Committee amends, advances bill to add continuing competence requirements for occupational therapists
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Summary
A3381 would require continuing competence and professional development for licensed occupational therapists and assistants, add a statutory definition of occupational therapy services, and prepare New Jersey to join a multistate licensure compact. Supporters said the statute has not been updated since 1993 and the change will allow practitioners to participate in interstate compacts.
Assembly Bill A3381, proposing continuing competence and professional development requirements for licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants and clarifying the statutory definition of occupational therapy services, was amended and released by the Assembly Regulated Professions Committee.
Supporters said the current statute dates to 1993 and lacks continuing‑education requirements needed for New Jersey to join a national licensure compact. Sam Bender (Public Strategies Impact) introduced the testimony and turned the floor to Dr. Felicia Chu and Dr. Emily Balog of the New Jersey Occupational Therapy Association. Dr. Chu said, “Our bill... was originally enacted in 1993. It has not been touched since 1993,” and argued that continuing competence provisions would allow New Jersey clinicians to join a multistate compact and reduce practitioner loss to neighboring states. Dr. Balog emphasized that the bill does not change scope of practice but updates language to meet national standards and addresses disaster preparedness and emergency management as potential issue areas.
Committee members moved to amend and release the bill; the roll call reflected affirmative votes and the amended bill was released to the full Assembly.
