Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124
04/24/2023 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB21 | |
| HB92 | |
| HB137|| HB138 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 119 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 137 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 138 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 92 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 137-PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT
HB 138-AUD. & SPEECH-LANG INTERSTATE COMPACT
4:22:33 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that the next order of business
would be HOUSE BILL NO. 137, "An Act relating to an interstate
physical therapy licensure compact; relating to the licensure of
physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational
therapists, and occupational therapy assistants; and providing
for an effective date." and HOUSE BILL NO. 138, "An Act relating
to an audiology and speech-language interstate compact; relating
to the practice of audiology and the practice of speech-language
pathology; and providing for an effective date."
4:23:07 PM
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT stated that HB 137 would allow Alaska to
join the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, and HB 138 [which
is the final order of business before the committee] would allow
the state to join the Audiologist and Speech Language Therapist
Compact.
4:24:06 PM
RACHAEL GUNN, Staff, Representative Stanley Wright, Alaska State
Legislature, stated that licensure compacts allow states to
cooperate in policy areas relating to the licensure fields,
resulting in the increase access to quality care. She stated
that individuals seeking licensure in the two fields covered by
HB 137 and HB 138 would still receive a license in their home
state, unlike the Nurse Licensure Compact.
4:28:19 PM
JEFF ROSA, Compact Administrator, Physical Therapist Licensure
Compact Commission, stated that the goal of the Physical
Therapist Licensure Compact is to increase public protections
and access to physical therapy. He added that a physical
therapist wishing to practice in another state would still need
to seek permission to work in that state. He explained that the
compact preserves the state licensure system while creating an
easier and more efficient route to practice in another state.
4:31:08 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked how many physical therapists are in
the state. He questioned the number of these who are military
spouses.
MR. ROSA deferred to the bill sponsor.
4:32:04 PM
SYLVAN ROBB, Director, Division of Corporations, Business, and
Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development, answered that there are 1,314 licensed
physical therapists and 202 physical therapist assistants in the
state.
4:32:34 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX questioned the fee when another state
license is added.
MR. ROSA answered that a license covering every state would be
more expensive, and some licensees may not wish to take
advantage of the ability to practice in another state. He
continued that the fee would cover an individual's ability to
practice in another state. He added that the fees have allowed
the commission to avoid charging an assessment fee to member
states. In response to a follow-up question, he said that each
state sets their own licensure fee.
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked how the state would know it is making
the best use of the fee in future years.
MR. ROSA answered that each fee is set up by an administrative
rules process.
4:38:10 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether there is a shortage of
physical therapists or audiologists in Alaska. She also
questioned the wait time for physical therapists or audiologists
to receive a license.
MR. ROSA answered that he would defer to subsequent invited
testimony to answer these questions.
4:39:57 PM
LEEANNE CARROTHERS, PT, PhD, Federal Affairs Liaison, American
Physical Therapy Association, Alaska Chapter, stated that she is
unsure of the exact number of physical therapists currently
needed in the state, but there is a shortage of health care
workers across all fields in Alaska. She said that the wait for
a physical therapist license is several months, which negatively
impacts the care of Alaskans.
4:42:54 PM
REBECCA BYERLEY, PT, DPT, Chief Delegate, American Physical
Therapy Association, Alaska Chapter, stated that there are
openings for physical therapist jobs in all aspects of physical
therapy on the Kenai Peninsula. She suggested that the openings
are a sign of a shortage. She observed that there are patients
who have no care once they leave the hospital, which could
eventually lead to more health issues in the future.
4:45:53 PM
NAHALE KALFAS, Legal Counsel, Council of State Governments,
National Center for State Compacts, stated that the Audiologist
and Speech Language Therapist Licensure Compact works similarly
to the Physical Therapist Licensure Compact. This compact is
newer than the physical therapist compact, with operations still
being set up, and it has 26 member states. She said that the
compact has a provision to allow the spouse of an active-duty
member of the military to set a home state, and it is the first
compact to have such a provision. She added that the compact
would increase public protections and access to care.
4:50:04 PM
MS. KALFAS, in response to a question from Representative
Saddler, stated that the compact has an active commission with
funding sources, and the data system required to begin issuing
licenses is still being set up. In response to a follow-up
question, she reiterated that the commission has not begun
issuing licenses. She added that other compacts have gone
through the same process. In response to a follow-up question,
she stated that the compact is only for fully licensed
professionals, not students.
4:54:40 PM
NANCY LOVERING, MS, CCC-SLP, Alaska Speech and Hearing
Association, stated that HB 138 would increase access to
audiology and speech therapy care and reduce burdens on military
families. She stated that because of the lack of a state board
for audiology and speech therapy, consumer protections would be
increased and joining the compact would provide a level of
oversite not currently present.
4:56:53 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether joining the compact would
affect a speech therapist's ability to bill insurance.
MS. LOVERING answered no.
4:57:44 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CARRICK asked whether there are significant
shortages or licensure wait times for any professions covered by
HB 137 or HB 138.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT answered that he is unsure but would
provide any available numbers at a future time.
4:58:27 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE asked whether fingerprinting would be a
requirement for an individual wishing to take advantage of the
compact.
REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT answered that fingerprinting is an
additional security measure which would increase state
cooperation.
MS. GUNN added that many other states already require
fingerprinting. In response to a follow-up question, she said
that it is a requirement of both compacts.
5:00:14 PM
REPRESENTATIVE PRAX asked whether the process of fingerprinting
would necessitate repetition for an individual moving to Alaska.
MS. GUNN answered that previous information, including
disciplinary action, would be available to the state.
5:01:39 PM
VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE announced that HB 137 and HB 138 were held
over.
5:01:50 PM
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the committee, the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at
[5:02] p.m.