A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish the study committee on music therapy licensure.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  Creation. – There is created the Study Committee on Music Therapy Licensure. The Committee shall consist of eight members to be appointed as follows:
(1)	Four members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2)	Four members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
SECTION 1.(b)  Cochairs. – The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one representative to serve as cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one senator to serve as cochair. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the same appointing authority making the initial appointment.
SECTION 1.(c)  Powers. – The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Committee may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. The Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
SECTION 1.(d)  Staffing. – The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The Directors of Legislative Assistants of the Senate and of the House of Representatives shall assign clerical staff to the Committee, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. Members of the Committee shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate.
SECTION 1.(e)  Duties. – The Committee shall study the regulation of persons offering music therapy services to the public and make recommendations to the General Assembly on licensure of music therapists. In developing its recommendations, the Committee shall examine at least all of the following:
(1)	Consistent standards and requirements for licensing individuals who seek to practice as music therapists.
(2)	Academic programs in the State that currently offer degrees in music therapy.
(3)	Employment of music therapy professionals in the State.
(4)	Reports of unprofessional, invasive, and poor quality treatment from some individuals offering music therapy services.
(5)	Protection for employers and consumers against unqualified individuals who offer music therapy services and against the risk of application of contraindicated procedures that could harm consumers.
(6)	Establishment of a code of ethics and a State regulatory agency to which consumers can report grievances.
SECTION 1.(f)  Report. – The Committee shall submit a final report, including any proposed legislation, to the 2013 General Assembly when it reconvenes in 2014. The Committee shall terminate upon filing its final report or upon the adjournment sine die of the 2013 General Assembly, whichever is earlier.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.