Senator Mark Koran (R–North Branch) today introduced legislation aimed at increasing access to critical mental health services across Minnesota. Senate File 4746 would make it easier for qualified, licensed marriage and family therapists from other states to obtain a Minnesota license.
“Minnesota is facing a shortage of marriage and family therapists. One of the barriers is difficulties licensing therapists from other states when coming to Minnesota,” said Sen. Koran. “This bill creates an opportunity to increase accessibility to critical services needed within the state without lowering our standards,” said Sen. Koran.
Currently, 14 other states, including neighboring Iowa, have adopted similar licensure portability standards. SF 4746 would update Minnesota’s Marriage and Family Therapy licensure by reciprocity law by eliminating the current five-year waiting period and removing the “equivalent or substantially similar experience” requirement that often blocks qualified applicants.
Leah Seeger, a licensed marriage and family therapist and President of the Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, testified in support of the bill.
“Licensure portability is a more practical approach that allows Minnesota to maintain full oversight of licensure standards while reducing the barriers for qualified providers,” said Seeger. “This proposal does not lower Minnesota’s standards.”
Senator Melissa Wiklund (D–Bloomington), Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, offered bipartisan support.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve access to mental health here in Minnesota,” said Sen. Wiklund. “So this seems like a practical step we can take.”
The Minnesota Mental Health Legislative Network, which represents 40 mental health and professional organizations across the state, also supports the proposal.
The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the Health and Human Services omnibus bill.