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Senator Huffman Announces Passage of Bills Increasing Employment Opportunities for Healthcare Professionals

February 4, 2021
Stephen A. Huffman News
 
COLUMBUS—State Senator Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City) announced this week that the Ohio Senate passed 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.

Both of these bills create opportunities for eligible physical therapists and occupational therapists to work in multiple states.

Under Senate Bill 5, residents of Physical Therapy Compact states are able to purchase a compact privilege in a member state and begin to practice physical therapy in other compact states almost immediately. There are currently 20 active member states in the Physical Therapy Compact.

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.

"State compacts are important to creating pathways, not barriers, to employment for Ohio's healthcare professionals," Huffman said. "I am proud to lead the Health committee that moved swiftly on these common sense initiatives."

Senate Bill 5 and Senate Bill 7 will now be sent to the Ohio House for consideration.