2025–2026 Regular Session · House of Representatives 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 Last action September 9, 2025: Referred to Professional Licensure

Official bill page and text: palegis.us

Sponsors 13

Prime sponsor

Melissa Shusterman

Cosponsors (12)

Benjamin Sanchez, Carol Hill-Evans, Chris Pielli, Dan Williams, G. Roni Green, Heather Boyd, Kyle Donahue, Lisa Borowski, Malcolm Kenyatta, Mary Jo Daley, Nancy Guenst, Nikki Rivera

Status

In committee as of September 9, 2025. Session ends November 30, 2026; the 2027–2028 session begins in January 2027.

Roll-call votes 0

No roll-call votes recorded for this measure.

Timeline 1

Date	Chamber	Action
September 9, 2025	House	Referred to Professional Licensure

Data: Open States (API v3; public data, attribution appreciated), updated November 5, 2026. Official record: palegis.us. Bill pages link to the official text, not copied.