SB 21-003: Occupational Therapy Practice Act

• Recreates and amends Article 270 of Title 12 to establish licensing and regulation of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants by the Director of the Division of Professions and Occupations.

• Requires occupational therapists to complete an accredited educational program, supervised fieldwork experience, and pass a nationally recognized examination; occupational therapy assistants must meet similar requirements with assistant-level training.

• Establishes scope of practice including therapeutic use of occupations, evaluation and treatment planning, assistive technology assessment, behavioral health services, telehealth delivery, and low-vision rehabilitation services.

• Occupational therapy assistants must practice under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist, who retains legal responsibility for their work and must determine supervision frequency and level based on client needs and assistant competency.

• Creates grounds for disciplinary action including fraud, substance abuse, sexual misconduct, failure to supervise assistants, inadequate record-keeping, and violations of continuing competency requirements; article sunsets September 1, 2030.