HB 137-PHYSICAL THERAPY LICENSURE COMPACT  3:25:40 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." 3:26:00 PM RACHAEL GUNN, Staff, Representative Stanley Wright, Alaska State Legislature, on behalf of Representative Wright, prime sponsor, stated that HB 137 would bring Alaska in the Physical Therapist Licensure Compact. She addressed HB 138 [which was heard during the meeting at 3:35 p.m.], on behalf of the prime sponsor, Representative Wright. She stated that HB 138 would bring the state into the Audiologist and Speech Language Therapist Compact. 3:26:37 PM VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE opened public testimony on HB 137. [Testifiers also offered public testimony on HB 138. Public testimony on HB 138 was opened during the meeting at 3:35 p.m.] 3:26:56 PM ERICK CORDERO GIORGANA, Vice President, Operations, Alaska Policy Forum (APF), stated that APF supports both HB 137 and HB 138 because these proposed bills would increase the opportunities for professionals in these fields. He explained that licensure compacts reduce barriers caused by the differences in requirements from state to state. He argued that these compacts would ultimately attract more professionals to Alaska. 3:29:22 PM REPRESENTATIVE FIELDS expressed concern about APF's support for the proposed legislation; however, he stated that he would continue his support. 3:29:33 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER asked whether APF has a blanket position on licensure compacting. MR. GIORGANA answered that it supports licensure compacts regardless of the [medical profession] addressed in a bill. 3:30:43 PM ALEC KAY, President, Alaska Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, stated that the American Physical Therapy Association supports HB 137, as it will improve safety and access to care. He said that Alaska faces delays in gaining licensure, leading professionals to choose other states, which has a negative economic and healthcare impact on the state. 3:33:44 PM MARGE STONEKING, Advocacy Director, AARP Alaska, stated that AARP Alaska supports HB 137 and HB 138, as these bills would increase access to care for Alaska's aging population. She expressed the opinion that the compacts would reduce the barriers when recruiting professionals from other states. 3:35:26 PM VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE after ascertaining that there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 137. [HB 137 was held over.] HB 138-AUD. & SPEECH-LANG INTERSTATE COMPACT  3:35:39 PM VICE CHAIR announced that the next order of business would be 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." 3:35:52 PM VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE opened public testimony on HB 138. 3:36:18 PM DAVID JAMISON, representing self, stated that he is a speech therapist and offered support for HB 138. He said that there is a severe shortage of speech therapists in Alaska and expressed the opinion that joining the compact would reduce barriers in recruitment. 3:37:45 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned the current length of time before licensure would be granted. MR. JAMISON answered that, before licensure is granted, there are other required certifications. He said that the entire process can take up to six months. In response to a follow-up question, he said that the bill would reduce the time frame by at least six weeks. He answered that the proposed bill would not reduce the amount of time required to gain certification for the various insurance companies. 3:42:58 PM ANDREA TOTH, President, Alaska Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA), shared that she has worked as a speech therapist since 1993 and expressed support for HB 138. She argued that joining the compact would improve care for military families and allow military spouses to begin work more quickly in their associated medical fields. She stated that ASHA supports the bill, and, because Alaska does not have an audiology and speech language therapist board, ASHA could provide oversight. 3:44:31 PM REPRESENTATIVE SADDLER questioned the licensure certification process for audiologists and speech language therapists. MS. TOTH answered that national certification is required to receive a license in Alaska and offered that ASHA is already involved in this process. 3:45:48 PM VICE CHAIR RUFFRIDGE, after ascertaining that there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 138. [HB 138 was held over.]