HB480 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Sections 34-39-3 and 34-39-7 and adds new Section 34-39-12.1 to authorize the Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy to establish an impaired practitioner program for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants.

• Defines "impaired" as the inability to practice occupational therapy with reasonable skill and safety due to illness, inebriation, drug or alcohol use, or physical or mental conditions.

• Authorizes the board to contract with nonprofit corporations or medical professional associations to create and maintain an Alabama Occupational Therapy Wellness Committee to identify, intervene, treat, and rehabilitate impaired practitioners.

• Grants committee members and contracted entities immunity from civil and criminal liability and establishes committee records as privileged and confidential with limited exceptions.

• Requires the board to establish the impaired practitioner program beginning January 1, 2022.