THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY ROEBUCK, YOUNGBLOOD, BROWN, CALTAGIRONE, JOHNSON, KOTIK, KULA, MUSTIO, PASHINSKI, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH AND THOMAS, MAY 11, 2010

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 11, 2010  

AN ACT

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An

act relating to the public school system, including certain

provisions applicable as well to private and parochial

schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the

laws relating thereto," providing for marriage and family

therapists.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known

as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a

section to read:

Section 1107.1.  Marriage and Family Therapists.--(a)  A

school entity may employ marriage and family therapists to

provide marriage and family therapy services if the individual

meets the licensing qualifications set forth in the act of July

9, 1987 (P.L.220, No.39), known as the "Social Workers, Marriage

and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act."

(b)  A school marriage and family therapist performing

marriage and family therapy services in a school entity may work

under the supervision of a superintendent, assistant

superintendent or other school administrator or employe as

determined by the school entity.

(c)  As used in this section, the following words and phrases

shall have the meanings given to them in this section:

"Marriage and family therapy services" shall mean the

professional application of psychotherapeutic and family systems

theories and techniques to the evaluation, assessment and

treatment of mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive,

affective or behavioral. The term includes the evaluation and

assessment of mental and emotional disorders in the context of

significant interpersonal relationships and the delivery of

psychotherapeutic services to individuals, couples, families and

groups for the purpose of treating such disorders.

"School entity" shall mean any public school district,

intermediate unit, charter school or area vocational-technical

school.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.