The bill amends Section 887.17 of the Physical Therapy Practice Act in Oklahoma, specifically removing the previous requirement that physical therapists could only evaluate and treat patients for a maximum of thirty days without a referral from a licensed health care practitioner. The new language allows licensed physical therapists to provide treatment without a referral indefinitely, except in cases related to workers' compensation claims. Additionally, it clarifies that treatment can be provided by physical therapist assistants under the supervision of a physical therapist.

The bill also maintains provisions that allow physical therapists to provide services to children under specific educational acts without a physician referral and emphasizes that physical therapists can perform screenings and educational procedures without such referrals. Furthermore, it ensures that the act does not limit the activities of individuals engaged in nontherapeutic practices or students in approved physical therapy programs. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 59-887.17