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.