SPONSOR: Aldridge
This bill changes the laws regarding physical therapists so that physical therapists no longer need a prescription or referral from a doctor in order to evaluate and initiate treatment on a patient. However, a physical therapist is required to refer to an approved health care provider any patient whose condition is beyond the physical therapist's scope of practice, or any patient who does not demonstrate measurable or functional improvement after 10 visits or 21 business days, whichever occurs first. The physical therapist must also consult with an approved health care provider before continuing therapy if after 10 visits or 21 business days, whichever occurs first, the patient has demonstrated measurable or functional improvement from the physical therapy and the physical therapist believes that continuation of physical therapy is necessary. Continued physical therapy must be in accordance with any direction of the health care provider. The physical therapist must notify the health care provider of continuing physical therapy every 30 days.
Currently, a complaint can be filed against a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who uses controlled substances or alcohol to an extent that it impairs the person's ability to perform his or her work; this bill changes the language to prevent use of a controlled substance or alcohol in any amount detectable by a toxicology test.
This bill is similar to HB 1869 (2020), HCS HB 410 (2019), and HB 2090 (2018).
Statutes affected: