HLS 14RS-1699 ORIGINAL
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE BILL NO. 1064
BY REPRESENTATIVE BROWN
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS: Eliminates restrictions on performance of physical therapy
services without a prescription or referral
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 37:2418(B) and to repeal R.S. 37:2418(C) and (D), relative to2
the practice of physical therapy; to eliminate certain restrictions on performance of3
physical therapy services; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 37:2418(B) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 6
ยง2418. Authority to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant7
* * *8
B. Without prescription or referral, a physical therapist may perform an9
initial evaluation or consultation of a screening nature to determine the need for10
physical therapy and may perform physical therapy or other services provided in11
Subsection C of this Section. However, implementation of A physical therapist may12
implement physical therapy treatment shall otherwise be based on the with or13
without a prescription or referral of a person licensed to practice medicine, surgery,14
dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic.15
* * *16
Section 2. R.S. 37:2418(C) and (D) are hereby repealed in their entirety.17
Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not18
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature19
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If20 HLS 14RS-1699 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 1064
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become1
effective on the day following such approval.2
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Brown HB No. 1064
Abstract: Eliminates restrictions on performance of physical therapy services without a
prescription or referral.
Present law provides that except under certain circumstances as specified in present law,
physical therapy treatment may only be implemented based on the prescription or referral
of a person licensed to practice medicine, surgery, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic.
Proposed law revises present law to provide that a physical therapist may render physical
therapy treatment with or without a type of prescription or referral provided for in present
law.
Proposed law retains present law which provides that physical therapy services performed
without a prescription or referral from a person licensed to practice medicine, surgery,
dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic shall not be construed as any of the following:
(1)Mandating coverage for physical therapy services under any health care plan,
insurance policy, or workers' compensation plan.
(2)Circumventing any requirement for preauthorization of services in accordance with
any health care plan, insurance policy, or workers' compensation plan.
Proposed law repeals provisions of present law which become inapplicable pursuant to
proposed law.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 37:2418(B); Repeals R.S. 37:2418(C) and (D))