Assigned to HHS FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to HHS FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
occupational therapy board; continuation
Purpose
Continues the Board of Occupational Therapy (Board) for eight years.
Background
Occupational therapy means therapeutic activities or modalities to promote engagement in activities with individuals who are limited by physical or cognitive injury or illness, psychosocial dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, sensory processing or modulation deficits or the aging process in order to achieve optimum functional performance, maximize independence, prevent disability and maintain health. Occupational therapy includes evaluation, treatment and consultation based on the client's temporal, spiritual and cultural values and needs (A.R.S. § 32-3401).
The Board was established in 1990 to license and regulate occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in order to standardize occupational therapy practices. The mission of the Board is to ensure the public's health, safety and welfare by licensing and regulating individuals who provide occupational therapy services. The Board's duties include setting standards for licensure examinations, evaluating applicants' qualifications, collecting fees, collecting applicant fingerprints for the purpose of criminal background checks, adopting rules, and conducting investigations and hearings in disciplinary matters.
The Board consists of consists of five members appointed by the Governor, including two members who are not engaged, directly or indirectly, in the provision of health care services to serve as public members. The other three members must have at least three years of experience in occupational therapy or teaching in an accredited occupational therapy education program in Arizona and must be licensed occupational therapists (A.R.S. § 32-3402).
In Arizona, each new and existing agency has no more than a ten-year duration and is subject to a sunset review (A.R.S. § 41-2955). The Board is set to terminate on July 1, 2018. The Joint Legislative Audit Committee assigned the sunset review of the Board to the Senate Health and Human Services and House of Representatives Health Committee of Reference (COR) for review. The COR held a public hearing on November 27, 2017, to review the Board’s response to the sunset factors and recommended an eight-year continuation for the Board.
According to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, the Board's operating budget includes no monies from the state General Fund and $170,700 from other appropriated funds in FY 2018. There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues the Board retroactively to July 1, 2018, through July 1, 2026.
2. Repeals the Board on January 1, 2027.
3. Contains a purpose statement.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
House Action
HEALTH 1/11/18 DP 8-0-0-1-0-0
3rd Read 1/29/18 59-0-1-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 23, 2018
CRS/NW/lat