SB 222-EXTEND PT & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY BOARD  1:52:34 PM ACTING CHAIR MICCICHE reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 222 "An Act extending the termination date of the State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board; and providing for an effective date." He stated that this is the first hearing and the intention is to hear invited and public testimony, take committee questions, and potentially look to the will of the committee. 1:53:04 PM SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON, speaking as sponsor of SB 222, paraphrased the first paragraph of the sponsor statement. It read as follows: Under current statute, the State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board is set to terminate on June 30, 2022. The Division of Legislative Audit recommends an eight-year extension of the Board. SB 222 would extend that termination date to an effective date of June 30, 2030. She deferred further introduction and presentation of the sectional analysis to Besse Odom. 1:53:47 PM BESSE ODOM, Staff, Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, read the second paragraph of the sponsor statement for SB 222: The State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board provides oversight for medical services utilized by many Alaskans. Extending the Board's termination date will allow for continued regulation of the practice of physical and occupational therapy in our state; ensuring that the industry adheres to best practices. 1:54:27 PM MS. ODOM presented the sectional analysis for SB 222. It read as follows: [Original punctuation provided.] Section 1: Amends statute to change the termination date of the State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board from June 30, 2022, to June 30, 2030 Section 2: The Act becomes effective immediately upon signature ACTING CHAIR MICCICHE turned to invited testimony. 1:55:17 PM KRIS CURTIS, Legislative Auditor, Legislative Audit Division, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, directed attention to the sunset audit report for the State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board dated April 2, 2021. MS. CURTIS paraphrased the first paragraph of the report conclusions on page i: Overall, the audit concludes that the board served the public's interest by conducting meetings in accordance with state laws; amending certain regulations to improve the professions of physical therapy and occupational therapy; and effectively licensing and regulating physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists, and occupational therapy assistants. MS. CURTIS stated that the Division of Legislative Audit recommends the legislature extend the termination date of the board eight years. MS. CURTIS turned to Exhibit 2 on page 5 that shows that on January 31, 2021 the board had 1,762 active licenses and permits. This is a 53 percent increase compared to the 2013 sunset audit. The board chair attributed the increase to telehealth. MS. CURTIS directed attention to Exhibit 4 on page 7 that has the board's schedule of revenues and expenditures. It shows that on January 31, 2021 the board had a surplus of just over $211,000. The schedule of license and permit fees is outlined in Exhibit 3 on page 6. Because of the surplus, fees were decreased in FY 2020. 1:56:33 PM MS. CURTIS stated that the audit made no recommendations. Agency responses to the audit begin on page 19. Both the commissioner of DCCED and the board chair agree with the audit conclusions. ACTING CHAIR MICCICHE found no questions and noted who was available to answer questions. 1:57:04 PM ACTING CHAIR MICCICHE opened public testimony on SB 222; finding none, he closed public testimony. 1:57:30 PM SENATOR STEVENS relayed that in an earlier hearing he learned that in Alaska it is not necessary to have a referral from a medical doctor to see a physical therapist. SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON added that in that same hearing she also heard there were exceptions, and she believes AETNA is one of the insurance companies that still requires a referral from a medical doctor to see a physical therapist. 1:58:29 PM ACTING CHAIR MICCICHE found no further questions or comments and solicited the will of the committee. 1:58:51 PM SENATOR STEVENS moved to report SB 222, work order 32-LS1593\A, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). ACTING CHAIR MICCICHE found no objection and SB 222 was reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.