro to sign into law, she said.

On Monday, Cerrato presented her bill at a Senate licensure committee meeting before it passed out of the committee and was then approved in a 45-5 vote on the full Senate floor on Wednesday.

"This week, I was proud to vote yes on my friend Rep. Melissa Cerrato's HB1564 in committee and on the Senate floor," Sen. Maria Collett said. "This legislation will help us increase access to mental health and counseling services."

The bill's purpose aligns with the recommendations of the Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health, which I was honored to serve on, Collett said.

"While I look forward to working with my colleagues to re-dedicate the $100 million in identified funding priorities recommended by that Commission, I am proud to see this bipartisan legislation move one step closer to the Governor's desk," she said.

The bill would create an associate license for marriage and family therapists and counselors.

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's 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.

Cerrato recently met with Patch to reflect on her first year as state representative of the 151st Legislative District, which includes Horsham Township, Upper Dublin Township, Ambler, and Montgomery Township.