RDCSB291 2270 4296
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)]
SB 291 Reengrossed 2016 Regular Session Mills
Present law authorizes a physical therapist to perform an initial evaluation or consultation
of a screening nature to determine the need for physical therapy without a prescription or
referral.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that except under certain circumstances as specified in present law,
physical therapy treatment may be implemented only based on the prescription or referral
of a person licensed to practice medicine, surgery, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic.
Proposed law authorizes a physical therapist to treat a specific condition, other than under
the circumstances provided for in present law, with or without a prescription or referral of
a person licensed to practice medicine, surgery, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic if the
physical therapist meets one of the following criteria:
(1)The physical therapist has a doctorate in physical therapy and two years of clinical
practice experience.
(2)The physical therapist has a doctorate in physical therapy and a post-graduate
certification.
(3)The physical therapist has a doctorate in physical therapy and an American Board
of Physical Therapy specialties board certification.
(4)The physical therapist has a doctorate in physical therapy and residency or
fellowship training.
(5)The physical therapist has 5 years of clinical practice experience.
Proposed law requires a physical therapist who provides treatment pursuant to proposed law
to provide notice to the appropriate healthcare provider within 15 calendar days of
implementing physical therapy treatment.
Proposed law requires the physical therapist, if after 30 calendar days of implementing
physical therapy treatment the patient has not made measurable or functional improvement,
to refer the patient to an appropriate healthcare provider.
Proposed law prohibits a physical therapist from rendering a medical diagnosis of an acute
or chronic condition.
Proposed law authorizes the La. Physical Therapy Board to suspend the license of any
person who fails to timely refer a patient to an appropriate healthcare provider as required
by proposed law.
Proposed law authorizes the board, after a hearing concerning the violation in which the
board substantiates the violation, to revoke the license of the person who committed the
violation and requires the board to fine the person the greater of the following amounts:
(1)$1,000.
(2)The amount of compensation the person received for the services which were the
basis of the violation.
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Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 37:2418(B); repeals R.S. 37:2418(C) and (D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Requires a physical therapist to notify the health care provider of the patient's
choice within 15 days of implementing treatment.
2. Requires a physical therapist to refer a patient to an appropriate health care
provider if after 30 business days of implementing treatment the patient has
not made measurable or functional improvement.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to
the reengrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
2. Restore provisions of present law authorizing a physical therapist to perform an
initial consultation without a prescription or referral.
3. Require a physical therapist to meet certain education and experience criteria
prior to implementing physical therapy treatment without a prescription or
referral for a specific condition not already exempted by present law.
4. Clarify that the notification deadline is 15 calendar days.
5. Change the referral deadline from 30 business days to 30 calendar days.
6. Prohibit a physical therapist from rendering a medical diagnosis of an acute or
chronic condition.
7. Authorize the board to suspend or revoke the license of any person who fails to
timely refer a patient.
8. Require the board to fine any person who fails to timely refer a patient.
9. Restore provisions of present law authorizing the implementation of physical
therapy treatment without a prescription or referral in certain circumstances.
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