The second state to file Access MFTs legislation for 2026 is Rhode Island! With nine co-sponsors, the clear support for portability for MFTs has never been clearer! H7064 was introduced by Representatives Shallcross Smith, Bennett, Fogarty, McNamara, Perez, Carson, Casimiro, Azzinaro, Donovan, and Fellela. After a quick turnaround, H7064 was heard by the Rhode Island House Committee on Corporations on January 20th. All testimony provided was in support of the legislation, and the bill was held for further study.
In addition to enhancing the portability process, H7064 will also make changes to the initial licensure process for marriage and family therapists. It will reduce the hours of post-graduate experience from 2,000 direct client contact hours to 1,500, as well as require 300 hours of supervision to be conducted with families or couples. These changes will ensure that Rhode Island's initial licensure standards align with national norms. Protecting the specialty of the marriage and family therapy profession is an important facet of enhancing portability across the country.