3050

VETOES

Occupational Therapy Practice

FOR the purpose of establishing a Board of Occupational
Therapy Practice in the Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene; unless excepted, requiring licensure by the
Board to practice occupational therapy in the State;
establishing the procedures and qualifications for
obtaining, maintaining, and renewing a license;
establishing civil and criminal penalties for violation
of this subtitle; providing for a contingency; and
generally relating to the practice of occupational
therapy.

May 29, 1978
Honorable Steny H. Hoyer
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Mr. President:

In accordance with Article II, Section 17 of the
Maryland Constitution, I have today vetoed Senate Bill 538.

This bill establishes a Board of Occupational Therapy
Practice in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and,
after a certain date, requires licensure to practice
occupational therapy in this State.

House Bill 935, which was enacted by the General
Assembly and signed by me on May 29, 1978, accomplishes the
same purpose. The bills differ, however, because of an
amendment to the provisions that specify the responsibility
of the Board with respect to licensure.

The Senate Bill states that the Board has a duty to
issue licenses within 90 days after application for
licensure is made. House Bill 935 was amended to delete the
90-day requirement, and a one year delay in the commencement
of all licensure activities was substituted.

The Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene has advised
me that a 90-day period for licensure would be insufficient
for licensure by reciprocity and that a one year delay in
activities, as provided in House Bill 935, is preferable,
since the budget for Fiscal Year 1979 does not contain
provisions for this new board. In addition, the adoption of
rules and regulations and other administrative
responsibilities could be effected during this period of one
year.

Since the purpose of Senate Bill 538 is accomplished by
the enactment and signing of House Bill 935, and for the
reasons given for preferring the language of House Bill 935,