ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1493

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 28, 2026

      The Assembly Budget Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1493.

      As amended, this bill updates current law regulating occupational therapists.  Specifically, the bill requires the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs (the director), in consultation with the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council, to develop continuing competence and professional development requirements in order for licensed occupational therapists and licensed occupational therapy assistants to renew licenses.  Additionally, the bill adds a definition of “occupational therapy services” to stipulate that they may be provided to address parental health; women’s health; pelvic health and intimacy; LGBTQIA+ issues; and other matters.  The bill also provides for council members to serve a maximum of three consecutive sessions and requires the council to meet at least four times annually.  Examinations required under current law will be administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.  Finally, the bill deletes redundant current law references to submissions to the director of proof of fieldwork completion because the submission is already required as evidence of the completion of an accredited program in occupational therapy.

      As amended and reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 1493 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 3381 (1R), which was also amended and reported by the committee on this date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to modify the definition of “occupational therapy services” by removing stipulations that the services are provided:  (1) in traditional, non-traditional, and emerging areas in line with occupational therapy practice; and (2) to individuals, groups, or populations through medical, health and wellness, educational, community, and social systems.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services finds that the bill will result in an indeterminate expenditure increase to the Division of Consumer Affairs to initially develop and then periodically update continuing competence and professional development requirements for licensed occupational therapists and licensed occupational therapy assistants to renew licenses.  Depending on the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council’s resource allocation policies, however, the added workload may or may not augment State administrative expenditures and be offset by biennial fee revenues.