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| Georgia General Assembly |
HB96.html
House Bill 96
By:
Representatives Hudson of the 120th, Squires of the 78th,
Franklin of the 39th, Bordeaux of the 151st and Orrock of
the 56th
A BILL TO BE
ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Chapter 33 of Title 43 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, the "Georgia Physical Therapy Act," so as to change the
provisions relating to definitions, practice of physical therapy and
physiotherapy, and use of certain words relating thereto; to change the
provisions regarding disciplinary sanctions; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
GEORGIA:
SECTION 1.
Chapter 33 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, the "Georgia Physical Therapy Act," is amended by striking paragraph
(7) of Code Section 43_33_3, relating to definitions, and inserting in its place
the
following:
"(7)
'Physical therapy' or 'physiotherapy' means the care and services provided by
or under the direction and supervision of a licensed physical
therapist.
(7.1) 'Practice of physical
therapy' means the examination, treatment, intervention, and
instruction of human beings to detect, assess, prevent,
correct, alleviate, rehabilitate, and limit physical disability, bodily
malfunction and pain from injury, disease, and any other bodily and mental
conditions and includes the administration, interpretation, documentation, and
evaluation of tests and measurements of bodily functions and structures; the
planning, administration, evaluation, and modification of treatment and
instruction, including the use of physical measures, activities, and devices,
for preventative preventive and therapeutic purposes;
and the provision of consultative, educational, and other advisory services for
the purpose of preventing or reducing the incidence and severity of physical
disability, bodily malfunction, and
pain."
SECTION 2.
Said chapter is further amended by striking the introductory
language immediately preceding the designated paragraphs of Code Section
43-33-11, relating to licenses and permissible titles, and inserting in its
place the
following:
"A
physical therapist shall display either the title 'physical therapist' or the
abbreviation 'P.T.' on a name tag or other similar form of identification during
times when such person is providing direct patient care. A physical therapist
assistant shall display either the title 'physical therapist assistant' or the
abbreviation 'P.T.A.' on a name tag or other similar form of identification
during times when such person is providing direct patient care. A physical
therapy aide shall be required to display the title 'physical therapy aide' on a
name tag or other similar form of identification during times when such person
is assisting a licensee. No person shall practice as a physical therapist or
function as a physical therapist assistant nor hold himself or herself
out as being able to practice as a physical therapist or function as a
physical therapist assistant or as providing practicing
physical therapy or physiotherapy or use the initials P.T. or P.T.A. in
conjunction therewith or use any word or title to induce the belief that he or
she is engaged in the practice of physical therapy unless he or she holds a
license and otherwise complies with the provisions of this chapter and the rules
and regulations adopted by the board. Nothing in this Code section shall be
construed as preventing or restricting the practice, services, or activities
of:".
SECTION 3.
Said chapter is further amended by striking paragraph (1) of
subsection (a) of Code Section 43_33_18, relating to disciplinary sanctions, and
inserting in its place the
following:
"(1)
Implemented a program of physical therapy treatment without consultation
with an appropriate licensed practitioner of the healing arts, or in the case of
practice as a physical therapist assistant, practiced other than under the
supervision and direction of a licensed physical therapist;
intervention:
(A) Not consistent with
prevailing standards of practice or the code of ethics established by the board;
or
(B) Without consultation with an appropriate
licensed practitioner of the healing arts unless such physical
therapist:
(i) Has completed all continuing
competency requirements established by the board;
and
(ii) Refrains from implementing such a
program without consultation when:
(I) Signs
and symptoms of the patient are present that would require treatment beyond the
scope of physical therapy practice;
(II)
Physical therapy is contraindicated; or
(III)
Thirty days have passed since the initial physical therapy
treatment;
(1.1) Practiced as a physical
therapist assistant other than under the supervision and direction of a licensed
physical
therapist;".
SECTION 4.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are
repealed.