Assigned to HEA & APPROP                                                                                                              FOR COMMITTEE

 

 


 

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1099

 

occupational therapists; board; compensation

 

Purpose

 

Increases the compensation for members of the Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners (Board) for each meeting attended.

 

Background

 

According to the Board, the length of its monthly meetings has increased from approximately two hours per meeting to three or four hours per meeting. Board members spend greater amounts of time reviewing materials relating to complaints, investigations and other complicated issues such as issuing and renewing licenses and reviewing rules. Pursuant to statute, each member of the Board receives $30 of compensation for each day of service (A.R.S. § 38-611).

 

The Board feels it is increasingly difficult to retain and attract qualified individuals to serve as Board members, especially public members. The Board is requesting an increase in the compensation to attract qualified applicants. In response, S.B. 1099 raises the member compensation from $30 to $100 per meeting.

 

According to the Board, this bill increases its compensation expenses for meetings from $1,800 per year to $6,000 per year, which can be absorbed by the occupational therapy fund.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Increases, from $30 to $100, the compensation each Board member receives for each meeting attended.

 

2.      Makes technical changes.

 

3.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

January 25, 2002