01/28/2026

PCA Membership Announcements

PCA Membership Announcements

PCA Journal

The Journal of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association is currently accepting applications for
new journal reviews. If you are interested, please send an email with your attached CV or resume to pcajournal@gmail.com.

Government Relations Committee (GRC) Updates

This January, we have several critical legislative items that require your attention. From the long-awaited Counseling Compact to new regulations on AI in mental health, your voice is essential to ensuring the safety and professional integrity of counseling in Pennsylvania.

🚨 IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED: The Counseling Compact

The Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure (CPPL) Committee is scheduled to vote on the Counseling Compacts on February 4th. We need every PCA member to contact committee members now to ensure this passes.

• The Ask: Send a letter or email (see attached template) to members of the House Professional Licensure Committee and the Senate CPPL Committee.
• The Goal: Demonstrate overwhelming professional support for the Compact to allow for license portability and increased access to care.

Key Committee Contacts

Committee	Chair/Leadership	Key Members to Contact
Senate CPPL	Sen. Pat Stefano (R, Chair) pstefano@pasen.gov	Sens. Lisa Boscola (D Chair), Dawn Keefer, Michele Brooks boscola@pasenate.com dkeefer@pasen.gov mbrooks@pasen.gov
House Professional Licensure	Rep. Frank Burns (D, Chair) fburns@pahouse.net	Reps. Joe Emrick (R Chair) jemrick@pahousegop.com

 

🤖 AI in Mental Health: New Safety Legislation

We are closely monitoring and supporting two bills aimed at regulating Artificial Intelligence as it enters the mental health space.

HB 2006: AI in Companionship Applications Safety Act

Introduced by Rep. Melissa Shusterman, this bill addresses "companion chatbots" that users may engage with for long periods.

• Safety Protocols: Mandates detection of suicidal ideation and automatic referral to crisis centers.
• Transparency: Requires clear notifications that the chatbot is not human.
• Action Item: Contact the House Communications and Technology Committee (Chaired by Rep. Joe Ciresi - jciresi@pahouse.net) and urge a YES vote.

HB 1993: AI for Children

This bill focuses on regulating AI interactions specifically for minors to prevent harmful emotional dependence and ensure age-appropriate safety standards.

📋 National Voice: ACA Survey

The American Counseling Association (ACA) is seeking your feedback on the impact of AI on mental health at a national level.

• Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QBDGF2W
• Deadline: January 31st

🔍 General Advocacy & Watchlist

We continue to advocate for the following professional issues:

• Medicaid Billing: Securing the ability for LAPCs to bill Medicaid directly.
• LAPC to LPC Transition: Addressing continuity of care issues during the licensure transition.
• Supervision: Enhancing and clarifying supervision standards for new counselors.

Other Bills We’re Watching:

• SB 680 (Non-Compete Clauses): Sen. Mastriano’s bill to ban non-compete clauses for healthcare professionals. (Current Status: Awaiting update).
• HB 66 (SWEET Act): Rep. Howard’s bill seeking funding for counselor internship training to help alleviate worker shortages.

Note: When contacting legislators, please be professional, concise, and share how these bills personally impact your ability to provide care to Pennsylvanians.

As always, please feel free to reach out to the GRC at advocacy.pca@gmail.com for questions or support! 

DIVISION NEWS

PASERVIC hosts a monthly, peer-to-peer Grounding Support Group for PCA members. This group meets on the third Friday of each month at 9:00 am (dates listed below). GSG is free for all members of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association. Please email Frederick Clemens Pratt, LPC, ACS at pca.paservic@gmail.com for more information or to register. 

An email with a Zoom link will be sent to registrants through a Google Calendar invitation.

2026: February 20, March 20, April 17, May 15