New law makes range of health board changes

A new law will make it easier for retired health care workers to return to work during a peacetime emergency – like the COVID-19 pandemic – and institute a range of other updates and clarifying and technical changes to statutes governing health occupations regulated by the Board of Medical Practice, Board of Occupational Therapy Practice, Board of Social Work Practice, and Board of Dentistry.

Sponsored by Rep. Kelly Morrison (DFL-Deephaven) and Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester), the law is effective Aug. 1, 2020, unless otherwise noted.

The law will permit the payment of retirement annuities if the retiree is hired or rehired by a public employer as a health care worker on or after the effective date of a declaration of a peacetime emergency. This would ensure that retirees are not financially penalized for helping to address the state’s workforce needs during a crisis. This section took effect May 13, 2020.

The new law will also:

• remove unnecessary criminal background check fees for health professions regulated by the Board of Medical Practice, including physician assistants, acupuncturists, respiratory therapists, traditional midwives, and genetic counselors;

• update scope of practice for occupational therapists licensed by the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice;

• make clarifying and technical changes to statutes regarding occupational therapy licensure applications and renewal requirements;

• convert the license renewal cycle for occupational therapy licensees to a two-year cycle based on birth month;

• allow for licensure by endorsement – not just by examination – for licensed graduate social workers, licensed independent social workers and licensed independent clinical social workers;

• update statutes governing the Board of Social Work Practice to more explicitly define topics to be covered by “continuing education social work ethics," including cultural awareness and social diversity; and

• modify the requirements for dental professionals to display licensing and renewal certificates.

The law will also require the Board of Social Work Practice to have at least five members – out of 10 – who are members of a community of color or an underrepresented community. Under previous law, the requirement that was five board members “be persons with expertise in communities of color.”

HF3028/SF2939*/CH79

SF2939* / HF3028 / CH79