The bill HB110 amends various sections of the Code of Alabama 1975 concerning the Board of Physical Therapy, introducing significant changes to the regulation and practice of physical therapy in the state. Key insertions include the establishment of the Physical Therapy Compact Commission, which allows physical therapists to practice across state lines under "compact privilege." The bill defines terms such as "compact privilege holder" and mandates the board to maintain a list of all licensed physical therapists and assistants, including those with compact privileges. It also revises the board's duties, enhancing its authority to issue licenses, conduct examinations, and enforce regulations, while removing previous restrictions on the supervision of physical therapist assistants. Additionally, the bill introduces an impaired practitioner program to support professionals facing substance abuse or mental health challenges.

Further amendments include the expansion of the committee's responsibilities to monitor both physical therapy licensees and compact privilege holders, ensuring confidentiality of records related to impaired individuals. The bill outlines the complaint process against licensed professionals, detailing the rights of the accused and the board's authority to issue subpoenas. It also specifies that applicants must undergo a criminal history background check and pass a jurisprudence examination, with provisions for foreign-educated therapists to have their credentials evaluated. The language throughout the bill has been updated to replace "person" with "individual" for clarity, and it establishes that individuals with bona fide employment relationships with physicians are protected from disciplinary actions. The act will take effect on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34-24-191, 34-24-193, 34-24-194, 34-24-196, 34-24-210, 34-24-210, 34-24-211, 34-24-212, 34-24-213, 34-24-214, 34-24-217
Enrolled: 34-24-191, 34-24-193, 34-24-194, 34-24-196, 34-24-210, 34-24-210, 34-24-211, 34-24-212, 34-24-213, 34-24-214, 34-24-217