Bill Text: HI SCR49 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Occupational Therapy; Occupational Therapists; Occupational Therapy Assistants; Regulation; Licensing

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-06 - Referred to HTH/CPN, WAM. [SCR49 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-SCR49-Introduced.html

---

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	49
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the auditor to assess the probable effects of licensing and regulating occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.

 

 

     WHEREAS, occupational therapists treat patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday life activities; and

 

     WHEREAS, occupational therapy assistants assist occupational therapists in providing occupational therapy; and

 

     WHEREAS, although the regulation of occupational therapy practice is codified in chapter 457G, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the language in this chapter is incomplete in relation to certain aspects of the profession, and does not require licensure of occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is the last state in the country to license occupational therapists and one of the last three states to license occupational therapy assistants; and

 

     WHEREAS, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants should be licensed in Hawaii in order to protect public health, safety, and the welfare of the patients served by occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants; and

 

     WHEREAS, licensing occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants will ensure that occupational therapy in Hawaii is provided by only qualified occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants and will help meet insurer payer requirements, as some insurers require occupational therapy to be provided by licensed individuals; and

 

     WHEREAS, S.B. No. 2472, S.D. 1 (Regular Session of 2014), mandates licensing and regulatory controls for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants by establishing an occupational therapy program and licensing requirements for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, including provisions relating to qualifications, licensure, practice of occupational therapy, supervision of occupational therapy assistants, exemptions, powers and duties of the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, licensure renewal, restoration, penalty, and revocation or suspension of licenses; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 26H-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires new regulatory measures that would subject unregulated professions and vocations to licensing or other regulatory controls to be referred by concurrent resolution to the Auditor for analysis; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an analysis pursuant to section 26H-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of the probable effects of licensing and regulating occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants as proposed in S.B. No. 2472, S.D. 1 (Regular Session of 2014), and assess whether enactment of the bill is consistent with policies set forth in section 26H‑2, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit findings and recommendations, including any necessary implementing legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and Director of Commerce and Consumer Protection.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Occupational Therapy; Occupational Therapists; Occupational Therapy Assistants; Regulation; Licensing