I plan to reintroduce legislation which would authorize the Commonwealth to join the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OTC). To date, Pennsylvania has enacted legislation to permit us to join several medical-related licensure compacts, including the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, Nurse Licensure Compact, Psychology Compact and Physical Therapy Compact.  This legislation would provide us with the opportunity to join another, with the same objective: providing ease of licensure transfers from state to state and attracting valuable occupational therapists and therapy assistants to Pennsylvania.

Under the OTC, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants who are licensed in good standing in a compact member state can practice in other members states through the compact privilege. To date, 31 states have enacted legislation to join the compact, including our neighbors in Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia. 

Pennsylvania has one of the highest concentrations of older populations in the country, and occupational therapists play a critical role in addressing their unique needs, from supporting rehabilitation to enhancing mobility and independence. By joining the OTC, we can better ensure we have the workforce to meet growing demands in healthcare and maintain quality care for our aging residents.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation.

Prior co-sponsors of this proposal included Senators: ROTHMAN, FONTANA, COSTA, PHILLIPS-HILL, CAPPELLETTI, DUSH, and J. WARD.