Regulates occupational therapy assistants, state board for occupational therapy, license requirements and exceptions; repealer

2 Co-sponsors

• Kathleen A. Marchione
• Gustavo Rivera

BILL NUMBER:S1567A

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to occupational therapy assistants, the state board for occupational therapy, license requirements, and exceptions; and repealing certain provisions of such law relating thereto

Purpose

Codifies a definition and provides a procedure for the licensure of occupational therapy assistants; gives occupational therapy assistants representation on the Board of Occupational Therapy.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Adds a new section, 7902-a to the education law to provide a definition for the title "Occupational Therapy Assistant".

Section 2. Amends section 7903 of the education law to allow for one licensed occupational therapy assistant to serve on the State Board for Occupational Therapy and decreases the number of licensed occupational therapists on the Board from seven to six.

Section 3. Adds a new section, 7904-a to the education law to provide for the procedure of obtaining an occupational therapy license.

Section 4. Makes technical corrections to subdivision 4 of section 7906 of the education law.

Section 5. Repeals subdivision 7 of section 7906 of the education law.

Section 6. Provides for the grandfathering of OT assistants into licensure without examination.

Section 7. Makes technical correction to subdivision 2 of section 7905 of the education law pertaining to limited permits.

Section 8. Set forth an effective date of 180 days after enactment.

Justification

Currently, occupational therapy assistants must meet certain requirements to become authorized to practice by the Department of Health; yet they have no representation on the State Board of Occupational Therapy. According to Department of Health regulations, occupational therapy assistants must pay a fee to the Department every three years for this authorization, like occupational therapists However, unlike occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistants receive no license for their fee to the Department Since occupational therapy assistants must pay a fee to the Department and are required to abide by the decisions of the Board, they should be entitled to fair representation. This bill codifies the definition of occupational therapy assistant, allows occupational therapy assistants to serve on the State Board and sets forth the procedure for obtaining an occupational therapy assistant license.

Legislative history

2013-14 S.4024/A.5664

Fiscal implications

None to the State. OT assistants currently pay fees to the State Education Department.

Effective date

180 days after become a law.