Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy

Government Relations

MAOT Co-Government Relations Representatives: Mary O'Donnell & Colleen Cameron Whiting

Below you will find updates from MAOT's Co-Government Relations Representatives concerning

occupational therapy legislation and advocacy throughout Massachusetts as beyond!

OT Interstate Licensure Compact

The OT Interstate Licensure Compact is an interstate compact that authorizes in-person practice and telehealth based on a valid, unrestricted home state license in other compact member states for both occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. If enacted, this legislation would allow MA-based OTPs to practice across state lines in other compact states without needing to obtain licensure in that state. This is the second time we are filing compact legislation and we need your support to ensure it passes!

We ask that you please reach out to your state Representative and Senator requesting their co-sponsorship of the bill. If you are unsure who your state legislators are, you can find them here:

www.malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Here you will find an email template that you can customize and send to your legislators. We also suggest that you send the Fact Sheet.

Email to Legislature

Compact Fact Sheet

Here are links to the House and Senate bills:

Bill S.256: An Act relative to the occupational therapist interstate licensure compact

www.malegislature.gov/Bills/194/SD1426

Bill H.427: An Act relative to the occupational therapist interstate licensure compact

www.malegislature.gov/Bills/194/HD1915

We appreciate your support in advocating for this important OT legislation!

Please email info@maot.org with questions.

Best,
Mary O’Donnell & Colleen Cameron Whiting, Co-Government Relations Representatives

Mental Health Legislation

Bills S.593 and H.1038: An Act Relative to Mental Health Providers

About the Bill:

Would add OTs and OTAs to the list of licensed mental health professionals in MA

Would ensure that OTPs are adequately reimbursed for critical mental health services across the state and across practice settings

Recent Updates:

February 7th, 2024 - Received a favorable report in the Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing

April 5th, 2024 - Bill placed in study by its committee of secondary jurisdiction. This committee does not require a public hearing and reviews the overall cost of the bill. MAOT Lobbyist and bill sponsor, Representative Natalie Higgins, met with the staff and committee chair to reiterate key impact of bill, however, insurers weighed in that the price of the legislation is “more than what can be born at this time”.

MAOT is actively working with our lobbyist on continuing strategy to push the bill forward.

Licensure Compact Update

Bills S.187 and H.352: An Act Relative to the Occupational Therapist Interstate Licensure Compact

About the Bill:

Would allow OTs and OTAs in Massachusetts to practice across state lines via the “compact privilege”.

You can learn more about the OT Interstate Licensure Compact here:

www.aota.org/advocacy/issues/ot-licensure-compact

Recent Updates:

February 16th, 2023 - Referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
February 12th, 2024 - Referred to study in the committee
MAOT is actively working with our lobbyist on strategy for this bill, considering how we can collaborate with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) who also have a compact bill in committee.

MassHealth Update

Bill S.794: An Act Relative to MassHealth Reimbursement for Schools

About the Bill:

Would require that funds received from MassHealth reimbursement for school-based services would go directly to the school district, as opposed to the town or city

This would allow these funds to go directly back to the schools to fund school-based services and administrative costs rather than to the local government

Recent Updates:

February 16th, 2023 - Referred to the Committee on Healthcare Financing
April 8th, 2024 - Bill received favorable report by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
MAOT will be meeting with key champions for this bill in late April, 2024 to discuss strategy