HB 173-OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT  5:18:43 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 173, "An Act relating to occupational therapist licensure; relating to occupational therapy assistant licensure; and relating to an occupational therapist licensure compact." 5:19:33 PM REPRESENTATIVE NELLIE JIMMIE, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor, presented HB 173. She explained that HB 173 would make it easier for occupational therapists to come and practice in Alaska. She noted that there is a need for over 200 occupational therapists (OTs) in Alaska, noting that it is difficult to access occupational therapy services in Alaska and that services are often delayed. She said that in rural communities, it can be even more difficult to access this service due to increased transportation challenges. 5:21:15 PM KEENAN MILLER, Staff, Representative Nellie Jimmie, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Jimmie, prime sponsor of HB 173, presented HB 173. He explained that HB 173 was similar to the physical therapy compact enacted by the legislature in 2024, noting that HB 173 would utilize a "privilege to practice" model. He explained that an occupational therapist may retain their home-state license and, under HB 173, apply for a privilege to practice. He explained that the Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development (DCCED) would then check the applicant's credentials in their home state. He stated that if the applicants record is clean, they would be allowed to practice in Alaska, so long as they maintain Alaska law and regulations. He reported that access to occupational therapists (OTs) has been a long-standing issue in Alaska. He noted that OTs disproportionately practice in urban hubs, making it difficult for rural and remote communities to access care. He noted that there are over 200 openings for OTs across the state. He further noted that OT care was critical for people performing everyday tasks. 5:23:10 PM KATHLEEN HANSEN, Occupational Therapist, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC), gave invited testimony in support of HB 173. She stated that she was an occupational therapist in Juneau and offered care from birth to elder care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She noted that she was the hiring manager for various clinics in Juneau and stated that it has been difficult to find occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. She noted that HB 173 would make it easier for OTs to come from other states and practice in Alaska and address any delays in licensure for OTs doing so. She asserted that HB 173 would increase access to OT services in Alaska communities. 5:24:37 PM BRIANNE OSWALD, President, Alaska Occupational Therapy Association (AKOTA), gave invited testimony in support of HB 173. She stated that she practices in Anchorage in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, and both inpatient and outpatient clinics. She noted that Alaska has only one OT school, which graduates approximately 10 to 14 individuals a year. She echoed other speakers by stressing that there are over 200 job postings for OTs. She shared a personal anecdote, stating that she experienced a two month delay in receiving her license to practice in Alaska. She noted that, while she was based in Anchorage, she served individuals from all over the state. She asserted that HB 173 would help improve access to OT services in Alaska. 5:26:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked if an increase in the number of occupational therapists would lower wages overall. MS. OSWALD replied that had not been her experience practicing in other states that have implemented compact licensure. 5:27:27 PM CARL SIMS, Deputy Program Director, National Center for Interstate Compacts (NCIC), Council of State Governments (CSG), gave invited testimony in support of HB 173. He stated that the organization he works for offers non-partisan support for interstate compacts. He highlighted two features of OT compacts, noting that it helps preserve state sovereignty while also streamlining the licensing process for OTs. He stated that occupational therapists practicing in Alaska would be required to adhere to Alaska laws and regulations and further noted that Alaska could opt to require OTs to complete a jurisprudence exam. He further stated that Alaska, under HB 173, would have the authority to discipline OTs for violations of Alaska law or regulation. He noted that an OT must have a clean, unencumbered license and a background check to join the OT compact. He further noted that the compact provides shared access to a state database system, where all states in the compact share information regarding disciplinary action and state-specific laws and regulations. 5:29:00 PM MR. SIMS, in response to a question from Representative Saddler, replied that he was in the Council of State Governments, which was housed in the National Center for State Compacts. 5:29:38 PM CO-CHAIR FIELDS set an amendment deadline for HB 173. [HB 173 was held over.]