State-level legislative and policy advocacy: An introduction and systemic review

Reviews the history and current structure of the organization of psychology at the state level and discusses the development of a state-level advocacy capacity for psychology. Because state laws that govern the practice of psychology vary significantly, and because it is the state's responsibility to regulate professional activity, the preponderance of legal issues affecting the practice of psychology are issues of state, not federal, law. Psychologists have become aware of the needs for systematic organization and advocacy at the state level on behalf of their profession. This has involved an expansion in the scope of the state psychological associations' (SPA's) activity to provide advocacy in the legislative and policymaking arenas. Presently, the mission of the American Psychological Association's State Associations Program has expanded to provide consultations and technical assistance to the SPAs about a wide range of organization, administrative, governance, legislative, and policy advocacy issues. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).