67912EC95CDB4CA28725850E007E173D Hearing Summary

Representative Singer and Representative Larson, bill sponsors, introduced House Bill 20-1230.  This bill continues the licensing of occupational therapists and assistants until September 1, 2030, and makes the following changes:

• adds occupational therapy consultant and occupational therapy assistant to the list of titles a person can use if they are licensed in the state and allows occupational therapy assistants to use the abbreviation O.T.A. or C.O.T.A.;
• clarifies that the law does not restrict the activities of a person fulfilling an occupational therapy doctoral capstone experience under appropriate supervision;
• adds failing to make essential or falsifying entries on a patent record, committing abuse of health insurance, and committing a fraudulent insurance act to the grounds of discipline;
• adds additional definitions concerning the scope of practice for occupational therapists; and
• reorganizes sections of statute and makes other technical changes.

The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Bailey LaBoeuf Johnson, Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Kathryn Carano, Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado, testified about an amendment to the bill.

Betsy Murray, American Physical Therapy Association Colorado Chapter, testified in a neutral position about the bill. She distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment D).

The bill sponsors distributed and discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment E).

Richard Sweetman, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to a question from the committee

The bill sponsor explained amendment L.002 (Attachment F).

The bill sponsors made closing comments on the bill.