Researcher: ND Page 1 3/25/24
OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 5196
AN ACT EXPANDING THE PODIATRIC SCOPE OF PRACTICE.
SUMMARY
This bill expands the scope of practice of podiatric medicine to allow
podiatrists to independently perform forefoot and midfoot
amputations. To do so, a licensed podiatrist must provide the
Department of Public Health (DPH) documentation that they:
1. graduated from a podiatric residency program meeting specified
criteria and
2. hold current board certification or qualification in reconstructive
rearfoot ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle
Surgery, or its successor.
Under the bill, the residency program must have been accredited by
the Council on Podiatric Medical Education, or its successor, at the time
the podiatrist graduated. The program must have been at least (1) two
years in length if the person graduated before June 1, 2006, or (2) three
years for graduates on or after that date.
Current law already allows podiatrists who meet the above criteria
to independently perform certain ankle surgeries, including all soft
tissue and osseous procedures (e.g., fixing ankle factures, ankle fusions,
and ankle arthroscopy). They cannot perform total ankle replacements,
tibial pilon fracture surgeries, or surgeries to treat complications within
the tibial diaphysis related to the use of external fixation pins.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2024
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Health Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 36 Nay 1 (03/11/2024)