The meeting of the New Jersey State Occupational Therapy Advisory Council was held on January 10, 2008 at the State Office Building at 124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor, Newark, N.J. The meeting was convened in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act with previous notification having been sent to the Secretary of State and the following publications: The Record in Bergen County, The Star Ledger, Camden Courier Post, Trenton Times, Aisling Swift Press of Atlantic City and Asbury Park Press, to advise of the scheduling of this meeting. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Betty Thomas at 9:50 A.M.

Opening Statement - Regarding compliance with the Open Public meeting Act

Present - Council Members: Betty Thomas, O.T., Chairperson, Mariann E. Moran, O.T. and Tiffany Charles, O.T.

Absent - Council Member: Aida E. Mendez-Boud, O.T.A., Vice-Chairperson

Also, Present: Deputy Attorney General Nancy Costello Miller, Regulatory Analyst, Maryann Sheehan Executive Director Laura L. Anderson and Recording Secretary Maria Ormeno-Bertorelli

MINUTES - The Council, upon motion made by Mariann Moran and seconded by Tiffany Charles, voted to accept the November 15, 2007 Public Session Minutes as amended.

I. RULES AND REGULATIONS

MODALITIES

The Council reviewed a draft on modalities provided by Maryann Sheehan, Regulatory Analyst, with incorporated changes made by the Council at the last meeting.

A meeting was scheduled for February 26, 2008 between a committee of the Council and a committee of the Board of Physical Therapy Examiners to discuss issues or concerns that may exist regarding the draft proposal. The Council discussed the option of publishing the draft as a pre-proposal.

REVIEW OF RULES PRIOR TO SUNSET

October 3, 2008 is the date of the current rules and regulations for the Council will expire. Maryann Sheehan, Regulatory Analyst provided copy of the current regulations and explained the full process to the Council. The Council proposed changes to the current regulations.

In order to properly review the current regulations, the Council scheduled a special public meeting to take place on February 26, 2008, to continue the review. Notifications to the Secretary of State and to distribution list to be sent.

II. CORRESPONDENCE

1. National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) (at meeting)

The Council reviewed a document titled "Changes in Healthcare Professions’ Scope of Practice: Legislative Considerations" developed to assist legislators and regulatory organizations with making decisions about changes to healthcare professions’ scopes of practice, attempting to address scope of practice from a public protection viewpoint.

The Council considered this material informational.

2. The American Occupational Therapy Association (at meeting)

The Council reviewed the November/December 2007, Volume 61/Number 6 of The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT).

The Council considered this material informational.

3. N.J.A.C. 13:44K-2 Responsibilities of designated supervisor. Request for interpretation.

The Council reviewed a letter from an Occupational Therapist, Beth Scott, license 46TR00237700, requesting interpretation of regulation N.J.A.C. 13:44K-2 Responsibilities of designated supervisor

The Council, will send a letter to Ms. Scott advising her that the rule requires that a minimum of 1,200 of experience must be obtained within two (2) years. The Council recognizes that the experiential requirement of 1,200 hours may be completed in less than 2 years. Noting that this requirement is designed to ensure that persons supervising occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, temporary licensees and students, the Council’s rule contemplates that the experience be obtained in a defined period. This will prevent persons who have worked only intermittently or on a limited basis from serving as supervisors.

4. HomeCEUConnection.com

The Council reviewed material received regarding continuing education courses offered by Home CEUConnection.com

The Council considered this material informational.

III. NEW BUSINESS

LICENSURE REINSTATEMENTS

The previous biennial licensing period for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants licensed in New Jersey, expired on September 30, 2007. After a 30 days grace period, which ended October 31, 2007, a letter was mailed to all those licensees who failed to renew their licenses before the grace period expired.

The Council reviewed correspondence received from licensees who failed to renew their licenses in a timely manner and continued to practice occupational therapy in New Jersey during that period.

The Council, upon the motion made by Marian E. Moran and seconded by Tiffany Charles, voted that a Uniform Penalty Letter with a civil penalty to be issued to all the licensees who failed to renew their licenses before the expiration of the grace period on October 31, 2007, and continued practicing the profession of occupational therapy in New Jersey.

IV. INITIAL APPLICATIONS

The Council reviewed applications for licensure, upon motion made by Mariann E. Moran and seconded by Tiffany Charles, voted to approve the following applicants:

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS

Ahern, Catherine A. Kitaychik, Tatiana
Alberson, Tiffany M. Klein, Mona E.
Alonso, Ruben E. Laput, Ivy Lou Manubag
Arnold, Lisa B. Marcelo, Anna Cecilia W.
Bernardo, Ma Jenny Faye V. Mattel, Amy L
Blewitt, Lindsay Marie McHugh, Karissa L.
Boyle, Noreen P. Mehta, Ritu
Bullock, Misty S Minoza, Louella Asarez
Chan, Jr. Abraham G. Moneda, Neyma D.
Cheshire, Rebecca L. Moxley, Bethany Michele
Cook, Michelle S. Murphy, Darrell E.
DeRita, Kristina R. Patio, Joanne S
Figuereo, Barbara Rivers, Lauren A.
Flaishman, Fraida Saito, Atsumi
Galbiati, Mark Russel Salomone, Stephanie A.
Galinski, Christy C. Sanchez, Michelle A
Howell, Marcelle K Schuh, Catherine
Janovsky, Barbara E Weaver, Sandra J.
Joson, Kristin Ann P.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANTS

Buckley, Stephen G.
Cruz-Vargas, Maria T.
Lapinsky, Kristina M.
Truman, Shaundell N.

At 1:00 P.M. the Council, upon motion made by Tiffany Charles and seconded by Mariann E. Moran, voted to move into the Executive Session to consider and to review consumer complaints, investigative reports and other information receive pursuant to the Council’s regulations. The result of these deliberations will be made known when and if the Council’s determines to initiate disciplinary or other enforcement action. If the Council determines to issue any sanction, disciplinary action will be taken in public session immediately after the executive session.

At 1:00 P.M. the Council, upon motion made by Tiffany Charles and seconded by Mariann E. Moran, voted to adjourn the public session.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Laura L. Anderson
Executive Director

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