Bill Text: CA AB2684 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

California Assembly Bill 2684 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: School employee credentialing: occupational therapy and physical therapy services: workgroup.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-03-17 - In committee: Hearing postponed by committee. [AB2684 Detail]

Download: California-2019-AB2684-Introduced.html

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 2684

Introduced by Assembly Member Blanca Rubio

February 20, 2020

An act to add Section 44268.2 to the Education Code, relating to school employee credentialing.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 2684, as introduced, Blanca Rubio. School employee credentialing: occupational therapy and physical therapy services: workgroup.

Existing law requires the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to establish standards for the issuance and renewal of credentials, certificates, and permits. Existing law sets forth the minimum requirements for a services credential with a specialization in health and excludes services as an occupational therapist or physical therapist from the health services the holder of a services credential with a specialization in health is authorized to perform.

This bill would require the commission to convene a workgroup, as provided, to consider whether the development of a services credential with a specialization in occupational therapy or physical therapy services is warranted. The bill would require the workgroup to provide a report on its findings to the commission on or before July 1, 2021.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 44268.2 is added to the Education Code, to read:

44268.2.

(a) The commission shall convene a workgroup, as provided in subdivision (c), to consider whether the development of a services credential with a specialization in occupational therapy or physical therapy services is warranted.

(b) To determine whether a credential is warranted, the workgroup shall consider, but is not limited to considering, all of the following:

(1) The minimum requirements for a prospective credential.

(2) What experience may automatically qualify an occupational therapist or physical therapist to earn the credential.

(3) Any additional specialized preparation necessary to qualify for the credential.

(4) What options may be made available to occupational therapists and physical therapists with respect to obtaining a credential.

(5) Whether credentials are required for other similarly educated and trained health care professionals who work in schools.

(6) Options to consider for grandfathering in occupational therapists and physical therapists working in schools before the creation of a credential for occupational therapists and physical therapists.

(7) If a credential is recommended, what qualifications may apply to contract employees.

(1) A representative from the Occupational Therapy Association of California.

(2) A representative from the California Physical Therapy Association.

(3) A representative from the California Teachers Association.

(4) Two representatives from the California School Employees Association.

(5) A public school administrator.

(6) At least one occupational therapist and one physical therapist academic representative from educational institutions that have occupational therapy or physical therapy degree programs.

(7) A representative from the department.

(8) A representative from a special education local plan area.

(9) An occupational therapist and a physical therapist employed by a school district who are classified employees selected from a list submitted by the California School Employees Association and an occupational therapist and a physical therapist employed by a school district who are certificated but not credentialed employees selected from a list submitted by the Occupational Therapy Association of California and the California Physical Therapy Association.

(d) (1) The workgroup shall provide a report on its findings pursuant to this section to the commission by July 1, 2021.

(2) If a recommendation included in the report is not agreed to unanimously, the report may include a dissenting opinion if requested by a member of the workgroup.

(e) A credential recommended by the workgroup shall be designed to ensure that it does not negatively affect the occupational therapist or physical therapist salary scale or the overall economic burden on an occupational therapist or physical therapist.