02/19/2001 01:45 PM House FIN

SENATE BILL NO. 52                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     An Act extending the termination date of the State                                                                         
     Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HEATHER BRAKES,  STAFF, SENATOR  GENE THERRIAULT  stated that                                                                   
under   AS  08.84.010,   the  State   Physical  Therapy   and                                                                   
Occupational  Therapy  Board  regulates  the  professions  of                                                                   
physical    therapists,    physical    therapy    assistants,                                                                   
occupational therapists  and occupational therapy  assistants                                                                   
and  the practice  of physical  therapy and  the practice  of                                                                   
occupational therapy  by ensuring that the  requirements laid                                                                   
out for licensure are met and adhered to.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
Ms. Brakes  noted that  the Board  consists of seven  members                                                                   
appointed  by  the  Governor  having  the  qualifications  as                                                                   
established in AS 08.84.010.   Board membership is prescribed                                                                   
by   statute  as   having  one   physician,  three   physical                                                                   
therapists or two physical therapists  and a physical therapy                                                                   
assistant,  two occupational  therapists  or an  occupational                                                                   
therapist  and occupational  therapists,  assistant, and  one                                                                   
lay person  with no direct  financial interest in  the health                                                                   
care industry.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
The State Physical Therapy and  Occupational Therapy Board is                                                                   
set to expire June 30, 2001, under  AS 08.03.010©(1).  If the                                                                   
Legislature does not  act to extend the Board,  it would have                                                                   
                       th                                                                                                       
one year, until June 30,  2002,  to administratively conclude                                                                   
its  affairs.   Senate Bill  52  would extend  the Board  for                                                                   
                            th                                                                                                  
another six years to June 30, 2007.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
KARIN   GRAFTON,  (TESTIFIED   VIA  TELECONFERENCE),   ALASKA                                                                   
PHYSICAL THERAPY  BOARD, ANCHORAGE,  testified in  support of                                                                   
the legislation.  She offered  to answer any questions of the                                                                   
Committee.                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Hudson MOVED to  report CSSB 52  (FIN)am (C.a                                                                   
version)  out of  Committee with  individual  recommendations                                                                   
and with  the accompanying new  fiscal note.  There  being NO                                                                   
OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CSSB 52(FIN)  am was  reported  out of Committee  with  a "do                                                                   
pass" recommendation and with  a new fiscal note by the House                                                                   
Finance Committee.