AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL-BASED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide specific details about how additional course work affects salary increases, only that it may apply for rightward movement on the indexed scale under subsection (a) of this section.

Act to Clarify Pay Rules for School Occupational Therapists

This act establishes clear pay guidelines for school-based occupational therapists in Delaware based on their education and certification.

What This Bill Does

• Sets a uniform baseline salary schedule for school-based occupational therapists who have passed the NBCOT exam, hold a current state license from Delaware's Board of Occupational Therapy Practice, and possess either a master’s degree or doctorate in occupational therapy.
• Specifies that therapists with a master’s degree receive at least their current pay grade or the equivalent of 30 extra credits on the salary scale.
• Therapists with a doctorate degree will receive a base salary level corresponding to a doctoral degree.

Who It Names or Affects

• School-based occupational therapists working in Delaware
• Delaware's Board of Occupational Therapy Practice

Terms To Know

National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)

An organization that tests and certifies occupational therapists.

Salary Schedule

A list showing the pay levels for different jobs based on education, experience, and other factors.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how additional course work outside of an occupational therapy degree affects salary increases.
• It is unclear when this act will become law after passing both chambers of the Delaware General Assembly.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL-BASED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS.
This Act clarifies the pay schedule for school-based occupational therapists. Due to varying program lengths, such as accelerated programs, and the different methods of how colleges and universities award credits, it is challenging to accurately and equitably determine the appropriate lane on the salary schedule for school-based occupational therapists. This Act creates a uniform baseline for school-based occupational therapists on the salary schedule in a manner similar to other school-based clinicians such as audiologists and speech-language pathologists.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Poore & Rep. Kamela Smith

Sens. Hoffner, Walsh, Wilson; Rep. Morrison

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 279

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SCHOOL-BASED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 13, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1305. Basic salary schedule for teachers, specialists, nurses, principals, superintendents, and other administrative and supervisory employees [For application of this section, see 85 Del. Laws, c. 62, § 8(m)(6)].

(v) A school-based occupational therapist who has achieved a passing score on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), who holds a current state license to practice from the Delaware Board of Occupational Therapy Practice, and who holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy but does not hold a doctorate of occupational therapy shall receive the higher of either a base salary level of Masters Plus 30 credits or the occupational therapist’s current pay grade. A school-based occupational therapist who has achieved a passing score on the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), who holds a current state license to practice from the Delaware Board of Occupational Therapy Practice, and who holds a doctorate of occupational therapy shall receive a base salary level of doctor’s degree. A school-based occupational therapist who has completed additional course work separate from the occupational therapy degree may apply for rightward movement on the indexed scale under subsection (a) of this section.

SYNOPSIS

This Act clarifies the pay schedule for school-based occupational therapists. Due to varying program lengths, such as accelerated programs, and the different methods of how colleges and universities award credits, it is challenging to accurately and equitably determine the appropriate lane on the salary schedule for school-based occupational therapists. This Act creates a uniform baseline for school-based occupational therapists on the salary schedule in a manner similar to other school-based clinicians such as audiologists and speech-language pathologists.

Author: Senator Poore