New Jersey § 45:8b-90

§ 45:8b-90.

As used in this act: “ Board ” means the State Board of Creative Arts Therapies established in section 4 of P.L.2019, c. 273 ( C.45:8B-71 ). “ Board certified music therapist ” means an individual who has completed the education and clinical training requirements

established by the American Music Therapy Association, has passed the Certification

Board for Music Therapists certification examination or transitioned into board certification,

and remains actively certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. “ Licensed professional music therapist ” means an individual who holds a current, valid license issued pursuant to section

8 of this act. “ Music therapist ” means any person licensed to practice music therapy pursuant to the provisions of

this act. “ Music therapy ” means the clinical and evidence based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized

goals within a therapeutic relationship through an individualized music therapy treatment

plan for the client that identifies the goals, objectives, and potential strategies

of the music therapy services appropriate for the client using music therapy interventions,

which may include music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric

discussion, music and imagery, music performance, learning through music, and movement

to music. The practice of music therapy does not include the diagnosis of any physical, mental,

or communication disorder. This term may include: (1) accepting referrals for music therapy services from medical, developmental, mental

health or education professionals; family members; clients; or caregivers. Before providing music therapy services to a client for a medical, developmental,

or mental health condition, the licensed professional music therapist shall collaborate,

as applicable, with the client's physician, psychologist, licensed clinical social

worker, or other mental health professional to review the client's diagnosis, treatment

needs, and treatment plan. Before providing music therapy services to a client for a speech, language, voice,

fluency, cognitive-linguistic, or swallowing disorder the licensed professional music

therapist shall collaborate, as applicable, with the client's speech-language pathologist

or audiologist to review the client's diagnosis, treatment needs, and treatment plan. During the provision of music therapy services to a client, the licensed professional

music therapist shall collaborate, as applicable, with the client's physician, psychologist,

licensed clinical social worker, or other mental health professional. During the provision of music therapy services to a client for a speech, language,

voice, fluency, cognitive-linguistic, or swallowing disorder the licensed professional

music therapist shall collaborate, as applicable, with the client's speech-language

pathologist or audiologist; (2) conducting a music therapy assessment of a client to collect systematic, comprehensive,

and accurate information necessary to determine the appropriate type of music therapy

services to provide for the client; (3) developing an individualized music therapy treatment plan for the client; (4) carrying out an individualized music therapy treatment plan that is consistent

with any other medical, developmental, mental health, educational, or rehabilitation

services being provided to the client. When providing educational services a music therapist may not replace the services

typically provided by a speech-language specialist, and when providing rehabilitation

services a music therapist may not replace the services typically provided by a speech-language

pathologist; however, nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting a

music therapist from working with a client diagnosed with a communication disorder; (5) evaluating the client's response to music therapy and the individualized music

therapy treatment plan, and suggesting modifications, as appropriate; (6) developing a plan for determining when the provision of music therapy services

is no longer needed in collaboration with the client, any physician, or other provider

of health care or education of the client, any appropriate member of the family of

the client, and any other appropriate person upon whom the client relies for support; (7) minimizing any barriers so that the client may receive music therapy services

in the least restrictive environment; and (8) collaborating with and educating the client, and the family or caregiver of the

client, or any other appropriate person, about the needs of the client that are being

addressed in music therapy and the manner in which the music therapy addresses those

needs.