Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/12/2025 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearing(s) | |
| SB172 | |
| SB136 | |
| HB116 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 172 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 136 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 116 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 172-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT
1:48:09 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO.
172 "An Act relating to occupational therapist licensure;
relating to occupational therapy assistant licensure; and
relating to an occupational therapist licensure compact."
1:48:26 PM
MATT CHURCHILL, Staff, Senator Jesse Bjorkman, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided a brief summary and read
the sectional analysis for SB 172:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Senate Bill 172 enacts the interstate Occupational
Therapy Licensure Compact. Enactment of the compact
will alleviate the shortage of occupational therapists
in Alaska and enhance the state's ability to protect
the public's health and safety.
Enactment of the Compact will draw more occupational
therapists to live and work in our state and thus
improve access to physical therapy for thousands of
Alaskans.
1:49:18 PM
MR. CHURCHILL read the sectional analysis for SB 172:
[Original punctuation provided.]
This is a summary only. Note that this summary should
not be considered an authoritative interpretation of
the bill and the bill itself is the best statement of
its contents. Section 1: Amends AS 08.84.010(b) by
adding implementation of the Occupational Therapy
Licensure Compact to the duties of the State Physical
Therapy and State Occupational Therapy Board. Section
2: Amends AS 08.84.150(b) by adding compact privilege
as a possible prerequisite for providing occupational
therapy. Section 3: Amends AS 08.84 by adding a new
article: Article 3A. Occupational Therapy Licensure
Compact. Section 1: "Purpose" Outlines purposes of
Compact. Section 2: "Definitions" Defines terms
referenced throughout the Compact and limits the scope
of the definitions to the Compact. Examples of defined
terms include "Active Duty Military," "Compact
Privilege," "Member State," and "Occupational
Therapy." Section 3: "State Participation in the
Compact" Establishes requirements for States
participating in the Compact. Section 4: "Compact
Privilege" Establishes requirements for Licensees
using compact privileges. Section 5: "Obtaining a New
Home State License by Virtue of Compact Privilege"
Outlines procedure for obtaining a new home state
license if an Occupational Therapists' primary state
of residence changes.
Section 6: "Active Duty Military Personnel or Their
Spouses" Provides flexibility for Active Duty Military
personnel or their spouses to designate a home state
and retain that state license for the duration of
active duty.
1:51:01 PM
MR. CHURCHILL continued with the sectional analysis:
Section 7: "Adverse Actions" Protects the unique right
of a licensee's home state to take adverse action
against a home state license. Protects the right of
remote states to take adverse action against a
licensee's compact privilege. Establishes a mechanism
for joint investigations and subpoenas between member
states and requires disclosure of adverse actions to
the shared data system.
Section 8: "Establishment of the Occupational Therapy
Compact Commission" Establishes the Occupational
Therapy Compact Commission. Outlines commission
membership, for establishment, executive committee,
financing, and requirement for public meetings.
Section 9: "Data System" Describes Member State
obligations for participation in the shared data
system.
Section 10: "Rulemaking" Sets terms for rulemaking;
rules established by the Commission carry the force of
law in member states.
Section 11: "Oversight, Dispute Resolution, and
Enforcement" Establishes process for ensuring Member
State compliance with the Compact.
Section 12: "Date of Implementation of the Interstate
Commission for Occupational Therapy Practice and
Associated Rules, Withdrawal, and Amendment" Describes
effective date of Compact, sets terms for joining,
withdrawing from, and amending the Compact.
Section 13: "Construction and Severability" Declares
that the Compact shall be liberally construed to
effectuate its purposes, and notes that the Compact's
provisions are severable.
Section 14: "Binding Effect of Compact and Other Laws"
The Compact is binding upon member states and
supersedes conflict with member state laws to the
extent of the conflict.
1:53:10 PM
SENATOR MERRICK asked how SB 172 is different from the physical
therapist and occupational therapist compact that passed last
year.
1:53:27 PM
SYLVAN ROBB, Director, Corporation, Business, and Professional
Licensing (CBPL), Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development (DCCED), Juneau, Alaska, answered a question on SB
172. She stated that the compacts are structurally similar, with
the practice privilege allowing professionals to work in another
state. The main difference is that SB 172 requires OTs to
complete fingerprinting requirements before they are given the
compact privilege of working in another state.
1:54:55 PM
GLENN SAVIERS, Deputy Director, Corporation, Business, and
Professional Licensing (CBPL), Department of Commerce, Community
and Economic Development (DCCED), Juneau, Alaska, answered a
question on SB 172. She stated that the main change between SB
172 and the bill passed last year is that applicants who did not
complete a background check when initially licensed in their
home state are no longer grandfathered in. She explained that
these applicants must now obtain a background check before
receiving a compact privilege in another state.
1:55:25 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on SB 172.
1:55:44 PM
BRIANNE OSWALD, President, Alaska Occupational Therapy
Association, Anchorage, Alaska, testified in support of SB 172.
She said the Alaska Occupational Therapy Association represents
over 170 occupational therapists and assistants working in
hospitals, schools, and community clinics. SB 172 will reduce
licensing bureaucracy and improve access to care for Alaskans.
1:56:25 PM
KATIE JOHNSON, Vice President, Alaska Occupational Therapy
Association, Ninilchik, Alaska, testified in support of SB 172.
She stated her belief that the bill could reduce barriers to
providing occupational therapy services. She said in rural areas
patients wait over a year for occupational therapy services.
1:57:03 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN closed public testimony on SB 172.
1:57:16 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited the will of the committee.
1:57:18 PM
SENATOR MERRICK moved to report SB 172, work order 34-LS0772\N,
from committee with individual recommendations and attached
fiscal note(s).
1:57:33 PM
CHAIR BJORKMAN found no objection and SB 172 was reported from
the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB136 Legal Memo-Response to member questions 04.17.2025.pdf |
SL&C 5/12/2025 1:30:00 PM |
SB 136 |
| 2025 Memo to Senate Secretary re Gov's Appointees 05.12.25.pdf |
SL&C 5/12/2025 1:30:00 PM |
Governor's Appointees-SLAC |