HB 144 Doll, Jo
HB 144 -- PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
SPONSOR: Doll
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, as long as the physical therapist has a Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree or has five years of clinical practice as a physical therapist. However, the bill does require a physical therapist 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. The bill removes a provision that allows the State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts to file a complaint against a physical therapist who provides physical therapy without a prescription.
This bill is similar to HB 1555 (2022) and HB 367 (2021).