Blogs

AB 450 Unanimously Passes Nevada Assembly, Heads to the Senate Next

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-18-2025
On April 17th, AB 450 passed unanimously on the floor of the Nevada Assembly, marking another major win for the Access MFTs initiative. This unanimous vote underscores strong bipartisan support for making it easier for qualified MFTs to practice across state lines. The Assembly’s endorsement brings AB 450 one step closer to becoming law and reflects an increasing awareness among lawmakers of the urgent need to bolster the mental health workforce. This progress would not have been possible without the dedication and voices of MFTs Ashia McReynolds and Dr. Domonique Rice. We are especially grateful to both for taking the time to testify and share their ...

Arkansas HB 1187 Unanimously Passes Arkansas Senate: Awaits Governor's Signature

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-14-2025
On April 14th, the Arkansas Senate voted unanimously to pass HB 1187 . This marks the final legislative hurdle for the bill, which now heads to the Governor for signature. With this action, Arkansas moves one step closer to becoming the next state to adopt our strategic portability model. The unanimous vote reflects the widespread, bipartisan support for modernizing licensure processes for MFTs. We are proud of the advocacy efforts led by AAMFT and the MFTs who lent their voices throughout the legislative process. Their dedication ensured the bill stayed on track and gained strong momentum in both chambers. We now await the Governor’s signature, officially ...

Arkansas HB 1187 Clears Senate Committee, Nears Final Vote

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-09-2025
On April 9th, HB 1187 was heard by the Arkansas Senate Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee. Just as they did in the House, AAMFT staff and MFTs Dr. Kelly Roberts and Dr. Becky Whetstone provided expert testimony highlighting the bill’s value to the profession and public health infrastructure. The continued presence of dedicated advocates like Drs. Roberts and Whetstone made a meaningful impact. Following the hearing, HB 1187 successfully passed out of committee. The bill now advances to the full Senate for a floor vote, bringing us closer to seeing licensure portability enacted in Arkansas. We are proud of the collaborative efforts of ...

LB 257 Advances to Select File: Nebraska Moves Closer to Licensure Portability

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-08-2025
On April 8th, LB 257 reached its next legislative milestone by being placed on the Select File in Nebraska’s unicameral legislature. This is the second stage of floor debate, where senators have an opportunity to discuss, amend, and vote on the bill. The successful placement on the Select File shows continued legislative interest and momentum for our strategic portability model. Following a favorable vote in this stage, the bill will be scheduled for final reading—the last step before heading to the Governor. With each stage passed, we grow more optimistic about the potential for LB 257 to become law. Enacting this bill would make Nebraska a leader ...

West Virginia Enacts SB 458: Boosting Licensure Portability and Access to Services

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-08-2025
On April 7, 2025, Governor Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 458 into law, advancing licensure portability in West Virginia. This legislation allows professionals licensed in other states to practice in West Virginia, supporting the state’s efforts to attract qualified professionals and reduce bureaucratic barriers, which contributes to enhancing residents' access to essential services. While West Virginia was not a part of this year's Access MFTs initiative, its passage aligns with the broader goals of the initiative, which advocates for the expansion of licensure portability for MFTs. SB 458 is a significant step in the right direction, reflecting a growing ...

HB 727 Introduced in North Carolina: Legislative Journey Begins

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-03-2025
On April 3rd, House Bill 727 was introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly, sponsored by Representatives Reeder, Blackwell, Wheatley, Gable, and Ward. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Health for further consideration. AAMFT will continue to collaborate closely with lawmakers and the North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy to advance this important legislation. Stay tuned for updates as HB 727 progresses through the legislative process.

HB 1187 Passes Arkansas House with Overwhelming Support

By Portability AAMFT posted 04-01-2025
We are thrilled to share that HB 1187 passed the Arkansas House of Representatives on April 1st with overwhelming support. The final vote was 94 to 1, signaling strong bipartisan recognition of the value and necessity of licensure portability for MFTs. House members recognized the bill’s importance in addressing workforce shortages and improving access to mental health care in Arkansas. The successful House floor vote moves HB 1187 closer to becoming law. The bill now advances to the Arkansas Senate, where it will be assigned to a committee for further review. We will continue engaging with stakeholders to maintain this strong momentum. We thank all ...

AB 450 Clears Committee: Nevada Assembly Next

By Portability AAMFT posted 03-31-2025
On March 31st, the Nevada Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor heard AB 450 . AAMFT staff presented testimony explaining the structure and benefits of our strategic portability model. At the same time, MFTs Ashia McReynolds and Dr. Domonique Rice provided moving personal testimony supporting the bill. We appreciate Ashia and Dr. Rice traveling to Las Vegas to testify in person. Their testimony gave the bill both professional weight and personal resonance, demonstrating the real-world impact of portability legislation. Following the hearing, AB 450 received strong committee support and was passed out of the Assembly Committee on April 2nd. We thank ...

Arkansas HB 1187 Passes State Agencies and Governmental Affairs House Committee

By Portability AAMFT posted 03-31-2025
On March 31st, Arkansas House Bill 1187 was heard by the State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee. During the hearing, AAMFT staff were joined by MFTs Dr. Kelly Roberts and Dr. Becky Whetstone, who provided strong and persuasive testimony on the urgent need for licensure portability. Their testimonies highlighted the challenges professionals face in moving to Arkansas and how the lack of portability can hinder timely access to care. These real-world examples helped committee members fully understand the impact this bill could have on both MFTs and the public they serve. Thanks to the strength of their testimony and broad support for the measure, ...

LB 257 Passes General File in Nebraska: Licensure Portability Nears Final Approval

By Portability AAMFT posted 03-18-2025
On March 18th, Nebraska’s LB 257 was placed on the General File, the first stage of legislative debate in the unicameral chamber. We are thrilled to report that the bill was successfully passed through this stage, a critical moment in the legislative journey. Passage from the General File means that the bill has passed its first-floor debate and now enters the final stretch of the legislative process. This success underscores the strong support for licensure portability. We’re grateful to the Nebraska legislators who supported the bill and to the Nebraska Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, which has stayed engaged throughout the process. ...

Access MFTs Bill Filed In Nevada

By Portability AAMFT posted 03-17-2025
On March 17th, Nevada took a significant step toward advancing licensure portability for MFTs with the introduction of Assembly Bill 450 . Sponsored by Assemblymember Elaine Marzola, the bill was referred to the Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor for consideration. We are grateful to Assemblymember Marzola for championing this important legislation and for recognizing the value of removing barriers to practice across state lines. AAMFT will continue working with Nevada stakeholders and lawmakers to support the bill as it progresses. Please continue to check back in for updates as AB 450 progresses through the Nevada legislature.

Connecticut HB 7081 Favorably Reported Out of Committee, Moves Toward Floor Votes

By Portability AAMFT posted 03-05-2025
On March 5th, Connecticut's Joint Public Health Committee took another significant step toward MFT licensure portability by favorably reporting out HB 7081 . This action moves the bill forward in the legislative process, signaling strong support for reducing barriers to MFT licensure in the state. Now, the bill awaits some administrative steps before heading to floor votes in both the House and Senate. This progress is a testament to the collaborative efforts of advocates, legislators, and MFTs who recognize the importance of making mental health services more accessible. With the bill advancing, Connecticut is moving closer to implementing a streamlined licensure ...

HB 7081 Receives Strong Testimony in Connecticut Joint Committee Hearing

By Portability AAMFT posted 03-03-2025
On March 3rd, HB 7081 was presented to the Connecticut Joint Public Health Committee, marking a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance MFT licensure portability in the state. Jaime Rodriguez, LMFT, FamilyTEAM Lead for AAMFT, and Advocacy Chair for the Connecticut Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, delivered compelling testimony in support of the bill. She emphasized the importance of reducing licensure barriers for MFTs, highlighting how streamlined licensure can benefit both mental health professionals and their clients by ensuring continuity of care and minimizing treatment delays. Rodriguez also underscored how unnecessary administrative ...

Kentucky HB 79 Passes House Floor Vote Unanimously, Moves to Senate

By Portability AAMFT posted 02-27-2025
On February 27th, Kentucky’s HB 79 took another key step forward, passing its first-floor vote in the House unanimously. With this success, the bill now moves to the Senate, where it has been assigned to the Senate Licensing and Occupations Committee and awaits a hearing. This development marks an important advancement in ensuring that MFTs can move across state lines more seamlessly, increasing the availability of mental health services. The unanimous support highlights the widespread recognition of the need for licensure portability for MFTs in Kentucky. We will continue to monitor the bill’s progress and provide updates on its movement through the legislative ...

Kentucky HB 79 Passes House Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations Committee Unanimously

By Portability AAMFT posted 02-20-2025
Kentucky’s HB 79, which includes Access MFTs portability language, has made significant progress! Originally introduced last year and amended to include MFT portability provisions, the bill was reintroduced in 2025 with the portability language intact. On February 19th, HB 79 passed unanimously through the House Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations Committee. This milestone underscores strong bipartisan support for improving access to MFT services by making it easier for professionals to practice in Kentucky. By ensuring MFTs can provide care without unnecessary licensure hurdles, the bill helps address the growing demand for mental health ...

Connecticut’s Joint Public Health Committee Takes Up MFT Portability with HB 7081

By Portability AAMFT posted 02-10-2025
Exciting news from Connecticut! The joint House and Senate Public Health Committee has taken up the issue of MFT portability and introduced HB 7081 to address this critical need. The introduction of this bill marks a significant step forward in modernizing licensure laws to reflect the mobility required in today’s mental health workforce. Access MFTs has been working closely with stakeholders in Connecticut to advance legislation that will streamline the licensure process for MFTs, improving mobility for professionals and increasing access to mental health services. A more efficient licensure process will help MFTs fill gaps in care and support communities ...

LB 257 Gains Momentum in Nebraska: A Major Win for Licensure Portability

By Portability AAMFT posted 02-07-2025
On February 7th, LB 257 was heard in the Health and Human Services Committee of Nebraska’s unicameral legislature. AAMFT would like to express our deep appreciation to the Nebraska Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the MFTs who took time out of their schedules to attend the hearing, provide testimony, and answer questions from committee members. The MFTs who testified helped underscore the importance of reducing licensing barriers for qualified professionals relocating to Nebraska. Their stories and insights helped legislators understand the tangible benefits of licensure portability for both practitioners and the communities they serve. ...

Access MFTs Bill Filed In Arkansas

By Portability AAMFT posted 01-22-2025
AAMFT is pleased to share that on January 22nd, Representative Vaught officially introduced House Bill 1187 in Arkansas. This bill represents a critical step forward in our ongoing efforts to promote licensure portability for MFTs across the country. Upon introduction, the bill was referred to the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee for consideration. This legislation is modeled after our strategic portability framework, which is designed to ease the licensing process for qualified MFTs moving between states. This bill will benefit MFTs and enhance access to care for Arkansas residents, particularly in underserved or rural areas. ...

Nebraska Introduces LB 257: Advancing Licensure Portability for MFTs

By Portability AAMFT posted 01-14-2025
On January 14th, Nebraska took an exciting step toward improving licensure portability for MFTs with the introduction of LB 257 . Sponsored by Senator Quick, this bill was introduced to Nebraska’s unicameral legislature and referred to the Health and Human Services Committee for further consideration. LB 257 follows the Access MFTs strategic model, making it easier for qualified, licensed MFTs in other states to apply for licensure in Nebraska without redundant barriers. As states continue to address mental health provider shortages, simplifying licensure for experienced professionals is more important than ever. We thank Senator Quick for sponsoring ...

Nebraska Joins Phase 2 of Access MFTs

By Portability AAMFT posted 01-07-2025
We are excited to announce that Nebraska has joined Phase 2 of the Access MFTs initiative! As we continue our efforts to expand licensure portability, Nebraska is now among the states actively working toward solutions that will allow licensed MFTs to practice across state lines with greater ease. We look forward to collaborating with stakeholders in Nebraska to advance portability legislation and improve access to mental health care for individuals and families across the state. Stay tuned for updates as we move forward!