09-15-2006
New Hampshire Gov John Lynch signed a law June 1, 2006, requiring recreational therapists practicing in the state of New Hampshire to be licensed. The law will go into effect in July 2007.
According to the New England Therapeutic Recreation Association, this law makes New Hampshire the fourth state in the nation to pass legislation to regulate the practice of recreational therapy. Currently, Utah and North Carolina have licensure laws in place. Previously, Georgia had achieved licensure, which was later rescinded during a sunset review.
The primary sponsors of the bill were Sens Iris Estabrook, Maggie Hassan, Robert Flanders, Martha Fuller Clark, and Reps Jim Powers, Anne-Marie Irwin, Charlotte Houde-Quimby, and Peter Bergin.
The team of CTRS’ that shepherded this bill through the process was coordinated by Jill Gravink of Northeast Passage, and included Sharon Nichols of Genesis Health Care, Debbie Robinson of NH Hospital, Geoff Garfinkle of Crotched Mountain Center, Pam Ayotte of Northeast Rehabilitation Healthcare Network, and Lou Powell and Janet Sable of the University of New Hampshire.
This law is a major milestone in affirming the value of the therapeutic recreation profession and the importance of assuring that, when appropriate, the public receives goal directed treatment services delivered by a competent and adequately prepared practitioner who meets the legal and moral standards set forth by the state, according to the New England Therapeutic Recreation Association. It further solidifies the role of recreational therapists as integral members of a comprehensive interdisciplinary treatment team.
[SOURCE: New England Therapeutic Recreation Association, August 2006]
