South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota HB1223: revise the scope of practice for occupational therapy.
Status: In committee, February 17, 2026
What the bill says
An Act to revise the scope of practice for occupational therapy.
From the introduced text, January 29, 2026:
An Act to revise the scope of practice for occupational therapy. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota: Section 1. That § 36-31-1 be AMENDED: 36-31-1. Terms used in this chapter mean: (1) "Board," the State Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners; (2) [ADDED: "Instrument-assisted modalities," modalities that produce a biophysiological response through the use of instruments or tools to target therapeutic treatment to specific tissue, fascia, or muscle;] [ADDED: (3) ] "Occupational therapist," any person licensed to practice occupational therapy as [DELETED: defined] [ADDED: set forth] in this chapter and whose license is in good standing; [DELETED: (3) "Occupational therapy," the evaluation, planning and implementation of a program of purposeful activities to develop or maintain adaptive skills necessary to achieve the maximal physical and mental functioning of the individual in his or her daily pursuits. The practice of occupational therapy includes consultation, evaluation, and treatment of individuals whose abilities to cope with the tasks of living are threatened or impaired by developmental deficits, the aging process, learning disabilities, poverty and cultural differences, physical injury or disease, psychological and social disabilities, or anticipated dysfunction. Occupational therapy services include such treatment techniques as task-oriented activities to prevent or correct physical or emotional deficits or to minimize the disabling effect of these deficits in the life of …
Sponsors
- Leslie Heinemann (R, HD-025) · primary sponsor
- Eric Emery (D, HD-026)
- Kevin Jensen (R, SD-016)
- Tim Reed (R, 07)
- Taylor Rehfeldt (R, HD-014)
- Jamie Smith (D, SD-015)
- Nicole Uhre-Balk (D, HD-032)
Latest actions
- : Withdrawn at the Request of the Prime Sponsor
- : First read in House and referred to Health and Human Services
Subjects: Therapists and Counselors, Licensure, Professions and Occupations
Common questions
- What is HB1223?
- HB1223 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): revise the scope of practice for occupational therapy.
- What does HB1223 do?
- In its own words: An Act to revise the scope of practice for occupational therapy.
- What is the status of HB1223?
- In committee as of February 17, 2026. Latest action: Withdrawn at the Request of the Prime Sponsor (February 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1223?
- Leslie Heinemann (R, HD-025), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1223?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26477
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.