House Bill No. by Representative Bagley seeks to amend and update various sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes concerning the practice of physical therapy. Notable 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 provisions that allow licensed physical therapists and assistants from other jurisdictions to practice in Louisiana for up to ninety days without a license during declared emergencies, extending the previous limit of sixty days.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the roles and responsibilities of physical therapists and assistants, allowing physical therapists to initiate and deliver services without a prescription or referral under specific conditions. It removes previous limitations on the number of assistants a physical therapist can supervise and repeals the requirement for regular meetings between them. The bill also grants the board authority to impose administrative fines for violations and manage its property and finances. Overall, these amendments aim to modernize the practice of physical therapy in Louisiana, enhance licensure qualifications, and ensure timely care during emergencies.

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)