Senators hear support for updating occupational therapy scope to match national practice

Juneau — The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee heard testimony on March 25 to update Alaska's occupational therapy scope of practice as part of the committee substitute for House Bill 110.

Representative Carolyn Hall said the substitute includes language (originating in HB347) that would clarify occupational therapists' role in restoring and rehabilitating function, not merely helping patients "cope." "Occupational therapy helps people whose ability to participate in the activities of daily living is impeded by disability or pain," Hall said, arguing that updated statutory language would reduce referral delays and improve access to modern rehabilitative care.

Jean Kekut, an occupational therapist with decades of Alaskan practice, said the current statute is outdated and can delay access to restorative services, particularly in rural communities. "HB 110 addresses that gap," Kekut said, urging legislative support to align the state's law with national standards.

Adrae Ushen, another occupational therapist, said updating scope language will let providers practice to the full extent of their training and help patients return to meaningful roles in work and family life. Committee members asked detailed questions about specific limits in the current statute and how the proposed language would apply in rural settings; witnesses said some finer implementation questions would be addressed in rulemaking.

The committee set the CS aside for future consideration and noted it would continue deliberation on additional parts of the substitute at a later meeting.