Roegner Bills to Increase Employment Opportunities for Healthcare Professionals Signed Into Law

COLUMBUS—State Senator Kristina Roegner (R-Hudson) today applauded the Governor's signing of Senate Bill 5, which will enable Ohio to join the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, and Senate Bill 7, which would enable Ohio to join the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. Under Senate Bill 5, residents of Physical Therapy Compact member states are able to purchase a compact privilege and begin to practice physical therapy in other compact states almost immediately. There are currently 20 active member states in the Physical Therapy Compact, and an additional nine more have enacted legislation to join the compact but are still working to participate. Senate Bill 7 would bring Ohio into an agreement between member states aiming to facilitate interstate practice of occupational therapy and improve public access to occupational therapy services. Ohio would be one of the first 10 member states needed to enact the compact, putting Ohio at the forefront of establishing the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact. "I am proud that the legislature, and Governor DeWine, have taken important steps to enhance patient care and make Ohio more attractive for high-quality professionals, but the work does not stop here," Roegner said. "Reducing licensure restrictions will have a huge impact in other parts of the healthcare industry, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues toward that end." Roegner is also the sponsor of Senate Bill 3, entering Ohio into the Nurse Licensure Compact, and Senate Bill 6, entering Ohio into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. "State compacts are a great way to help people with occupational licenses practice and use their skills in other states without having to get relicensed for the same profession multiple times," added Roegner “This interstate partnership will expand career opportunities for Ohio's medical professionals, as well as improve the quality of care for the patients they serve." The legislation will be enacted 90 days after the bill was signed.