Article from Reason by Eric Boehm.
Based on a study that cites such potential dangers as the “sharp edges” on scissors and “toxic chemicals” in glue, state lawmakers in Virginia are on their way to approving a new licensing law to cover art therapists.
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The Virginia state Senate voted unanimously this week to approve the legislation, sending the bill to the state Assembly for further consideration. The bill would create a new license for art therapists, but it is largely silent on the requirements for obtaining such a license. Instead, the legislature intends to offload those details to a newly created board—a board that will be staffed primarily by practicing art therapists.
That’s a common practice when it comes to licensing laws. It’s also one of the primary reasons why occupational licensing limits job opportunities. Boards that are controlled by members of the industry they are supposed to regulate frequently become anti-competitive cartels more interested in limiting who can do certain types of work. The most egregious example is probably Louisiana’s ridiculous florist licensing board.
Art therapy is no more dangerous than arranging flowers. It’s a growing practice—one that is, sadly, already licensed in some form by 12 other states—that incorporates psychotherapy with artistic media, usually by having patients express themselves through art. Practitioners say it can help individuals cope with stress and keep mental disorders under control.
Read the entire article at Reason.
Image Credit: Craig from Richmond, Virginia`, United States [CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
wpDiscuz
Just more proof that Dems are village idiots.
What are they going to do about carving knives and forks and spoons and dinner knives ? Are we the people now going to have to have lic. to eat or have to eat with our hands. I suppose al srt work and home building will have to stop because saws can be make into knives and all woodworking tools the same. What idiot ever thought this up. You have to be careful how you point your finger because it look like a gun and now a six year old girl is a felon because she did that at school .
I Have a ‘Sick Child’ , Raised By 2 ‘Married Males’ , His ‘Real Mom’ Wants Compensation For the ‘Lost Child’ ‘she/he’ Never Knew ! Is There At Least ‘Someone’ Out There With Enough ‘Empathy’ They Will Send $ $ $ For a Worthy Cause ? Yours Truly , Down & Out in San Fran , Pelosi ‘for Prez , 2020’ ” on a Ticket With the Clinton’s ,’Bill & I Are closer Than You Think . . . Private Caribbean Island Anyone ?
There