Bill > S3931

This bill updates the legal framework for occupational therapy licensure in New Jersey by making several significant changes. The bill expands and clarifies definitions related to occupational therapy, including introducing new terms like "client," "LGBTQIA+," and "occupational performance," and broadening the understanding of occupational therapy services to include emerging practice areas such as sports concussion management, disaster preparedness, and population health management. It modifies the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council's structure by increasing the maximum number of successive terms a member can serve from two to three and increasing the minimum number of annual council meetings from two to four. The bill also revises licensure requirements for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants by removing specific fieldwork experience requirements and allowing certification through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) or other recognized agencies. Additionally, the bill introduces mandatory continuing competence and professional development requirements for license renewal, which will include standards for educational programs, ethics training, and a specified number of credits for each biennial licensure renewal period. These changes aim to modernize and standardize occupational therapy practice in New Jersey, ensuring practitioners remain current with evolving professional standards and diverse healthcare needs.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S3931