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Bill

S 5612

Authorizes occupational therapy services to be provided in school to certain students

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 3 co-sponsors

Allows occupational therapy services to be provided to eligible students within schools.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · S 5612

Summary of Bill S 5612

Overview

Senate Bill S 5612, introduced February 25, 2025, is a proposed measure to authorize occupational therapy (OT) services to be provided in school settings to certain students. The bill is currently classified as a bill and has been REFERRED TO EDUCATION in the Senate. A companion Assembly bill is listed as A 5474.

What the bill would do

  • Authorize occupational therapy services to be provided within schools to eligible students.
  • The exact scope, eligibility criteria, service delivery standards, and oversight would be defined in the bill’s text (the summary indicates authorization but does not specify detailed mechanics).

Note: The available information does not provide the specific eligibility rules (e.g., which students qualify, under what plans such as an IEP or 504 plan), service frequency or duration, provider qualifications, funding mechanisms, or supervision requirements. The full bill text would detail these provisions.

Sponsors and legislative action

  • Primary sponsor: Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
  • Cosponsors: Mario Mattera, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Andrew J. Lanza
  • Legislative actions: Both listed actions on 2025-02-25 show the bill being REFERRED TO EDUCATION (the only recorded action to date).

Related legislation

  • Companion bill: A 5474 (Assembly). The existence of a companion typically indicates parallel consideration in the Assembly, potentially expediting movement if both houses advance.

Who would be affected

  • Students who meet the bill’s eligibility criteria would gain access to OT services in school settings.
  • School districts and local education agencies would be responsible for implementing and delivering OT services, subject to the bill’s requirements.
  • Occupational therapists and related service providers working in school settings would be engaged to deliver these services, pending licensure and supervision standards outlined in the bill.
  • Families of eligible students could experience changes in how related services are planned, funded, and documented (e.g., via IEPs or analogous plans).

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Status: Referred to Education (Senate) as of 2025-02-25.
  • No further actions are listed in the provided materials; the bill would proceed through committee considerations, potential amendments, and floor votes in the Senate, then movement to the Assembly for consideration of the companion and eventual conference if needed.

Potential impact (high level)

  • Expanded access to occupational therapy for school-age students who need it, potentially improving fine motor skills, activities of daily living, handwriting, and participation in school activities.
  • May influence budget planning and staffing in school districts due to new service provision obligations.
  • Aligns with ongoing efforts to integrate related services into educational programs under federal and state education frameworks.

For a complete understanding, the full text of S 5612 and any fiscal notes or amendments should be reviewed once available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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