Hypnotist Certification Law
for the State of Indiana
This page is part of a train of pages detailing the history of and my opinion (rant) of the "Hypnotist Certification Law", which is linked at the bottom of this page. The law was signed by governor Frank O'Bannon in 1997 after being vetoed by former governor Evan Bayh in 1996.
After reading about this law in a Associated Press news article in August 2000, I wrote a letter to my state senator Beverly Gard, state representative Bob Cherry, Governor Frank O'Bannon, editor of The Indianapolis Star, and the editor of the (Greenfield) Daily Reporter.
Of the people who received that first letter, the only response I received was from our gracious State Senator, Beverly Gard. She took the time to write and help us along in our endeavor to understand the bureaucratic mind. Thanks to Mrs. Gard for taking the time to write.
Read State Senator Beverly Gard's reply to my rant!
It should be pointed out that however distasteful regulation may be, (that is my kind way of saying that it is a dumb law) that this law only covers those who wish to lay claim to the title of "Certified Hypnotist". It does not attempt to license those who may practice hypnosis or meditation, according to the above letter from State Senator Gard.
Those of us who lay claim to be LAN Administrator or such in the computer business cannot claim to be Microsoft certified unless we have passed the tests involved. So on that basis, I could accept the law for what is stated in the Senator's letter. However, as with all dumb laws, things aren't always what they seem.
Sure enough, in the Sunday September 30, 2001 Indianapolis Star newspaper, a news piece from the Associated Press gave details of 2 "Self Professed hypnotists" being charged, " ...with professing to be a hypnotist without being certified, a Class B misdemeanor carrying a maximum 180-day jail term."
Apparently these 2 gentlemen were going to conduct a hypnosis weight-loss and smoking-cessation seminar. According to the article again, "..was not certified as a hypnotist, which is required by Indiana law." This is not the way our good State Senator Gard and myself see this law. So off with another rant to the good Senator.
Read Pete's 2nd letter to State Senator Beverly Gard!
At this time, the senator has not responded to the 2nd letter. If and when she does I will post the reply here.
You may or may not agree with my assessment of this law but whatever your thoughts, remember that "Dissent" is the glue of a free people. We must always have a dialogue concerning our disagreements to keep one group from having a lock on our lives. I normally disagree with at least 75% of the cases filed by the ACLU and the local chapter, the ICLU, but feel that we must support their cause where we can afford to. Their work in important in helping to promote and protect freedom for everyone.
If your area of the world has laws governing the practice of hypnotism, please send us a copy to post on our web.
Click here to read the Indiana law on the certification of hypnotists. "Professions and Occupations", pages 189, 190, 191.
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Hypnosis and Relaxation