SCS SB 482 -- MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPISTS

SPONSOR:  Gibbons (Bearden)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 9 to 0.

This substitute revises the definition of "marital and family
therapy" to include diagnosing marital, family, and individual
behavior within the context of marital and family systems.
Additional educational requirements in diagnostic systems and
supervised diagnosis are specified, and continuing education
requirements are established.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and
FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill authorizes marital and
family therapists to do what they are currently doing.  The
statutes say that these therapists can evaluate, assess, and
treat; but they can't do these without diagnosing.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Gibbons; Tom Conran; and Dr.
Craig Smith.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:22 am