Relates to the profession of occupational therapy

BILL NUMBER:S7175

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the profession of occupational therapy

Purpose

The bill amends Article 156 of Title VIII of the education law, regarding occupational therapy. The licensing and regulation of occupational therapy practice was established in 1975.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends article 156 of the education law as follows:

Section 7905 is amended to allow an individual with a limited permit to practice as an occupational therapy assistant for a full year, under direct supervision, while attempting to pass the licensure exam.

Section 7906 is amended regarding the exemption for students training to become an occupational therapy assistant, to practice occupational therapy under the direction and supervision of an occupational therapy assistant who is authorized to practice in the state, and who is also under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.

Section 4 provides for severability.

Section 5 provides an effective date of ninety days.

Justification

The practice of the occupational therapy assistant has been authorized through the exemption section 7906, as well as by standards developed by the commissioner, including education, examination and character. These standards now include the requirement that in order to practice as an occupational therapy assistant the individual must pass an examination approved by the department. This legislation would allow that individual to receive a limited permit to practice.

Section 7906 is amended regarding the exemption for students training to become an occupational therapy assistant to allow an occupational therapy assistant to supervise that student, while the occupational therapy assistant is under the supervision of an occupational therapist. Occupational therapy assistants have been utilized in the profession as supervisors of occupational therapy assistant students, as part of the student's education and training. The use of occupational therapy assistants provides much needed clinical supervision sites for the educational programs in this State. The occupational therapy assistant as a supervisor provides valuable feedback, role-modeling and instruction to the student about the practice of an occupational therapy assistant.

Legislative history

New legislation.

Fiscal implication

Licensure fees collected by the State Education Department support the regulation of these professionals.

Effective date

Ninety days after it shall become law.