Physical therapy; certain experience and referrals required to practice. (SB776)

Introduced By

Sen. Steve Newman (R-Forest) with support from co-patron Del. Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Direct access to physical therapy. Provides that a physical therapist who has completed a doctor of physical therapy program approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education or who has obtained a certificate of authorization may evaluate and treat patients for up to 30 days after an initial evaluation without a referral if (i) the patient is not receiving care from a licensed health care provider for the symptoms giving rise to the presentation at the time of the presentation to the physical therapist for physical therapy services or (ii) the patient is receiving care from a licensed health care provider at the time of his presentation to the physical therapist for the symptoms giving rise to the presentation for physical therapy services and the patient identifies a health care provider from whom he is currently receiving care, the patient gives written consent for the physical therapist to release all personal health information and treatment records to the identified practitioner, and the physical therapist notifies the practitioner identified by the patient no later than 14 days after treatment commences and provides the practitioner with a copy of the initial evaluation along with a copy of the patient history obtained by the physical therapist. The bill allows a physical therapist who has not completed a doctor of physical therapy program approved by the American Physical Therapy Association or received a certificate of authorization to conduct a one-time evaluation of a patient who has not met the criteria for evaluation and treatment without a referral and direction, provided the physical therapist does not provide treatment. The bill eliminates the requirement for continuing education for physical therapists who have received a certificate of authorization and eliminates the advisory committee established to consult with the Board of Physical Therapy in promulgating regulations for minimum education, training, and experience criteria. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Passed

History

DateAction
12/29/2014Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/15 15100821D
12/29/2014Referred to Committee on Education and Health
01/14/2015Assigned Education sub: Health Professions
01/23/2015Impact statement from VDH (SB776)
01/29/2015Reported from Education and Health (13-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/30/2015Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/02/2015Read second time and engrossed
02/03/2015Read third time and passed Senate (38-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/06/2015Placed on Calendar
02/06/2015Read first time
02/06/2015Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions
02/10/2015Reported from Health, Welfare and Institutions (22-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/11/2015Read second time
02/12/2015Read third time
02/12/2015Passed House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N)
02/12/2015VOTE: BLOCK VOTE PASSAGE (99-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
02/16/2015Enrolled
02/16/2015Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB776ER)
02/16/2015Signed by Speaker
02/18/2015Impact statement from VDH (SB776ER)
02/19/2015Signed by President
02/20/2015Enrolled Bill Communicated to Governor on 2/20/15
02/20/2015G Governor's Action Deadline Midnight, Friday, February 27, 2015
03/04/2015Governor's recommendation received by Senate
04/14/2015Placed on Calendar
04/15/2015Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (40-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
04/15/2015House concurred in Governor's recommendation (98-Y 0-N)
04/15/2015VOTE: ADOPTION (98-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
04/15/2015G Governor's recommendation adopted
04/15/2015Reenrolled
04/15/2015Reenrolled bill text (SB776ER2)
04/15/2015Signed by President as reenrolled
04/15/2015Signed by Speaker as reenrolled
04/15/2015Enacted, Chapter 746 (effective 7/1/15)
04/15/2015G Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0746)

Video

This bill was discussed on the floor of the General Assembly. Below is all of the video that we have of that discussion, 1 clip in all, totaling 35 seconds.

Duplicate Bills

The following bills are identical to this one: HB1457.