HB480 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David FaulknerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

State Board of Occupational Therapy, board authorized to establish an impaird practitioner program for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, Sec. 34-39-12.1 added; Secs. 34-39-3, 34-39-7 am'd.

Summary

HB480 would authorize the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy to create an impaired practitioner program to identify, treat, and rehabilitate occupational therapists and assistants who are impaired.

What This Bill Does

It defines what counts as impaired and requires the board to establish an impaired practitioner program for OTs and OTAs, starting January 1, 2022. The board may form a Alabama Occupational Therapy Wellness Committee with nonprofits or medical associations to identify, refer to treatment, monitor, and support impaired practitioners. Committee activities and records are confidential and protected, with immunity from liability for participants and contracting entities. The board must notify current practitioners within 90 days of enactment and will adopt rules to implement the program and related licensure and conduct standards.

Who It Affects

• Occupational therapists (OTs) who may be impaired or at risk and could be identified, referred to treatment, monitored, or rehabilitated under the program.
• Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) who may be impaired or at risk and could be identified, referred to treatment, monitored, or rehabilitated under the program.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy to establish an impaired practitioner program for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.
• Defines impairment as the inability to practice with reasonable skill and safety due to illness, substance use, or other physical or mental conditions.
• Creates the Alabama Occupational Therapy Wellness Committee, which may be funded and contracted with nonprofit organizations or medical associations to identify, refer to treatment, monitor, and support impaired practitioners.
• Authorizes the committee to receive impairment reports, intervene in verified cases, refer to treatment programs, monitor rehabilitation, and provide post-treatment support.
• Provides confidentiality protections for committee records and information, and grants immunity from liability to committee members and contracting entities.
• Requires periodic reporting on the impaired practitioner program and annual committee reports to the board; allows the board to request evaluations of suspected impairment.
• Board must notify current practitioners within 90 days of enactment and must adopt rules to implement the program; the program is to begin January 1, 2022; the act becomes effective as specified.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Occupational Therapy, Alabama State Board of