The bill HB232 amends Sections 34-24-191 and 34-24-210.1 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to broaden the practice scope for licensed physical therapists. It allows these professionals to conduct initial screenings for non-work-related injuries, diseases, or conditions without requiring a referral, except for patients with work-related injuries. The bill introduces the term "physical therapy referrer" and establishes educational requirements, mandating that physical therapists must possess either a doctorate in physical therapy or a master's degree with 10 years of clinical experience to treat patients without a referral. It also sets limitations on the number of patient visits that can occur without a referral and specifies prohibited actions for physical therapists, such as self-referring and prescribing medications. Additionally, the bill deletes previous requirements for referrals from licensed professionals and the obligation to inform the health care provider rendering a diagnosis.

Moreover, the bill mandates that physical therapists maintain professional liability insurance with minimum coverage limits and prohibits them from referring to themselves as doctors or physicians. It emphasizes the need for physical therapists to refer patients if there is no positive response to treatment within 30 days or 11 visits and outlines exceptions for specific patient categories. The bill clarifies that physical therapy referrers will not be held civilly liable for actions taken by physical therapists without a referral and specifies that health benefit plans are not required to cover the services authorized in this act. The provisions of this act will take effect on June 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34-24-191, 34-24-210
Engrossed: 34-24-191, 34-24-210
Enrolled: 34-24-191, 34-24-210