# R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-2: Legislative purpose

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-2

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-2
- **Heading:** Legislative purpose
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 5 / Chapter 5-96 / Section 5-96-2

## Text

The purpose of this compact is to facilitate interstate practice of occupational therapy with the goal of improving public access to occupational therapy services. The practice of occupational therapy occurs in the state where the patient/client is located at the time of the patient/client encounter. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. This compact is designed to achieve the following objectives:

(1) Increase public access to occupational therapy services by providing for the mutual recognition of other member state licenses;

(2) Enhance the states€™ ability to protect the public€™s health and safety;

(3) Encourage the cooperation of member states in regulating multi-state occupational therapy practice;

(4) Support spouses of relocating military members;

(5) Enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information between member states;

(6) Allow a remote state to hold a provider of services with a compact privilege in that state accountable to that state€™s practice standards; and

(7) Facilitate the use of telehealth technology in order to increase access to occupational therapy services.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-1 § 5-96-1. Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-2 § 5-96-2. Legislative purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-3 § 5-96-3. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-4 § 5-96-4. State participation in the compact.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-5 § 5-96-5. Compact privilege.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-6 § 5-96-6. Obtaining a new home state license by virtue of compact privilege.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-6.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-7 § 5-96-7. Active duty military personnel or their spouses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-7.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-8 § 5-96-8. Adverse actions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-8.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-9 § 5-96-9. Establishment of the occupational therapy compact commission.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-9.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-10 § 5-96-10. Data system.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-11 § 5-96-11. Rulemaking.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-11.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-12 § 5-96-12. Oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-12.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-13 § 5-96-13. Date of implementation of the interstate commission for occupational therapy practice and associated rules, withdrawal, and amendment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-13.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-96-14 § 5-96-14. Construction and severability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T5_C5-96_S5-96-2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.