House Sponsors: COWLISHAW-COULSON. Senate Sponsors: WALSH,T Short description: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act. Defines "occupational therapy services" and "occupational therapy aide". Redefines "occupational therapy" to include a list of interventions that are allowed and the roles that an occupational therapist may assume. Provides for the requirement of continuing education for the renewal of an occupational therapist's license and an occupational therapy assistant's certification. Requires an occupational therapist to have a referral from a licensed physician, dentist, chiropractor, podiatrist, optometrist, or other licensed health care professional who is authorized to refer for health care services prior to implementing direct occupational therapy upon an individual for a specific health care condition. Effective January 1, 2002. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Adds reference to: 225 ILCS 75/3.2 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the bill as introduced with the following changes. Provides that occupational therapy services include, for occupational therapists possessing advanced training, skills, and competency as determined by the Department, applying physical agent modalities as an adjunct to or in preparation for engagement in occupations. Provides that no rule shall be adopted under the Act that allows an occupational therapist to perform an act, task, or function primarily performed in the lawful practice of optometry under the Illinois Optometric Practice Act of 1987. Provides that an occupational therapist shall refer to a licensed physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist any patient whose medical condition should, at the time of evaluation or treatment, be determined to be beyond the scope of practice of the occupational therapist. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Adds reference to: 225 ILCS 75/3.3 new Provides that the Department shall promulgate rules to define and regulate the activities of occupational therapy aides. Permits an occupational therapist to consult with, educate, evaluate, and monitor services for clients concerning non-medical occupational therapy needs. Changes the continuing education requirements. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 3. Limits an occupational therapist implementing direct occupational therapy for specific health care conditions to those patients referred to the therapist by a physician, dentist, podiatrist, or optometrist. Last action on Bill: PUBLIC ACT.............................. 92-0297 Last action date: AUG-09-2001 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 3 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status