Georgia 2025-2026 Regular Session

Georgia House Bill HB457 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	25 LC 52 0662
2	2	House Bill 457
3	3	By: Representatives Horner of the 3
4	4	rd
5	5	, Powell of the 33
6	6	rd
7	7	, Carpenter of the 4
8	8	th
9	9	, Ridley of the
10	10	22
11	11	nd
12	12	, and Jasperse of the 11
13	13	th
14	14
15	15	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
16	16	AN ACT
17	17	To amend Chapter 28 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
18	18	1
19	19	occupational therapists, so as to authorize occupational therapists to perform dry needling2
20	20	as a physical agent modality if certain training and education requirements are met; to3
21	21	provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for4
22	22	other purposes.5
23	23	BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6
24	24	SECTION 1.7
25	25	Chapter 28 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to occupational8
26	26	therapists, is amended in Code Section 43-28-3, relating to definitions, by revising9
27	27	paragraph (12) and by adding a new paragraph to read as follows:10
28	28	"(1.1) 'Dry needling' means a skilled technique that uses a thin filiform needle to
29	29	11
30	30	penetrate the skin and stimulate underlying neural, muscular, and connective tissues for12
31	31	the management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, pain, and movement impairments. 13
32	32	Such term shall not include the teaching or application of acupuncture."14
33	33	"(12) 'Physical agent modalities' means occupational therapy treatment techniques, both15
34	34	superficial and deep tissue, which may, but are not required to utilize the following16
35	35	H. B. 457
36	36	- 1 - 25 LC 52 0662
37	37	agents: thermal, mechanical, electromagnetic, water, and light, and dry needling for a17
38	38	specific therapeutic effect to promote functional outcomes."18
39	39	SECTION 2.19
40	40	Said chapter is further amended by revising Code Section 43-28-8, relating to license20
41	41	requirements for therapy techniques involving physical agent modalities, as follows:21
42	42	"43-28-8.22
43	43	(a) No person shall utilize occupational therapy techniques involving physical agent23
44	44	modalities unless such person:24
45	45	(1) Is licensed according to this article; and25
46	46	(2) Has successfully completed a minimum of 90 hours of instruction or training26
47	47	approved by the board which covers the following subjects:27
48	48	(A) Principles of physics related to specific properties of light, water, temperature,28
49	49	sound, or electricity, as indicated by selected modality;29
50	50	(B) Physiological, neurophysiological, and electrophysiological, as indicated, changes30
51	51	which occur as a result of the application of the selected modality;31
52	52	(C) The response of normal and abnormal tissue to the application of the modality;32
53	53	(D) Indications and contraindications related to the selection and application of the33
54	54	modality;34
55	55	(E) Guidelines for treatment or administration of the modality within the philosophical35
56	56	framework of occupational therapy;36
57	57	(F) Appropriate selection and practical application of physical agent modalities,37
58	58	including determining treatment parameters based on existing pathology, impairments,38
59	59	functional limitations, and expected outcomes;39
60	60	(G) Guidelines for educating the patient, including instructing the patient as to the40
61	61	process and possible outcomes of treatment, including risks and benefits;41
62	62	(H) Safety rules and precautions related to the selected modality;42
63	63	H. B. 457
64	64	- 2 - 25 LC 52 0662
65	65	(I) Methods for documenting the effectiveness of immediate and long-term effects of
66	66	43
67	67	treatment; and44
68	68	(J) Characteristics of the equipment, including safe operation, adjustment, and care of45
69	69	the equipment.46
70	70	(b)(1) No occupational therapist shall perform dry needling unless he or she:
71	71	47
72	72	(A) Is certified to use physical agent modalities;48
73	73	(B) Has a minimum of three years of clinical experience as a licensed occupational49
74	74	therapist; provided, however, that the board may, in its discretion, accept a lesser50
75	75	amount of clinical experience if the board receives documentation of completion of51
76	76	courses specifically in dry needling taken while in attendance at an occupational52
77	77	therapy program recognized by the board; and53
78	78	(C) Has documented successful completion of coursework in dry needling acceptable54
79	79	to the board that includes study of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems; the55
80	80	anatomical basis of pain mechanisms, chronic pain, and referred pain; myofascial56
81	81	trigger point theory; and universal precautions. Such coursework shall also include57
82	82	postgraduate instruction in:58
83	83	(i) Anatomical review for safety and effectiveness;59
84	84	(ii) Indications and contraindications for dry needling;60
85	85	(iii) Management of adverse effects; and61
86	86	(iv) Evidence based instruction in the theory of dry needling.62
87	87	(2) Except for remote study or self-study required as a part of postgraduate coursework63
88	88	in dry needling, online instruction shall not be considered appropriate training.64
89	89	(3)(A) In order to perform dry needling on a patient's upper extremities, an65
90	90	occupational therapist shall have successfully completed a minimum of 28 hours of66
91	91	postgraduate instruction, of which a minimum of 22 hours shall have been in-person67
92	92	postgraduate instruction in dry needling on upper extremities in a course acceptable to68
93	93	the board.69
94	94	H. B. 457
95	95	- 3 - 25 LC 52 0662
96	96	(B) In order to perform dry needling on a patient's lower extremities, an occupational70
97	97	therapist shall meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph and shall71
98	98	have successfully completed a minimum of an additional 40 hours of in-person72
99	99	postgraduate instruction in dry needling on lower extremities in a course acceptable to73
100	100	the board.74
101	101	(4) An occupational therapist shall not perform dry needling unless the patient has signed75
102	102	an informed consent, which shall be maintained in the patient's medical record. The76
103	103	written informed consent shall clearly state the risks and benefits of dry needling, the77
104	104	occupational therapist's level of education and training in dry needling, and any other78
105	105	information required by the board.79
106	106	(b)(c) The board shall promulgate rules and regulations specifically pertaining to the use80
107	107	of physical agent modalities by a person licensed under this article."81
108	108	SECTION 3.82
109	109	All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.83
110	110	H. B. 457
111	111	- 4 -