2016 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 291
BY SENATORS MILLS, BARROW, BOUDREAUX, BROWN, COLOMB, DONAHUE,
GATTI, LAFLEUR, LONG, MILKOVICH, MORRELL, PEACOCK,
PETERSON AND TARVER
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 37:2418(B) and the introductory paragraph of 2418(C) and
3 2420(B) and (C), relative to the practice of physical therapy; to authorize
4 implementation of physical therapy services in certain circumstances; to provide for
5 disciplinary action; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related
6 matters.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 37:2418(B) and the introductory paragraph of 2418(C) and 2420(B)
9 and (C) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
10 ยง2418. Authority to practice as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant
11 * * *
12 B.(1) Without prescription or referral, a physical therapist may perform an
13 initial evaluation or consultation of a screening nature to determine the need for
14 physical therapy and may perform physical therapy or other services provided in
15 Subsection C of this Section. However, implementation of physical therapy
16 treatment shall otherwise be based on the prescription or referral of a person licensed
17 to practice medicine, surgery, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic.
18 (2)(a) For the treatment of a condition within the scope of physical
19 therapy, other than under the circumstances provided for in Subsection C of
20 this Section, a physical therapist may implement physical therapy treatment
21 with or without a prescription or referral of a person licensed to practice
22 medicine, surgery, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic if the physical therapist
23 meets one of the following criteria:
24 (i) The physical therapist has a doctorate degree in physical therapy
25 from an accredited institution.
ACT No. 396
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 291 ENROLLED
1 (ii) The physical therapist has five years of licensed clinical practice
2 experience.
3 (b) If, after thirty calendar days of implementing physical therapy
4 treatment pursuant to this Paragraph, the patient has not made measurable or
5 functional improvement, the physical therapist shall refer the patient to an
6 appropriate healthcare provider. The board shall take appropriate disciplinary
7 action against any physical therapist who fails to refer a patient pursuant to this
8 Paragraph.
9 (3) No physical therapist shall render a medical diagnosis of a disease.
10 (4)(a) The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to have any
11 effect on the provisions of R.S. 23:1121 or R.S. 23:1203.1.
12 (b) The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to have any
13 effect on the monetary limit provided for in R.S. 23:1142.
14 C. Except as to an initial evaluation or consultation, as provided in
15 Subsection B of this Section, physical Physical therapy services may be performed
16 without a prescription or by referral only under any of the following circumstances:
17 * * *
18 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
19 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
20 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
21 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
22 effective on the day following such approval.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.