HB 21-1279 Summary

• Enacts the Occupational Therapy Licensure Interstate Compact, allowing occupational therapists and assistants licensed in one member state to practice in other member states under a "compact privilege" without separate licensure.

• Creates the Occupational Therapy Compact Commission as a joint public agency with representatives from all member states to establish rules, oversee implementation, and maintain a centralized database of licensee information and adverse actions.

• Establishes requirements for compact participation including criminal background checks, continuing education, jurisprudence exams, and data system reporting of adverse actions and disciplinary information across member states.

• Authorizes Colorado to issue provisional licenses to qualified occupational therapy graduates pending passage of the national examination or licensure by endorsement, valid for up to 60 days and requiring supervision.

• Takes effect when enacted into law in the tenth member state, with provisions for member states to withdraw with six months' notice and requiring all member state legislatures to approve any amendments.