Senate workforce panel gives due pass to occupational therapy compact, acts on three other licensure bills

The North Dakota Senate Workforce Development Committee voted unanimously to recommend passage of Senate Bill 2146, the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, after testimony from practitioners, trade groups and the Council of State Governments. The committee also acted on several other licensure bills during the same session: it gave a due pass to Senate Bill 2042, voted a do‑not‑pass recommendation on Senate Bill 2041, and approved Senate Bill 2110 as amended to add an administrative procedure and judicial review section.

Occupational therapy compact (SB2146)

Senator Kristin Norris introduced SB2146 and representatives from the North Dakota Occupational Therapy Association (NDOTA), the North Dakota Hospital Association and the North Dakota Military Commission testified in favor.

Megan Boucher, an occupational therapist and vice president for legislation and practice on NDOTA’s board of management, said the compact would help address workforce shortages and reduce delays for practitioners seeking to begin work after moving to the state. “Joining the compact would allow OTs and COTAs to practice in North Dakota more easily while those moving to the state could start working without delays from additional licensing processes,” Boucher said. She told the committee that clinics and schools face long wait lists—often three to six months—and that the compact could improve access in rural border communities.

Tim Blaso, president of the North Dakota Hospital Association, told the committee the compact would streamline interstate practice and noted that 31 states had enacted the compact. Jay Sheldon of the North Dakota Military Commission said compacts improve portability for military spouses and service members who move frequently.

Technical testimony came from Daniel Markelz of the American Occupational Therapy Association and Carl Sims of the Council of State Governments. Sims explained the compact requires a national data system to issue and track compact privileges and said the system is under procurement; the commission expects the system to become operational later in 2025.

On a motion by Vice Chairman Axman, seconded by Senator Baucher, the committee recorded a unanimous due‑pass recommendation for SB2146. The roll call recorded the chair, vice chair and all committee members present voting yes.

Other committee actions

- Senate Bill 2042 (naturopathic criminal history checks): Moved by Senator Baucher and seconded by Senator Larson, the committee gave SB2042 a due‑pass recommendation following committee discussion about the statute’s permissive language for background checks.

- Senate Bill 2041 (naturopathic prescribing pathways): After a policy discussion and concerns about two alternative pathways that committee members said lacked clear, recent clinical experience or sufficient guardrails, the committee adopted a motion for a do‑not‑pass recommendation. The motion was seconded and the committee recorded a unanimous do‑not‑pass vote.

- Senate Bill 2110 (water operator enforcement; DEQ chapter): David Breschwein of the Department of Environmental Quality proposed an amendment adding a new section to Chapter 23.1‑07 to clarify that rulemaking and enforcement under the chapter follow the Administrative Agencies Practice Act (chapter 28‑32) and that appeals may proceed under that chapter. The committee voted to give SB2110 a due‑pass recommendation as amended; the vote was unanimous.

Votes at a glance

- SB2146 (Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact): Motion — due pass; mover Vice Chairman Axman; second Senator Baucher; outcome approved unanimously (committee recorded all present as "yes"). - SB2042 (Criminal history checks for naturopaths/genetic counselors): Motion — due pass; mover Senator Baucher; second Senator Larson; outcome approved unanimously. - SB2041 (Naturopathic prescribing pathways): Motion — do not pass; mover Vice Chairman Axman; second Senator Baucher; outcome approved unanimously (do not pass). - SB2110 (DEQ water operator enforcement; amended): Motion — due pass as amended; mover Senator Larson; second Vice Chairman Axman; outcome approved unanimously.

Ending

Committee members repeatedly described the OT compact as a practical tool to increase practitioner mobility and improve access in rural areas. Several senators said they were comfortable advancing the compact while continuing to monitor implementation details, including the compact’s planned national data system. The committee recessed after completing committee business.