House Bill No. by Representative Bagley proposes significant amendments to the Louisiana Revised Statutes governing the practice of physical therapy. Key changes include the redefinition of the Louisiana Physical Therapy Board's composition, now requiring two members to be physical therapists from the American Physical Therapy Association, and the elimination of age requirements for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants. The bill also introduces new definitions related to digital health and devices, clarifies the practice of physical therapy, and grants the board authority to impose administrative fines for violations. Additionally, it modifies licensure qualifications, allowing for endorsements from other states and removing certain educational prerequisites.

The legislation further expands the scope of practice for physical therapists, enabling them to initiate services without a prescription or referral under specific conditions, while still prohibiting medical diagnoses. It repeals various supervision and treatment requirements for physical therapist assistants, including limits on the number of assistants a physical therapist can supervise and the need for regular meetings between them. Overall, the bill aims to modernize and streamline the regulations surrounding physical therapy in Louisiana, enhancing the profession's flexibility and responsiveness to patient needs while ensuring adherence to established standards.

Statutes affected:
HB897 Original: 37:2403(B)(3), 37:2405(B)(11), 37:2407(A)(2), 37:2409(5), 37:2411(4), 37:2413(B), 37:2416(1), 37:2419(B), 37:2422(A), 37:2407(A)(1), 37:2409(1), 37:2411(1), 37:2416(3)