Step 2: Create your email/letter! 

Not sure what to say? Use this template!

Dear (insert your representative’s name and their legislative assistant),

My name is (insert name) and I am a resident of (insert street address and zip code), Minnesota. I am a (insert job title and population you work with).  

I am writing to request your support of the music therapy licensing bill, SF2975 

chief authored by Senator Lindsey Port and HF4471, chief authored by Representative Mike Freiberg. This bill would provide a license to all practicing, board-certified music therapists in Minnesota. Thus, protecting music therapy recipients by both ensuring they receive music therapy from a trained, qualified and certified music therapist, and by providing greater access to music therapy services.

Music therapists work hard to achieve and maintain our credentials and provide quality care to our service users. Unfortunately, our profession is not currently protected in Minnesota, which results in little to no consequences for those claiming to be music therapists without the required qualifications. Just as other professionals in the health-care industry (PT, OT, RN, CNA, etc.) require a license to practice in order to protect their service users and ensure qualified care, the Music Therapy Task Force of Minnesota is demanding the same standards of protection through state licensure.

Why are we asking for your support in House Bill 4471 and Senate Bill 2975.

To Allow Minnesotans to more easily access our service.

• States outline qualifications for employment and inclusion in state programs. 

• State licensure will help ensure that Minnesotans have access to music therapy services by personnel who are trained, equipped, and held to high standards of ethics and professional practice, in addition to demonstrating competency through board certification and continuing education activities.

To Avoid confusion between adjacent practitioners.

• Official state recognition of the MT-BC credential will help healthcare facilities (which rely upon state regulations) address the confusion regarding the difference between music therapists, music practitioners, music thanatologists, and other non-music therapy musicians in healthcare.

To Protect consumers and the government

• Ensures protection for the public by requiring individuals to meet national standards if individuals present themselves as music therapists.

To Adhere to state regulations often required of official state licensure

• In programs with state oversight such as special education, Medicaid waiver funding, and even private insurance, regulations often require a form of official recognition of a credential in order to support professional services.

Together, we can secure licensure and ensure the unique, evidence-based, and valuable service of music therapy is recognized and accessible for all Minnesotans. 

I look forward to hearing of your support!

Sincerely,

ENTER YOUR NAME

Enter your district

Step 4: Follow-up with your representative accordingly to support them more! 

***Email the task force (minntaskforce@gmail.com) at any time for additional support.***