Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes Michigan to enter into the Occupational Therapist Licensure Compact Agreement.

Highlights:

• Requires the State of Michigan to do the following (Sec. 3):

• License Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants;

• Participate fully in the commission's data system;

• Establish a mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints;

• Notify the commission of any Adverse Action or Investigative Information;

• Implement procedures for considering the criminal history of applicants;

• Comply with the rules of the commission; 

• Utilize only recognized national examination as a licensure requirement; and

• Have continuing competence/education requirements as a condition for license renewal.

• Requires the following to partake in compact privileges (Sec. 4):

• Hold a valid license in the home state;

• Have a valid Social Security number or national practitioner identification number;

• Have not encumbrance on any state license;

• Have paid all fines and completed all requirements resulting from adverse action at least two years prior;

• Pay any required fees for compact privilege; and

• Complete a criminal background check.

• Authorizes compact member states to take adverse action against licensed practitioners, provided proper investigations and hearings regarding wrongdoing have been conducted (Sec. 7).

• Requires compact member states to establish an Occupational Therapy Compact Commission and establishes guidelines for how the commission should operate (Sec. 8).

• Requires the commission to establish and maintain a database for licensure, adverse action, and investigative information (Sec. 9).

• Establishes that the commission will take effect when the statute is enacted into law within the tenth member state (Sec. 12).

• Specifies that occupational therapy providers in remote states must follow the rules of that state (Sec. 14).

Full Bill Text