Bill > HB1218

This bill creates the Therapeutic Recreation Practice Act to establish licensure and regulation for therapeutic recreation specialists in Arkansas. The legislation defines therapeutic recreation as a specialized application of recreation to assist with treatment and maintenance of health, functional abilities, and quality of life for hospitalized or disabled individuals. The bill establishes a Recreational Therapy Technical Advisory Committee within the Department of Health to oversee the profession, with five members including three professional therapeutic recreation specialists and two public representatives. To become licensed, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or a related field, complete supervised field experience, pass a proctored examination, and pay a required fee. The law requires professionals to obtain a license to practice, with exceptions for certain healthcare professionals, students, and government employees. Licensees must renew every two years, completing 100 hours of experience and 20 hours of continuing education. The bill also outlines penalties for unlicensed practice, including potential misdemeanor charges and fines up to $1,500, and provides mechanisms for the Department of Health to investigate, suspend, or revoke licenses for violations. Notably, the bill mandates that therapeutic recreation services for medically related conditions require a physician referral, while prevention and wellness services do not.