Sponsors (2)
The bill expands veterans' access to supervised MFT services and eases VA hiring by allowing nationally AAMFT-approved supervisors without state authorization, at the cost of potential variation from state supervision standards and modest added administrative complexity and expense for the VA.
Veterans will have greater access to supervised marriage and family therapy (MFT) services because the VA can use nationally AAMFT-approved supervisors even when state supervisory authorization is absent.
VA health systems and clinics can hire from a larger pool of qualified MFT supervisors (national AAMFT-approved), helping reduce staffing shortages and hiring uncertainty for VA behavioral health services.
Qualified MFT staff and supervisors gain clearer federal eligibility criteria for VA roles, lowering administrative barriers and ambiguity when applying for VA supervisory positions.
Some veterans may receive supervision from providers who lack specific state supervisory authorization, producing variation in adherence to state-specific practice rules and potential inconsistencies in supervision quality.
The VA may face additional administrative complexity in verifying AAMFT approvals and reconciling differing supervision standards across states when managing supervisors.
Broader eligibility and the need for verification or alignment with state standards could produce modest increased administrative costs for the VA or taxpayers.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires VA MFT supervisors to meet existing qualifications and either have state supervisory authorization or be an AAMFT-approved supervisor.
Modifies the eligibility rules for hiring marriage and family therapists (MFTs) in the Veterans Health Administration who can provide clinical supervision. Appointees must meet existing MFT qualifications and either be authorized to provide clinical supervision in the State where they work or be designated as an approved supervisor by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).
Official title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish qualifications for the appointment of a person as a marriage and family therapist, qualified to provide clinical supervision, in the Veterans Health Administration.
Introduced January 23, 2025 by Julia Brownley · Last progress February 3, 2026