Senate Commerce Committee Statement to Senate, No. 1493 — State of New Jersey (February 12, 2026)

Summary

A Senate Commerce Committee statement to the Senate on Senate Bill No. 1493, State of New Jersey, dated February 12, 2026, reporting the bill favorably. The bill updates the law regulating occupational therapists, directing the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, with the Occupational Therapy Advisory Council, to develop continuing competence and professional development requirements for license renewal. It adds a definition of "occupational therapy services" and expands the issues covered to include parental health, disaster preparedness and emergency management, and population health management. Council members could serve a maximum of three consecutive sessions, the council would meet at least four times annually, and examinations would be administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

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SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No.
1493

STATE
OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY
12, 2026

The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably Senate
Bill No. 1493.

This
bill updates current law regulating occupational therapists. Specifically,
under the bill, there is established a requirement for the Director of the
Division of Consumer Affairs, 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” and expands the types of issues
in which occupational therapy may be sought to include, among other items,
parental health; disaster preparedness and emergency management; and population
health management. The bill will also allow members of the council to serve a
maximum of three consecutive sessions and for the council to meet at least four
times annually. Examinations required in current law will be administered by
the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. Lastly,
references in current law to submissions to the director of proof of fieldwork
completion are deleted for redundancy because the submission is already
required as part of the presentation of evidence of completing an accredited
program in occupational therapy.

This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the
2026-2027 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the
changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

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