STAND

STAND. COM. REP. 531

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 730

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 730 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to:

(1) Require the Auditor to evaluate the occupational therapy practice program and submit a report to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007;

(2) Remove occupational therapy assistants from having to meet certification requirements of the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, including educational and supervised field work experience and national certification exam requirements;

(3) Repeal the definition of "direct supervision" under the Occupational Therapy Practice Law; and

(4) Repeal provisions that allow an individual, who has met the educational and supervised field work experience requirements under the Occupational Therapy Practice Law, but has not yet passed the national certification exam, to receive a temporary permit to perform occupational therapy.

The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc., Occupational Therapy Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Chapter American Physical Therapy Association, Hawaii Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and numerous concerned citizens supported this bill. Numerous concerned citizens supported the intent of this bill. The Professional Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of Education, and numerous concerned citizens offered comments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 730 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

		____________________________ DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair