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House Approves Occupational Therapy Assistant Licensing Bill, 45-24
Summary
The House passed House Bill 67, which clarifies training and permitted activities for occupational therapy assistants from a new Salt Lake Community College program and expands the existing occupational therapy licensing board to include an assistant; the measure passed 45-24 and was sent to the Senate.
Representative Wadduvs moved to uncircle House Bill 67, the "Occupational Therapy Practice Act," and explained the bill was prompted by a new occupational therapy assistant program at Salt Lake Community College whose first class will graduate this year. The sponsor said the bill sets out what assistants may do, what training is required, and prohibits practice beyond a licensee's competency. He noted the bill includes a committee amendment that addressed concerns raised by the mental-health therapy group.
During floor questioning, several members pressed the sponsor about the bill's definitions, asking whether everyday "purposeful activities" performed in families or volunteers would be captured and whether the statute requires compensation for practice. Representative Howard and others expressed concern that the definitions could be overbroad and difficult to enforce, saying draftsmanship risked regulating activities not intended to be covered. The sponsor and other supporters said the bill is aimed at assistants entering the marketplace and that the existing licensing board would be expanded (the bill adds an assistant member and a public member) rather than creating a wholly new board.
Representative Wadduvs emphasized that licensed occupational therapists have a seven-year record of licensure in the code with no complaints, defended safeguards in the bill including supervised exemptions for routine activities, and submitted the measure to a vote. The House adopted HB 67 by a recorded count of 45 affirmative and 24 negative votes; the bill was referred to the Senate for further consideration.
