S-0301.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5149

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Senators Thibaudeau, Johnson and Winsley

Read first time 01/14/1999.  Referred to Committee on Health & Long Term Care.

Revising provisions relating to occupational therapy.

    AN ACT Relating to the practice of occupational therapy; and amending RCW 18.59.020, 18.59.031, and 18.59.100.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

    Sec. 1.  RCW 18.59.020 and 1991 c 3 s 153 are each amended to read as follows:

    Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

    (1) "Board" means the board of occupational therapy practice.

    (2) "Occupational therapy" is the scientifically based use of purposeful activity with individuals who are limited by physical injury or illness, psychosocial dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, or the aging process in order to maximize independence, prevent disability, and maintain health.  The practice encompasses evaluation, treatment, and consultation.  Specific occupational therapy services include but are not limited to:  Using specifically designed activities and exercises to enhance neurodevelopmental, cognitive, perceptual motor, sensory integrative, and psychomotor functioning; administering and interpreting tests such as manual muscle and sensory integration; teaching daily living skills; developing prevocational skills and play and avocational capabilities; designing, fabricating, or applying selected orthotic and prosthetic devices or selected adaptive equipment; and adapting environments for the handicapped.  These services are provided individually, in groups, or through social systems.

    (3) "Occupational therapist" means a person licensed to practice occupational therapy under this chapter.

    (4) "Occupational therapy assistant" means a person licensed to assist in the practice of occupational therapy under the supervision or with the regular consultation of an occupational therapist.

    (5) "Occupational therapy aide" means a person who is trained to perform specific occupational therapy techniques under professional supervision as defined by the board but who does not perform activities that require advanced training in the sciences or practices involved in the profession of occupational therapy.

    (6) "Occupational therapy practitioner" means a person who is credentialed as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.

(7) "Person" means any individual, partnership, unincorporated organization, or corporate body, except that only an individual may be licensed under this chapter.

    (((7))) (8) "Department" means the department of health.

    (((8))) (9) "Secretary" means the secretary of health.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 18.59.031 and 1987 c 150 s 44 are each amended to read as follows:

    No person may practice or represent himself or herself as an occupational ((therapist)) therapy practitioner without first having a valid license to do so.

    Sec. 3.  RCW 18.59.100 and 1986 c 259 s 101 are each amended to read as follows:

    An occupational therapist shall, after evaluating a patient and if the case is a medical one, refer the case to a physician for appropriate medical direction if such direction is lacking.  Treatment by an occupational ((therapist)) therapy practitioner of such a medical case may take place only upon the referral of a physician ((or podiatrist)), osteopathic physician, podiatric physician and surgeon, naturopath, chiropractor, physician assistant, clinical psychologist, or advanced registered nurse practitioner licensed to practice ((medicine)) in this state.

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