BILL NUMBER: S9462A
SPONSOR: RAMOS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the workers' compensation law, in relation to authoriz-
ing treatment of workers' compensation injuries by an occupational ther-
apy assistant or physical therapy assistant
 
PURPOSE:
This bill allows occupational therapist assistants to provide care to
workers' compensation patients.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one of the bill amends paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section
13-b of the workers' compensation law as it relates to allowing occupa-
tional therapy assistants to provide care to workers' compensation
patients.
Section two of the bill contains the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Occupational therapy assistants provide a valuable service. They prac-
tice under the direction and supervision of a licensed occupational
therapist or licensed physician and must meet stringent educational and
experience requirements in order to be licensed by the State Education
Department. Unfortunately, workers' compensation patients cannot receive
care from an occupational therapy assistant. This bill would allow
workers' compensation patients to receive care from an occupational
therapy assistant that is licensed by the State Education Department.
 
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall become
law.