Pennsylvania · 2025-2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 1853: An Act amending the act of July 9, 1987 (P.L.220, No.39), known as the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act, further providing for legislative intent, for definitions, for license required, for State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, for powers and functions of board, for qualifications for license, for procedures for licensing, for reciprocity, for endorsement of out-of-State licenses and for reinstatement of license; providing for restrictions on use of title "Licensed Recreational Therapist"; and further providing for penalties, for license renewal and records and fees and for unlawful practice.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 1853 is a bill introduced in the Pennsylvania House on September 9, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: An Act amending the act of July 9, 1987 (P.L.220, No.39), known as the Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act, further providing for legislative intent, for definitions, for license required, for State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, for powers and functions of board, for qualifications for license, for procedures for licensing, for reciprocity, for endorsement of out-of-State licenses and for reinstatement of license; providing for restrictions on use of title "Licensed Recreational Therapist"; and further providing for penalties, for license renewal and records and fees and for unlawful practice. Primary sponsor: Melissa Shusterman (Democratic). It lists 12 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (September 9, 2025): Referred to Professional Licensure.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 13
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa Shusterman | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 157 |
| Lisa Borowski | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 168 |
| Heather Boyd | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 163 |
| Mary Jo Daley | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 148 |
| Kyle Donahue | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 113 |
| Roni Green | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 190 |
| Nancy Guenst | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 152 |
| Carol Hill-Evans | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 95 |
| Malcolm Kenyatta | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 181 |
| Chris Pielli | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 156 |
| Nikki Rivera | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 96 |
| Ben Sanchez | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 153 |
| Dan Williams | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 74 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Referred to Professional Licensure