Bill 869

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               869
Ratification Number:       479
Act Number                 390
Introducing Body:          Senate
Subject:                   Relating to the registration and
                           licensing of occupational therapists

(A390, R479, S869)

AN ACT TO AMEND ACT 139 OF 1977, RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, SO AS TO CHANGE THE COMPOSITION OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA BOARD OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, TO CHANGE THE METHOD OF APPOINTING THE MEMBERS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE FILLING OF VACANCIES ON THE BOARD, TO DELETE PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO THE BOARD, OTHER BOARD PERSONNEL AND EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS, TO DELETE A REQUIREMENT THAT OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS MUST BE OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER BEFORE THEY CAN BE LICENSED, TO REQUIRE AN APPLICANT TO SHOW TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE BOARD THAT HE HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR INVOLVING MORAL TURPITUDE, TO PROVIDE THAT REVENUES SHALL BE PAID TO THE STATE TREASURER AND FOR THE LEVYING OF FEES AND ASSESSMENTS TO EQUAL THE APPROPRIATIONS TO THE BOARD AND TO REAUTHORIZE THE EXISTENCE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA BOARD OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Board created--composition

Section 1. Section 6 of Act 139 of 1977 as amended to read:

"Section 6. There is hereby created the South Carolina Board of Occupational Therapy which shall consist of five members to be appointed by the Governor. Three members shall be occupational therapists of at least three years' experience; one member shall be an occupational therapy assistant, and one member a lay member. All of the therapists shall be licensed. Nominations for appointment to the board may be made to the Governor by any individual, group or association. From a list of all licensed occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, the South Carolina Occupational Therapy Association may submit recommendations to the Governor of at least two names for each vacancy on the board to be filled by such licensees."

Sections deleted

Section 2. Sections 9 and 10 of Act 139 of 1977 are deleted.

Applicant for license

Section 3. Section 12 of Act 139 of 1977 is amended to read:

"Section 12. An applicant for a license as an occupational therapist or an occupational therapy assistant shall file a written application on forms provided by the board showing to the satisfaction of the board that he:

(1) Has successfully completed the academic requirements of an accredited educational program in occupational therapy with concentration in biologic or physical science, psychology or sociology and with education in selected manual skills. For an occupational therapist the essentials of such a program shall be accredited by the American Medical Association in collaboration with the American Occupational Therapy Association. For an occupational therapy assistants such program shall be approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

(2) Has successfully completed a period of supervised field work experience at a recognized educational institution or a training program approved by the educational institution where he met the academic requirements. For an occupational therapist a minimum of six months of supervised field work experience is required. For an occupational therapy assistant a minimum of two months of supervised field work experience is required.

(3) Has passed an examination conducted by the board. An applicant who has practiced as an occupational therapy assistant for four years with a minimum of six months of supervised field experience may take the examination to be licensed as an occupational therapist without meeting the educational requirements for occupational therapists made otherwise applicable under subsection (1) of this section.

(4) Has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude."

Revenues and income from license, etc., to be remitted to State Treasurer

Section 4. Section 18 of Act 139 of 1977 is amended by striking the last two lines and inserting:

"All revenues and income from licenses, examination fees, other fees, sale of commodities and services, and income derived from any other board, source or activity shall be remitted to the State Treasurer as collected, when practicable, but at least once each week, and shall be credited to the general fund of the State. All assessments, fees or licenses shall be levied in an amount sufficient to at least equal the amount appropriated in the annual general appropriations act for the board, plus any additional funds allocated by the Budget and Control Board for implementation of the State's Personnel Compensation Plan."

The section when amended shall read:

"Section 18. The board shall prescribe and publish in the manner established by its rules fees in amounts determined by the board for the following purposes:

(1) Application for examination.

(2) Initial license fee.

(3) Renewal of license fee.

(4) Late renewal fee.

All revenues and income from licenses, examination fees, other fees, sale of commodities and services, and income derived from any other board, source or activity shall be remitted to the State Treasurer as collected, when practicable, but at least once each week, and shall be credited to the general fund of the State. All assessments, fees or licenses shall be levied in an amount sufficient to at least equal the amount appropriated in the annual general appropriations act for the board, plus any additional funds allocated by the Budget and Control Board for implementation of the State's Personnel Compensation Plan."

Board reauthorized

Section 5. In accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of Act 608 of 1978, the existence of the State Board of Occupational Therapy is reauthorized for six years.

Time effective

Section 6. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.