NY Senate passes bill to allow therapy assistants to treat injured workers

Occupational therapy and physical therapy assistants in New York would be authorized to treat workers compensation patients under legislation the state Senate passed unanimously Tuesday.

S.B. 3969, introduced by Democratic Sen. Timothy Kennedy, would modify the New York workers compensation law to allow authorized occupational therapy assistants and physical therapy assistants to treat injured workers under the direct supervision of a licensed occupational or physical therapist.

The bill would require evidence that the assistant was supervised through records of instruction and of the patient’s condition and progress signed by the supervising therapist.

The legislation has moved to the Assembly for consideration. If signed into law, it would take effect in 30 days.