Legislative intent.

(a) Marriage and family therapy in the State of Alabama is declared to be a professional practice which affects the public safety and welfare and requires appropriate regulation and control in the public interest.

(b) It is the intent of this chapter to establish a regulatory agency, structure, and procedures which will ensure that the public is protected from the unprofessional, improper, unauthorized, and unqualified practice of marriage and family therapy.

(Acts 1997, No. 97-170, p. 247, §2.)