State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists - Authority to Issue Limited Licenses to Practice Music Therapy
SB 88 creates a limited license for music therapists in Maryland who are completing full licensure requirements. It allows the State Board of Examiners to issue these licenses to applicants who meet education standards (including American Music Therapy Association certification), pay fees, and practice under supervision of a fully licensed music therapist. The limited license is valid for one year, renewable once, but expires if full licensure isn't obtained within two years. This does not replace existing services by audiologists or speech-language pathologists, and the practice of music therapy is defined as using music-based interventions within a therapeutic relationship. The bill directly affects aspiring music therapists seeking licensure and the State Board of Examiners.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Sep 9, 2025
Signed Apr 14, 2026
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First - State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists - Authority to Issue Limited Licenses to Practice Music Therapy
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Third - State Board of Examiners for Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Music Therapists - Authority to Issue Limited Licenses to Practice Music Therapy
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2 edits
MINOR
This bill updates the formatting and organization of the Health Occupations article, moving the definition of 'Board certified music therapist' to a new section number. It also adds a note explaining that underlining indicates amendments to the bill. No substantive policy changes regarding licensing requirements, eligibility, or practice definitions were made.
TECHNICAL
Reorganized the bill structure by adding a new article header and section number (2-4A-01) and renumbering subsequent definitions.
Inserted a note clarifying that underlining in the text indicates amendments to the bill.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 9, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 17, 2026
How they voted
46–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 49
Feb 9, 2026
D
Democratic36
91% Yea
R
Republican13
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
10
Committee
6
Apr 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 31
executive
Apr 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Health
lower
Mar 17, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (134-0-8)
house of delegates
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
Referred Health
lower
Feb 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Adopted
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable Report by Finance
upper
Feb 9, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-0-3)
senate
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
First Reading Finance
upper
Sep 9, 2025
Introduced
Pre-filed
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Dawn Gile
DDemocratic
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