This bill, HB 214-FN, seeks to enhance the regulatory framework for recreational therapists and respiratory care practitioners under the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). It clarifies the executive director's rulemaking authority regarding recreational therapy, including the establishment of eligibility requirements for initial licensure and renewal, conditional employment pending criminal history checks, and ethical standards. New provisions require applicants to submit a criminal history record release form and fingerprints for background checks, with confidentiality protections for the information obtained. Additionally, the bill introduces privileged communication protections for licensed recreational therapists and their clients, aligning them with physician-patient communication standards.

For respiratory care practitioners, the bill modifies existing regulations to define the scope of practice and licensing criteria. It mandates that licensees complete a survey during the renewal process to gather data on the New Hampshire primary care workforce. The bill also allows conditional employment for applicants awaiting background check results, provided they meet specific conditions. Furthermore, it establishes that communications between licensed respiratory care practitioners and their patients are privileged, similar to those between physicians and patients, although this privilege does not extend to regulatory investigations. The act is set to take effect 60 days after passage and is expected to have a minimal fiscal impact of less than $10,000 annually from 2025 to 2028.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 326-J:1-a, 326-E:2
As Amended by the House: 326-J:1-a, 326-E:2