HB464 Alabama 2013 Session

Sponsors

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Occupational Therapy, definition of occupational therapy, expands who may refer a patient for treatment, exempts certain occupational therapists from referral requirement, deletes requirement that Board of Medical Examiners jointly approve certain rules, provides for hire of an executive director, Secs. 34-39-3, 34-39-4, 34-39-5, 34-39-6, 34-39-7, 34-39-8, 34-39-11, 34-39-16 am'd.

Description

Under existing law, the Alabama State Occupational Therapy Practice Act governs the practice of occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy aides in the state.

This bill would provide further for the definition of occupational therapy.

This bill would include licensed assistants to a physician acting pursuant to a valid supervisory agreement, licensed certified registered nurse practitioners in a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed physician, and licensed psychologists among those persons permitted to refer a patient for occupational therapy treatment.

This bill would exempt occupational therapists performing services in a wellness or community setting from the referral requirement.

This bill would allow a licensee to include academic credentials with license acronyms.

This bill would increase the number of consecutive terms a board member may serve from two to three.

This bill would provide for the employment and compensation of an executive director.

This bill would delete certain requirements for degree or certificate conferral.

This bill would provide for the revocation of an active limited permit upon failure of the permit holder to pass the qualifying examination.

This bill would allow the executive director, at the request of the secretary of the board, to mail a copy of a complaint to the accused.

This bill would also make certain technical corrections.

To amend Sections 34-39-3, 34-39-4, 34-39-5, 34-39-6, 34-39-7, 34-39-8, 34-39-11, and 34-39-16, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the Alabama State Occupational Therapy Practice Act; to provide further for the definition of occupational therapy; to include licensed assistants to a physician acting pursuant to a valid supervisory agreement, licensed certified registered nurse practitioners in a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed physician, and licensed psychologists among those permitted to refer a patient for occupational therapy treatment; to exempt occupational therapists performing services in a wellness or community setting from the referral requirement; to allow a licensee to include academic credentials with license acronyms; to increase the number of consecutive terms a board member may serve from two to three; to provide for the employment and compensation of an executive director; to delete certain requirements for degree or certificate conferral; to provide for the revocation of an active limited permit upon failure of the permit holder to pass the qualifying examination; to allow the executive director, at the request of the secretary, to mail complaints; and to make certain technical corrections.

Subjects

Occupational Therapy Practice Act