HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1113

                      As Passed House:

                        March 4, 1999

Title:  An act relating to the practice of occupational therapy.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to occupational therapy.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Health Care (Originally sponsored by Representatives Campbell, Cody and Boldt).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Health Care:  1/26/99, 2/12/99 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/4/99, 95-0.

           Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Adds a definition of "occupational therapy practitioner."

$Authorizes osteopathic physicians, podiatric physicians, naturopaths, chiropractors, physician assistants, psychologists and advanced registered nurse practitioners to refer patients to occupational therapists for treatment.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Cody, Democratic Co-Chair; Parlette, Republican Co-Chair; Pflug, Republican Vice Chair; Schual-Berke, Democratic Vice Chair; Alexander; Boldt; Campbell; Conway; Edmonds; Edwards; Mulliken and Ruderman.

Staff:  John Welsh (786-7133).

Background:

Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are licensed by the state for the practice of occupational therapy.  No person may represent himself or herself as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant without holding a license.

An occupational therapist may treat a patient only upon the referral of a physician or podiatrist licensed in this state.

There is no definition of an occupational therapy practitioner provided in the law.

Summary of Bill:  A definition of "occupational therapy practitioner" is added referring collectively to both an occupational therapist and an occupational therapy assistant when used in the law for a common purpose.

The class of health providers who may refer a patient for treatment by an occupational therapy practitioner is expanded to include an osteopathic physician, podiatric physician, naturopath, chiropractor, physician assistant, psychologist, or an advanced registered nurse practitioner.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  (Substitute bill) Many practitioners work collaboratively with physicians and handle many of the less complex patients directly themselves.  The bill reflects current medical practice by allowing other practitioners to make referrals to occupational therapists.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Campbell, prime sponsor; Dr. Sylvia Kauffman, Washington Occupational Therapist Association; and (pro w/amendments) Gail McGaffick, Washington State Psychological Association.