The proposed bill would amend current statutes regarding the authority of physical therapists to order imaging. Under the new law, a physical therapist would be allowed to order imaging only for patients with whom they have an established patient relationship and where there is a clinical need for the imaging. This change is reflected in the insertion of a new subsection (C) that specifies these conditions.

Additionally, the bill removes the previous limitation that restricted imaging orders to musculoskeletal imaging consisting solely of plain film radiographs, as indicated by the deletion of that language. The existing requirements for imaging to be performed by authorized healthcare practitioners and interpreted by licensed physicians remain unchanged. Overall, the bill aims to broaden the scope of imaging that physical therapists can order while ensuring that it is done within a defined patient relationship context.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-2041.01
House Engrossed Version: 32-2041.01
Chaptered Version: 32-2041.01