Winter 2010 issue
NEW JERSEY TASK FORCE ON OCCUPATIONAL REGULATION
Kathy Murphy, PhD, MT-BC, FAMI, LPC, LCAT
The New Jersey Task Force (NJSTF) will continue its work to gain official state recognition of music therapy. Members of the task force are: David Ramsey, Kristen O’Grady, Leah Oswanski, Carol Ann Blank and student member Suzanne Kobb. We would to thank MAR, AMTA and CBMT for their continued support of our work, and for agreeing to renew Patrick Stewart’s contract for 2010.
There are several administration changes that have occurred since the inauguration of Governor Chris Christie. Therefore, our first order of business will be to meet with the new commissioners and/or their designee in the Department of Education and to develop a relationship with the Governor’s administration. There were also several changes in leadership in the NJ Legislature. Senator Steven Sweeney is the new Senate President. So far, he has been supportive of music therapy and our efforts to gain state recognition. Senator Sweeney appointed Senator Teresa Ruiz as chair of the Senate Education Committee, and Senator Loretta Weinburg as chair of the Senate Health and Senior Services Committee. We have not met with either of these senators in the past, but will reach out to them in the New Year. We will need their support as we move forward with state recognition. Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver is the new Speaker of the NJ Assembly. She is a music therapy supporter and we expect that will continue. To date, there have not been any committee leadership changes in the NJ Assembly that will affect our work. Assemblyman Prieto will retain his chairmanship of the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee and continues to support our efforts towards state recognition.
Update on State Recognition
We are still waiting to see the proposed compromise language for MT Licensure Bill that was drafted last summer. Once the new bill is drafted, it will be shared with the NJ music therapists for review and feedback. The task force will hold meetings throughout the state to answer any questions. If you have not already done so, please sign on the NJAMT and MAR listserves. You can also send an e-mail to: njtaskforce@yahoo.com an you will be added to the task force’s e-mail list.
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