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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3821 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 459
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
John H. Rogers
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act enhancing podiatric profession's registration and oversight.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:John H. Rogers12th Norfolk1/17/2025 1 of 3
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3821 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 459
By Representative Rogers of Norwood, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 459) of John
H. Rogers relative to the board of registration in podiatry within the board of registration in
medicine. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act enhancing podiatric profession's registration and oversight.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 13 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out sections
212A to 12C, inclusive, and inserting in place thereof the following sections:-
3 Section 12A. There shall be within the board of registration in medicine a board of
4registration in podiatry, to be appointed by the governor, in this and in the following two sections
5called the podiatry board, consisting of five members, citizens of the commonwealth, three of
6whom shall have had at least seven years of practice in podiatry in this commonwealth. The
7fourth member shall be a registered physician who shall have had at least seven years of practice
8in medicine in this commonwealth. The fifth member shall be a representative of the public,
9subject to the provisions of section nine B. No member of the board shall be connected in any
10way with a school of podiatry or be financially interested in any manufacturing, wholesale or
11retail business, pertaining to podiatry in any form whatsoever. As the term of a member expires,
12his successor shall be appointed by the governor, to serve for five years. 2 of 3
13 Section 12B. The podiatry board shall annually meet in the month of October at such
14time and place as it shall determine, and shall organize by electing a chairman and secretary, who
15shall be members of the podiatry board, and who shall hold their respective offices for one year.
16The podiatry board shall hold at least six additional meetings at such times and places as it shall
17determine or upon call of the chairman. Three members of the podiatry board shall constitute a
18quorum for the transaction of business.
19 Section 12C. The members of the podiatry board shall serve without compensation but
20shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses reasonably incurred in the performances
21of their duties as members or on behalf of the podiatry board.
22 SECTION 2. Said chapter 13 is further amended by inserting after section 12C the
23following section:-
24 Section 12D. The board of registration in medicine in consultation with the commissioner
25of public health may review and approve rules and regulations proposed by the podiatry board.
26Such regulations will be deemed approved unless disapproved within ninety days of submission
27to the medicine board provided, however, that any such disapproval shall be in writing setting
28forth the reasons for such disapproval.
29 SECTION 3. Chapter 112 of the General Laws is hereby amended by striking out section
3017A and inserting in place thereof the following section:-
31 Section 17A. The board shall keep a full record of its proceedings and a registry of all
32persons registered by it, which shall be public records and open to inspection. Subject to the
33provisions of section 12D of chapter 13, the board shall make such rules and regulations as may 3 of 3
34be necessary for the proper conduct of its duties. It shall make an annual report, including a
35statement of the condition of podiatry in the commonwealth.
36 The board shall investigate all complaints of the violation of any provision of sections
37thirteen to twenty-two, inclusive, or of section sixty-five relative to podiatry, and report the same
38to the proper prosecuting officers.
39 Said chapter 112 is further amended by inserting after section 17B the following
40Section:-
41 Section 17C. The board shall promulgate regulations jointly with the board of
42registration in medicine, and in consultation with the commissioner of public health, to ensure
43that podiatrists under the board of registration in podiatry are subject to requirements
44commensurate to those that physicians are subject to under the board of registration in medicine
45pursuant to section 5 and sections 5A to 5M, inclusive, as they apply to the creation and public
46dissemination of individual profiles and licensure restrictions, disciplinary actions and reports,
47claims or reports of malpractice, communication with professional organizations, physical and
48mental examinations, investigation of complaints and other aspects of professional conduct and
49discipline.